Chapter 1 Learning About You 35
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Reading
Review
1. Think of three examples of positive behavior that communicates you
care about yourself.
2. How can people who do not stand up for themselves get hurt?
Healthy Communication
Living successfully with others depends on effective communication
skills. This is true in your daily life with your family and friends. This will
also be true in your career when you have a job and work with others.
Having good communication skills increases your self-esteem and
self-confi dence. When you communicate well, you feel like a valued person.
Developing effective communication skills will help you at home, school, and work. 1-17
To Speak Clearly
• Pronounce words carefully. Fast, mumbled speech is hard to understand. Do not drop the
endings of words.
• Keep your comments brief and to the point. Do not make long, wordy statements. People
may lose interest in what you are saying.
• Think before you speak. Always choose your words carefully to avoid hurting others. If people
ask you for your opinion, tell them the truth. Do not, however, tell them in a way that may hurt
their feelings or discourage them. Instead, tell them what you think in a positive manner. Try to
be honest yet sensitive to their feelings.
• Use I-messages. Use statements that begin with “I” to communicate your thoughts and feelings.
I-messages show responsibility and help you avoid accusing others.
To Write Clearly
• Write neatly. Practice your handwriting skills so people can read your writing.
• Use correct grammar and spell words correctly. If using a computer to write a message, use
the grammar and spell check feature to check your message.
• Think about what you want to write before you begin. For instance, when writing a school
paper, fi rst make a few notes. Then prepare an outline before you start writing.
• Have someone else read what you have written to make sure it is clear. For instance, after you
have completed a paper, ask a family member to read the assignment to check if it is understandable.
To Listen Actively and Provide Feedback
• Pay attention to the speaker. Keep your mind on what he or she is saying. Do not become
distracted by your own thoughts.
• Let the speaker know you are listening. Smile or nod as he or she talks.
• Ask questions if something is unclear. Do not interrupt the speaker. Instead, ask questions
when the speaker has fi nished.
• Repeat what you think the speaker said. This lets him or her know if you understood correctly.
Tips for Effective Communication