Part B
Effective Communication & Information Literacy
Strong communication and smart research skills are two things I use every single day — in class, at work, and in life. Here's what I've learned and how I actually use these skills.
Section 1
Effective Communication
What is Active Listening?
Active listening means fully focusing on the person talking, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully — instead of just waiting for your turn to speak. It includes eye contact, nodding, asking questions, and repeating back what you heard to make sure you got it right.
The 3 Types of Communication
Verbal
Speaking out loud — conversations, presentations, phone calls.
- Speak clearly and steadily
- Match your tone to the situation
- Avoid filler words like 'um' and 'like'
Nonverbal
Body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture.
- Stand or sit up straight
- Make eye contact
- Keep your expression matching your message
Written
Emails, texts, essays, reports.
- Use proper grammar and spelling
- Keep it short and clear
- Match the tone to your audience
Academic vs. Professional vs. Informal
| Type | Where It's Used | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | School, essays, presentations | Formal, structured, evidence-based | "According to the study, students who…" |
| Professional | Work, emails to teachers, meetings | Polite, clear, respectful | "Hi Mr. Smith, I wanted to follow up on…" |
| Informal | Friends, family, texting | Casual, relaxed, uses slang | "yo you free later?" |
In school
Teachers take you more seriously and are more willing to help.
At work
Builds trust with coworkers, managers, and customers.
In life
First impressions stick. How you communicate shapes how people see you.
About Me
My Communication Skills
I've built my communication skills through school, activities, and everyday life:
- Giving class presentations that helped me get comfortable speaking in front of a group.
- Using Google Docs, Google Slides, Gmail, and Microsoft Teams to collaborate.
- Communicating professionally with teachers, classmates, and coworkers.
- Being part of UNICEF and FBLA to grow my teamwork and public speaking.
Section 2
Information Literacy
Information Literacy
The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively and responsibly.
Digital Literacy
The ability to use digital tools (computers, apps, the internet) to find, create, and share information safely.
Information Literacy vs. Digital Literacy
| Information Literacy | Digital Literacy | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Finding & evaluating information | Using technology & digital tools |
| Example Skill | Judging if a source is reliable | Using Google Sheets or making a slideshow |
| Where Used | Research papers, projects | Everyday tech use, online work |
| Goal | Think critically about info | Navigate the digital world safely |
Scholarly vs. Non-Scholarly Sources
| Scholarly | Non-Scholarly | |
|---|---|---|
| Written by | Experts, researchers, professors | Journalists, bloggers, general public |
| Reviewed by | Other experts (peer-reviewed) | Editors or no one |
| Examples | Academic journals, Google Scholar | Blogs, social media, most news sites |
| Best for | Research papers, school projects | Quick info, current events |
| Reliability | Very high | Varies — has to be checked |
The CRAP Test
A quick way to check if a source is trustworthy:
How recent is this? Is it up to date?
Is it accurate? Are there sources or citations?
Who wrote it? Are they an expert?
Why was it written? Is it biased?
Data Ethics
Data ethics is about using information and data in a fair, honest, and responsible way — respecting people's privacy and being transparent about how data is collected and used. It matters because misused data can hurt people's trust, privacy, and safety.
People own their own personal data.
Be open about how data is collected and used.
Protect personal information from misuse.
Collect and use data for good reasons.
Make sure the results don't harm people.
Why Information Literacy Matters
In school
Helps me write stronger papers with reliable sources.
At work
Helps me make smart decisions based on real facts.
In life
Helps me avoid fake news, scams, and misinformation online.
About Me
My Information Literacy Skills
- Researching cybersecurity topics using Google Scholar.
- Evaluating sources with the CRAP Test before I use them.
- Building a monthly budget with Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets.
- Creating spreadsheets, charts, and graphs to organize data.
Wrap-Up
Communication and information literacy go hand in hand. Being able to share ideas clearly and find trustworthy info are two skills that will help me succeed in high school, at UT Austin, and in my future career as a Sales Engineer.