LISTENING AND VIEWING What Are the Characteristics of Effective Listening and Viewing? Listening and Viewing are skills that can be practiced and learned. An effective listener: • has eye contact with the speaker • listens for the purpose of the speech • asks the speaker questions at the appropriate time • does not interrupt the speaker A critical listener also: • notices transitional words like first, therefore, and finally • takes notes to help him/her remember the main points of a speech • distinguishes between facts and opinions while listening • listens for a summary at the end of a speech An effective viewer: • looks for the purpose in an advertisement • notices the date in a magazine or newspaper • searches for the labels on exhibits Try This! 1] The listener whispers to a friend in the seat next to him. This is an example of effective listening. a] true b] false 2] When taking notes during a speech, write only the key words of the speaker. a] true b] false 3] The listener reads a chapter from a favorite book while the speaker is making a presentation. This is an example of effective listening. a] true b] false © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.