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EARNING
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XPERIENCE
9: P
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VALUATED
READING
Step 7—Test and Revise Communication
Test your communication before you deliver the final version. Obtain feedback and assessment from
others who are in a position to help you. For example, deliver a practice speech before presenting to your
audience, or discuss a draft of your paper with your instructor before submitting the final copy. Based on
the feedback you receive, revise the message and/or the means in which the message is communicated
accordingly.
Bribing one of Fred’s roommates with candy bars, the team practiced their presentation with him
as their audience. After the allotted ten minutes were up, the team stood in eager anticipation.
“The information was good. I learned
something. But it was boring. You spent
a lot of time between each segment
navigating through your online
slides, trying to coordinate them
with the CD player. The music
was distracting and I kept
wondering if I was supposed to
be listening to the words or not,
if they were part of your point.
Thanks a lot for the earworm.”
After he left, the teamwas forced to think about what media they were including based on personal
preference (Jennifer’s use of“DaydreamBeliever”by theMonkees to lead into assessment language,
for instance) and what was actually essential and served to strengthen the overall presentation.
Step 8—Deliver Communication
Send or deliver your communication.
Part of the reason Jennifer was selected by her team to be Spokesperson included their memory of an
effective oral presentation she delivered to the class earlier in the semester. Jennifer attributed much of her
success to how carefully she followed Professor Arbuckle’s handout which included Tips for Delivering a
Presentation, as well as an Oral Communication rubric.