Introduction to CommunicationLearning Target Goals
Students will understand the fundamentals of oral communication. Students will understand how to interpret and analyze various types of literature. Students will also understand how to bring literature to life by incorporating facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, tone, and body language when presenting. 1st Hour Homework Day: Monday 2nd Hour Homework Day: Tuesday 6th Hour Homework Day: Wednesday Late Work Information 1 Day Late: 10% Deduction 2 Days Late: 20% Deduction 3 Days or More: 30% Deduction
ChaptersChapter 3: Listening
“Nature has given us one tongue, but two ears,” wrote the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “that we may hear twice as much as we speak." The importance of good listening skills in effective communication cannot be overstated. The loss of millions of dollars in business dealings and even the endangering of workers in construction sites have been attributed to poor listening. Part of the problem is that people listen much faster than they speak, so it's easy for the mind to wander when someone is talking. It is important to use this "spare time" to explore what lies ahead in the speech, analyze the speaker’s message, review what one has heard, and search for hidden meanings in what is being said. Listening is more effective if one employs the right listening style for each situation. One should always determine whether to listen appreciatively, discriminatively, empathically, or critically. By choosing appropriate ways to listen, one can avoid poor listening habits, such as tuning out dull topics, faking attention, yielding to distractions, criticizing a speaker's delivery or physical appearance, jumping to conclusions, overreacting to emotional words, and interrupting. Another strategy that will improve listening skills is being aware of how speeches are typically organized from beginning, to middle, to end and paying close attention when it matters most. Chapter 11: Effective Language Using effective language when you speak means using carefully chosen words and phrases to communicate your ideas in a way that will make a good impression. Unlike the written word, which allows readers time to think about and digest what they are reading, the spoken word leaves listeners very little time to consider what they are hearing; they must "get it" the first time. Accuracy of language (using words that say exactly what you mean) and economy of language (carefully managing the quantity of words you use) are two qualities that will improve your use of spoken language. Imagery makes your speech come alive by creating pictures in the minds of your audience. Comparison imagery illustrates similarities through picturesque language. The most common forms of comparison imagery are metaphor, simile, and allusion. Contrast imagery sets up opposition for effect, often as antithesis, oxymoron, and irony. Exaggeration imagery, when used in the appropriate setting, accentuates the spoken word in forms such as hyperbole, understatement, and personification. Repetition of sound is another clever device that can be added to speech as alliteration, assonance, and consonance. Always avoid jargon, sexist language, and shocking or obscene language. Chapter 12: Effective Delivery Delivery does not refer to "what you say," but to "how you say it." No matter how well you have written and researched your speech, it will not have much impact if you do not deliver it with purpose and conviction. There are several methods of delivery, including manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu. The extemporaneous method is usually preferred because it sounds most natural. Regardless of your delivery method, you must familiarize yourself with your instrument of delivery, which is your voice. Specific features of your voice, namely, rate, pitch, stress, volume, articulation, and pronunciation, are all important considerations. An important component of effective delivery is body language. While you speak, you should move purposefully from one spot to another with a rhythmic flow that fits your words. You can also enhance your delivery by using gestures in a natural way. Finally, your face is probably the most important nonverbal element in effective delivery of a speech. It is important to maintain eye contact with the people in your audience and use their reactions as feedback. Eye contact also inspires your audience to trust you and believe what you say. Effective delivery incorporates your voice, body, and face and gives life and significance to your words. Chapter 16: Oral Interpretation Oral interpretation is the art of communicating works of literature by reading aloud well. It is one of the oldest of human social activities. Recently, storytelling has experienced a rebirth in the United States. When selecting material to read aloud, it is important to consider the quality of the literature, the occasion, and the desires of your audience. Once you have chosen a selection, you must analyze the meaning and feeling of the work and adapt your interpretation to the requirements of the form. In interpreting a work of prose, you must analyze the form of the narration to determine the point of view. When you interpret poetry, you should pay attention to the meter, rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. As an interpreter of drama, you need to help your listeners create a mental image of the characters you are suggesting. When presenting your material, start with an introduction to establish the mood and help the audience understand the selection. If necessary, cut the material to fit it into the time allowed and to achieve the overall effect you desire. Effective presentation requires mastery of delivery skills such as eye contact, character placement, characterization, word color, and showmanship. Chapter 18: Supporting Your Views Since you will not always agree with everyone in your life, it is important to learn techniques of negotiation and debate. Negotiation is a cooperative relationship in which both sides want to reach an agreement. When negotiating, you should always be positive, use three-part messages, be prepared, and tell the truth. Five common strategies of negotiation are avoidance, accommodation, competition, compromise, and collaboration. Debate is an important method of solving problems in a democracy. Debate conducted without specific rules is informal debate. Some different types of informal debate include personal debate (a silent debate in your head), disagreements and arguments (arguing with a sibling), group discussion (making group decisions), and in organizations and meetings (debating ideas for a fund-raiser). By participating in various debates, you improve your analytical skills and become more effective in your career, in helping others, as a voter, and as a citizen. In order to debate successfully, you must present your issue in its proper form. You must state a proposition that clearly explains the point to be debated. When preparing and arguing your case, you must work hard, anticipate your opponent's arguments, build a sound case, listen closely to your opponent, take notes, and speak clearly and logically. Uploaded Communication Chapters
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