Being An Audience Member
1.7.3
In front of every good speaker is a supportive, critical, and thoughtful audience member. Your role as an audience member is vital to the success of the speaker. As an audience remember, you are the receiver—be receptive! Here are a few guidelines you should follow as an audience member:
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Be on time! If you are late, don’t interrupt the speaker.
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Be courteous—treat the speaker as you would want to be treated.
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Listen wholly.
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Your eyes are attentive
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Your ears are open
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Your heart is receptive
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And your mind is ready to perceive
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Be responsive
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Provide supportive nonverbal feedback
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Head nods, chin rubbing, inquisitive eyes
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Provide appropriate verbal feedback
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When appropriate, tell the speaker whether you agree or disagree
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THINK: Saying “amen” during a pastor’s sermon.
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Or cheer when you agree with what is being said.
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Silence your cell phone (vibration should be off, too!), smartwatch, and other wearables.
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Don’t text or use your devices during the presentation*
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​Put away distracting materials such as books, papers, computers*, etc.
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Pay attention to the speaker.
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Stay focused on the message.
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Try not to evaluate the speaker but rather the message they are conveying.
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Maintain eye contact with them—give them an audience to talk with not at.
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Be open to new ideas and ways of thinking.
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Be aware of the perceptions from your personal frames of reference.
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Applaud when appropriate.
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If the presentation is live (in-person or via a video conferencing system), applaud at appropriate times, especially at the end of a presentation.
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If the presentation is prerecorded, avoid applause as it will be a distraction and the speaker is not present to receive the affirmation.
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Be able to provide thoughtful and specific feedback if required and necessary.
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*If the presentation is interactive and requires the use of electronics, use them only as directed.
Review Questions
1) When should is it appropriate to applaud during a presentation? When is it not appropriate?
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2) If a presentation allows the audience to participate on electronic devices, should you scroll through social media during the presentation?