How To Structure An Answer

Most students do not form answers properly. “What are your hobbies?” “I like swimming and listening to music and sleeping and watching TV and so many things!” There’s no depth to that answer. The following is how I expect you to format your answers to questions in the Outlook competition: 1. Restate the question. “What are your hobbies?” “My hobbies? My hobbies are…” a. Add in a sneaky personal comment. “Oh! We just discussed this in class!” or “I watched a TV program about that just the other day.” 2. State your opinion clearly. a. Reason 1 b. Reason 2 or a personal story or anecdote. “My uncle had a problem with that. One day he…” c. Reason 3 or a hilarious joke. 3. Summarize the question, your answer and your reasons. Remember: Tell them what you’re going to tell them. Then tell them. Then tell them what you’ve told them. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ The dirty secret of the Outlook competition is that most of the participants have studied abroad. That’s fine. Outlook tests more than just English fluency. Creativity, debate skills, and the ability to structure arguments are all more important than using the latest idioms or having a “perfect” American accent. Homework Prepare full answers to the following questions. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Which foreign country would you most like to visit? Why? Do you prefer comedy or drama? Why? Some schools have chosen to ban mobile phones. Do you agree or disagree with no-phone policies? What do you do personally to protect the environment? Do you have any volunteer experience? Why or why not?

Remember: full answers are answers that anticipate follow-up questions and tell the listeners what they need to know. Always answer: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Renato Ganoza for EF Zhengzhou, 2009