1. Purpose: To show basic knowledge and reading comprehension

1. Purpose: To show basic knowledge and reading comprehension

Craft a surface level questions that engage with overall ideas from this week’s reading.

Answer your question in 2-3 sentences.

Example:

Q: What is noise in the communication process?

A: Noise is any interference that can interrupt the message from speaking to the listener. This can be literal noise from a train, emotional noise from a breakup, or even psychological noise from anxiety. If it makes it harder to understand the message, it’s noise!

2. Purpose: To apply concepts from the reading to your own personal experiences.

Craft a question that shows application of YOUR experiences to core concepts in the reading.

Answer your question in 2-3 sentences.

Example:

Q: What techniques do you use to feel more confident about delivery?

A: I love to use techniques that Ann Cuddy talks about. I practice the superhero poses she talks about before I record any presentation. I also like to remind myself that everyone is afraid, and no one will judge my performance as harshly as I will.

3. Purpose: To analyze unconnected information and develop critical thinking

Find two concepts from the reading.

Compare the two concepts in 1-2 sentences.

Contrast the two concepts in 1-2 sentences.

Example:

Compare: Hearing and listening both are about receiving a message from the speaker. They both use the physical process of taking in sound.

Contrast: Hearing and listening may be similar, but listening requires more action on the part of the receiver. Listening requires mind.

4. Purpose: Engage current course concepts with previous concepts

Craft a question that uses a previous course concept and connect it to a concept, reading, lecture, discussion or worksheet from the current week.

Answer your question.

Example:

Q: How can we be ethical listeners?

A: In order to be ethical listeners, we must first engage in good faith listening. This means being mindful and being active while a speaker is talking. It also means we need to be listening critically to the content of the message so we can acknowledge harmful or concerning rhetoric.

5. Purpose: Engage with various viewpoints and critically evaluate

Find a direct quote from the reading.

Quote and cite the quote.

Evaluate the quote and explain why you agree or disagree with it.

Example:

Quote: “As a listener, you can filter 700 words a minute” p. 48

Evaluation: While I understand they are talking about the average, I definitely feel like I process listening differently. Because I have ADHD, sometimes I have to watch videos at 2x speed so I can concentrate. Sometimes I need the information to be slowly laid out so I can process it all. It often feels like a balancing act.