Giving a short talk
Develop your ideas
- You may be asked to talk about a topic for a short time.
- Do not just list points — develop each one.
- Add a reason or an example.
Explore
Plan a two-minute talk
Angle, three points, an example each, a frame — a talk plans itself in one minute.
Practice
In a short talk, you should…
Develop your points, don't just list them.
Useful phrases
- Use phrases to extend your answers.
- For example…, That is why…, I suppose…
- They help you keep talking naturally.
Practice
Use a phrase like 'for ___' to give an example.
'For example' introduces an example.
Practice
Write one full sentence describing your favourite food, with a reason.
Example: 'My favourite food is noodles because they are warm and tasty.'
Speak clearly
- Speak with good pronunciation and natural intonation.
- Do not rush — clear is better than fast.
- Forgot a word? Say it another way.
Practice
Speaking very fast is more important than speaking clearly.
No — clear is better than fast.
Two minutes on "a place you love"
- Pick a narrow angle fast: not "my city" but the night-market street.
- Three points, one example each: the smells (grilled squid), the sounds (sizzling woks), the people (the aunt who saves you dumplings).
- Frame it: open with "Let me take you somewhere…" — close with "That street is why I love my city."
- Rehearse the skeleton, never a script — notes, not sentences.
Practice
Put the talk-planning steps in order.
Angle, points, examples, frame — one minute of planning buys two minutes of confidence.
Key idea
- Develop each point with a reason or example.
- Useful phrases help you keep talking.
- Speak clearly, not fast; paraphrase if you forget a word.