1. Chapter Two Listeners and Speakers

2. Chapter Two Table of Contents zUnderstanding the Listening Process zBarriers to Active Listening zBecoming a More Active Listener zActive Listening and Critical Thinking zGuidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations*

3. Listeners and Speakers zIt is the listener and speaker together who truly make a speech. zThe continual feedback between speaker and listener is called circular response.*

4. Understanding the Listening Process zHearing is the physiological process of perceiving sounds. zListening is the conscious act of recognizing, understanding, and accurately interpreting communicated messages. zWhile hearing is largely reflexive or automatic, listening is selective and discriminating.*

5. Understanding the Listening Process zListening is Selective zBridging the Message-Perception Gap*

6. Understanding the Listening Process: Listening is Selective zSelective perception is the process by which people pay attention to certain messages and ignore others. yWe pay attention to what we hold to be important. yWe pay attention to information that touches our experience and background. yWe sort and filter information on the basis of what we already know.*

7. Understanding the Listening Process: Bridging the Message-Perception Gap zThe fact that no two people will interpret a message in exactly the same way can lead to misunderstandings, or a message-perception gap.*

8. Barriers to Active Listening zActive listening is focused, purposeful thinking which is a multi-step process of gathering and evaluating information.*

9. Barriers to Active Listening zObstacles to active listening : yInattentiveness and distractions xExternal distractions xInternal distractions*

10. Barriers to Active Listening z Scriptwriting and Defensive Listening z Laziness and Overconfidence z Cultural Barriers z Listening Anxiety (Receiver Apprehension)*

11. Barriers to Active Listening: Scriptwriting and Defensive Listening zPeople who are “scriptwriters” are thinking about what they, and not the speaker, will say next. zDefensive listening usually occurs when we sense that our attitudes and opinions are being challenged.*

12. Barriers to Active Listening: Laziness and Overconfidence zLaziness and overconfidence can occur when we expect too little from speakers, ignore important information, or display an arrogant attitude.*

13. Barriers to Active Listening: Cultural Barriers zDifferences in dialects, accents, nonverbal cues, word choice, and even physical appearance can serve as barriers to listening. zDo not judge speakers on their appearances, but rather on the content of what they are saying.*

14. Barriers to Active Listening: Listening Anxiety (Receiver Apprehension) zJust as speech anxiety hampers one’s ability to prepare and deliver a speech, listening anxiety reduces our own ability to concentrate on and recall information. zListening anxiety usually occurs when people feel insecure.*

15. Becoming a More Active Listener zActive listeners use their eyes as well as their ears.*

16. Becoming a More Active Listener zSet Listening Goals zListen for Main Ideas zWatch for Nonverbal Cues*

17. Becoming a More Active Listener: Set Listening Goals zWhy are you listening? zWhat do you need and expect?*

18. Becoming a More Active Listener: Listen for Main Ideas zListen for the speaker’s organizational pattern. zListen for introductions, transitions, and conclusions. zWatch for a direct eye gaze. zTake notes of the speaker’s main points.*

19. Becoming a More Active Listener: Watch for Nonverbal Cues zMuch of a speaker’s message is communicated nonverbally through: yBody language yFacial expressions yStance and posture*

20. Active Listening and Critical Thinking zCritical thinking is the ability to evaluate claims on the basis of well-supported reasons.*

21. Active Listening and Critical Thinking yEvaluate the evidence. yAnalyze assumptions and biases. yResist false dilemmas, overgeneralizations, and either-or thinking. yConsider multiple perspectives. yAssess an argument’s logic. ySummarize and judge.*

22. Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations zBy critically evaluating the speeches of others, you’ll be able to better assess your own strengths and weaknesses as a speaker.*

23. Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations zBe Honest and Fair in Your Evaluation zAdjust to the Speaker’s Style zBe Compassionate in Your Criticism*

24. Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations: Be Honest and Fair in Your Evaluation zIt is important to remain open to ideas and beliefs that differ from your own.*

25. Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations: Adjust to the Speaker’s Style zMaintaining respect for all types and styles of speakers is a sign of good listening.*

26. Guidelines for Evaluating Speeches and Presentations: Be Compassionate in Criticizing zBe constructive: yStart by saying something positive. yFocus on the speech, not the speaker. yTarget your criticism.*