COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES- I ENGLISH LISTENING AND SPEAKING SKILLS 17. PRACTICE IN SPEAKING SKILLS: SEQUENCING OF IDEAS This lesson shall focus on logical thinking, which is a very important component of communication. To communicate well, one has to think clearly and sequence the ideas in a manner that makes it simple to understand.
17.0 Objectives By the end of this unit you will: i. ii. iii. iv. v. vi. vii. viii.
Predict and guess the meanings of unknown words and phrases Recognize Discourse Markers Recognize Cohesive Devices Distinguish between Relevant Information and Subsidiary Details Comprehend varying lengths of Spoken English Construct different types of sentences Sequence thoughts Present your ideas logically
17.1 Introduction When you want to communicate your ideas in spoken or written language, it is important that you begin with your main ideas and sequence them logically. You must also add details that support your main ideas in a logical way which makes sense. It is important that all your ideas need to be “connected” in a clear, logical way. For your thinking to be logical, it has to make sense. You readers/listeners need to understand your message right away. They also need to be able to make sense and “believe” what you have to say.
17.2 FAT-P In order to communicate effectively, you need to organize your ideas carefully, give good, strong supporting details, and present your points well enough that your readers/listener can only agree with what you have said or written.
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Thinking logically is the first step in communication. Logical thinking that is clear is presented well through spoken and written language. The person reading what you have written or listening to what you have to say will do so with more interest, when he/she can understand what you are presenting. Let’s read a list of things you need to do to become a logical thinker. 1. Decide why you are writing / speaking- Set your purpose. 2. Collect all the facts/information you need for your written/speaking presentation. 3. Pick one main idea. Add details to that idea. Then, further organize those details into sub-details that are presented in a logical sequence. We can simplify this and say that you need to know your FAT-P. What does that mean? You should first know the format you are going to use in order to present your information. By format, we mean whether you will be writing an essay, letter, speech, etc. or whether you will be giving a long or short speech. Once you determine the format, you need to know who your audience will be. Knowing who is going to read your written text or listen to you, will help you choose your words well. The letter “T” stands for Topic. The word ‘topic’ refers to the subject you will be presenting. Knowing your topic well will help you when you make your presentation. The last letter- P- stands for Purpose. It is very important to know why you are speaking or writing- is it for pleasure (like when you talk with your friends), to get information like when you ask for directions from a stranger, or go to find out more about a job), to give information (like when you respond to questions that are directed towards you), etc. It is easy to remember the acronym FAT-P, correct. Remember: F – format A – audience T - topic P – purpose
17.3 Developing and Sequencing Ideas Think about your daily routine. If you were asked to write a simple passage on your daily schedule, what would you begin with? Would you begin with saying that you eat your breakfast, wake up, have a bath and then brush your teeth? Now, that doesn’t sound quite right, does it? It does not fall in the correct sequence. You would not eat your breakfast first, and then wake up, would you? Then why would you say or write about the events in that order?
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When we write or speak, we need to develop our ideas in a logical way. We need to present them in correct sequence and in language that is direct and understandable. Let’s look at the following texts as examples of well developed and sequenced passages/conversations. Passage 1 Joint family has been an age-old tradition followed in India where families, over generations, have lived together. L The older generation has always recognized the advantages of the joint family system. For instance, elders in the family were always available to provide guidance in important family matters. Implicit obedience and respect for elders was the order of the day. Decisions taken by the Head of the family were respected and all family members, irrespective of their age, would obey willingly. This does not mean that decisions were taken unilaterally. In actual fact, the issues were discussed with all concerned and collective wisdom prevailed. Children in the family bonded well with each other. They learnt to share and live harmoniously. They were loved by one and all and bringing them up was never considered a burden. Persons were always there to take care of them and no child felt uncared for, at any point of time. In recent years, the joint family system has been slowly disintegrating with the nuclear family becoming more common. Rapid urbanization and migration of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of jobs has largely been the reason for this change. With the cost of living in cities being high, it has become necessary for both the husband and the wife in a family to work. Being away at their jobs from morning to evening, they return home totally exhausted. Hence they are able to spend less time with their children. In such a situation the presence of elders in the family can help. But the hectic pace of city life has always been a deterrent for them to shift to cities. We blindly copy the West and in the process have forgotten our age old customs. What we actually need to learn from the West are qualities like recognizing the value of time, professionalism and commitment to the job on hand. At the same time we should also try to build into our character the kind and considerate disposition of our own ancestors towards their children and elders. A harmonious combination of the West and the East can bring prosperity and the much needed peace into our lives. L Looking at the passage, we can see a logical development of thoughts. The author first began with a sentence that sets the tone of the passage. In other words, the sentence tells us immediately what the passage will be about. In
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doing that, the author ensures our attention and understanding, because our mind immediately starts thinking about all that we know about ‘joint families’. The first paragraph plays a major role in helping us tap into our background knowledge about this topic. With the next paragraph, we understand the value of the concept of joint families. Paragraph three goes on to explain how children who grew up in joint families benefited. The next paragraph explains how families have changed with time. There is a shift in the structure of the family. The next idea in this sequence describes the effect of the nuclear family on children. The author finally gives his/her opinion about the concept of joint family and the role of values in today’s world. As you can see, this passage was written in a very logical and systematic way. We will now read some conversations to understand proper sequence in conversations. 17.3.1 Conversation between friends Speaker 1: I hope you’re taking the right kind of clothes. You ought to take things for the day time when it’s warm and things for the evening. It can get quite cold, you know. Last year, when I went with my family, we enjoyed walking in the evenings. Speaker 2: You’ll be surprised how cold it gets up in the mountains when it’s so warm down here. I took all the wrong clothes when I went. It was lovely and hot during the day but in the evenings I really needed a jacket or something. I had to go and buy one in the end. In fact I can lend it to you if you want. Speaker 1: Don’t do what I did last year and sit out in the sun too long. It made me ill actually. In fact when I got back everyone said I looked worse than when I left. Oh, and don’t forget what I said about the shops – there are wonderful things to buy. Speaker 2: Hey, thanks for the advice. But a cousin of mine is already there and she told me that this year surprisingly, it’s rather pleasant both during the daytime and at night. It seems she still hasn’t used the warm clothes she’d taken. Anyway, I’ll pack according to your advice and be prepared. She also said that the markets are open late into the night. That’ll give me a chance to go on a shopping spree.
Now that you have had a chance to understand how to present thoughts in a logical and sequential way, it is important you pay attention to how you speak and write.
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Self-Check Questions Fill in the Blanks 1. For presenting information effectively, one has to be very clear about the ______, ________, _____ and _______. 2. When we write or speak, our ideas have to be presented in a ______ sequence. 3. ______ thinking is the first step towards effective communication.
17.4 Summing Up In this unit you were taught strategies that would help you comprehend spoken and written language well. You learnt how to • •
Sequence ideas Present thoughts logically It is essential that you continue applying these strategies on a daily basis so they come naturally to you, hence, making problem-solving easier. As always, we recommend that you continue to read extensively and participate in conversations in English as much as possible.
17.5 Answers to Self-Check Questions 1. Format, Audience, Topic and Purpose 2. Logical 3. Logical
17.6 References 4. Walker, Michael. Success – Communicating in English. United States of America: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1994. 5. Jones-Macziola, Sarah, and Greg White. Getting Ahead. Learner’s Book, and Home Study Book. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001. 6. Rau, Sadasiva VN. Speak Better English. Chennai: Sura College of Competition, 7. Werner, Patricia K. and Mary Mitchell Church. Interactions II A Communicative Grammar. New York: Random House, Inc., 1985.
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8. Broukal, Milada. Weaving It Together. Massachusetts: Heinle & Heinle Publishers A Division of Wadsworth, Inc., 1994. 9. Ferreira, Linda A. Beginnings 1. United States of America: Newbury House Publishers, Inc., 1985. 10. Comfort, Jeremy, Pamela Rogerson, Trish Stott, and Derek Utley. Speaking Effectively. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, First South Asian Edition Second Reprint, 2002. 11. Gill, Mary McVey, and Pamela Hartmann. Tapestry Listening and Speaking 2. United States of America: Heinle & Heinle Thomson Learning, 2000. 12. Cholij, Mark, and Geetha Nagaraj. English Basics a Companion to Grammar and Writing. Cambridge: The Press Syndicate of The University of Cambridge, 2004. 13. Syamala, V. Effective English Communication for You. Chennai: Emerald Publishers, 2003.
17.7 Glossary • •
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Sequencing: putting in a correct, logical order that makes sense Logical: coherent, rational, and consistent