SBA Information

Oral Presentations
The oral presentation is an individual creative presentation that should be between 3-5
minutes and done in Standard Jamaican English (not patois) on your topic. This can be in
the form of a poem, spoken word, story, drama, play, monologue, dramatic monologue,
expository speech, persuasive speech etc. Your presentation must also be accompanied
with a plan which would indicate what your presentation is about, the reasons for your
chosen genre and the language and resources you have used to inform your
presentation.

Q: When are the oral presentations?

A: Your oral presentations will be held from Monday November 11 to Friday November
15, 2024.

Q: How long is each oral presentation expected to last?

A: 3-5 minutes. You will be timed. You will be made aware of when your time starts and
when it ends. You will not be allowed to continue once 5 minutes have elapsed.

Q: So what is the oral presentation really?

A: It is expected to be a personal response to the research you have done in your SBA so
far. Choose an aspect of your findings that particularly stood out to you or resonated with
you emotionally. For example, if you have researched Teenage Health and you were
particularly disturbed by the fact that teenagers generally do not feel that looking after
their health at this age is important, then you might want to do a persuasive speech,
encouraging teenagers to take better care of their bodies. If your topic was
Cyberbullying, you might want to write a poem that illustrates the horrible effects of
cyberbullying on teenagers to bring awareness to the issue and promote empathy.

Q: Do I have to introduce myself before I start my presentation?

A: No. We all know who you are.

Q: So I can just jump right into my presentation as soon as I get up there?

A: No. Please wait until your teacher indicates that she is ready for you to start. Then,
once you have received that go-ahead, CXC requires that you offer a brief overview of
your oral presentation before you start.

Q: What should that “brief overview/plan” include?

A: It should include a statement of your topic and sub-topic, the genre chosen, the
sources used and a comment on the kind of language used in the data.

Q: A comment on the language used? What does that mean?

A: It just means analysing the devices used in your source materials. This is what we do
in class all the time when we analyse the persuasive devices used in a print
advertisement or paragraph or the literary devices used in a poem. Just give a general
idea of the tone and/or devices used in your main sources and in your presentation.

Q: I still don’t get it. Could you give me an example of what the brief
overview/plan should sound like?
A: For example, you may say something like:
“Good morning. My topic is Teenage Health, with a particular focus on the prevalence of
smoking among teenagers. I have chosen to present my oral response in the form of an
expository speech. The major sources that influenced my presentation are the lyrics to
the song, “Puff It” produced in 2010 by Jamaican Dancehall artiste, I-Octane and the
journal article, “Do It For The Likes: How Social Media Pressures Jamaican Teens to
Smoke” published in 2012 by Carla Moore. These sources use poetic language and lots of
persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions and statistics to show that smoking is a
major issue among teenagers in Jamaica. In this presentation, I will use statistical
information, credible authority and a grave and cautionary tone to exemplify the tragic
effects of smoking among teenagers.”

Then you start your presentation.

Q: That sounds like a lot. Can I just read the overview part?
A: Sure. You will be expected to submit a written plan of your oral presentation to your
teacher before you begin your presentation so you can just read it from that and then
hand it in.

Q: So is the overview of my oral presentation included in my 3-5 minutes?

A: No.

Q: I’m still confused. What does “oral presentation” mean though? Like a
speech?
A: It can be a speech but you are not limited to just a speech. Your presentation can take
the form of a poem, an argumentative/persuasive speech, an expository speech, role
play or a dramatic monologue.

Q: Say I want to do that role play thing, can I include another person in
my presentation?
A: Yes, that is acceptable but there are certain conditions. Firstly, it
is your oral presentation, your individual work. The actions of the other person will not in
any way contribute to your grade. It will only be used to aid and move
your presentation along. Therefore, the other person’s participation needs to be very
brief. Be sure that the person does not overshadow you. Secondly, the person needs to
come from your class. Please ensure that you have a back-up plan if for any reason that
person is not able to present with you as you will not be excused from
your presentation on account of the other person’s absence or inability to perform.

Q: Say I want to do a poem for my presentation. Can my poem be in another

language, like Patois or New York slang talk?
A: No. Considering that this is your English SBA, CXC has clearly stipulated that
your oral presentation be predominantly in Standard English. You can include any other
language, including Jamaican Creole, where appropriate, but the main essence of
your presentation should be mostly in Standard English.

Q: How is the presentation graded?

A: It will be marked out of 10. See mark scheme attached.

Q: Will we be presenting in alphabetical order?

A: Yes unless stated otherwise. Students will be assigned different presentation days.
You will be made aware of which day you are presenting beforehand. (A list of presenters
for each day will be provided in advance.) However, anything can happen. Therefore, all
students are expected to be ready from the first day as, at any time, your teacher
reserves the right to ask you to present. Please see oral presentation schedule posted on
CANVAS.

Q: What do you mean when you say, “all students are expected to be ready”?
A: It means that you are to be mentally prepared to present as you are called upon. It
also means that you are to come physically prepared with all the things you need for
your speech, such as visual aids (props), your written plan and index cards.

Q: So we are allowed to have index cards then?

A: Yes, you are allowed to have a maximum of 3 regular sized index cards. You are only
allowed to have writing on one side of each card, not both. You are NOT allowed to have
your poem, speech or dialogue written or typed out on a sheet of paper or an electronic
device. Be sure not to fill your index cards with too much detail. This will constitute
cheating and it will only serve to confuse you. Make sure your cards are well-organized.
Remember your presentation needs to appear extemporaneous.

Q: What do you mean by “visual aids”?

A: Any image or object that helps to make your presentation more memorable and
appealing and helps to capture your audience’s interest. For example, a student who has
chosen the topic of Teenage Health and who is focusing particularly on smoking among
teenagers might choose to bring an image of damaged lungs. The use of at least one
visual aid is encouraged.

Q: Can my visual aids be in the form of a PowerPoint, a video or a digital

picture?
A: You can use a digital picture or a very brief video clip that you will share using the
projector/smart tv. However, we want to reduce all risk of technical difficulties so that
things can run as smoothly as possible. If you wish to print a picture (which would be a
safer option), ensure that it is big enough for your audience to see. Please note that if
you have technical difficulties during your presentation, you will not be given extra time.
If the video or the picture is not showing up as you would like, the best thing to do is just
to forget it and move on.

Q: My topic is Depression and Self-Harm. For a visual aid, can I use pictures of
someone who cuts their arm or someone who committed a gruesome suicide to
make my presentation more dramatic?
A: The very fact that you are asking this question means you already know that that is
an issue. Please don’t do that. Please be aware of your audience and be sensitive to their
feelings. Do not include very graphic images that could scare or have other negative
emotional effects on your audience. If you are still not sure, please use your teacher to
vet your options.

Q: What about costumes?

A: These are not allowed. However, you can use props like a hat, coat, tie, different
shoes, a globe, pile of garbage, an object or other things that can make your
presentation more interesting. A costume that you have to go to the bathroom to change
and make elaborate plans to do so is not allowed but if you have a made covering to go
over your uniform or some sort of object that might add some relevance to the project,
then by all means use it.

Q: If I am doing a poem, can my poem be in the form of a song?

A: No. The SBA is judging your speaking skills. Speaking and singing are two different
skills. This is not to say that your poem cannot have a rhythm or include some element of
song, but you should be predominantly speaking.

Q: Can I trade my space in the schedule with someone else?

A: No. It is a waste of time. We only have about one week to do this thing and we have to
get it right. We don't have time for poor logistics. You will present in the order you have
been given. If you fail to present when you are called upon, you will be marked down or
even receive a zero, except in the case of truly extenuating circumstances. (What
constitutes 'extenuating circumstances' will be approved according to your teacher's
discretion.) That goes for the people on standby as well. Please note that any frivolous
requests to switch places will be ignored. The teacher generally asks people to state if
they have a match, a field trip, doctor's appointment or some other event on any
particular day during that week and she will arrange her schedule in accord with the
information am given. No new circumstances will be accommodated except by the
signed written approval of a teacher, doctor, coach or some other responsible adult. If
you are presenting a note, please include a reliable contact for the person who wrote the
excuse so that the teacher can call to confirm the veracity of your statement.

Q: What does it mean to be on standby?

A: It means that if one of the presenters for that day is unable to present for some
reason or if there is extra time left, you will be expected to present in their place. The
standby list is arranged in order as well. That means you need to be ready as if it were
your day because anything can happen. Please note that while there are specific people
listed on standby, technically everybody is on standby. You are all expected to be ready
to present at any time because issues do arise. However, if all goes smoothly, only those
on the schedule will be asked to present in the order listed on any given day.

Q: If I am not presenting on a particular day or if I have presented already, am

I allowed to leave or use the class time to do other work?
A: No. This is your SBA. This is a big deal. You are expected to sit, be attentive
and support your classmates. That is the loving and respectful thing to do. However, if
you are not feeling particularly loving or respectful, there are other measures in place for
you. In fact, there is an element of the SBA known as "Participation Measure," which is a
score is given based on your level of positive participation in the SBA process and of how
supportive and helpful you are towards your peers. Anyone who is seen doing other work,
sleeping, chatting, walking around, fidgeting or being otherwise disruptive to
the oral presentation process will be marked down for this element of the SBA. These are
not marks that you can afford to lose. They could be the difference between a Grade I
and a Grade II. If you were in a regular class, you would be expected to sit and listen
anyway, so just relax and be cooperative.

Q: Any tips on how to get the best possible marks?

A: Practise. Practise. Practise. Get started on your speech as soon as possible. Perform it
in front of a mirror. Then say it for your friends. Then say it in front a parent, teacher or
other adult who is willing to give you constructive critical feedback. The day you go up to
be graded should not be the first time you say your speech aloud.

Ask for help. Be humble and willing to accept feedback and make changes.
Time your presentation before the actual presentation day. Make sure it’s not exactly 5
minutes because anything can happen and this could send you over time. Four and a half
minutes is a safe time to work with.

Be calm. If you are prone to nervousness, look up techniques, such as diaphragmatic

breathing, that can help you to calm down before a presentation. Don’t worry; your
favourite actors, singers and even your teachers often get nervous before speaking in
public. You are not alone. You can do this.

Please note the mark scheme/rubric for your oral presentation. Your oral presentation is
marked out of 10 marks.
Facets of Rating Scale Score
Tasks 0 1 2 3 4
Fluency of Jerky, halting Choppy Awkward but Intelligible;
Delivery Fragmentary acceptable clear;
Long pauses intonation; smooth;
continuous; well-paced
natural flow
Structure Connections with Connections Limited Coherent; Clear
Comprehensi topic/issue with comprehension Key issues organization
bility and unclear topic/issue Lacks well of ideas;
 development Incomprehensible unclear; elaboration; developed Sustained
of topic Not depicted key Very Slightly Well treatment of
issues incoherent in incoherent in expressed in topic/theme/is
Style of parts; parts; many parts; sues
presentation does Utterance Somewhat Very Style very
not always aid in incorrect limited effective effective and
depicting the key style impactful in
issues communicati
ng
Language use Lacks basic Ideas limited Adequate style Accurate use
and words; lacks to inadequate of presentation of grammar
vocabulary specificity; many words and Basic sentences Effective use
errors in words jargon lacks are used; control of grammar
and sentences specificity of basic and
Limited range grammatical vocabulary
of grammar structures; High degree
Reliance on of fluency
practical Rich
expressions vocabulary

Total: _____ / 10

Teacher’s Comments
Teacher’s Signature