Press Conference (35% of Course Grade)
You have been commissioned by the Government to investigate an issue and make realistic
recommendations. Your consultancy is going to host a press conference which will last 22 mins. for a
group of 4 people, or 17 mins. for a group of 3 people, or 27 mins. for a group or 5 people (excluding
the 2-min presentation that precedes the conference).
The audience members will be reporters from press organisations. They will be asking you questions
regarding the issue(s) you have investigated based, in part, on the oral presentation you give before the
conference begins.
To ensure a successful conference, the hostin g gr o up shoul d:
▪ Before the conference begins, upload your pre-Q&A presentation powerpoint with slide nos. to a shared
drive the reporters have access to (at least 2 hrs before conference start), have one person from the
group present in 3 mins., with a few slides (in a mix of bullet-point or assertion-evidence layouts
depending on the purpose of the slide) the following (this presentation is not assessed):
o The purpose of your investigation
o An overview of the current problems or situation concerning the issue(s) that you investigated
o A summary of the main findings (be succinct and prioritize important/unexpected findings from
your interview and research that can help the audience ask specific questions that can move the
discussion forward. This benefits the quality of BOTH the question and answer)
▪ Prepare notes (on one side of an A-4 page; keywords only 1) from your background reading and
your interview to support your answers (You are NOT allowed to access any information outside your notes
during the press conference).
▪ Your answers should be concise and to the point. It is not necessary for each group member to
answer every question. Avoid repeating the same information.
▪ Ensure that each of your group members has a chance to answer questions.
▪ Negotiate the meaning of any questions you do not understand before you answer them.
▪ Do not “plant” questions in the audience beforehand; this will be noticeable to your class teacher and
affect your grade negatively.
▪ You will have to nominate the questioner. Please ensure equal opportunities for everyone in class to ask
questions.
You will be assessed according to the following criteria, which are the same as those on Moodle:
Most important criterion: Relevance and Criticality
o answers are relevant to questions being asked (i.e. “answering the question”)
o develops ideas fully but maintains conciseness in answers
Fluency & Organisation:
o fluent speech
1
Your teacher will check your notes before the press conference begins. Your teacher may ask you to delete full
sentences or long phrases/clauses. An example of good note-taking is available on Moodle.
o organises responses well (e.g. using cohesive devices)
Grammar & Vocabulary:
o uses a wide range of vocabulary & grammatical structures
o accurate language (minor slips do not impede communication)
Interaction & Delivery:
o confident appearance and appropriate eye contact & body language
o varied stress & intonation
