Gary愛分享 (Gary Love Share)

Speaking Strategies for Discussion (討論題、申論題)

在TOEFL, IELTS及 GEPT中高級的口說考試中，都會有討論的題型，也就是你會聽到或看到一個問題，考生也會有一些時間準備，可以擬草稿，接下來要有將近1-2分鐘的時間內闡述你的意見、評論、想法、立場，或敘述一個故事。這類型的題目除了需要許多領域的字彙片語有一定的涉獵之外(語言能力)，另外也必須要具有將自己所會的東西整合，有條理地表達出來(表達能力)，對一般平常比較缺乏critical thinking(批判性思考)訓練的台灣學生而言，是一個蠻大的挑戰。有的人常會問是否有一種比較制式化的格式，以方便學生們快速構思內容呢？因此今天咱們撇開與內容本身相關的字彙片語，分享一下我覺得一個還不錯的口說構思格式，看對大家有沒有幫助。

通常這類的題目以論述居多，因此開場白(opening)可用一些常用的片語，如from my perspective, in my opinion等等來開頭，接下來就要講出自己的論點或想法，我們稱之為topic statement，讓聽的人一下子就知道你對這個問題的中心思想是什麼，接下來，再針對你的topic statement，陳述「為什麼」你的論點是對的「理由」(reasons)、「證據」(arguments)、「步驟」(steps, plans)、「故事」(stories, anecdote)等等。而在陳述「理由」、「證據」、「步驟」、「故事」時，最好是能條理化，分點說明，這樣子聆聽者會比較能抓到你的重點。而在陳述故事時，大多使用過去式，所以要特別注意時態的一致性，切忌現在式、未來式、過去式、現在完成式全部都混在一起，想到什麼就說什麼，而造成重大的文法錯誤。在陳述完理由時，必須下個結論(make a conclusion)，做一個完整的結尾(ending)。基本上這就是面對這類題型的應考方式，再詳述如下。

1. Opening
2. Topic Statement: (concrete, not necessarily a truth)
   Supporting Arguments (or Reasons): (itemize or list your points in order)
   First,
   Second,
   Third,
   Next,
   And then,
   Finally (Last but not least)
   Examples (stories, anecdotes, personal experiences) – watch out for tense coherence
   (past tense most of the time
   when you tell a story)
3. Making a Conclusion

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• 在Opening有一些常看到的片語如下:
  1. From my perspective 4. As far as I know
  2. From my point of view 5. To my eye,
  3. In my opinion

• Before Stating Your Reasons or Arguments (Prepositions)-在陳述理由、論點前可運用的句子
  1. The following are the reasons /causes
  2. There are several (possible, probable) reasons /causes
  3. The reasons why S + V are as follows:
  4. When it comes to N (V-ing), there are several causes behind the phenomenon.

• Giving Examples (要舉例時可用到的片語)
  1. For instance 2. For example 3. Take N (以..為例)

• Marking a conclusion(作結論前可用到的句子)
  (1) On the whole (all in all),
  (2) In summary,
  (3) To sum up,
  (4) In brief,
  (5) To summarize,
  (6) In short,
  (7) To conclude,
  (8) In a word,
  (9)To wind up,
  (10) At the end of the day (, when all is said and done)
  (11) In a nutshell
  (12)By and large

• Transitional words(在敘述時，也可適時加入一些轉折語氣詞，使語氣更順暢)
  (1) However,
  (2) In addition/besides/besides that/ Moreover/furthermore/What’s more
  (3) On (the) one hand, ........on the other hand.....
  (4) Therefore/ Consequently/thus/ as a result
  (5) In contrast,
  (6) On the contrary/ Conversely,
  (7) On top of that/ Plus,

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接下來就給大家舉個例子吧！

Question: Where would you like to be professionally in ten years?

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草擬及重點如下：

TOPIC STATEMENT: I would like to own my own business
SUPPORT: How I will work toward owing my business
(concrete plans)
● will get master’s in business administration
● will work in a company while planning my business
● will start my own business when I am ready
CONCLUSION: Stick to my plans with perseverance, patience and passion

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講出來的內容經過修飾、加入轉折語氣詞後如下:

In ten years, I would like to own an important business of my own. In order to make this dream come true, I make the following plans. First (of all), I will apply for a master’s program in business administration next year so that I can take some courses about how to manage and market a company. Next, after graduation, that will be three years from now, I will work in a company for a few years to make more money and to get as more hands-on (pragmatic) experience as possible while planning my business. Finally, when time is ripe and I’m ready, I will start my own business.

In conclusion, easier said than done. In order to achieve the goal within ten years, I will try my best to stick to those tentative plans. I know there will be a lot of obstacles (hurdles, difficulties, challenges) up ahead waiting for me. However, I believe, with perseverance, patience and passion, I can make it happen.

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希望上面的 tips多多少少對大家準備這類的題型時有幫助，有什麼問題或建議可別忘了告訴我哦!