III. Project Work

Prepare to give a presentation of the samples to your choice. Use one of the samples offered. Follow these instructions.

• try to revise the recorded model talk;

• observe the specifics of the tonal, temporal and dynamic (loudness) variability;

• remember to try and focus on the hesitation phenomenon which is really unpredictable in spontaneous talks;

• try not to forget that everyday talks are totally different from interviews. The rhetoric strategy of these kinds of discourse conditions prosodic as well as body language specificity (eye contact, miming, posture, movements and gestures);

• observe the invariant phonostylistic patterns of pitch, rhythm, rate and volume of everyday talks;

• use the assessment form to evaluate the presentation techniques. If possible record your performance and use the recording for feedback to observe the appropriate use of verbal and non-verbal means of communication.

			excellent
		good
	fair
poor

• articulation

• pitch patterns

• rhythm

• rate

• volume

Sample A

Finding Somewhere to Live

Elvira has had trouble finding lodgings in London and George is doing what he can to help her.

George: Well, let’s hope this address is right.

Elvira: And that the room won’t be taken, as happened last time.

George: Yes, that’s the trouble with getting the address off a newsagent’s board. Someone else may have seen it, and got there before you.

Elvira: Isn’t there any other way of getting a room in London?

George: You can go to an accommodation bureau. You have to pay a fee or a week’s rent. Or you can sometimes find addresses in the evening newspapers.

Elvira: Ah, this is the street! Now, number three. But where is it?

George: I think it’s the other side.

Elvira: The numbers this side seem to be in the seventies, and then, on the other side, they begin at number one.

George: I think the odd numbers are on one side and the even on the other.

Elvira: And then the even numbers begin at one end of the street and the odd the other end. It’s so confusing. And each street seems to have a different system!

George: Anyway, here we are. (Rings).

Elvira: (looking round) It seems a nice neighborhood. Neat little houses and the street is clean. Someone's coming to the door.

Lady: (opening the door) Good morning.

George: Oh, good morning. I believe you’ve got a room to let. This lady is interested—

Lady: Yes, that’s right. Come in. I’ve got two rooms, actually. One in the basement and one at the top of the house.

Elvira: Oh, I would prefer the one at the top. I don’t like base­ments. There isn’t enough light.

Lady: Well, as you like. Of course, my basement room is very pleasant. There’s no damp and there are windows. Anyway, let’s go up.

George: And what’s the rent? Is there any difference between the two rooms?

Lady: The basement one is ₤5 a week and the one at the top ₤6.

Elvira: Does that include breakfast?

Lady: No. That’s just for the room. But it’s reasonable, you know. This is a very pleasant area only two minutes away from the tube station and there are plenty of buses. Ah, here we are!

Elvira: Yes –

Lady: You have your own gas ring if you want to cook break­fast or make a cup of tea. Then there’s a gas meter. You put shillings in here.

Elvira: Is electricity included?

Lady: Yes, and hot water. The bathroom’s on the floor below, and you can have as many baths as you like. The room is nicely furnished as you can see, and there’s a lovely view over the garden.

Elvira: Yes, I like it. But you wouldn’t accept ₤5 a week?

Lady: I’m afraid not. I think it’s worth ₤6.

George (to Elvira): You realize it’s more expensive than if you stayed with an English family and had your meals with them.

Elvira: Yes. But I don’t want to be tied.

Lady: You don’t play the guitar or any musical instrument?

Elvira: The guitar? No.

Lady: Well, I know young people want to enjoy themselves but I’m afraid I can’t let you have any parties or have any friends after ten.

Elvira: No, no —that’s all right. I’ll take it. And don’t worry: I’m thoroughly respectable and orderly and a very good girl in every way.

George (emphatically): I can vouch for that.

Sample B