Look for letters to the editor in newspapers or for blog entries about current events. Underline places in the letters/entries where critical thinking is necessary to understand or challenge the writer’s message. Circle examples of ethical considerations such as topic choice, argumentation style, and language usage. How well does the writer follow Speak Up’s guidelines for critical thinking and ethics?

Evaluate the research concerning how employers rate public speaking skills (Speak Up, pp.10-11). Write a brief essay explaining how these findings relate to your own work experience or advice you have heard from others.