In your speech class, your friend Hayden gave a speech that was strong but lacked support. When a classmate respectfully offered criticism, Hayden clearly became angry and said "Well, obviously you weren't listening. I referenced 12 sources!" What suggestions would you offer to help Hayden improve in listening to criticism?
What will be an ideal response?
The ideal answer should include:
- Listen with an open mind. It is not easy to listen to criticism, so it may be easy to block it out. But, if you block out criticism, you'll likely lose out on some useful suggestions. Encourage listeners to share their criticisms, and don't take them too personally.
- Accept the critic's viewpoint. Do not argue with the listener. It did not help for you to point out that you referenced 12 sources. Think about why the evidence was not convincing enough for the classmate.
- Seek clarification. If you don't understand a critique, ask the student to clarify it. Also, it's ok to ask for specific suggestions for improvement.
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What will be an ideal response?
In a discussion with classmates, Helen declares, "Abortion should be illegal in the United States." A classmate points out that her statement is not a fact, angering Helen. Having expressed an evaluation of what "should be," Helen has made what kind of statement?
A. Objective B. Opinion C. Factual claim D. Complex statement