Setting the Stage For Success: Saving Students from Themselves

Inherited Problems Little time spent on oral communication instruction Presentational skills Discussion skills Small group communication skills Listening skills

Inherited Problems Little time spent on oral communication instruction Instructional time + practice + thoughtful evaluation + practice…repeat = Effectiveness + Perceived Importance “I think I should get a C for just standing up.”

Students don’t… – Take oral communication seriously – Know what effective oral communication looks or sounds like and why – Know how to prepare for it or why they should prepare for it

The Bottom Line In academic and professional communication, if the message is not attended to, understood, or remembered, the whole endeavor is a waste of time.

Similarities With Written Communication Thesis and purpose

Similarities With Written Communication Thesis and purpose Organization Introduction, body, conclusion Clear relationship among main points and supporting material

Similarities With Written Communication Thesis and purpose Organization Introduction, body, conclusion Clear relationship among main points and supporting material Supporting Material Information limit Enough accurate information from appropriate and credible sources to accomplish purpose Need for citation

Similarities With Written Communication Thesis and purpose Organization Introduction, body, conclusion Clear relationship among main points and supporting material Supporting Material Information limit Enough accurate information from appropriate and credible sources to accomplish purpose Need for citation Style Clear Engaged Interesting Appropriate for context and audience

Differences from Written Communication Real Time Delivery Must get and hold audience’s attention

Differences from Written Communication Real Time Delivery Must get and hold audience’s attention Must be memorable

Differences from Written Communication Real Time Delivery Must get and hold audience’s attention Must be memorable Must be immediately understandable

Differences from Written Communication Real Time Delivery Must get and hold audience’s attention Must be memorable Must be immediately understandable Must be organized explicitly and transparently

Differences from Written Communication: Real Time Delivery Must get and hold audience’s attention Must be easy to remember Must be immediately understandable Must be organized explicitly and transparently Limited amount of material can be presented

Differences from Written Communication: Delivered with Voice and Body Can distract and confuse attention or aid in attention, clarity, and memory

Differences from Written Communication: Delivered with Voice and Body Can aid in attention, clarity, and memory or distract and confuse attention. Can make a speaker seem competent, honest and attractive or incompetent, evasive, and awkward

Differences from Written Communication: Delivered with Voice and Body Can aid in attention, clarity, and memory or distract and confuse attention. Can make a speaker seem competent, honest and attractive or incompetent, evasive, and awkward Can only be developed through physical rehearsal

Differences from Written Communication: Delivered with Voice and Body Can aid in attention, clarity, and memory or distract and confuse attention. Can make a speaker seem competent, honest and attractive or incompetent, evasive, and difficult to attend to Can only be developed through physical rehearsal Takes longer to develop

Differences from Written Communication: Delivered with Voice and Body Can aid in attention, clarity, and memory or distract and confuse attention. Can make a speaker seem competent, honest and attractive or incompetent, evasive, and difficult to attend to Can only be developed through physical rehearsal Takes longer to develop Can be profoundly affected by performance anxiety

Students Need To… Understand the process Be able to recognize an effective performance Take the process seriously Treat the process strategically Prepare carefully and effectively over a period of time

Four Keys to Success

Outlines

Introduction

Body

Checklists

Agendas

Group Agendas

Group Member Evaluations