Communicating technology Guiding your audience: metadiscourse LC-1114 Communicating technology

TRANSITIONS AND SIGNPOSTS ARE… ...elements of metadiscourse that verbalise logical connections between ideas, facts and the elements of the talk, thus enhancing understanding.

TRANSITIONS… are words, phrases, or sentences that connect the speech ideas together are “verbal bridges” between ideas alert the audience that a new point will be made Let’s now… In conclusion, … To sum up,… However,… Another reason is… I’d now like to…

TRANSITIONS ARE USED… after the introduction between each main point within each main point between slides before the conclusion

TRANSITIONS Transitions between main points When moving from one main point to another, full-sentence transitions are especially effective Next, let's look at exactly what sales contests can do for us.

TRANSITIONS Transitions between subpoints Adjectives, like ‘another’ and ‘other’ enumeration, such as First, Second, third, superordinate terms in guiding your audience between points. Another way that sales competitions will benefit us is by their relative cost effectiveness.

TRANSITIONS Transitions between subpoints Adjectives, like ‘another’ and ‘other’ enumeration, such as First, Second, third, superordinate terms in guiding your audience between points. A second reason why sales competitions will benefit us is their relative cost effectiveness.

TRANSITIONS Transitions between subpoints In addition to… In addition to costing less than a loss in revenues, sales contests are less expensive than training new people. The conjunction ‘in addition to’ is particularly effective here, since it uses ‘old’ information already discussed to introduce ‘new’ information, the next point

lorries cars bicycles trams ships Superordinate terms 'Umbrella' terms that can stand for an entire class or category of things. VEHICLES (superordinate) lorries cars bicycles trams ships Typical superordinate terms: Option Alternative Example Criterion Feature Aspect Benefit Advantage Drawback Problem Issue Technique Method Strategy Approach Solution Reason Rationale Consequence Effect Motivation Phase Stage Step Effect Procedure

Superordinate terms NUMBER + [superordinate] + [list of items] Today's computer-display manufacturers are limited by three factors. The first factor is… Another factor is…. And the third factor is… [superordinate] + SUCH AS / INCLUDING + [examples] The mobile lifestyle we know today would not be possible without vehicles such as automobiles, buses, trams, and aircraft.

Superordinate terms So, let’s now take a look at the three advantages that our company can gain by sponsoring sales contests. The first advantage is that competition will motivate… The second advantage of choosing a contest instead of … is that… The most important reason is that… In addition to being cheaper than the other options, a third advantage of sales contests is that… Another reason is that…

Techniques for creating transitions 1. Restate-forecast Restates the point just covered and previews the point to be covered next Now that we've established a need for sales contests (restatement), let's now take a look at what sales contests can do for us (forecast). Now that we've established a need for sales contests (restatement), Now that I've shown you the problems caused by the common weaknesses in construction project planning, we can next move on to how BIM provides construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure. Now that I've shown you the problems caused by the common weaknesses in construction project planning (restatement), we can move on to see how BIM provides construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure (forecast). Now that I've shown you the problems caused by the common weaknesses in construction project planning (restatement), we can move on to see how BIM provides construction professionals with the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.

Techniques for creating transitions 2. Rhetorical questions Rhetorical questions are effective, because the audience wants to see if you agree with their answer. Will contests be too expensive? Well, actually they won’t because... So, how many stages are there then in this process? As you may know, it contains five steps.

Techniques for creating transitions 3. Internal previews Internal previews outline in advance the key ideas that will be discussed in the next main point. Now, I’d like to talk about the orientation you can expect to receive during your first few days on the job including a tour of the plant, a one-on-one meeting with your supervisor, and a second meeting with the personnel director, who will explain the benefits and responsibilities of working for our corporation. To help us further understand why recycling is important, I will first explain the positive benefits of recycling and then explore how recycling can help our community.

Techniques for creating transitions 4. Internal summaries Internal summaries draw together important ideas before proceeding to another speech point. They remind listeners what key message was that they need to remember. It should be clear now that anyone can help solve the problem by knowing how to identify a potential security risk, understanding what NOT to do in such cases and knowing whom to contact about helping them if necessary.

In sum,… Use transitions to move from intro to the first main point between main points between subpoints between slides from last main point to the conclusion Use a variety of techniques to create transitions Restate-forecast Internal previews Internal summaries Rhetorical questions Superordinate terms

Transition hunt: telesurgery Listen to/read a presentation on telesurgery Mark where you would add transitions to guide the audience - main points? - subpoints? 2. In groups, compare your notes and suggest improvements. 3. Did you mark the same places? 4. What would you say instead to indicate the transitions? Use at least 3 different types in suitable places!

Transition hunt: telesurgery Listen to one version with improved metalanguage.

HOMEWORK: A5 Revise your outline, e.g. add/revise your main transitions Use the template available in MyCourses. the planning section introduction (as full text) main transitions in places indicated in the outline headings of main points (subpoints if possible) conclusion (as full text) references to sources

Prepare for ASSIGNMENT 6, the practice session, next week. Also study Language aid for presenters: metalanguage and Example outline: Recycling attached in Assignment 5. Prepare for ASSIGNMENT 6, the practice session, next week. Each group participates in one session only. Come to class in time! Check in MyCourses: A6, Rehearsal instructions! You group’s schedule!

Time for a break! LC-1114 Communicating technology