Presentations are no longer required for an oral exam, but they are allowed. If you wish to give a short presentation at the beginning of the exam, you may do so. If you choose to do this, there are some things to keep in mind.
Because we have so many opportunities to find material online or get help from AI, it is important to show competence when it comes to the use of sources.
Take time to find reliable sources, and be prepared to explain what you learned from each source.
If you choose to use AI in your preparation it is important that you take the time to verify the information. When chatbots give us incorrect information we say that they are ‘hallucinating’. A simple thing like a spelling error might set the chatbot off on the wrong track. Another possibility is that it does not have access to the correct information, or that it has too much information to choose from. Always question the validity of an answer you get from AI, and always double-check.
Do not think you have to hide that you have used AI on the exam. However, spend time explaining how you used it in a constructive way, and what you did to make sure the information you received was correct.
Have a clear thesis statement
Having a clear thesis statement will make it easier to create a clear and focused presentation. Find something specific within your topic to talk about.
Keep it short
You will know the topic of your exam 24 hours in advance. Hence, you should not spend a lot of time on making a presentation, as it is always the conversation that is the most important part of the oral exam. Remember that you also have to spend time explaining what sources you have used, and how you used them, so the presentation itself should be no more than about five minutes long.
Presentation suggestions
1. Topic: English as a global language
Thesis statement: How did English become a global language?
Why choose this thesis statement?
This thesis statement allows you to present information systematically on the topic you’ve been assigned.
You can highlight what you believe is most important regarding this topic.
You can choose to focus entirely on the British Empire and its influence around the world, or you could touch on the British Empire, the influence of the US, and the impact of the internet.
A risk related to this thesis statement is that you may become overwhelmed by how much information there is, so you might prefer a more focused topic.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
How teens code switch between English and Norwegian.
In which professions is speaking English essential, and why is it so important?
2. Topic: Democracy and citizenship
Suggested thesis statement: A person who changed the world
Why choose this thesis statement?
This thesis statement allows you to focus on a specific aspect of democracy and citizenship: how to engage in public debate and make a difference. Focusing on one individual narrows the topic down and makes it more manageable.
Discuss only the actions the person took to change the world, the methods they used, and why their efforts were necessary. Avoid spending time on biographical trivia, such as where they were born or what their parents did for a living.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
Can we still stop climate change?
How can we participate in public debate.
3. Topic: Indigenous peoples in English-speaking countries
Suggested thesis statement: The oppression of two Indigenous peoples
Why choose this thesis statement?
The Indigenous peoples of Canada, New Zealand, the USA, and Australia all share a history of oppression. In your thesis statement, focus on the specific group you have studied the most. Instead of "The oppression of two Indigenous peoples", you might choose a more targeted title, such as "Oppression of Native Americans" or "Oppression of the Māori".
This topic allows you to explore the influence of the British Empire and European settlers in these countries. You can also discuss how their cultures were affected and what the situation is today.
By focusing on one group of people in the presentation, it allows you to narrow your focus and provide more detailed and specific information. In the discussion afterwards, you may speak about the topic in broader terms.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
Why was European settlement in North America harmful to Native Americans' way of life?
Taking children from their families: Stolen Generations in Australia.
4. Topic: Health and life skills
Suggested thesis statement: Are we using digital tools too much?
Why choose this thesis statement?
This thesis statement allows you to draw on your own experiences, making it easier to create a presentation that is uniquely yours. However, it is important that you also include other sources so that your presentation is grounded in facts and not just your personal opinion.
In addition to sharing your views on the use of digital tools, find relevant research that discusses the consequences of using devices like computers and mobile phones instead of traditional methods like reading books and writing by hand. Also consider the effects of digital tools such as spell checks and AI.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
What life skills should be taught in schools?
How can teenagers stay happy and healthy?
5. Topic: Learning a foreign language
Suggested thesis statement: Learning English and learning German: similarities and differences.
Why choose this thesis statement?
Obviously, you should adjust the thesis statement to align with the foreign language you are learning in school. This thesis statement allows you to draw on your personal experiences with learning foreign languages.
In addition to your own experiences, you should also find relevant sources that explore issues such as to which language families different languages belong, how the languages differ structurally, and common mistakes learners make when studying these languages.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
Why is it important to learn English?
How can learning a foreign language deepen our understanding of other cultures?
6. Topic: Literature, films, and computer games
Suggested thesis statement: How to use a computer game to boost learning
Why choose this thesis statement?
If you choose this thesis statement, you are probably interested in gaming, and this thesis statement will allow you to draw on your experiences. There has also been a significant amount of academic research conducted on using computer games in education in recent years, so it should be easy to find relevant sources that can help you create a good presentation.
Alternative suggestions for a thesis statement:
Comparing a sonnet by Shakespeare with a modern love song.
How to use films to learn about historical events.
