Arguments can be tough; winning an argument can be tougher. You can prevail, however, if you're armed with a handful of successful techniques. This tutorial will equip you with VideoJug's Ten Tips For Winning Any Argument.

PRE-WATCHING: KEY LANGUAGE

Complete the sentences with the words from the box.
 

1.   lean 2.   intimidated 3.   fake	4.   convincing 5.   tangent 6.   flaw	7.   nurture 8.   slink away 9.   slight

a)   Edward was bored with the party and was hoping to ____________ unnoticed.
b)   ____________ back and enjoy the ride, he told her before starting the engine.
c)   Let's stay with the topic and not go off at a ____________.
d)   The police have eventually presented ____________ evidence of his guilt.
e)   The whole idea of going to Oxford ____________ me. I couldn't sleep at all, I was so nervous.
f)   There is a fundamental ____________ in Walton's argument. It is wrong from the very beginning.
g)   There is so much hatred of foreigners ____________ by the media.
h)   If I were you, I wouldn't say that to her - it sounds like a ___________. She may be offended.

i)   When James Bond checked in the hotel he gave a ____________ name.

KEY: slink away; lean; tangent; convincing; intimidated; flaw; nurtured; slight; fake

 

Now you are ready to watch the film:

POST-WATCHING TASK: COMPREHENSION

Match these parts to make pieces of advice from the tutorial

1. Keep your                                                                            a)   and then nurture it with words.
2. Feel free to fake the data,                                                 b)   won't argue back.
3. The more he talks, the more opportunity                       c)   voice low.
4. If you apologize for a small slight or mistake,              d)   as long as you can do it convincingly.
5. Use whatever you can                                                        e)   you have to show flaws in his argument.
6. You have to seed the idea in your opponent's mind     f)   to get him off his game.
7. It's impossible to argue with someone who                  g)   your opponent will be disarmed.

KEY 1c 2d 3e 4g 5f 6a 7b

Mariusz Mirecki - Senior Teacher, ACT Advanced Corporate Training

Mariusz jest absolwentem Nauczycielskiego Kolegium Języków Obcych przy Uniwersytecie Warszawskim. Od 1995 roku pracuje jako lektor języka angielskiego specjalizując się w kursach Business English. Pasjonuje się strategiami uczenia się, mind-mapami oraz inteligencjami wielorakimi. Na zajęciach chętnie wykorzystuje elementy teatralne. Od kilku lat prowadzi warsztaty metodyczne dzieląc się wiedzą z innymi lektorami i trenerami języka angielskiego. Prywatnie interesuje się żeglarstwem (marzy mu się rejs oceaniczny), a także fotografią. Pomimo, że sporo pracuje, znajduje czas na działalność charytatywną.

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Autorem sekcji HR English @work jest ACT Advanced Corporate Training.