GCSE Speaking and Listening: Writing your Presentation (AQA GCSE English Language) : Revision Note
Your presentation must be well planned and clearly organised. The more prepared you are, the more confidently and fluently you will be able to deliver your presentation.
Planning and organising your research
Before you start to write your speech, it is important to think carefully about your chosen topic, your audience and the purpose of your presentation. Here are some questions to consider:
Why did you choose this topic? | How is this topic relevant to your audience? | What is the purpose of your talk? | What is your main point about this topic? | What information do you need to find, and how and where can you find it? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Is the topic something you are passionate about, experienced personally or simply find interesting? | Why should your listeners care about what you are saying? Can they relate to it, learn something new or be inspired? | Are you aiming to inform, entertain, persuade, etc.? | What key idea or argument do you want your audience to remember by the end? | Which sources will you use to research and gather material about your topic? |
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Your presentation must be planned and organised. Lack of preparation will prevent you achieving the criteria for the higher grades. Plus the more prepared you are, the more naturally your ideas will flow and engage your audience.
Remember, the examiner (your teacher) is looking for structure, clarity and engagement, so give yourself the best chance by practising thoroughly and knowing your topic inside out.
How to structure a speaking and listening presentation
Many students use a structure like this one for their presentation:
Introduction | Arguments for | Arguments against | Conclusion |
This can work well for persuasive or informative presentations, but remember, talking is different from writing
When you are speaking, you need to help your audience follow your ideas clearly and stay engaged
This becomes even more important if you are trying to influence their thinking, not just informing them
Openings
Your introduction should set the tone and draw your audience in.
A great opening should:
Hook your listeners: use a question, a powerful fact, an anecdote or a bold statement
Introduce your topic clearly: ensure the audience knows what you are talking about and why it matters
Example
“If you lost your mobile phone today, how long would it take before you started to panic? Five minutes? Ten? For many of us, mobile phones have become an integral part of our lives. But has our dependence on them simply gone too far?” |
Developing your ideas
The middle section of your presentation is where you should present your main points clearly and confidently. You need to:
Organise your ideas logically: one point should naturally flow into the next
Support your points with evidence: use facts, statistics or personal experience
Use rhetorical devices: include repetition, emotive language and rhetorical questions
Example
“We rely on our phones for everything, from communicating with friends and family, getting directions, shopping or entertaining to even managing our sleep. But the more we depend on them, the more we risk losing real-life connections.” |
Endings
Endings are just as important as openings, though they are often forgotten or rushed. Your ending should be powerful and memorable. A strong ending should:
Summarise your key message: remind your audience what you want them to take away from your presentation
Reflect on your topic: share a final personal thought, opinion or insight
End with impact: this could be a quote, a though-provoking question or a call to action
Example
“Being connected is powerful. But being too connected is perhaps damaging in some ways. Maybe it’s time we asked ourselves: do we control our devices or do they control us? Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is switch off.” |
Speaking and listening: final tips to remember
Choose a topic that interests you
Identify a point of view to give your talk purpose and shape
Think about your audience
Do your research
Make an impact from the start
Answer questions with authority
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