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Paraphrasing

Friday, 25 March 2011 04:03

One way you can help listeners understand is paraphrasing, that is, rewording
important ideas. For example, in a briefing on management styles, a speaker said:

Let sleeping dogs lie.

A paraphrase for this proverb could begin with any of the following expressions.

Supporting and opposing

Friday, 25 March 2011 02:02

Expressions to introduce support for and opposition of an idea, as well as to persuade others to consider your point of view, or that can be used for introducing counter-arguments.

Expressing Opinions

Friday, 25 March 2011 00:50

Some expressions and strategies to be used when expressing opinions or points of view. Carefully consider how strong you need to be with your opinion.

Notes/Strategies	Expressions
STRONG: The attitude expressed by these negative statements says that your feelings are very strong.	I don't "think", I know (that)... Without a doubt... I've no doubt whatsoever that.. There's no question that...
Verbs with strong meaning send a message.	I'm convinced that...
Using adverbs and intensifiers adds strength to verbs with weaker meaning or otherwise neutral verbs.	I feel quite strongly that... I feel strongly that... I really believe...
MODERATE OR NEUTRAL: A "gut" reaction may be strong at times but it is also not thought out, so it has moderate strength.	My gut reaction is (that)...
Use of ordinary, everyday verbs generally gives a neutral impression.	I think (that)... I feel/believe (that)...
WEAK: Verbs with weak meaning give an impression of not having strong feelings.	(It) seems (to me) (that)...
These idioms imply you are not sure as you have not thought it out.	Off the top of my head, I'd say... At first blush, I'd say...
A 'first reaction' is also not thought out; therefore, weaker.	My first reaction would be to...
This hypothetical lead-in can imply a weak opinion is held; the opposite may be true.	If you ask me...
NOTE: Using "weak" expressions to express opinions can be diplomatic; they appear weak even if in reality, or in secret, your opinion is strong.	NOTE: Weaker expressions can have more force when combined with stronger expressions.

There are times when we need expressions to challenge someone who's giving us information. At first you have to carefully consider how diplomatic you need to be. How sure are you that you need to challenge the other person? Americans may not be shy to challenge others, but people from other countries like Canada don't like to challenge or be challenged. Use discretion.

Strategies	Expressions
Use a question to be diplomatic.	Is that right? Can we really get that much?
Use a negative question, but remember that you are also implying that you believe you have the correct information.	Isn't that $2 500?
Use a question tag to soften the challenge.	That's not correct/ the amount, is it?
Use an introductory expression to soften the challenge.	I'm sorry, but as far as I know, that's not right/ the figure. I'm sorry, but I don't think that's what it is.
Use an introductory adverb to distance the challenge.	Actually/ In fact, that's not (quite/exactly) what I was told.
Use several of the above strategies together to be most diplomatic.	I'm sorry, but in fact that's not quite correct, is it?
Take responsibility for possibly being wrong.	I thought it was $2 500... My information is that it's $2 500.

Vocabulary: Loans and mortgages

Friday, 17 September 2010 01:23

Vocabulary exercises on mortgages and loans.

Telephone vocabulary

Friday, 16 July 2010 01:49

For many second language learners, the ring of the telephone is a reason to hide. Aids to face-to-face conversation such as gestures, facial expressions, and situational contexts are missing from conversations on the phone. Meaning must be transmitted by words alone through a medium which distorts sound. Over the phone, second language learners must not only decipher sound patterns but they must also recognize contexts and levels of formality.

Canadian scholarships and studying in Canada

Friday, 28 May 2010 03:59

Why study in Canada?

A number of Canadian universities are frequently included in rankings of the best institutions in the world. There are over 190 university and degree-granting institutions in Canada. Of these, 45 offer mostly undergraduate, 15 are comprehensive universities and 15 are medical/doctoral universities.

Business vocabulary: Definition of cost-benefit analysis

Tuesday, 04 May 2010 23:40

Definition: Cost-benefit analysis is a method of reaching economic decisions by comparing the costs of an option with its benefits.

Leadership Words: Strategy

Monday, 03 May 2010 23:22

According to William A. Cohen, there are 10 keys to strategic success. He reviewed the writings of many master strategists from around the world and came up with a list of universal concepts that will help in understanding and having a strategy.

Tricky word pairs

Friday, 30 April 2010 03:43

Choose from tricky word pairs.

Read each sentence below and complete it by choosing the best word from the pair in parentheses.

Business Vocabulary: Definition of niche market

Monday, 26 April 2010 23:53

Definition: A niche market is a group of potential customers who share characteristics that make them receptive to a particular product or service.

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