D1 evaluate interpersonal and written communications techniques

During the course of the unit I used interpersonal skills during verbal exchanges to clarify my speech and message, I’ve also spoke confidently during presentations. During verbal exchanges I used PowerPoint presentations to reinforce my message during a speech, this was done so that the audience could listen to me but also get a rough idea of my message by reading the PowerPoint behind me. I modulated my voice during my speech to ensure that the whole of the room could hear me clearly but I also had to make sure that I wasn’t shouting to those sat closer to me. I had a question and answers session at the end of the speech to clarify any points that may have not been conveyed correctly during the speech. Using terminology was also important as not all the audience may have understood certain jargon and slang so instead of the jargon I paraphrased so everyone could properly understand.

Body language was important during this unit to emphasise certain points through the use of gestures. I also used body language with positive language to create an opening and friendly atmosphere during verbal exchanges, this encouraged the audience to actively engage in the conversation and helped communication in group work. When listening to someone I actively engaged in the conversation by nodding so that they know I’m listening and paying attention to what they’re saying. It was also important to not use negative language as this would discourage open conversation and may have hindered any group efforts. Open questions were used to open up discussion on a topic, this is important to improve on initial ideas and it also allows conversations to flow naturally and not in a linear direction.  Closed questions on the other hand were used to get a final answer.

Structuring my work was important to ensure that all the criteria for the work were easily viewable and not hidden among junk text, this could make the work easier to mark as the criteria is thus easier to locate. I made sure to not use emoticons such as smileys during my work as I wanted to ensure my work was professional, although emoticons were used when chatting to other members of the group as this created a positive and casual atmosphere for the conversation. Using the correct grammar and spelling for the work was important to ensure that the correct message was conveyed and also to ensure that my work was professional and did not make me look like a slacker. Guidelines were used when writing work to ensure that I covered each criteria and answered it correctly.

Note taking was important to ensure that I gathered all the correct information and it was easily readable, I used it to gather information relevant to my work. I also proof read all my work to ensure that I had covered all of the criteria needed and to ensure that there were no grammatical or spelling errors that could have hindered it, this ensured that I was never handing in incorrect information.

In conclusion I feel that I effectively used interpersonal skills and written communication techniques to convey my messages effectively and also to write my work to an acceptable standard. These skills and techniques helped me work well with my group, gather the correct information and make sure that all of my work was correct.­­