Communications Competencies
Reading, Speaking, and Writing
Prepared by the Competencies Task Force of CEI—The North Carolina Conference of English Instructors
August 11, 1995

Speaking Competencies
with Acquisition and Assessment Strategies

The student will become competent in planning and audience analysis, voice, style, listening and responding, evaluating effectiveness of non-verbal communication, using small group communication, assessing characteristics of mass communication, communicating outside one's primary culture, understanding interpersonal communication components, and analyzing and supporting positions on issues.
  1. Planning and Audience Analysis Competencies
    The student will
    1. Determine topic, analyze audience, conduct research and paraphrase and summarize source material, and develop an effective speaking plan.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Identify the purpose of the speech (i.e., information, persuasion, presentation, entertainment, ceremony, forum, or panel).
      2. Research and describe the audience demographics and situational factors such as time and occasion.
      3. Research a variety of sources including interviews, print media, and electronic sources and show proper documentation of the sources.
      4. Develop content based upon a balanced use of logical arguments, motivational appeals, and speaker credibility.
      5. Determine an appropriate delivery style (i.e., extemporaneous, manuscript, impromptu).
      6. State a thesis and construct a supporting outline which includes an effective introduction, body, and conclusion.
      7. Develop an oral style using appropriate elaboration, repetition, and clear transitions.
      8. Develop appropriate audio or visual materials (posters, models, recordings, etc.).
      9. Develop speaker notes from the outline.
      10. Discuss strategies, as a group, for developing outlines and review completed outlines making suggested improvements.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Evaluate appropriateness of topic for speaker, audience, and assignment.
      2. Evaluate thoroughness and appropriateness of research.
      3. Evaluate content for appropriate use of logic, motivation, and speaker credibility.
      4. Evaluate outline and facilitate peer review.

  2. Voice Competencies
    The student will
    1. Use voice appropriately in areas of pronunciation, articulation, rate, projection, phrasing, emphasis, and appropriate nonverbal communication.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Participate in role-playing, scenarios, and simulation.
      2. Use videotape or audiotape of speeches for feedback.
      3. Practice eye contact by delivering a short speech to one person and then to small groups.
      4. Practice introducing oneself and others to a group, using a video camera to record eye contact.
      5. Practice reading literature aloud, using videotape or audiotape for feedback.
      6. Practice vocal exercises emphasizing common errors.
      7. Provide a list of and practice pronouncing commonly mispronounced words.
      8. Listen to speakers outside of class.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Direct written student self-evaluation.
      2. Direct oral and written evaluation by peers.
      3. Conduct oral and written evaluation.
      4. Evaluate student responses to outside speakers.

  3. Style and Poise Competencies
    The student will
    1. Use appropriate oral style of language and demonstrate poise and confidence.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Develop awareness of language usage and word choice through role-playing of ineffective usage and through analysis of student speeches, videotaped speeches, and guest speeches.
      2. Videotape the reading of a written manuscript.
      3. Identify situations for informal and formal presentations and identify the differences in language using videotaped speeches.
      4. Apply anxiety control techniques.
      5. Develop role-playing mistakes.
      6. Keep a journal, recording feelings about speech and feelings during speech.
      7. View and discuss video of student speeches.
      8. Develop speaker notes and practice using them before the speech.
      9. Develop audio or visual aids and practice using them before the speech.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Direct written student self-evaluation.
      2. irect oral and written evaluation by peers.
      3. Evaluate proficiency of language usage. Conduct oral and written evaluation.

  4. Listening and Responding Competencies
    The student will
    1. Listen effectively and recognize and respond appropriately to non-verbal and verbal messages.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Identify the difference in and build consciousness of hearing and listening.
      2. Identify main idea and support in a presentation.
      3. Analyze and summarize, synthesize, form judgment of, and evaluate communication.
      4. Through role-playing, scenarios, and simulation, develop respect for others, tact and awareness of others, and the ability to give appropriate responses.
      5. Listen to formal or informal material and carry out tasks as a result of oral directions.
      6. Identify main points and supporting details after listening to different types of speeches.
      7. Set up, conduct, and gain information from an interview (as an interviewer).
      8. Listen to speakers outside of class.
      9. Listen to classmates' speeches.
      10. Take notes of classmates' speeches.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Facilitate oral and written peer evaluation.
      2. Evaluate notes taken during a speech.
      3. Evaluate written report of speakers outside of class.

  5. Non-verbal Communication Competencies
    The student will
    1. Evaluate effectiveness of verbal and nonverbal communication in self and others.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Videotape or audiotape communication.
      2. View videotape of student speeches, group presentations, and group interactions.
      3. Attend speeches, panels, and forums outside of class.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Review the student's written self-evaluation.
      2. Evaluate written reports on classmates' speeches.
      3. Evaluate written report of speakers outside of class.

  6. Small Group Competencies
    The student will
    1. Identify, demonstrate, and evaluate dynamics of small group communication, with special emphasis on problem solving and task-oriented groups.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Identify the three major approaches to small group communication: message communication, relationship communication, and value shift communication.
      2. Describe the four phases of a typical group's development.
      3. Describe the relationship between group size, member satisfaction, and group performance.
      4. Enumerate advantages and disadvantages of group problem solving.
      5. Compare and contrast various decision-making methods.
      6. Use a decision-making grid.
      7. Identify behaviors that contribute to defensive or supportive group communication.
      8. Demonstrate an ability to facilitate and improve communication among members of a group.
      9. Participate in role-playing and classroom simulation of small group communication.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Direct student's written and oral self-evaluation.
      2. Direct collaborative peer evaluations by members of small groups.
      3. Evaluate group projects.
      4. Facilitate instructor and student conferences.

  7. Mass Communication Competencies
    The student will
    1. Describe and assess the types and characteristics of mass communication and its influence on individuals and society.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Identify the characteristics of mass communication.
      2. Discuss the extent to which mass media disseminate information and influence attitudes.
      3. Describe the influence mass communication has on social learning, particularly in children, and discuss the issues of media violence and informed consumerism.
      4. Discuss the implication of the new communication technologies and their potential effects on workplace and global communications.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Direct student's written and oral evaluations.
      2. Supervise and evaluate individual and group projects.
      3. Evaluate objective testing on subject matter.

  8. Communicating Outside One's Own Culture Competencies
    The student will
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the principles and skills needed to become effective in communications with individuals and groups outside the student's primary culture, with an emphasis on the role of communication in the culturally diverse workplace.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      1. Define intercultural communication and its importance in the workplace.
      2. Discuss how cultural groups differ from other groups.
      3. State the communication principles that have important implications for intercultural communications.
      4. Identify and explain ways in which language can interfere with communication between cultures.
      5. Recognize and explain how nonverbal messages vary from culture to culture and can create communication misunderstandings and conflict.
      6. Explain the concept of ethnocentrism and its effects on communication.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Evaluate student projects.
      2. Provide written dialogue with student through interactive journal writing.
      3. Provide evaluation of objective testing of materials.

  9. Interpersonal Communication Competencies
    The student will
    1. Define and explain the psychological, social, and decision-making functions of interpersonal communication competence.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      2. Identify the transactional nature of interpersonal communication.
      3. Recognize the interrelationships among context, participants, rules, messages, channels, noise, and feedback.
      4. Identify types of relationships.
      5. Describe communication in relationship life cycles.
      6. Describe interpersonal needs and exchange theories.
      7. Recognize the characteristics of effective interpersonal conversation and self-disclosure.
      8. Use role-playing, scenarios, and simulations to identify kinds of conflict, demonstrate guidelines for managing conflict, and identify the role of discussion communication in managing conflict.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Provide written dialogue with student through interactive journal writing.
      2. Evaluate student projects.
      3. Provide evaluation of objective testing of materials.

  10. Supporting Position Competencies
    The student will
    1. Demonstrate the ability to analyze issues and organize materials to support a position and refute opposing arguments.

    1. Acquisition Strategies
      The student will
      2. Identify the role of argumentation as a part of the democratic decision-making process.
      3. Analyze topics by the type of proposition (fact, value, or policy) and by identifying stock issues.
      4. Research topics using print and electronic media and then organize the evidence.
      5. Evaluate the evidence collected according to types of evidence and tests of evidence.
      6. Develop and evaluate logic of arguments using tests for induction, deduction, causal reasoning, and reasoning by analogy.
      7. Respond to opposing arguments using appropriate refutation skills such as challenging an analysis or definition, minimizing, denying, demonstrating the opposite, and identifying logical fallacies.
      8. Prepare an outline of all arguments.
      9. Use research and arguments to present a case on one or both sides of an issue.

    2. Assessment Strategies
      The instructor will
      1. Review and evaluate research materials.
      2. Review and evaluate outline of arguments.
      3. Facilitate oral and written peer evaluation of student debates.
      4. Conduct oral and written evaluation of student debates.

CEI - North Carolina Conference of English Instructors - Est. 1972