ABSTRACT
Silences are generally discomforting in our society but they can be helpful in lectures to allow time for note-taking or for the individuals to think alone while they review their notes or summarize (Coles, 1998). They also give me an opportunity to look round the room to check for nods of understanding, puzzled expressions or loss of attention. I can show the audience that I am trying to think of them. Occasionally a subgroup can be ‘lost’ from the lecture and start talking amongst themselves. Once this situation begins to distract others in the audience, a pause can embarrass the talkers into listening quietly or participating in the break-up methods. It damages the constructive atmosphere if I have to ask for silence but reluctantly I sometimes do ask the talkers to be quiet out of consideration for those people who want to listen.
