A POCKETGUIDE TOPUBLICSPEAKING5TH EDITIONChapter 5
Listeners and SpeakersListeners and Speakers
Listening
Listening is the conscious act of
Receiving messages;
Comprehending messages;
Interpreting messages;
Evaluating messages;
Responding to messages.
Recognize That We ListenSelectively
Audience members process informationdifferently.
Selective perception
People pay attention to certain messages
Ignore others
Recognize That We ListenSelectively (cont.)
Factors influencing what we listen to
We pay attention to
What we hold to be important;
Information touching our experiences/backgrounds.
We sort/filter information based on whatwe know.
Recognize That We ListenSelectively (cont.)
Identify what is important to listeners.
Show listeners what they can gain.
Touch upon listeners’ experiences andbackgrounds.
Recognize That We ListenSelectively (cont.)
Build repetition of key ideas.
Use analogies to help listeners learn.
Use presentation aids when appropriate.
Anticipate Obstaclesto Listening
Active listening is focused and purposeful.
Obstacles to listening
External and internal distractions
Scriptwriting and defensive listening
Laziness and overconfidence
Cultural barriers
Anticipate Obstaclesto Listening (cont.)
Minimize external and internal distractions.
Environmental distractions (e.g., a siren)
Try to anticipate and plan for them.
Internal distractions
Be well rested and avoid daydreaming.
Monitor yourself and consciously focus.
Anticipate Obstacles to Listening (cont.)
Guard against
Scriptwriting
Focusing on what you’ll say next
Defensive listening
Disliking the speaker’s words beforehand
Deciding you know better
Anticipate Obstaclesto Listening (cont.)
Beware of laziness and overconfidence.
Can manifest in several ways
Expecting too little from the speaker
Ignoring important information
Displaying an arrogant attitude
Anticipate Obstaclesto Listening (cont.)
Work to overcome cultural barriers.
As a listener
Consciously refrain from prejudging the speaker;
Focus on what is being said;
Ask questions to reveal your needs.
Anticipate Obstaclesto Listening (cont.)
Work to overcome cultural barriers (cont.).
As a speaker
Eliminate or define idioms;
Speak at an appropriate rate;
Pay attention to pronunciation and articulation;
Be alert to nonverbal cues;
Clarify points when indicated.
Practice Active Listening
Steps to active listening
Set listening goals.
Listen for main ideas.
Watch for speaker’s nonverbal cues.
Try to detect speaker’s organizational pattern.
Evaluate Evidenceand Reasoning
Use your critical faculties to
Evaluate the speaker’s evidence;
Analyze the speaker’s assumptions and biases;
Assess the speaker’s reasoning;
Consider multiple perspectives;
Summarize and assess facts and evidence.
Strive for the Open andRespectful Exchange of Ideas
Dialogic communication
Sharing of ideas in respectful atmosphere
Speaker
Opportunity to achieve understanding with audience
Listeners
Being open-minded and empathetic
Offer Constructive andCompassionate Feedback
Be honest and fair when evaluating.
Adjust to the speaker’s style.
Be compassionate in your criticism.
Be selective in your criticism.