简报并非永远都在讲好的事情。有的时候你会遇到无法确定的情况、想要避重就轻、为讨论事项留下弹性空间。或是,你要增加简报的戏剧性反差,想将一些前提的重要性降低来增加后面资讯的重要性。这个时候,你就需要缓和语(softeners)。
看看下面的差别:
a great improvement / a SMALL improvement
( 很大的进步/微小的进步 )
a HUGE change / a SLIGHT change
( 重大的改变/些微的改变 )
a MAJOR success / a MINOR success
( 重要的成功/次要的成功 )
事实上,上面三个句子左右两边都是一样的事情,可是却可以因为简报者的意图而有完全不同的陈述方式。
例句:
It is not what we expected, but it is better than what they predicted.
( 这并非如我们预期,但是比他们之前的提议好。)
It is not QUITE what we expected, but it is SLIGHTLY better than what they predicted.
( 这并非完全如我们预期,但是比他们之前预测的好一点。)
例句:
It is a good proposal, but it is certain that the manager will reject it.
( 这是个很好的提议,但是主管肯定会回绝。)
It is BY AND LARGE a good proposal, but it is ALMOST certain that the manager will reject it.
( 总体说来这是个很好的提议,但是主管大概会回绝。)