EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion

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EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion

Oral Picture forms section 2 of “1127/03 Oral” of English 'O' Level Examination.

How does language enable us to express ourselves?

How does language enable us to express ourselves? We, Human beings,

are created to live with each other in communities. Healthy communities
are the byproduct of healthy communication. Healthy communication is
the result of clear and responsible self-expression. We want to look at
what clear and responsible self-expression is, in terms of our body
language, speaking, reading and listening. These are outlets by which we
allow people to understand us.

However, there are always implicit meanings when we express ourselves

because we don't always express what is on the inside fully. Being able to
understand how we express ourselves in different ways can unlock the
way we relate to one another as individuals and groups.

In EL 106 – 108, we will look at the way we express ourselves through

dressing, viewing, listening, reading and speaking, and the O level
syllabus.

Index Contents* Page

A What picture discussion is about* 2
B How to elaborate using 5Ws + 1H* 2
C 4 steps : Overview > Locators (2) > Specific Person > Before and After* 3
D Review of Picture Discussion* 5
E Examiner's Layout of Picture Discussion* 6
F Tips for Picture Discussion* 7
G Trial Score Sheet* 8
H Picture Discussion 1** 9
Picture Discussion 2** 10
I Oral Examiner Notes** 11
J Oral Examination Marking Scheme** 12

*compulsory curriculum
**not available in online textbook downloads

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EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion
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A. “WHAT PICTURE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT”

PICTURE DISCUSSION IS ABOUT ______________________ _________________________, AND NOT

GUESSING GAME!

Usually, pictures used are of community activities and of local affairs, like students in an exercise, people
queuing for an event, or families watching TV. What you'll need to do is to realise that picture discussion is
NOT DIFFICULT but quite logical and inferential.

B. “HOW TO ELABORATE USING 5WS + 1H”

YOU CAN ELABORATE ON YOUR POINTS BY ASKING YOURSELF __________________________ .

Students often find themselves stuck during picture discussion. They don't know how to elaborate or they get
tongue-tied in front of the examiner. Don't be! Use the 5Ws + 1H method to open up your points.

5 Ws 1H
What How
Who
Where
When
Why

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2006/09/05/0000433242/DILgroup1.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Exercise 1. Describe the picture above.

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EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion
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C. 4 STEPS : OVERVIEW > LOCATORS (2) > SPECIFIC PERSON > BEFORE AND AFTER

STEP 1 : “OVERVIEW”

TELL US ____________________________________________________ .

http://nymag.com/bestofny/services/2006/veterinarian_560.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Picture 1

Exercise 1. What can you say about an overview of the picture above?
“It is a picture of __________________________. I say this because ___________________________ .”

......................................................................................................

STEP 2 : “LOCATORS”

SHOW US ______ BIG EVENTS/ACTIVITIES IN THE PICTURE.

____________________ points to the part of the picture that is foremost in front.

____________________ points to the part of the picture that is in the centre.

____________________ points to the part of the picture that is behind.

You want to learn how to use these words because firstly, you cannot point during picture discussion.
Secondly, you are using English to direct the listener to where you are discussing.

Exercise 2. From picture 1, pick two things to talk about from the above picture.
Make your locators interesting by elaborating with varied vocabulary.
“In the foreground, I see ___________________. (elaborate)”
“In the background, I see ___________________. (elaborate)”

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EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion
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STEP 3 : “SPECIFIC PERSON”

PICK OUT A _______________________ ______________________ TO TALK ABOUT IN DETAIL.

Since your picture discussion will definitely include people, it is natural for you to pick out a person to discuss
more, and pique the examiner's interest in what you infer of that person. Use the 5W + 1H to talk about the
person's occupation, activity, motivation and thoughts.

Do this : “I would like to refer you to the person (on the left/right/background etc), wearing ____. He/She
seems to be (describe the activity). He/she seems to be (verb e.g. Enjoying) himself/herself because
______ . I think he/she must be thinking, ' _____ .' “

http://www.sideshowworld.com/TY-Con-7-A-5.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Picture 2
Exercise 3. Describe a specific person in picture 2.
......................................................................................................

STEP 4 : “BEFORE AND AFTER”

To make your picture interesting, suggest what goes on before and after it was taken. You can use the
following :

“Before the picture was taken, I can imagine ________________ .”

“After the picture was taken, I think that _____________________ .”

Just make sure that your inferences are logical! You can also the 5W + 1H method to elaborate.

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D. REVIEW of PICTURE DISCUSSION

http://vlad.tribnet.com/img/807021b95302f6d976e978eacf9496f5.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Picture 3.

http://deianira.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/dance.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Picture 4.

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EL 107 Oral II : Picture Discussion
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E. EXAMINER'S PICTURE DISCUSSION LAYOUT

1. What are the 4 steps to picture discussion?
2. What will you see on that day?
3. What will the examiner see?
..........................

http://news.gotgame.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/nerdy-gamers.jpg , viewed on 7 November 2008

Picture 5
Examiner's Prompts :

Examiners should initiate the discussion through 2 main prompts - 1 and 2 below – but may feel free to use
the additional prompts to encourage the candidate to respond.

1. Describe, in as much detail as you can, what you see in the picture.

Additional prompts :

 Choose one of the people in the picture and describe him including what he is doing.
 Say something about where the picture was taken.

2. What is going on in the picture? Why do you think the man in front wearing a cape?

Additional prompts :

 Look at the person lying down on the left. Why do you think she is doing that?
 The young man on the far right is sticking his tongue out. Tell me what he is thinking.

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F. TIPS FOR PICTURE DISCUSSION

During the O Level Examinations for Oral, you would have 10 minutes to prepare.
Use 5 minutes to prepare for the reading, and 5 minutes to prepare for picture discussion.

Preparation

 Look through the picture for details and observations that you can talk about.
 Try to talk it through aloud, using the format you've been taught. This helps to calm you down and
prepare for the discussion.

Before you discuss the picture

 Make sure you are comfortable.

 Don't worry if the examiner jumps from one part of the format to another. You answer his/her
question and revert back to the points that you've prepared.

During the picture discussion

 Enjoy yourself.
 Don't move your finger over the picture. Be at ease and discuss what you have prepared.

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G. Trial Score Sheet

You will be tested by your classmates who will play examiner. The examiner should give you 5 minutes of reading time
before testing you. At the end of the reading, the examiner should give you constructive feedback and a mark.

The examiner should give a fair score for the following :

0-3 : inadequate description, interprets illogically, limited vocabulary, constant prompting

4-6 : superficial description, basic interpretation, simple vocabulary
7-9 : some adequate observations, explanation and interpretation, adequate vocabulary, some afterthoughts
10 – 12 : clear and detailed observations, intelligent interpretation, wide vocabulary, interesting to listener

Trial 1 /12 | Examined by : Trial 2 /12 | Examined by :

Comments by examiner : Comments by examiner :

Trial 3 /12 | Examined by : Trial 4 /12 | Examined by :

Comments by examiner : Comments by examiner :

Trial 5 /12 | Examined by : Trial 6 /12 | Examined by :

Comments by examiner : Comments by examiner :

What have you learnt as a candidate and an examiner?

How does reading and listening affect the way you know yourself?

8 Created by Dawn Fung for City College | Revised 01/20/10