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Participating in oral presentations Academic Communication for Advanced Secondary Schools

Participating in dialogues

A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. It involves a back-and-forth
interaction between or among participants. A dialogue can take place in a variety of
settings including formal, casual and artistic. It is generally characterised with interactivity,
turn-taking, listening and responding, exchange of ideas and purpose. For respective
and constructive dialogues, one has to use the following techniques.
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
(a) Pay attention
Consider what a speaker is saying instead of anticipating the response. This will
help you avoid interruption and show that you are interested in what is said. Avoid
assumptions and stereotypes about other people’s beliefs or intentions that can hinder
meaningful dialogues.

(b) Respect others’ ideas
There will be a healthy conversation only if there is empathy, no personal attack,
irony, or offensive language. Resilience is essential in the exchange of ideas as it
promotes openness.
(c) Skills for questioning and critique
Make sure you ask some questions to clarify what you do not understand. This will
make the interlocutor see your willingness to engage in dialogue. If you disagree
with a point, express it respectfully instead of attacking the participants. Present
your contradictions with real-life examples to facilitate effective discussion.
(d) Learn to manage your emotions
To maintain rational dialogue, learn how to control emotions. Discussing sensitive
topics can make emotions run high. Self-regulation through taking deep breaths,
pausing and reflecting before responding can reduce temper.

(e) Use collective interest
When you provide an argument in a dialogue, try to find ideas that will interest
the listeners and the participants. Think about the culture and other practices in the
society the dialogue is about. Create rapport for constructive talks.

(f) Avoid using absolute statements
Absolute statements give the impression that you are not concerned with others’
ideas. Instead, use I think, I hope as a means of acknowledging that you do not have
all answers about the issue discussed in a dialogue. Therefore, create room for others
to give their ideas so that you can learn from them.

Exercise 3�2

How different is the purpose of a dialogue from that of a debate?

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Student’s Book Form Five

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Academic Communication.indd 29
Academic Communication.indd 29 30-Jun-24 11:02:03 AM