Public Speaking Handbook

Listening and critical thinking 5.4 81

also overstated the poverty he experienced as a child, when in fact he grew up in

a fairly comfortable middle-class home. Although many people have criticized

such exaggeration, at least one communication researcher has defended Jackson,

arguing that although his “tall tales” are not necessarily “the truth” in a strictly

objective sense, they are part of a valid African American oral tradition that

focuses on the “symbolic import of the story” and in which speakers tradition-

ally exaggerate to enhance the impact of their illustrations.^23 When you consider

the cultural expectations and backgrounds of both the speaker and the listeners,

you will be in a better position to interpret what is being expressed.

Be attentive and courteous. Consider diverse cultural norms and audience

expectations as part of the context within which you listen to and evaluate the

speaker. Making an effort to understand the needs, goals, and interests of both

the speaker and other audience members can help you to judge how to react ap-

propriately and ethically as a listener. Table 5.1 summarizes all the skills of better

listening that we have discussed.

Listening and Critical Thinking

5.4 Identify and implement strategies for improving your critical listening

and critical thinking skills.

Effective listening requires the ability to listen critically. Listening critically and

thinking critically both involve a variety of skills that we reexamine through-

out this text. Critical listening is the process of listening to evaluate the quality,

5.4

Table 5.1 enhance Your Listening skills

The Good Listener... The Poor Listener...

Listen with Your Eyes as

Well as Your Ears

• Looks for nonverbal cues to enhance under-
  standing


• Adapts to the speaker’s delivery
  
  
  • Focuses only on the words
  
  
  • Is easily distracted by the delivery of the
    speech
    Listen Mindfully • Is aware of whether or not he or she is listening
  
  
  
  


• Controls emotions


• Mentally asks, “What’s in it for me?”


• Is not aware of whether he or she is
  on-task or off-task


• Erupts emotionally when listening


• Does not attempt to relate to the informa-
  tion personally
  Listen Skillfully • Identifies the listening goal


• Listens for major ideas


• Seeks opportunities to practice listening skills


• Understands and adapts his or her listening style
  to the speaker


• Listens actively by re-sorting, rephrasing, and
  repeating what is heard


• Does not have a listening goal in mind


• Listens for isolated facts


• Avoids listening to difficult information


• Is not aware of how to capitalize on his or
  her listening style


• Listens passively, making no effort to
  engage with the information heard
  Listen Ethically • Clearly communicates listening expectations


• Is sensitive to and tolerant of differences


• Makes no effort to respond appropriately
  to a speaker’s message


• Expects others to have the same beliefs,
  values, and cultural expectations he or
  she has
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