The Characteristics of a Good Public Speaker

Making a suggestion

 

• Let’s . . . go for a coffee after class.
• Why don’t we . . . see a movie tonight?
• How about . . . trying the new Chinese place?*
• What about . . . renting a video?*
• How do you feel about . . . going to the mall?*

• I suggest that we . . . hire a consultant.
• We might try . . . conducting a survey.*
• We might consider . . . renegotiating our contract.*
• Perhaps we could . . . schedule a meeting for later.

* These expressions must be followed by the gerund (-ing form) of the verb.

Accepting a suggestion

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• Sounds great!
• That sounds good.
• Sure. Why not?
• I think that’ll work.

• That’s an excellent suggestion
• That sounds like it could work.
• That sounds like a good idea.

Rejecting a suggestion

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• Mmm, . . . I’m not sure.
• Well, . . . possibly.
• I don’t think that’s such a good idea . . . because I have an early class tomorrow.

• I’m not sure that will work because . . . we don’t have enough statistical data.
• That could pose problems.
• I see some potential difficulties with that idea.

THE PROPOSAL CYCLE

STATING FACTS

THE OPINION CYCLE

THE CLARIFICATION CYCLE

Someone says something that

you don’t understand.

ANALYZING SOLUTIONS

SUMMARY OF EXPRESSIONS

• Is the solution economical?
• Is the cost reasonable?
• Is it cost effective?
• Do we have enough money to pay for this?
• What will this solution cost to implement/maintain?

• The solution is/isn't very economical.
• The cost is reasonable/unreasonable.
• It's/ It isn't worth the cost/money.
• It will/won't cost too much (money).
• We have plenty of / don't have enough money to cover the costs.
• It's cost effective.
• It’s a waste of money

• How long will it take to get results?
• Will this solution have an immediate effect?
• Is this a permanent or only a temporary solution?
• Will it have a long-term effect?

• This will have an immediate effect.
• This will take too long to get results.
• It's worth the time: It's a waste of time.
• It's a long-term/short term solution.
• It's / It isn't worth the time it will take to get results.

• Will this create new problems?
• Will this plan require a lot of paperwork? a lot of meetings? firing any employees? retraining current workers?

• The solution will not create any new problems.
• The solution may cause even worse problems, such as…..
• The advantages outweigh/don't outweigh the disadvantages.
• The drawbacks are minimal compared to the possible benefits.

• How feasible/workable/practical is this solution?
• How easy will it be to implement this solution?
• Is the required technology/equipment available.?
• Are the required resources/personnel/facilities available?

• It's / It isn't feasible/workable/practical.
• It's / It isn't worth the effort.
• It will be easy/simple to put into effect.
• It will be too much trouble/complicated/difficult to put into effect.
• It will definitely work.
• It won't work because we don't have the necessary...

• Will everyone involved be satisfied with / accept this solution?
• Will the people in chare agree to this solution?

• Everyone/not everyone will be satisfied with/will accept this solution.
• The people in charge/management will/won't agree to this decision

• Will this solution really solve the problem? eliminate the causes of the problem?

• The solution will/won't be effective because …
• the solution may not totally solve the problem, but it will certainly improve the situation / it's a step in the right direction / it's the best we can do for now.