Oral and Internet communication

Take note - people don't read much on the web

ORAL COMMUNICATION

This handbook focuses on written communication. But we also need to use clear language in speeches, when facilitating workshops or educational courses, or when running a meeting.

• The best learning is based on participation. Plan to involve your audience in your presentation. This may include small group or pair activities, question and answer periods, and other techniques. Your union's Instructional Techniques course or the CLC's Instructor Training course are good sources for participatory teaching tips.
• Check with your audience often. Are they understanding what you're saying?
• Use a variety of resources such as videos, audio, slideshows.
• Use clear language and design in overheads, flip charts and handouts.

INTERNET COMMUNICATION

The Internet is changing our reading culture. More people are using the web for information. Much of what we write may find its way to our union's website. We need to think about on-line reading habits. People do not read every word. They spend less time per page while reading more slowly. The principles for effective writing for the web follow clear language principles: writing should be concise, scannable and objective.