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Say What You Mean: Developing Verbal Communication Skills
from:Author J Sharkey
Words are said to be man's greatest achievement. However, many people would argue that verbal communication was developed not out of want, but out of need. People needed verbal communication in order for our species to survive. This is the reason more and more people aim to develop their verbal communication skills.
Developing good communication skills can be a tough job. However, if you try to make use of the old style of "divide and conquer", you might be able to do it quite easily. How do you divide the job of developing verbal communication skills?
1) Oral –This is the area of verbal communication skills that we most often use. This category encompasses the spoken word. In focusing on this front, you will be able to improve your skills in conversation. So how do you develop this verbal communication skill? Once again, we divide and we conquer.
a) Speaking – Some people speak too much without saying anything. In order to develop this verbal communication skill, you need to be able to control your tongue. The secret to being a successful speaker is thinking about what to say before you say it. Consider the consequences of your words. We all know that no person can say the right thing all of the time. However, you should learn to realize the fact that this verbal communication skill can be developed and nurtured.
Many people take this for granted, since they have been doing it for their whole lives. This is the reason why language has deteriorated today. People have no care for grammar, reasoning that grammar is one instrument of "the man".
b) Listening – Listening is different from hearing. We do not control our hearing consciously. However, when we listen, we do so because we choose it. Listening means that you should not only hear what other people are saying, but you should be able to understand it as well. By learning how to listen properly to other people, you will be able to be a much more effective conversationalist.
2) Written – Because of technology, this form of verbal communication skills is rarely used today. People hate having to read and write, thinking that it is just too much work. However, developing this verbal communication skill is essential because you can't record and transmit everything, can you?
a) Writing – Writing is one of those activities that have changed because of technology. In the past, development of effective written verbal communication skills involves having to make sure that your handwriting was legible. Because of technology, however, we now need only to focus on grammar and spelling in order to communicate effectively through this method. In order to develop your writing skills, you should try to seek the opinion of other people. You should see if your writing transmits your message clearly.
b) Reading – When reading, try to interpret messages as clearly as possible. Each of us has an idea about what a message is all about. However, in some cases, we need to interpret them the way the writer wants them to be interpreted. This is true for memorandums, laws and other "official" written correspondence. Developing your verbal communication skill needs patience and practice. You need to read more in order to learn how to read better. In doing so, you will also be able to improve other skills.
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