Foundational Skills for Communication about Health - Part II

1- Why is it preferable to use active voice when speaking or writing?

• Because the subject of a sentence becomes the object.

• Because it is easier to identify the central actor.

• Because our goal as communicators is to impress by using fancy language.

2- Select all the sentences that use the passive voice.

• MDCH provided information to area health care providers to help them recognize symptoms of oil exposure and to provide resources to assist them in caring for their patients.

• Additional materials were developed by state and local health agencies in cooperation with the EPA.

• These materials were provided to community members through a variety of means including the internet, public meetings, and local media sources.

• Health officials also visited the homes of people in some affected neighborhoods to ensure that residents there were kept informed.

3- What is plain language like?

• Clear

• Flowery

• Simple

• Concrete

• Concise

4- Why do we tend to see stories in health decision-making and in health communication everywhere?

• Because they entertain participants.

• Because by doing so we deviate from hard sciences.

• Because they replace evidence.

• Because human beings naturally tell and share information using a narrative style.

What does the A B T science structure stand for?

• And

• Because

• But

• Also

• Therefore

6- Why are ABT structures common in clear science communication?

• They start around a problem.

• They avoid academic language

• They help structure the way in which the story is told so that you want to learn more,

• They help make science popular

7- Which of these paragraphs takes an A(nd) B(ut) T(herefore) structure?

• Authorities have been monitoring the use of face masks in public spaces. There are people who insist in not wearing them. There should be more severe measures from the part of our authorities towards them, if we which to block the spread of the virus.

• Authorities have determined the use of masks in public areas. Parks are included in public areas. They should make sure no one goes into those spaces unmasked.

• Authorities do not interfere in private spaces regarding the use of face masks. People can do as they please when they are at home. Would you like someone to rule over your private space in such matters?

8- Why is it that so much of what people learn from listening or watching us when we're communicating or presenting is not actually in the words that we say?

• Because it is in the way they perceive us.

• Because it is in our bodies and in our voices.

• Because they have a hard time paying attention.

9- Which of these can be considered important non-verbal factors of communication?

• Our hair style

• Our eye contact

• Our pauses

• Our body language

• Our use of jargon

10- In terms of vocal tone, it is right to state that

• We should not yell.

• We should avoid ending a statement with a question pitch.

• We should vary our tone.

• We should adopt intentional pauses