Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Chapter 4 Responding to Speeches This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental, lease, or lending of the program.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Listening... is intermittent.... is a learned skill.... is active.... implies using the message received.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 The Process of Listening You get the stimuli You focus on stimuli You attach meanings to stimuli You integrate the message into your frame of reference You judge the merits of the information You decide what to do with the information ReceiveSelectInterpretUnderstandEvaluateResolve

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Obstacles to Effective Listening Physical distractions Physiological distractions Psychological distractions Factual distractions Semantic distractions

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Promoting Better Listening Desire to listen. Focus on the message. Listen for main ideas. Understand the speaker’s point of view.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Promoting Better Listening cont. Withhold judgment. Reinforce the message. Provide feedback. Listen with the body. Listen critically.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 A Model of Criticism This model of criticism is adapted from Beverly Whitaker Long, “Evaluating Performed Literature,” Studies in Interpretation, vol.2, eds. Esther M. Doyle and Virginia Hastings Floyd (Amsterdam: Podopi, 1977) See also her earlier article: Beverly Whitaker, “Critical Reasons and Literature in Performance,” The Speech Teacher 18 (November 1969): Long attributes this three-part model of criticism to Arnold Isenberg, “Critical Communication,” The Philosophical Review (July 1949): Judgments: statements of approval or disapproval, like or dislike Reasons: Justifications offered for judgments Norms: Standards of relative worth or goodness

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Guidelines for Critiquing Speeches Begin with a positive statement. Target a few key areas for improvement. Organize your comments. Be specific. Be honest but tactful.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Guidelines for Critiquing Speeches cont. Personalize your comments. Reinforce the positive. Problem-solve the negative. Provide the speaker with a plan of action. End with a positive statement.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004 Guidelines for Acting on Criticism Focus on what your critics say, not how they say it. Seek clear and specific feedback. Evaluate the feedback you receive. Develop a plan of action.