CHAPTER LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Pedagogical note: Chapter learning objectives are found in Fundamentals of Oral Communication, Third
Edition, (Schwartzman, 2014)
Chapter 1: Foundations of Communication
Recognize the implications of defining communication as an ongoing process of
symbolic interaction.
Understand the role communication plays in the development of effective
professionals, fulfilling relationships, and democratic citizenship.
Distinguish the intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and public speaking realms of
communication.
Identify the advantages and limitations associated with different models of the
communication process.
Trace the relationship among the interactive components of communication and
develop ways to avoid disruptions in these components.
Chapter 2: Communicating Confidently and Competently
Identify the factors that influence self-concept and self-esteem.
Recognize how communication from others can affect views of self.
Apply techniques to reduce communication apprehension and interact more
confidently with others.
Use the three Ps (preparation, practice, presentation) to plan and deliver a public oral
presentation.
Chapter 3: Self and Others: Identities and Cultures
Express self-identity adaptively in response to contexts and relationships.
Articulate the connections and distinctions between personal identity (self) and
collective identity (culture)
Demonstrate intercultural communication competence when interacting with people
from different cultures.
Use the dimensions of culture to act and react appropriately within your own and other
peoples cultures.
Through awareness of diversity, other-orientation, and uncertainty reduction,
communicate respectfully across cultural differences.
Chapter 4: Listening
Explain why listening is a vital communication skill.
Distinguish between listening and hearing.
Recognize how the five steps of listening operate, how each might malfunction, and
how to improve listening effectiveness at each step.
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Understand the elements of active listening and apply them to your communication
activities.
Adapt the habits of active listening to the needs of others within interpersonal
relationships.
Chapter 5: Verbal Communication
Recognize the connections between symbols, referents, and meanings.
Distinguish between connotative and denotative meaning.
Employ oral and written style appropriately.
Practice the verbal virtues of precision, inclusiveness, expressiveness, and sensitivity.
Strategically use figurative language, rhetorical devices, and sound to deepen
understanding and maximize listener interest.
Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication
Develop congruency between physical behaviors and intended messages.
Use physical and vocal expressiveness to enhance the intensity, clarity, and emotional
appeal of oral communication.
Modulate speech patterns in response to specific audiences and communication
situations.
Interpret vocal patterns and body language relative to context, custom, and variations
in meanings.
Chapter 7: Research Techniques and Information Literacy
Understand the importance of research in supporting ideas.
Recognize the strengths and limitations of various types of sources that can be used for
research.
Develop effective research strategies to locate the maximum amount of relevant,
reliable resources.
Evaluate the quality of information obtained through research.
Use direct quotations, paraphrasing, and proper citation to maintain integrity of
research.
Chapter 8: Supporting Your Ideas
Recognize the strengths and limitations of facts, statistics, examples, testimony, and
narratives in substantiating claims.
Properly employ each major type of supporting material to strengthen a statement.
Assess the quality of supporting material being used in communication.
Correct weak or misleading uses of supporting material.
Chapter 9: Organization and Outlining
Develop introductions and conclusions that include all the components for connecting
with and orienting audiences.

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Organize the body of an oral presentation using one or more specific structural
patterns.
Recognize the implications of organizational principles for structuring presentations.
Properly construct and use draft outlines, formal outlines, and speakers keyword
outlines.
Chapter 10: Presentation Aids
Recognize the advantages and drawbacks of different kinds of presentation aids.
Construct presentation aids properly adapted to the topic, situation, and audience.
Use presentation aids appropriately to enhance a public presentation.
Evaluate the efficacy of specific presentation aids and recommend improvements based
on principles of effective communication.
Chapter 11: Speakers, Speeches, and Audiences
Assess the quality of a source based on the four major dimensions of credibility.
Analyze and prepare appropriate adaptations to any audiences demographics,
knowledge level, known behaviors, and attitudes.
Customize a presentation to appeal to challenging audiences such as people you do not
know, groups with divided opinions, and those who are apathetic or opposed to your
ideas.
Use techniques of immediacy to establish a bond with audiences.
Recognize and adapt to your own and your audiences learning styles when listening to
or delivering presentations.
Engage in giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve performance.
Chapter 12: Informative Presentations
Differentiate informing from persuading.
Develop at least one type of informative speech: definition, description, demonstration,
explanation, or narration.
Present information that can affect audiences through logic, emotion, and physical
involvement.
Distinguish between reports, inferences, and judgments.
Chapter 13: Persuasive Presentations
Build properly reasoned arguments.
Recognize and repair faulty argumentation.
Adapt messages to audiences by using the elaboration likelihood model and cognitive
dissonance.
Construct two-sided refutational messages.
Responsibly employ fear appeals and reciprocity to influence audiences.
Craft a persuasive presentation dealing with an issue, fact, value or policy.

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Chapter 14: Interpersonal Relationships

Recognize the risks, potential for change, and effort required in developing a variety of
relationships with other people.
Evaluate the type and extent of self-disclosure most appropriate at a given point in a
relationship.
Trace a relationships progress through the stages of relationship development.
Provide ways to identify and cope with the forces of integration/separation,
stability/change, and expression/non-expression that infuse relationships.
Engage in assertive communication while confirming the value of others.
Demonstrate high emotional intelligence in reading and responding to your own and
other peoples emotions.
Chapter 15: Managing Conversations and Conflicts
Plan and conduct a conversation using the five stages of conversational development.
Understand the cooperative principle and the benefits of dialogue.
Recognize the importance of seeking productive conflict.
Employ different conflict management techniques properly adapted to specific
situations.
Apply principles of confirmation and negotiation to work through conflict.
Develop skills for handling difficult conversations and for de-escalating conflict
situations.
Chapter 16: Communicating with Technology
Articulate the role of digital literacy in becoming a competent communicator.
Maintain a consistent, constructive online presence in personal and social interactions.
Critique the quality and authenticity of messages conveyed electronically.
Use electronic communication technologies in ways that demonstrate their capabilities
and account for their limitations.

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