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

Component 1:1
Focuses attention.

1. Uses attention level appropriate for particular circumstances and contexts; hones ability to block out distractions.
2. Analyzes and reflects on higher level ideas while paying attention 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 ethnic differences.
3. Analyzes different perspectives on complex issues through viewing a range of visual presentations.
4. Hones skills in identifying and explaining inferences, information vs. persuasion, and emotional rhetoric vs. reasoned arguments.
5. Refines listening strategies effectively.

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

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

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 all audiences.
2. Makes accurate connections between speaker's purpose and audience's interests and needs, then make appropriate adjustments during presentations.
3. Communicates for a wide range of purposes, i.e., to reflect, to persuade, to analyze, or to debate.
4. Refines oral presentation repertoire.

Component 2:2
Develops content and ideas.

1. Uses a variety of content to convey messages to a chosen audience.
2. Accesses and uses a wide 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, thought-provoking presentation supported by related ideas.

Component 2:3
Uses effective delivery.

1. Refines variance of tone, pitch, and pace to create effect and to aid communication.
2. Projects voice.
3. Uses advanced logic, arguments, or appeals to persuade.
4. Uses posture and eye content to enhance presentations.
5. Uses appropriate facial expression, body movement, and gestures to convey tone and mood, making adjustments when needed.

Component 2:4
Uses effective language and style.

1. Speaks using standard grammar.
2. Uses sentence structures to improve presentation.
3. Uses language to enhance presentation.
4. Refines voice for effectiveness with different audiences and for differing purposes.

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

1. Communicates messages 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 effective language to persuade, to correct, or to disagree.
2. Uses appropriate humor, slang, idioms, and conversational styles with peers and adults.
3. Uses accurate and equitable language.
4. Analyzes cultural premises, assumptions, and world views in order 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 extend 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 compromising.
2. Analyzes group interactions to anticipate consequences.
3. Accepts accountability for group results.
4. Advocates, implements, and evaluates a plan.
5. Influences by encouraging and supporting others to act independently.

EALR: 4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness 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. Refines use of one's own and established criteria to improve presentations.
3. Assesses own strengths and weaknesses as a presenter.

Component 4:2
Seeks and offers feedback.

1. Independently offers specific feedback on others' 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 a wide variety of media sources.

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

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