1. Introduction to Critical Listening
Introduction to the Speechmaking Process Michele Serra, October 25, 2012
Chapter 2
Introduction to
Critical Listening

2. If speaking is silver, listening is gold.
Stages
If speaking is silver, listening is gold.
-Turkish Proverb
The most important language skill
We listen first, then speak, read, and write
Listening is the foundation
… but listening is not automatic!

3. Agenda 1 Stages 2 Styles 3 Improvement Strategies 4
Become a Critical Listener

4. Percentage of Time Listening
Stages
Percentage of Time Listening
30% Not Communicating
70% Communicating

5. 5 Stages of the Critical Listening Process1
Hearing (Sensation) 2
Selection (Sorting) 3
Interpretation (Meaning) 4
Evaluation (Assessment) 5
Response (Feedback)

6. Stage 1: Hearing (Sensation)
Stages
Stage 1: Hearing (Sensation)
Hearing is an automatic mechanical process
Hearing is about Noise
Listening is about Meaning

7. It all starts with protecting your hearing
Stages
It all starts with protecting your hearing
Listening Devices:
No more than 70% volume
No longer than 4.5 hours
Protect hearing in environments over 90 decibels. (hair dryer, lawnmower are 90 dB)
(Time Magazine, 02/09)
Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Sound receptors called cilia cannot regenerate once destroyed
If destroyed, affects hearing and balance

8. Stage 2: Selection (Sorting)
Noise
Choose what you will attend to from the mass of sounds and input.
Content
Be selective, but listen to the entire message before rejecting all or part.

9. Stage 3: Interpretation (Meaning)
Stages
Stage 3: Interpretation (Meaning)
We all rely on intrapersonal inputs and filters including:
History
Culture
Beliefs
Values
Intelligence
Attitudes
Needs
Wants
Fears
Everyone’s frame of reference is unique
“Why do people feel so strongly about one candidate vs. the other?”

10. Stage 4: Evaluation (Assessment)
Stages
Stage 4: Evaluation (Assessment)
Evaluation
Goal is to understand the meaning of the message
Suspending judgment to grasp intent of speaker & depth of material
Motivation high from desire to add to knowledge

11. Stage 5. Responses (Feedback)
Stages
Stage 5. Responses (Feedback)
Internal: Arise from interpretation/evaluation
May occur at anytime during speech
Thoughts and conclusions arising in your mind
External: Feedback, verbal, questions, comments
Non-verbal, shaking head, looking confused or bored.
Backchanneling – nonverbal vocal cues, “Uh-huh”
Includes questions and comments

12. Agenda 1 Stages 2 Styles 3 Improvement Strategies 4
Become a Critical Listener

13. 6 Styles of Listening Listening Styles Styles 2 - Aggressive
1 - Reluctant
2 - Aggressive
3 - Appreciative
4 - Empathetic
5 - Comprehensive
6 - Critical

14. Style 1: Reluctant Reluctant Styles
Listening out of obligation
Distasteful or boring experience
Counteract with discipline, notes, association
Low Motivation

15. Style 2: Aggressive Aggressive Low motivation to listen Styles
Non-listening style
Opinionated biased point-of-view
More emotional than critical thinking
Argument rehearsals
Low motivation to listen

16. Style 3: Appreciative Interested in message, music, content
Styles
Style 3: Appreciative
Appreciative
Attentive, responsive, higher retention
Still need to think objectively
Use listening skills
High motivation to listen
Interested in message, music, content

17. Style 4: Empathic High motivation to listen Empathic Styles
Put yourself “in the speaker’s shoes”
Connect with their thoughts and feelings
Non-judgmental listening
No advise-giving, unless asked
High motivation to listen

18. Style 5: Comprehensive Motivation high from desire to add to knowledge
Styles
Style 5: Comprehensive
Comprehensive
Goal is to understand the meaning of the message
Suspend judgment to grasp intent & depth
Motivation high from desire to add to knowledge

19. Style 6: Critical Critical Styles Questioning, responsive mind-set
Fair-minded attitude whether pro, con, neutral
Determine if message is valid and supported
Consider full message before judging
Motivation comes from desire to understand

20. Agenda 1 Stages 2 Styles 3 Improvement Strategies 4
Become a Critical Listener

21. Listening Improvement Strategies
4 Steps to Improve Critical Listening
Improve Hearing Channel
Become Motivated
Take Notes
Listen for Key Words
Eliminate noise & distractions
Stay alert, avoid fatigue
Relate to topic
Expand interest
Study topic ahead of time
Note-takers remember 1.5 times more after 6 weeks
Those who don’t , forget 80% of lectures after 2 weeks
Don’t try to write the entire message
Listen for main points and central ideas

22. Managing Distractions
Improvement Strategies
Managing Distractions
Speaker’s appearance, language, mannerisms, personality:
Do:
Focus on message
Ignore trivialities
Don’t
Seek distractions to stray from message
Overly criticize speaker, daydream, chat , fake attention
“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

23. Managing Distractions
Improvement Strategies
Managing Distractions
Your beliefs, attitudes and values are triggered: Do
Steer away from mental rebuttals
Respect presenters and event
Don’t
Focus solely on your frame of reference
“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

24. Managing Distractions
Improvement Strategies
Managing Distractions
Topic seems too challenging, boring, irrelevant: Do
Keep an open mind to learn new and thought-provoking information
Relate it to something you know.
Don’t
Do not dismiss topic as unimportant
Avoid prejudging until hearing entire message
“Choose self-discipline to listen.”

25. Managing Distractions
Overcome Thought Speed:
Speaking Speed = wpm Listening Speed = 400 wpm
Listeners can think 4X faster than speakers can talk, so minds wander
Counteract:
Take notes
Anticipate speaker’s next point
Analyze logic and evidence of message

26. Managing Distractions
Improvement Strategies
Managing Distractions
Overcome Automatic Talking
Learn why people talk without listening

27. Agenda 1 Stages 2 Styles 3 Improvement Strategies 4
Become a Critical Listener

28. Become a Critical Listener
Everything you hear is an opportunity to listen!
Whether in a conversation, at meeting, attending a presentation or watching the news, always:
Exercise an open mind
Resist distractions
Take notes
Withhold judgment until hearing entire message

29. Questions & Answers
What did you learn today that you didn’t already know?
How will critical listening impact you the most?
What do you plan to change first?