59. Conference presentations PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH IN USE FOR MEDICINE

59. Conference presentations

A	The structure of a presentation Conference (or congress) presentations are typically divided into IMRaD sections. If the presentation has a different form, the speaker may start by outlining its structure. this helps to orientate the audience: √ I’ll begin by … √ First of all, I’ll … √ I’ll then … √ Secondly, I’ll … √ Finally, I’ll …. Many speakers like to start a new section with a signal: √ Now, … √ Moving on to X, … √ As far as X is concerned, … An alternative technique is to use a question: √ How did we investigate this problem? (to introduce Method) √ What did we find? (to introduce Results) √ How does this compare with previous studies? (to introduce Discussion)
B	The introduction A formal way of beginning is: √ I’d like to present to you the results of our research into ….. Many speakers prefer to begin in a less formal way: √ When we first began to look into the question of X, we thought … You may wish to begin with a generalisation or reference to shared knowledge: √ It is well known that …. √ Many studies have shown that …. √ X has established clearly that ….
C	Signalling Other signals that you may wish to give include: Emphasizing √ I’d like to emphasize ….. Listing points √ Firstly, …. √ Secondly, … Referring to slides √ This slide shows …. Giving examples √ For instance … √ … such as …. Contrasting √ On the other hand … √ In contrast … √ However, ….
D	The conclusion It is important to end well, for example by summing up the main conclusions. So, In conclusion, To sum up, Finally, We can see … I’d like to say end by … these studies show …

EXERCISES

59.1	Here are some extracts from a presentation on carbon monoxide poisoning. After announcing his topic, the speaker talked about the pathophysiology of CO poisoning, then the possible sources of the gas, and finally diagnosis and treatment. Put the extracts in the correct order. 1 There is, however, no evidence at all that giving steroids in pharmacological doses is of any proven prophylactic value ….. 2 How do we diagnose it? The early clinical appearances of carbon monoxide poisoning can ve very non-specific ….
59.2	Write the word or phrase used by the speaker in the presentation in 59.1 above next to its function. Look at B, C and D above to help you.

Answer key