Oral Communication

Fair-minded critical thinkers speak clearly and competently, respect the audience, value multiple perspectives, and engender equality. They help others understand the complexity of subjects by emphasizing significant points, presenting information logically, and supporting ideas with reliable evidence.

With practice, learners will be able to:

1. Communicate orally his/her ideas on a topic objectively or subjectively in a competent and confident manner.
2. Choose and narrow a topic appropriately for the audience, occasion, and purpose.
3. Communicate the thesis/specific purpose in a manner appropriate for the audience and occasion.
4. Provide supporting material appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
5. Use an organizational pattern appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
6. Use language appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
7. Use vocal variety in rate, pitch, and intensity (volume) to heighten and maintain interest and that is appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
8. Use pronunciation, grammar, and articulation appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
9. Use physical behaviors that support the verbal message and that are appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.

"The Competent Speaker" Speech Evaluation Form (Speech Communication Association)