EALR: 1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

Component 1:1
Focuses attention.

1. Learns, then demonstrates ability to block out distractions.
2. Analyzes and reflects on higher level ideas while observing and listening in a variety of situations.

Component 1:2
Listens and observes to gain and interpret information.

1. Interprets and draws inferences from verbal and non-verbal communication.
2. Draws inferences based on visual information and/or people's behavior, recognizing diversity.
3. Explores different perspectives on complex issues through viewing a range of visual presentations.
4. Refines skills in listening.
5. Recognizes and explains persuasion, inferences, emotional rhetoric, and reasoned arguments.
6. Uses all listening strategies effectively.

Component 1:3
Checks for understanding by asking questions and paraphrasing.

1. Asks appropriate questions to interpret and evaluate oral and visual contexts based on information from a variety of sources.
2. Paraphrases to expand and refine understanding.
3. Makes appropriate judgments and inferences.
4. Asks questions to refine and verify hypotheses.

EALR: 2. The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.

Component 2:1
Communicates clearly to a range of audiences for different purposes.

1. Communicates effectively with a variety of different audiences.
2. Makes accurate connections between speaker's purpose and audience's interests and needs.
3. Communicates for a wide range of purposes, including reflection, persuasion, or debate.
4. Uses a variety of oral presentation techniques.

Component 2:2
Develops content and ideas.

1. Uses a variety of content to convey messages to chosen audiences.
2. Accesses and uses a variety of primary and secondary sources.
3. Creates a comprehensive and organized presentation with clear sequencing of ideas and transitions.
4. Makes a well-reasoned, insightful presentation supported by related details.

Component 2:3
Uses effective delivery.

1. Improves variance of tone, pitch, and pace to create effect and to aid communication.
2. Projects voice.
3. Uses clear logic, arguments, or appeals to persuade.
4. Uses good posture and eye contact.
5. Uses appropriate facial expression, body movement, and gestures to convey tone and mood.

Component 2:4
Uses effective language and style.

1. Speaks using standard grammar.
2. Uses a variety of sentence structures.
3. Uses interesting language well suited to the topic and audience.
4. Uses effective voice for audience and purpose.

Component 2:5
Uses action, sound, and/or images effectively to support presentations.

1. Communicates message through oral, artistic, graphic, and/or multimedia presentations.
2. Demonstrates sophisticated use of available technology to present ideas and concepts.

EALR: 3. The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

Component 3:1
Uses language to interact effectively and responsibly with others.

1. Uses language to persuade, correct, or disagree.
2. Uses appropriate humor, slang, idioms, and conversational styles with peers and adults.
3. Uses accurate and equitable language.
4. Recognizes cultural premises, assumptions, and world views to communicate cross-culturally.

Component 3:2
Works cooperatively as a member of a group.

1. Participates actively in a group to write, to work toward consensus, to propose solutions, or to achieve results.
2. Makes individual contributions to the group and support the contributions of others.
3. Encourages group members to offer ideas and points of view.

Component 3:3
Seeks agreement and solution through discussion.

1. Respects that a solution may require honoring other points of view, and show a willingness to compromise.
2. Analyzes group interactions to anticipate consequences.
3. Accepts accountability for group results.
4. Advocates, implements, and evaluates a plan.
5. Encourages and supports others to act independently.

EALR: 4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

Component 4:1
Assesses own strengths and needs for improvement.

1. Defends choices which deviate from established criteria for assessment.
2. Improves use of personal and established criteria to enhance presentations.
3. Assesses personal strengths and weaknesses as a presenter.

Component 4:2
Seeks and offers feedback.

1. Offers specific feedback on peer presentations with regard to content, design, delivery, word choice, and conventions.
2. Seeks, evaluates, accepts, and applies appropriate feedback.

Component 4:3
Analyzes mass communication.

1. Identifies and evaluates complex techniques used in mass communication.
2. Analyzes and explains the effectiveness of methods used in mass communication.
3. Analyzes and interprets the influence of media sources.

Component 4:4
Analyzes how communication is used in career settings.

1. Determines effective communication techniques for an occupational/career field of interest.