Learning Objectives: After reading this chapter, you should be able to:

  1. Identify the steps and characteristics of the ladder of powerful speaking, strategies for mastering public speaking, examples of effective thesis statements, the percentage of communication that’s verbal, the characteristics of the steps to effective writing, and conflict resolution strategies.
  2. Explain strategies for effective listening, what effective “I” messages are, strategies for skilled writers, how you can learn from instructors you may not like, how to display openness when listening, what “questions are not always questions” means, what effective conflict resolution is, and effective ways to say “no.”
  3. Demonstrate ways to restate complaints as requests.
  4. Compare and contrast verbal and nonverbal messages.
  5. Provide examples of effective “I” messages.
  6. Describe characteristics of effective thesis statements.
  7. List strategies for effective communication.
  8. Define “noise” (in regard to communication theory), purpose (in regard to writing), and prejudice 

Tasks You Need to Do: