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Certainly, let's underline the stressed words in each sentence based on the clues provided:

1. Clearly, we need to look at this again. (it's obvious!) - Clearly


2. Clearly, we need to look at this again. (twice wasn't enough) - again
3. We will never get such a perfect opportunity again. (this is our only chance) - never
4. We will never get such a perfect opportunity again. (but perhaps the competition will) -
opportunity
5. I'd like us to work out a strategy. (and nobody else)
6. I'd like us to work out a strategy. (a plan is important)
7. There hasn't been a dramatic increase in production costs. (but there has been an
increase)
8. There hasn't been a dramatic increase in production costs. (the increase was in personnel
costs) -
9. I think we've made a good start. (but you might not agree)
10. I think we've made a good start. (but there is still a lot to do)
11. This is not the only option. (There might be others)
12. This is not the only option. (I have a better one)
13. Sales this month have been quite good. (But not brilliant)
14. Sales this month have been quite good. (We are pleased)
15. Where do we go from here? (I have absolutely no idea)
16. Where do we go from here? (Normal question)

a We haven't seen a massive improvement yet. But it's a good start.


b We haven't seen a massive improvement yet. But my guess is we soon will.
c The market may be declining. But fortunately our market share isn't.
d. The market may be declining. Or this could just be a temporary blip.
e We do pretty well in the States. But we don't do so well in Europe.
f we do pretty well in the States. But not as well as we could be doing.
g Turnover is up on Q3. But profits are down.
h Turnover is up on Q3. But that was a particularly bad quarter.
i It's hard to gain a foothold in India. But not impossible.
j It's hard to gain a foothold in India. But harder still to gain one in China.
k There are a couple of points I'd like to make. And both concern cash flow.
I There are a couple of points I'd like to make. And then I'll hand you over to Jan.
What gestures and body language can you use when presenting the following extracts? Practice it:

When presenting information or delivering a speech, incorporating appropriate gestures


and body language is crucial for effective communication. Here's an expanded explanation
of each gesture and body language used for the given extracts:

a) **As you know, the project has been a huge success.**


a. **Gesture Explanation:** By spreading your arms slightly, you're visually
representing the expansive nature of the success. This gesture helps convey
the magnitude and significance of the achievement.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing tall and open communicates
confidence and pride in the success of the project. It creates a positive
atmosphere and captures the audience's attention, making them more
receptive to the following discussion.
b) **On the one hand, it's very high quality. But on the other hand, it's expensive.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Using one hand to gesture to each side emphasizes
the contrast between high quality and high cost. This visual aid helps the
audience understand the opposing viewpoints being presented.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Shifting weight from one foot to the other
while discussing each aspect creates a sense of balance and fairness. It shows
that you're considering both perspectives objectively, enhancing your
credibility as a speaker.
c) **I think we can eliminate Option B straight away.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Making a cutting motion with your hand reinforces
the decisiveness of the decision to eliminate Option B. This gesture adds
emphasis and clarity to your statement.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing firmly and perhaps taking a step
forward demonstrates confidence and authority. It conveys that you're
assertive in your decision-making process, which can inspire trust and
confidence in your leadership.
d) **But this isn't about me. It's about you, every one of you here today.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Pointing to the audience as you address them
directly creates a personal connection. This gesture helps to engage the
audience and make them feel included in the discussion.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Leaning slightly forward while speaking to
the audience conveys sincerity and genuine interest. It shows that you're
focused on them and their needs, rather than on yourself, which can foster
rapport and cooperation.
e) **So, what's the long-term trend? Frankly, who knows?**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Opening your arms outward in a questioning
manner visually represents uncertainty and ambiguity. This gesture
encourages the audience to contemplate the unknown aspect of the topic
being discussed.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Raising your eyebrows and shrugging
slightly conveys a sense of perplexity and humility. It acknowledges the
limitations of knowledge while also inviting curiosity and further exploration
of the subject.
f)**It just isn't working. And there are two main reasons for this.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Holding up two fingers to indicate the number of
reasons adds clarity and structure to your statement. This gesture helps the
audience follow your argument and understand the key points being made.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Using a slightly frustrated tone and
gesturing downward when discussing failure reinforces the seriousness of the
situation. It conveys your determination to address the issues at hand and find
solutions to overcome them.
g) **We're aiming to expand our product range by 25%.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Using both hands to indicate growth or expansion
visually reinforces the ambitious goal being presented. This gesture helps the
audience visualize the scale of the planned expansion.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing tall and confidently
communicates determination and resolve. It shows that you're committed to
achieving the stated objective and inspires confidence in your ability to lead
the effort.
h) **So, our goal is to increase productivity whilst cutting back on costs.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Making a motion with one hand moving up and the
other hand moving down visually represents the dual objectives of increasing
productivity and reducing costs. This gesture helps clarify the intended
outcomes of the proposed strategy.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Maintaining eye contact and nodding
while discussing the goals conveys assurance and conviction. It demonstrates
your belief in the feasibility of the plan and encourages buy-in from the
audience.
i) **For us at the moment R&D is a top priority.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Pointing upwards to symbolize priority visually
emphasizes the importance of research and development. This gesture draws
attention to the key focus area being highlighted.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing straight and firm while making
the statement communicates confidence and determination. It conveys your
commitment to prioritizing R&D efforts and achieving strategic objectives.
j) **The whole thing has been a disaster from start to finish.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Sweeping your hand from one side to the other to
emphasize the entirety of the disaster visually reinforces the extent of the
negative outcome. This gesture helps convey the severity of the situation.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Expressing frustration with a furrowed
brow and slightly tense posture adds emotional emphasis to your statement. It
conveys your dissatisfaction with the outcome and underscores the need for
remedial action.
k) **Profits have gone up from six to eight million dollars.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Using both hands to gesture upward visually
represents the increase in profits. This gesture helps the audience visualize the
positive trajectory of financial growth.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing confidently and smiling while
discussing the increase in profits conveys optimism and satisfaction. It signals
that you're pleased with the progress and optimistic about future prospects.
l) **Firstly, it's highly effective. Secondly, it's highly efficient. And thirdly, it's high
time we did it.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Using fingers to count off each point adds structure
and clarity to your presentation. This gesture helps the audience follow the
sequence of ideas being presented.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Standing with open arms while discussing
the benefits of the proposed action conveys enthusiasm and readiness for
implementation. It signals your eagerness to move forward with the plan and
achieve positive outcomes.
m) **And it's powered by the tiniest microchip you've ever seen.**
a. **Gesture Explanation:** Using fingers to show small size visually
emphasizes the miniature nature of the microchip. This gesture helps the
audience grasp the technological innovation being described.
b. **Body Language Explanation:** Leaning in slightly while discussing the
microchip conveys excitement and intrigue. It indicates your enthusiasm for
the groundbreaking technology and encourages the audience to share in your
excitement.
THE SPEECH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBG50aoUwlI&t=385s

12.22

Taylor Swift's speech at NYU is a captivating blend of wisdom, humor, and


storytelling that resonates deeply with her audience. Let's delve deeper into how she
masterfully incorporates humor and anecdotes to enrich her message:

1. **Personal Anecdotes Made Universal:** Swift's ability to turn her personal


experiences into universally relatable stories is evident throughout her speech. For
instance, when recounting her early struggles in the music industry, she shares,
"Having label executives in Nashville tell me that only 35-year-old housewives
listened to country music and there was no place for a 13-year-old on their roster
made me cry in the car on the way home." This anecdote not only highlights the
challenges she faced but also speaks to the broader theme of resilience in the face of
rejection.
2. **Humor as a Tool for Connection:** Swift skillfully infuses her narrative with
humor to forge a connection with her audience. When discussing her experiences
with internet cancel culture, she quips, "Getting canceled on the internet and nearly
losing my career gave me an excellent knowledge of all the types of wine." This
humorous remark not only lightens the mood but also serves as a subtle nod to the
absurdity of online scrutiny.
3. **Self-Deprecating Wit:** Swift isn't afraid to poke fun at herself, adding depth
and relatability to her storytelling. Reflecting on her early days on MySpace, she
humorously acknowledges, "And yes, MySpace." This self-deprecating humor not
only elicits laughter but also endears Swift to her audience by showing her humility
and authenticity.
4. **Balancing Seriousness with Levity:** Throughout her speech, Swift strikes a
delicate balance between serious reflection and lighthearted humor. When discussing
the pressure to live up to society's standards of perfection, she shares, "It felt like
every interview I did included slight barbs by the interviewer about me one day
running off the rails, and that meant a different thing to every person who said it to
me." This witty observation sheds light on the absurdity of societal expectations
while underscoring the importance of resilience and self-acceptance.
5. **Inviting Laughter Amidst Reflection:** Even in moments of introspection, Swift
finds opportunities to inject humor into her narrative. When discussing the
inevitability of making mistakes in life, she playfully remarks, "So will I, and when I
do, you will most likely read about it on the internet anyway." This humorous
acknowledgment of her own fallibility not only lightens the mood but also reinforces
the idea that mistakes are an integral part of the human experience.
Taylor Swift's presentation at NYU is a masterclass in effective communication,
characterized by authenticity, vulnerability, empowerment, engaging delivery, and
clarity of structure. Swift's authenticity shines through as she speaks from the heart,
sharing genuine emotions and experiences that foster trust and credibility with her
audience. By embracing vulnerability on stage, Swift invites empathy and creates a
safe space for emotional connection, demonstrating humility and relatability. Her
empowering message inspires listeners to embrace their authenticity and pursue
their dreams with courage and resilience, motivating them to take action and make
positive changes in their lives. Swift's engaging delivery captivates the audience
from start to finish, with her passionate delivery and expressive gestures adding
depth and energy to her message. Furthermore, the clarity and structure of Swift's
speech ensure that her ideas are easy to follow, building momentum towards a
powerful conclusion that leaves a lasting impression on her audience.

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