Task 20 Write a brief essay on the topic Display of emotions', get ready to make mini presentations.

To sum up the essentials of the unit, formulate brief recommendations for effective communica­tion between Ukrainians and their English speaking partners.

VARYING THE DEGREE OF FORMALITY

Effective communication largely depends on the appropriate strategy. Choosing their strategies interlocutors should first of all take into account the context (the setting, partners’ social status, gender, interrelations, psychological atmosphere etc.). Those factors determine the style speakers adopt, the necessity to conceal or reveal their intentions, to suppress emotions or lessen straightforwardness of their messages. Softening, the most widespread strategy, manifests itself in the conventional set of question formulae varying according to the degree of politeness. The formulae are commonly used to implicitly request, ask for information or express opinions.

Softening devices

in question formulae	in opinion phrases
probability phrases	verbs of thinking	right- phrases	mind- phrases	as/if- phrases	I’d- phrases	verbs of seeing, thinking	mind /view- phrases

The tactics is quite common for the following functions:

requesting, enquiring / inviting an opinion, suggesting, advising, asking permission etc.

Request formulae graded

Consider the examples below illustrating possible ways of asking questions politely. Think of situations where those phrases can be appropriate and give your own examples illustrating their use in different contexts.

degree	mind -phrases	wonder / think	modal verbs	probability phrases	tag
	I hope you don’t
******	mind (my asking)	but I wonder	if it might be /	at all possible for
			but would it be	me to...
*****		I was wondering	if you could	possibly
		Do you think	you could	possibly
			Could you	possibly
****	Would you mind if I...	Don’t you think	it might be an idea/ Might it be an idea/ Would it be If you could... I’d be	possible alright alright if I..
***	Do you mind if I... Do you mind my... ....ing	I wonder Do you think	You couldn You could if you could... you could...	Is it alright if I...	could you? couldn \ you?
**	Anyone mind if I...	Have you ever thought of...		Do you happen to Have you... by any chance?	You haven’t ... have you?
*		I thought	I might... I’d like to... If I were you I’d...	I don’t seem to...
	Hey,	I	need	some

Opinion phrases graded

Consider the examples below illustrating possible ways of expressing opinions politely. Think of situations where those phrases can be appropriate and give your own examples illustrating their use in different contexts.

degree	as/if- phrase	n. of opinion	vb. of thinking/ seeing	I’d- phrase	negative question
	As for me / as far as I’m concerned / know / can tell	From my point of view		I’d like to point out that... I’d say / think that...	Wouldn’t you agree / say that...
		In my view	I hope / believe / suppose / think / imagine that...	I’d just like to say that I think...
**	As I see it... If you ask me... / If I’m not mistaken	The point is	The way I look at it / see it /1 reckon /guess		Don’t you agree/ say that...

Task 21. Make the following questions more indirect; other polite variants could be possible. (Choose any 5 sentences).

1. Do you mind my accompanying you to the evening meeting?

2. Shall I ask our new assistant to join us?

3. Can I borrow your car to get there?

4. May I use the telephone over there?

5. Can you tell me where the meeting takes place?

6. Do you know what’s going on there?

7. Do you know where the secretary is?

8. Can you spare me a few minutes?

9. Have you got an extra copy of the agenda?

10. Is it possible for me to get draft proposals?

11. Do you agree with the project considered?

12. Isn’t the initial project more time-consuming?

13. Still, do you prefer the latest variant?

14. Is it the best solution?

15. So you don’t insist on further discussion?

Task 22. Write a brief note (in the form of questions)

a) suggesting a plan for improving the present-day school system;

b) asking your teacher/ colleague to confirm the changes in the work you both are engaged in.