ABSTRACT
What we mean by “advanced listening” is learning to listen to speeches as a speaker. Even the most prolific public speakers find themselves in the audience more often than not. Often a speaker-in-the-audience will simply want to enjoy the chance to be an audience member listening appreciatively or critically to what is said. However, not infrequently, the speaker-in-the-audience will assume the role of critical observer of the speech and speaking situation. In these cases, the listener might be said to be positioned “in the balcony,” or in the audience, but not of it. It’s the same way an art photographer might view the photographs composed by others or a classical composer might listen to someone else’s symphony. What’s the difference between this type of audience member and others? The photographer or composer brings a heightened capacity for appreciation-and critique-to their responses to the works of others. Accomplished public speakers bring the same kind of enhanced awareness when they listen to speeches. They listen for more than sound bites, funny stories, familiar information or opinions, viewpoints they don’t like, or information they can “use”—the kinds of things typical audience members may be attuned to.
