Revision: 4 Key Elements of

Good Listening
1. Hear the message
2. Interpret the message

3. Evaluate the message

4. Respond to the message

Key Element 3:
Evaluate the Message
0 Good listeners
0 Ensure they have all of the key information before
forming an opinion.
0 Dont jump to conclusions based on a bias or incomplete
information.
0 May agree or disagree with the speaker.
0 Will weigh and analyse all of the evidence before
reaching a final decision or making a written / verbal
judgement.

0 Good listening doesnt mean automatic compliance.

0 We make conscientious evaluation when we make

decisions based on all of the available information.

0 We run into problems with evaluation when we think
mechanically or jump to conclusions.

0 Ask yourself these questions:

0 Are you listening to someone or listening against that
person?
0 Are we evaluating or making a value judgment?
0 Evaluation is not required in every listening situation,

thus we must know our purpose for listening.

0 Three keys to Evaluating the Message

0 Ask questions
0 Analyse the evidence
0 Dont jump to conclusion

PUT THE ELDERLY IN

PRISON
We should place the elderly in prisons because
they will get a shower every day,
video surveillance in case of problems,
three meals a day, access to a library,
computer, TV, gym, doctors on-site,
and free medication if needed.

Put criminals in nursing homes and theyll get

cold meals, lights off at 7pm,
two showers a week, live in a smaller room
and pay rent at $ 4000 a month!
Its pretty sad that we treat prisoners better than the
elderly.

Class Task 1:
Our leader had an unhappy childhood and little formal
education. His father bitterly opposed his ambition to
become an artist. Through self-education, he became the
author of a book that became a national bestseller. Obstacles
do not discourage him. When others say, Its impossible, he
hurdles each barrier as it comes. He has built an active youth
movement of selected young people. He is known throughout
the world for his dynamic speeches. His closest associates
say of him, He accomplishes incredible deeds out of passion
of his will in order to create the kind of government he
believes in

Key Element 4:
Respond to the Message
0 Although a response may be considered a speaking

rather than listening role, it is critical to clear

communication.
0 The listener must let the speaker know by verbal and
/ or non-verbal feedback what was heard and how it
was heard.
0 Good listeners:
0 Accept responsibility to provide feedback to the speaker

to complete the communication process

0 Have a strong desire to reach a common understanding

0 Responsible responses inform the speaker that:

0 The message was heard
0 It was understood
0 It was evaluated appropriately

0 Negative responses
0 Blank stares (Though silence can communicate, blank
stare is not a helpful response)
0 Defensive responses
0 Overly emotional responses
0 Changing the subject abruptly
0 Confusing responses (double message)
0 What would be a positive response?

0 Positive Responses:
0 Providing prompt feedback
0 Giving feedback that is relevant to the conversation
0 Checking your email
0 Combining verbal and non-verbal (body language)
feedback for more complete communication
0 Asking a question for clarification

0 Three keys to Responding to the Message

0 Seek a common understanding
0 Acknowledge what you hear
0 Avoid confusing messages

Assignment 1 (20%)
0 In groups of 3, create a 15-min presentation and

present it to the class.

0 Find 6 scenarios / news headlines (online) which
were written in a way to mislead the readers.
0 Explain why you think the scenarios / news headlines
were misleading.
0 Include your name, faculty, and student ID in the first
slide of your PPT.