{"id":335,"date":"2019-01-16T00:29:00","date_gmt":"2019-01-16T00:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-oneonta-communication\/chapter\/12-1-speaking-in-personal-and-civic-contexts\/"},"modified":"2020-06-26T16:03:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T16:03:41","slug":"12-1-speaking-in-personal-and-civic-contexts","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-oneonta-communication\/chapter\/12-1-speaking-in-personal-and-civic-contexts\/","title":{"raw":"11.1 Speaking in Personal and Civic Contexts","rendered":"11.1 Speaking in Personal and Civic Contexts"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n
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  1. List three general guidelines for ceremonial speeches.<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Identify strategies for effectively composing and delivering the following ceremonial speeches: speech of introduction, presenting an award, accepting an award, toast, speech of tribute, and eulogy.<\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Identify strategies for effectively composing and delivering a \u201cThis I Believe\u201d speech.<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. Explain the connection between public advocacy and speaking.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Speaking in personal contexts includes elements of all three general purposes we learned earlier. You may inform an audience about an upcoming speaker during a speech of introduction or use humor to entertain during a toast. People are also compelled to speak about issues they care about, which may entail using persuasive strategies to advocate for a person, group, or issue.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Speaking on Special Occasions<\/h2>\r\n

    Ceremonial speaking<\/a><\/span> refers to speeches of praise, tribute, and celebration that bring audiences together on special occasions. Although most communication classes cover informative and persuasive speaking more than ceremonial speaking, I have had many students tell me after taking the class that the guidelines they learned for speaking on special occasions have been very useful for them. Before we get into specific examples of ceremonial speeches, we\u2019ll discuss three general guidelines for ceremonial speeches: be prepared, be brief, and be occasion focused.<\/p>\r\n

    Speakers should always be prepared for a speech, but this can be challenging with special-occasion speaking because it is often unexpected. Even though most special occasions are planned, the speaking that goes on during these events isn\u2019t always as planned. One reason for this lack of preparation is that people often, mistakenly, think they can \u201cwing\u201d a toast, introduction, or acceptance speech. Another reason is that special occasion speeches can \u201csneak up\u201d on you if the person in charge of the event didn\u2019t plan ahead for the speaking parts of the program and has to ask people to participate at the last minute. More than once, I have been asked to introduce a guest speaker at an event at the last minute. Given these reasons, it should be clear that even though ceremonial speeches are brief and don\u2019t require the research of other speech types, they still require planning, good content, and good delivery.<\/p>\r\n

    Special-occasion speeches should always be brief, unless otherwise noted. With only a couple exceptions, these speeches are shorter than other speech types. Special occasions are planned events, and a speaker is just one part of a program. There may be a dinner planned, a special surprise coming up, other people to be honored, or even a limit on how long the group can use the facility. So delivering a long speech on such an occasion will likely create timing problems for the rest of the program.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    \"12-1-0n\"<\/a>\r\n

    Ceremonial speeches usually occur as part of a program, so brevity is important.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Defence Images - Prince Harry at the Invictus Games Opening Ceremony<\/a> - CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    A special-occasion speech should focus on the occasion. You will almost always be speaking about someone or something else like a group, organization, or event, so don\u2019t make the speech about you. Strategies for effective delivery still apply to special-occasion speeches. Since these occasions are often celebratory, it is important to be enthusiastic or reverent to the tone of the occasion. A toast may be lighthearted and jovial, a eulogy somber, a tribute stirring, or an acceptance speech celebratory. Even when accepting an award, speakers will spend most of their speech talking about others rather than them.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Speech of Introduction<\/h2>\r\n

    Five minutes after I felt a tap on my shoulder, I was introducing the provost of the university. I didn\u2019t know before the tap that I was going to introduce him, and I didn\u2019t know that much about him. This is just one example of how special-occasion speeches can sneak up on you. Knowing this can help you \u201cexpect the unexpected.\u201d As we learned earlier, speaking anxiety increases when there is little time to prepare and practice a speech. Despite the lack of notice and my lack of knowledge about the person I would soon introduce, I drew on my knowledge of special-occasion speaking and made the most out of my five minutes of prep time.<\/p>\r\n

    A speech of introduction<\/a><\/span> is a speech in which one speaker briefly introduces an upcoming speaker who is usually the focus of the occasion. Such speeches are usually only one to two minutes long. The first step in preparing a speech of introduction is to get to know the person you\u2019re introducing. If you\u2019ve been asked to introduce someone, you are likely part of the team planning the event or you have a relationship with the person. If you already know the person and have a relationship with them, then this step is easily checked off the preparation list. If you\u2019ve just been asked to introduce the guest because you are involved in the planning of the event, then you have hopefully been asked in advance and can take some time to get to know the person. You can find biographical information about many people online, through their professional or personal websites or social media profiles. The guest may have already sent a bio (a biographical sketch with information about their life and accomplishments) to put in the program. You want to make sure the information is up to date and valid, so it\u2019s good to verify any information found on the Internet or just contact the person directly to ask for a bio. While these are good places to start to get to know the person you will introduce, it\u2019s good to have some personal connection, too. You may want to communicate directly with the person and ask them a couple questions that you think the audience might find interesting but aren\u2019t included in the typical bio. Such direct communication might also allow you to make the introduction more personal, as you can note the lunch, phone call, or e-mail exchanges during your speech. In my situation, since I wasn\u2019t able to get to know the person, I had to rely on the information from the bio included in the program.<\/p>\r\n

    During the speech of introduction, make sure to say the person\u2019s name, correctly, several times. It so happened that the person I was introducing unexpectedly had a last name that was difficult for me to pronounce. So, after reviewing the bio and picking out highlights, I confirmed the pronunciation of his name with a couple people at the event who knew how to say it and then spent much of the remainder of my time saying the last name over and over. Mispronouncing someone\u2019s name is embarrassing for the speaker and the audience.<\/p>\r\n

    You should also establish the speaker\u2019s credentials and credibility. Do not read the person\u2019s bio to the audience, especially if that bio is already included in the program. Remember, you are engaging in public speaking, not public reading. A bio that you pull from the Internet may also include information and accomplishments that aren\u2019t relevant to the occasion or the speaker\u2019s content. If you were introducing a speaker at a civic organization, it might be more relevant to focus on her community engagement and service rather than her academic accomplishments. Keep in mind the introduction sets up an audience\u2019s expectations for the speaker. You want to share his or her relevant credentials and your personal connection, if there is one, but make sure you don\u2019t \u201cover sell\u201d it, as in the following example: \u201cMarko is one of the smartest and funniest people I have ever met. I have no doubts that he will both enlighten and entertain you with his presentation today!\u201d<\/p>\r\n

    A speech of introduction also helps set the tone for the upcoming speaker and establish a relationship between the audience and speaker (Toastmasaters International, 2012). It is important that the tone you set matches with that of the upcoming speaker. Just as a heavy metal warm-up band wouldn\u2019t be a good setup for Celine Deon, a humorous and lighthearted introduction for a speaker with a serious topic would create an inconsistency in tone that could be uncomfortable for the speaker and the audience. By setting the tone, you help establish a relationship between the speaker and the audience. If you\u2019re unsure of the tone or content of the person\u2019s speech, you should contact that speaker or the event planner to find out. You also want to establish your own credibility and goodwill by being prepared in terms of content and delivery and expressing your thanks for being asked to introduce the speaker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    \"12-1-1n\"<\/a>\r\n

    A welcome speaker introduces the audience to upcoming events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    EUScreen - Welcome Speech<\/a> - CC BY-SA 2.0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    A speech of welcome is similar to a speech of introduction, but instead of introducing an audience to an upcoming speaker, you introduce the audience to upcoming events. If you are asked to deliver a speech of welcome, you\u2019re likely a representative of the group that planned or is hosting the event. Since a welcome speaker is usually the first speaker of the day and the proceeding sessions are timed, this is definitely an occasion where brevity will be appreciated. Getting behind schedule on the first presentation isn\u2019t a good way to start the day. Aside from graciously welcoming the audience, you should also provide key information about upcoming events and acknowledge key participants. In terms of previewing the events, do not read through a program or schedule if it\u2019s something that audience members already have in their possession. You can reference the program, but allow them to read it on their own. You may want to highlight a couple things on the program like a keynote speaker or awards ceremony. Definitely make sure to announce any changes in the schedule so people can plan accordingly. Thank any sponsors, especially if they are in attendance, and acknowledge any VIP guests.<\/p>\r\n

    Welcome speakers should also convey logistical information that audience members may need to know, which helps answer questions before the audience needs to ask them. Many people may not be familiar with a facility, so it may be necessary to inform them where the coffee and snacks are, where the restrooms are, or other simple logistics. Welcome speeches are often allotted more time than is needed, but do not feel obligated to fill that time. Audience members will not be upset if you finish early, as they may have some last-minute things to do before the event gets started, and it doesn\u2019t hurt to get a little ahead of schedule, since things will inevitably get behind later on.<\/p>\r\n

    For the speeches previously discussed, just as with all speeches, it\u2019s important to know your audience. The nature of ceremonial speaking occasions helps facilitate audience and situational analysis. If you\u2019re asked to speak at such an occasion, you can usually get information from the event planner or coordinator, who should know the expectations for the tone and the general makeup of the audience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Presenting an Award<\/h2>\r\n

    If you have a leadership role in an organization, you may end up presenting an employee, a colleague, or a peer with an award. There are several steps in presenting an award<\/a><\/span>, but the main goal of this speech is to enhance the value of the award and honor the person receiving it. As with other special-occasion speeches, it should be focused on the occasion and the particular award. Start by stating the name of the award and providing a brief overview of its purpose. Also share some information about the organization or group that is bestowing the award. Connect the values of the organization with the purpose of the award. You may also want to describe the selection process. If there were many qualified nominees and the decision was difficult to make, then stating that enhances the value of the award. Such statements also recognize others who were nominated but didn\u2019t win.<\/p>\r\n

    Once you\u2019ve covered the background of the award and the selection process, you are usually at a good point to announce the winner, since the remaining information is specific to the person being honored with the award. Announce the winner and pause to allow the audience to acknowledge him or her before continuing on with the speech; however, don\u2019t bring the person up until you are ready to hand over the award, as it creates an awkward situation (WestsideToastmasters.com, 2012). Next, share the qualifications of the person receiving the award. This helps explain to the audience why the winner is deserving of the honor. Then connect the winner to the legacy of the award by saying how they are similar to previous winners. For example, \u201cThis year\u2019s winner joins a select group of other college seniors who have been recognized for their dedication to community service and outreach.\u201d You can also say what the person adds to the legacy of the award. For example, \u201cNick helped establish an alternative spring break program that will continue to service communities in need for many years to come.\u201d It can be an honor to present an award, but most of us would like to be on the other side of this speech.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Accepting an Award<\/h2>\r\n

    Congratulations, you won an award! When you deliver a speech accepting an award<\/a><\/span>, be brief, gracious, and humble. Before you begin speaking, take a moment, pause, smile, and make eye contact with the audience (Fripp, 2012). You may know ahead of time that you\u2019re going to win the award, or you may not. Either way, take time to write out an acceptance speech. Try to memorize most of the content to make the speech look genuine and spontaneous. If you have a lot of people to thank, you may write that information out on a small card to reference, just so you don\u2019t leave anyone out. Make sure to thank the group giving the award and the person who presented you with the award. Also compliment the other nominees, and thank those who helped make your accomplishment possible. In 2002, Halle Berry won an Academy Award for Best Leading Actress, making history as the first African American woman to earn that honor. The acceptance speech she delivered acknowledged the magnitude of the situation, keeping the focus on actresses who came before her and the people who helped her achieve this honor. The video and text of her speech can be accessed in Video Clip 12.1.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Video Link<\/h4>\r\n

    Halle Berry\u2019s Oscar Acceptance Speech<\/p>\r\n

    http:\/\/www.americanrhetoric.com\/speeches\/halleberryoscarspeech.htm<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Toast<\/h2>\r\n

    Cheers<\/em>, slainte<\/em>, skal<\/em>, prost<\/em>, and salud<\/em>! All these words could form the basis for a toast<\/a><\/span>, which is a ceremonial speech that praises or conveys goodwill or blessings in honor of a person, accomplishment, or event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    \"12-1-2n\"<\/a>\r\n

    Coworkers may toast the successful completion of a big project.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Didriks - A Toast to Summer<\/a> - CC BY 2.0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Toasts are usually the shortest special-occasion speech, which is good since people\u2019s arms get tired if they have to hold their drink up in the air for too long. The degree of preparation needed for a toast varies more than any other special-occasion speech type. Some toasts are practically spontaneous and will therefore have to be impromptu. People can toast an accomplishment, completion of a task, a holiday such as New Year\u2019s Eve, a favorite sports team winning, or the anniversary of a special event. Wedding toasts are more formal and more preparation is needed and expected. Although toasts are generally supposed to be conversational and appear spontaneous, because that makes the content seem more genuine, in situations that are more formal or where there is much at stake, brief notes are OK. You wouldn\u2019t want to see a person giving a toast pull out a stack of note cards, though.<\/p>\r\n

    Toasts are definitely a time to include a brief personal anecdote and\/or humor, but always make sure to test your story or joke out on someone who knows you and knows the person or people you will be toasting. As I\u2019ve already warned, using humor in a speech can be dangerous, since most people who try to use humor publicly think they are funnier than they actually are. Not having someone else vet your toast material can lead to embarrassment for many people. Aside from having someone review your content, it\u2019s also a good idea to not get too \u201ctoasty\u201d before you deliver your toast, or the story or joke that you decided to leave out earlier may find its way back into the speech. Awkward and embarrassing toasts make funny scenes in movies and television shows, but they usually go smoother in real life, especially if you follow the previous advice. You can also spice up your toast by adding a cultural flair. You can see how to say \u201cCheers!\u201d in many different languages at the following link: http:\/\/www.awa.dk\/glosary\/slainte.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Speech of Tribute<\/h2>\r\n

    A speech of tribute<\/a><\/span> is a longer and more formal version of a toast that establishes why a person, group, or concept is worthy of praise. Speeches of tribute can honor a group, organization, or concept but usually focus on one person. To effectively pay tribute to someone, introduce the personality of the individual, the values of the group, or the noble history of the event in order to initiate a relationship between the audience and the person, group, or idea that is being honored. Speeches of tribute shouldn\u2019t be biographical sketches. Most people can look up a person\u2019s bio or the history of a group or event quickly using the Internet, so sharing that information doesn\u2019t show that you\u2019ve done any more work than an audience member could do in the five or ten minutes of the speech. People, groups, or events worthy of speeches of tribute have usually accomplished great things and have enriching lessons to share. As a speaker, use a narrative style to convey to the audience a lesson or a \u201cmoral of the story.\u201d It\u2019s important to focus on the positive aspects of a person or group\u2019s history; this is not the occasion to offer criticism.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Eulogy<\/h2>\r\n

    A eulogy<\/a><\/span> is a speech honoring a person who has died. The emotions and grief surrounding the loss of a loved one are difficult to manage and make this one of the most challenging types of speech. However, being asked to deliver a eulogy is an honor. Such speakers are usually chosen because the family and friends of the deceased person see the speaker as someone they can depend on in difficult situations and as someone who can comfort and be an example to others. In the short amount of time you have to prepare a eulogy, usually a day or two, it is important to put time into organizing the speech, just as you would for a professional speech. Create an outline, and structure the speech with an introduction, a body with about three main points, and a conclusion. A eulogy, like a speech of tribute, shouldn\u2019t be a chronological outline of a person\u2019s life or a biographical sketch (Lustig, 2012). As with a speech of tribute, focus on the person\u2019s personality and demonstrate why the person was likable and what he or she added to your life and the lives of others.<\/p>\r\n

    Depending on the situation, you may also want to share some of the deceased\u2019s accomplishments. Accomplishments can usually be broken up into three categories, and you may focus on one or more depending on your relationship with the person. Family accomplishments usually entail discussing the loved ones the person is leaving behind or conveying the roles he or she played as a member of his or her family and friendship circles. Professional accomplishments deal with academic and career achievement and would be especially relevant if the person speaking worked with or had a mentoring relationship with the deceased. Community accomplishments include civic engagement, community service, and local involvement. Most people have too many accomplishments to include, so include those that are relevant to your relationship with the deceased and that you think will elicit similar fond memories in others. Focus on the positives of a person\u2019s life, and acknowledge and share in the sorrow of the other people in attendance. Remember, as the person chosen to deliver a eulogy, you set an example and provide comfort to others, which is a difficult but important role to play.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

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    Speaking as an Advocate in Personal and Civic Contexts<\/h2>\r\n

    People are often required or expected to speak as part of their academic or professional duties. However, there may also be times when you are compelled to speak or choose to speak because you care about a topic or an issue. Advocacy speaking occurs in contexts that are civic and\/or personal, such as at a city council meeting, at a student group meeting, when you post a link on your Facebook page asking your friends to sign a petition, or when you encourage your friends to vote.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    \"12-1-3n\"<\/a>\r\n

    Advocacy speaking brings attention to a particular cause or issue in order to raise awareness and create social change.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    Andy Blackledge - Advocacy<\/a> - CC BY 2.0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    In the 1950s, radio broadcast pioneer Edward R. Murrow hosted a brief radio segment on which people read essays about their beliefs and lives. Fifty years later, the concept was reborn on National Public Radio and is now an ongoing national project that still produces radio segments, has a free podcast, and produces books. This I Believe speeches<\/a><\/span> encourage people to use the power of their voice to speak from a personal context in a way can inspire, motivate, and resonate with others. In such cases, we can see that personal speeches can cross into civic contexts. Using personal narratives as a basis for advocacy and social change is not new, as stories have been used to move people to action in many historical situations. Personal testimony, witnesses of injustice, and people sharing their everyday experiences can have a powerful effect on the world. I have enjoyed having my students do This I Believe speeches, and even if this isn\u2019t a speech assignment in your class, it is a good way to practice your speaking and writing skills, and it can be fun and inspirational.<\/p>\r\n

    Here are some guidelines for the This I Believe speech. Tell a story with your speech and make it personal. Since this speech is about you and your belief, use personal pronouns like I<\/em> and we<\/em> and connect to your audience by using you<\/em>, us<\/em>, and our<\/em>. Even if the belief you are focusing on is abstract, and many are, ground it in events from your life that your audience can relate to. Such events or moments may include instances when your belief was formed, tested, or changed. The core belief should be something that can be easily summed up as a thesis statement and elaborated on and supported in the main points. Be positive in your speech by focusing on what you believe, not what you don\u2019t believe. Don\u2019t make this a soapbox speech, and don\u2019t use the speech to preach or editorialize.[footnote]\u201cThis I Believe\u2014Essay Writing Guidelines,\u201d accessed March 17, 2012, http:\/\/thisibelieve.org\/guidelines<\/a>.[\/footnote] You can listen to and\/or read many examples of these speeches at the following National Public Radio link: http:\/\/www.npr.org\/series\/4538138\/this-i-believe<\/a>. The following is the text of a This I Believe speech delivered by one of my students.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

    The Power of the Voice: by Matthew Cain\r\n\r\nI believe in the power of the voice. The human voice transforms and changes a person\u2019s life. I am an example of the voice\u2019s power to change.\r\n\r\nWhen I was young, I didn\u2019t use my voice to speak at first. I would use my hands to gesture what I wanted or needed. It was not until the age of two that I started to talk. Right away, my parents knew my voice was different. I stammered, stuttered, and could not say my Rs. My parents thought, however, that this was just a phase. It wasn\u2019t until I started school that problems arose. As kindergarten started, I felt different. I did not fit in. I don\u2019t mean fitting in socially, but fitting in with my voice. As each of my schoolmates stood to say the alphabet, I did not want to. It wasn\u2019t because I didn\u2019t know it, but because I couldn\u2019t say it. However, I stood up and began to speak: A,\u2026B,\u2026C,\u2026D, and so on. As I finally reached Q, my teacher stopped me. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d she asked. So, I started to say it over; I failed.\r\n\r\nI went through the next months in embarrassment. Even though students pointed and laughed, no one outside the school knew of the embarrassment I was feeling. It wasn\u2019t until my teacher gave me my progress report that my parents saw how my voice altered my education. The first meeting my parents had with my teacher proved that my voice did have an effect on my education. I listened outside as a peaceful meeting turned into a shouting match. With words flying, my parents and the teacher finally reached a conclusion. The conclusion was that I needed speech therapy. It would begin the next year.\r\n\r\nStarting on the first day of first grade, I would go to speech therapy every other day. My embarrassment grew with every grade that I moved through. When my speech teacher came to my classroom to get me, everyone looked at me. What was in their mind, I could only guess. Thoughts like \u201cWhat a freak!\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with him?\u201d flew through my mind. However, over the next five years, my speech did improve. My stuttering slowed and my speech became clearer. By the time I reached middle school, life was getting better. Speech after speech, I became less sensitive to my impairment and to people\u2019s reaction.\r\n\r\nDuring my last year of middle school, I was required to take a public speaking class. I feared this class. I feared the class because I would be giving up to four speeches, the most I have ever done. My teacher told us we could pick the topic for our last speech. Being a fan of history, I chose to talk about World War Two. When I completed my eight-minute speech, everyone looked at me with disbelief. My friend, Garrett, told me, \u201cYou did not stutter!\u201d It was then that I realized that when I talk about things I enjoy, I don\u2019t stutter\u2026as much. High school caused a dramatic change in my life. After a few more speeches about history, I decided to become a teacher. I knew I would not let my speech affect the rest of my life.\r\n\r\nThe power of the human voice shaped my life. Every time I give a speech, I remember the past. I learned not to judge others for their speech because I know how it feels. As my voice continues to shape my life, it will undoubtedly change others. That power will not just change the people around me, but the whole world. This I believe.<\/blockquote>\r\n

    There are many opportunities to engage in public advocacy<\/a><\/span>, which is engaging people through responsible communication that seeks to make a better world for our loved ones and our communities (Warren & Fassett, 2011). This view of communication acknowledges the power of our words to transform the world around us and that we have an ethical responsibility to advocate for a world that better serves the interests and needs of us all. Speaking as an advocate requires a person to take pause and think about his or her own commitments and responsibilities (Warren & Fassett, 2011). When you are compelled to speak up in the face of an injustice that was committed against you or that you have witnessed being committed against others, you are choosing to take a stand, making a commitment to an issue, and accepting responsibility for your words and actions. Your first steps toward advocacy may be small and uncomfortable. You may not even be sure what issues or causes you care about. Once you know, you can take small steps, as Gandhi noted, to be the change you want to see in the world. As you take steps to model a desired change and speak out, you will begin to learn more about yourself, your place in the world, and the issues that move you. You will likely then feel more compelled to share that information with others.<\/p>\r\n

    Speaking as an advocate doesn\u2019t mean you argue for your community or your view at the expense of others. Advocates invite their listeners to engage with them and consider the complexity of an issue. As speakers we have to be open to the perspectives of others as we expect them to be open to ours. This creates an opportunity for growth. Change happens when people choose to change, not when they are forced to change. For change to happen, all parties in an interaction need to be open to dialogue, growth, and transformation (Foss & Foss, 2003).<\/p>\r\n

    Teaching is a form of advocacy, but you don\u2019t have to be a teacher to teach. We all teach in various capacities as friends, parents, and community members. As we teach, we build bridges between different areas of thoughts and actions. This is a process that helps build communities and alliances. Ask yourself, \u201cWhat kind of community do I want? What role will I play in creating that community? What work am I willing to do and what sacrifices am I willing to make to create and nurture that community?\u201d (Warren & Fassett, 2011) As speakers, we must seize opportunities we have to speak and use them to talk about socially significant topics that matter to us and our communities. Speaking about these topics invites others who hear us to think about their position in the world and reflect on their own responsibilities as communicators, which can spread advocacy and lead to social change.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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    \u201cGetting Critical\u201d<\/h4>\r\n

    Advocacy and Critical Thinking<\/p>\r\n

    Being an advocate and responsible citizen in the world means speaking about how we can and should make the world a better place for all as well as listening and thinking critically and compassionately before responding to others\u2019 communication (Warren & Fassett, 2011). Critical listening means we can identify flaws within a message we receive and places for positive change. The positive change occurs because critical listening and critical thinking lead to responsible advocacy. Critical listeners don\u2019t just tear a message apart because it has flaws. When we engage in compassionate critical listening, we make a genuine effort to hear others and reflect on the complexity of their message rather than closing ourselves off or shutting down because we encounter a message with which we disagree. Since the issues and causes people advocate for are often political and controversial, critical thinking and listening become even more important. When we feel ourselves shutting down or disregarding a person\u2019s message without giving it thought, a little alert should go off in our minds to indicate that perhaps we are not engaging in critical compassionate listening. The same alert should go off if we find ourselves wanting to cut someone off or dismiss him or her when that person questions us after we engage in advocacy speaking. Being a critical compassionate listener, however, doesn\u2019t mean that we have to give up our own ways of thinking and our own advocacy positions. There is a delicate balance that critical listeners and thinkers try to maintain, as critical thinkers are generous, cautious, and open minded, but wary.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n \t
    1. As an advocate and a competent communicator, what can you do to try to maintain a critical mind-set that is both open minded and wary?<\/li>\r\n \t
    2. Are there causes that people advocate for that you find it difficult to listen to critically and compassionately? If so, what are they? What can you do to be a better critical and compassionate listener in these situations?<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
      \r\n

      Key Takeaways<\/h3>\r\n