UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL

COURSE CODE:
COURSE TITLE: COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS
INDEX NO:PS/ITC/23/0117
STUDENT’S NAME:ABDUL MAJID OSMAN
LECTURER’S NAME:
Listening is a very important element of a communication process. Without an accurate listening one
cannot respond a question if he does not effectively listen .So listening simply an active and complex
process that consist of being mindful, hearing and more .It involves essential body parts with the ears,
hearts, and mind. For efficient to happen it goes through some process.
First to listen one must be very mindful to the other person is saying that is being mindful in a
correct posture maintaining eye contact to create a connection in listening.
Secondly, being able to physically receive the message the person saying caused we do not physically
listen we won’t listen efficiently involving ways such us writing and lip reading.
Thirdly, being able to select and organize materials which can based on factors like interest, cognitive
structure, and operations during selecting and after organizing how to receive it, involving how to react to
the message based on our perceptions, experience, and stereotyping .
Fourthly, we must be able to interpret when listening which helps to understand the speaker in our own
way.
And we must be able to respond to give the person a sign we listening to them. Responding shows there
is a communication between you and the speaker or you listening to what the person is saying.
Lastly, being able to remember what one has told us shows we listened well and can use it for future
access or recall when asked.
OBSTACLES THAT AFFECT EFFECTIVE LISTENING
One may encounter obstacles that hinders their effectiveness during listening being it internal and
external factors .
External factors such as listening tom various messages at a go which could cause not being attentive to
one speaker , this doesn’t allow one to fully concentrated to a speaker or noise from other people which
hinders your listening cause you may hear what the person is saying.
Internal factors such as thinking about something else while listening to someone can hinder effe3ctive
communication cause the mind will be divided and other lacking focus effort that not putting much effort
to listen to someone which prevent you from really getting the message and others such difference in
listening styles and reacting based on emotions.
FORMS OF NON-LISTENING
 Pseudo listening – that is pretending to listen to someone which in fact you are not due to factor
like communication being boring .
 Monopolizing- it is a form in which tend to focus with their view instead of the speaker with this
later challenging the speaker about their opinion in other to divert attention to information of their
own interest .
 Selective listening- this is being selective on the kind of information you want when listening
which basically noting key points.
 Defensive listening- This must deal with protecting our views and disregarding other views with
which us unattractive to what their saying.
 Ambush- this is when u pretend to listen to someone without any genuine interest to later
undermine their message or opinion.
 Liberal listening- this is when we listen to someone for a particular message without getting.
 really getting the whole context.
ATTRIBUTE AND SKILLS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO EFFECTIVE LISTENING
 Listening for pleasure- this is when we listen just for fun without responding to or providing
feedback. One must be careful of distraction.
 Listening for information- this is when we listen to someone to get information from the speaker
for reference or guide.
 Listening to support others -This attitude is when we express support and show care for
others .They respond to others without being judgmental which involves a little of
encouragement.
SPEAKING PERSUASIVELY
We may encounter situations as a university student to answer questions, lead a group presentation or
even make an individual presentation. So, one must consider certain elements to be able to give an
oral speech. These as follows,
1. Know your audience – Before any oral presentation one needs to know which audience he
or she is speaking to , to check whether they know about already what u are about to say or
people who must know the background to determine the reception you will receive.
2. Know your purpose - when giving oral presentation you must know what you want to
achieve before the end of the presentation. It helps you determine what presentation or
supporting materials to use.
3. Create a persona – One keynote to consider when presenting is the persona we show.
During presentation one must gather greater confidence , knowledge, and master in the
subject to be able inspire the same to the audience in other for them not to lose interest. To
create a good persona taking consideration how you dress, your choice of words and very
importantly the tone and voice modulation.
ORGANISING PERSUASIVE SPEECH

There are five elements to consider when organizing a speech which as follows.

1. Invention- You should be able to create and construct ideas. It’s a pre-presentation process of
finding all available arguments to support your message. This is how you know your speech, how
to organize them, your mode of delivery compared to others, the purpose and feedback u will
get.
2. Arrangement – Ater creating and constructing your ideas you need to carefully arrange it. To
arrange you need to know the structure you want it to be, show the cause effect we can gain
from it , find solutions we can use to solve the problem , organize the delivery by themes and
begin with question to create attention and suspense among the audience.
3. Style -One must acquire a style he or she uses to communicate to the audience because it came
a long way to define your persona, attitude, and personality. This matter relates to the use of
language ,tone, persuasive strategies , and quotations.
4. Memory – You most need to develop good memory of your presentation in other to avoid any
overseen moments. To remember your presentation, you should practice extemporaneous
speech, through presentation of your speech, prepare short notes as guidelines, prepare power
points, and engage the audience by asking questions.
 5. Delivery – You must be able to deliver your speech to your speech to your audience. You must
have a good composure when speaking to boast confidence .During speech you should take
note of your body language, eye contact , voice clarity etc. because it shows the audience you
intimidated.

TECHNIQUES FOR PUBLIC SPAEKING

1. Speak clearly - When delivering a speech, you should clarify your voice to make it audible
enough for your audience to hear. This is does not mean to shout especially when using
microphone because it may sound irritating to the audience ,to speak to fast or low and using
different accent.
2. Use effective language – You should bear in mind the appropriate language for the audience
and the occasion and shouldn’t be offensive.
3. Handle visuals effectively- You should handle visuals effectively when presenting. You need to
orient yourself to us ethe devices before speech to avoid blocking the view of the audience with
your body.

HANDLE QUESTIONS STRATIGECALLY

Before you prepare for a speech you should prepare for questions that may arise and how to answer
them. So, before a speech draw any possible questions that that can derived from it and how to answer
them. During answering questions, you should most listen well to be able to answer it , receive it in a
right attitude and avoid throwing back question to the person when ask about something. You should
answer mind the answer give to the benefit of the audience in general, therefore direct your answer to
them.