American Literature B Speaking and listening

Which is a valuable way to participate in a group discussion?

ask questions correct interrupt others incorrect argue with others incorrect remain silent incorrect Asking questions helps you better understand others' points of view.

Which statement strays from the topic of a proposed school uniform?

"I have better fashion sense than anyone else." correct "Studies have shown that uniforms do not improve academic performance." incorrect "Uniforms violate students' right to express themselves." incorrect "Some studies have shown that schools with uniforms have fewer behavior problems." Incorrect This statement has little to do with whether wearing school uniforms is a good idea.

Did you put the key in your pocket? What kind of question is this?

A closes question A closed question leads to a yes or no response.

Responding Process: Ask Question

A good listener always clarifies his or her understanding of a speaker's message. The best way to do this is by asking questions, but different questions have different purposes. An open-ended question does not lead to a specific response. Use this question to open up discussion. (Why do you think the school newspaper needs more funding?) A closed question leads to a specific response and must be answered yes or no. (Do you read the newspaper?) A fact question is aimed at obtaining a particular piece of information and must be answered with facts. (How many newspapers did the school print last year?)

Key Concept: Group Discussion

A group discussion is a good way to express your opinions, as well as to hear the opinions of others, in an informal setting. To successfully participate in group discussions, you should communicate effectively, ask questions, and make relevant contributions.

group discussion

An informal meeting of people that is used to discuss ideas and topics openly. The group discussions you participate in will, for the most part, involve your classmates and focus on the subjects you are studying. To benefit the most from a group discussion, you need to learn to participate in it.

Group Discussion: Communicate Effectively

Before you speak, think about the points you want to make and which words will best express them. Organize these points in logical order. Recall examples or supporting facts to illustrate your points. Also, remember to speak clearly, pronouncing words slowly and carefully.

Key concept: Public Speaking

Choose an appropriate kind of speech by considering the topic and purpose of the speech, as well as the intended audience.

Listening Process: Types of Listening

Critical Listen for facts and supporting details to understand and evaluate the speaker's message. Informative or persuasive essays, class discussions, announcements Empathic Imagine yourself in the other person's position, and try to understand what he or she is thinking. Conversations with friends or family Appreciative Identify and analyze aesthetic or artistic elements, such as character development, rhyme, imagery, and descriptive language.Oral presentations of a poem, dramatic performances Reflective Ask questions to obtain information, and use the speaker's responses to form new questions. Class or group discussions

Key Concept: Evaluate a Speech

Evaluate a speech in a way that benefits the speaker and you.

Public Speaking Key Concept: Prepare and Present a Speech

Follow a series of steps to plan, prepare, practice, and present your speech. Once you know what kind of speech to give and have chosen a topic, you will need to gather information, outline your speech, prepare note cards, and practice your speech.

Key Concept: Listening Critically

Improve your critical listening skills through the use of listening strategies and self-evaluation.

Responding process: Evaluate Your Listening

One way to improve your listening skills is to evaluate them to find out which listening skills work for you and which skills need improvement. First, test your understanding of a speaker's statements by rephrasing and then repeating them to the speaker. If the speaker agrees with your paraphrase, you know that you have understood him or her. If, however, the speaker disagrees with your paraphrase, ask the speaker to correct it or to clarify it. Second, write your interpretation of a speaker's message, and compare and contrast it with another student's interpretation through the use of a Venn diagram. Resolve these points of disagreement through discussion and by appealing to the speaker. Finally, use the library or other reference tools to acquire more information about the speaker's topic or to check questionable facts of the presentation.

Public Speaking: Present Your Speech

Read over your outline and note cards. Become very familiar with the material. Utilize rhetorical strategies. Repeat key words and use parallel structure; for example, "We cannot wait; we must take action."Use verbal strategies. Vary the pitch and tone of your voice. S peak clearly, and project your voice so you can be heard. Slow down or pause to emphasize key points. Take advantage of nonverbal strategies. Make eye contact with your listeners. Use your posture and gestures to reflect or emphasize your message.

Public Speaking: Prepare Your Speech

Research your topic. Use the library or other sources to find reliable information to support your claims. Evaluate your material. Make sure that you are giving an accurate, truthful, and ethical presentation. Make an outline. Include introductory and background material, a logical sequence of major points and supporting details, and an effective summary and conclusion. Prepare numbered note cards. Use key words and phrases, exact quotations, indentations, capital letters, and other means of highlighting important information.

Listening Critically

Speaking is one half of the communication process. The other half of the process is listening. Learning how to become a critical listener is an important step toward comprehension and successful communication.

Group Discussion: Make Relevant Contributions

Stay focused on the topic being discussed. Relate discussion points to your own experience and knowledge. When you contribute information or ideas, make clear how your contributions are connected to the topic.

Group Discussion: Ask Questions

The first reason for asking questions is to enhance your understanding of another speaker's ideas. The second reason is to call attention to possible errors in other speakers' points.

Listening Process: Focus Your Attention

The most important step in listening is to focus your attention on the speaker and his or her words. Ignore all people, objects, noises, and thoughts that can distract you from listening. Increase your interest in the subject by acquiring information about it and by finding a connection between the subject and your life.

Evaluate a Speech

When you evaluate a speech, you judge its strengths (which public-speaking skills were successful) and weaknesses (which skills need more work). Work with peers to evaluate one another's speeches. Use the suggestions of your peer reviewers to improve your delivery and content.

Listening Process: Respond to the Speaker's Message

When you have finished listening, respond to the information you heard. Decide whether you agree or disagree with persuasive messages. Identify which elements of informative messages you find most interesting or useful. If possible, ask questions to clarify your understanding.

Listening Process: Interpret the Information

When you listen to a speaker and interpret his or her message successfully, you identify and understand important information. Use the following suggestions to guide you. Listen for words and phrases that are emphasized or repeated. Visualize important statements, and test your understanding by rephrasing them in your own words. Write down important sentences, and summarize ideas. Watch for nonverbal signals—tone of voice, gestures, and facial expressions—that may alert you to important ideas. Link the information currently being given to previous information to form a meaningful pattern.

In what kinds of situations would you use critical listening skills?

You would use critical listening skills during classroom lectures or while watching the news. In these situations, you are listening for facts and details.

extemporaneous speech

an informal speech given to suit an occasion, event, or audience. It is presented without the aid of a prepared manuscript.

persuasive speech

attempts to convince the audience to agree with the speaker's position or to take some action. In a persuasive speech, the speaker generally follows the conventions of standard English usage.

Which type of listening would be most appropriate for a television news report?

critical When you listen to a television news report, you should listen for facts and supporting details to understand and evaluate the speaker's message.

When you evaluate a speech, you will want to offer _____ feedback.

detailed Be specific in your criticism and praise. You should explain exactly what held your interest or at what point the speech seemed to digress from the main idea.

Which purpose would be best served by a group discussion?

determining how to improve meals at the school cafeteria. A group discussion is a good way to express your opinions—as well as to hear the opinions of others—in an informal setting.

You should ask questions in a group discussion to what?

enhance your understanding of another speaker's ideas You should ask questions in a group discussion to enhance your understanding of another speaker's ideas or to call attention to possible errors in another speaker's points.

informative speech

explains an idea, a process, or an object. Descriptions and explanations may include technical language or terms.

What kind of speech would you give to your social studies class on the topic of Abraham Lincoln?

extemporaneous incorrect entertaining .incorrect persuasive incorrect informative correct

entertaining speech

offers the audience something to enjoy. It may be included in other kinds of speeches for variety or emphasis. The language of an entertaining speech is usually standard or informal.

To prepare a speech, you should follow this order: research your topic, evaluate your material, make an outline, and?

prepare numbered note cards Once you have followed these steps, you will want to practice your speech and check its length.

Public Speaking

refers to the presentation of a speech before an audience. Getting a speech ready requires more preparation than is needed for a group discussion. The more time you invest in preparing and practicing your speech, the better your audience will receive it. The kind of speech you give will depend upon your topic, your purpose, and the audience to whom it will be delivered.

When you listen critically, you should focus your attention, interpret the information, and _____.

respond to the speaker's message When you have finished listening, decide whether you agree or disagree with the persuasive messages. Identify which elements of informative messages you find most interesting or useful. Ask questions to clarify your understanding.

Why should you think about the points you want to make before you speak in group discussions?

so that you can communicate effectively In a group discussion, thinking about the points you want to make and organizing them in logical order will help you communicate effectively.