Communications

Merit Badge Workbook

This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet (book). No one can add or subtract from the Boy
Scout Requirements #33216. Each Scout must do each requirement. Merit Badge Workbooks and more: Online Resources.
Send comments to the workbook developer: craig@craiglincoln.com. Requirements revised: 01/1/10, Workbook updated: 02/10.
Scouts Name: ____________________________________________

Unit: ____________________________

Counselors Name: _________________________________________ Counselors Ph #: _____________________________

1. Do ONE of the following:
a. For one day, keep a log in which you describe your communication activities. Keep track of the time and different
ways you spend communicating, such as talking person-to-person, listening to teachers or the radio, watching
television, reading books and other print media, and using any electronic communication device. Date: _____________
Time
Duration
Activity Type
Description
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Discuss with your counselor what your log reveals about the importance of communication in your life. _____________

Communications p. 2

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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Think of ways to improve your communications skills. _______________________________________________________
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-OR- b. For three days, keep a journal of your listening experiences.
Date/Time
Listening Experience

Dates: __________________

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Communications p. 3

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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Identify one example of each of the following, and discuss with your counselor when you have listened to:
1. Obtain information _____________________________________________________________________________________
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2. A persuasive argument _________________________________________________________________________________
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3. Appreciate or enjoy something ___________________________________________________________________________
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4. Understand someone's feelings __________________________________________________________________________
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-OR- c. In a small-group setting, meet with other Scouts or with friends. Have them share personal stories about
significant events in their lives that affected them in some way. Take note of how each Scout participates in the group
discussion and how effectively he communicates his story.
Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal story: _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Effectiveness: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal story: _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
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Effectiveness: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal story: _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Communications p. 4

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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Effectiveness: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal story: _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Effectiveness: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Scout or friend: _________________________________________________________________________________________
Personal story: _______________________________________________________________________________________
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Effectiveness: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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Report what you have learned to your counselor about the differences you observed in effective communication. ____________
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-OR- d. List as many ways as you can think of to communicate with others (face-to-face, by telephone, letter, e-mail, text
messages, and so on). For each type of communication, discuss with your counselor an instance when that method
might not be appropriate or effective.
Way to Communicate Discuss an instance when that method might not be appropriate or effective.
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2. Do ONE of the following:
a. Think of a creative way to describe yourself using, for example, a collage, short story or autobiography, drawing or
series of photographs, or a song or skit. Using the aid you created, make a presentation to your counselor about
yourself.
b. Choose a concept, product, or service in which you have great confidence. ___________________________________
Build a sales plan based on its good points. ________________________________________________________________

Communications p. 5

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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Try to persuade the counselor to agree with, use, or buy your concept, product, or service. After your sales talk, discuss
with your counselor how persuasive you were. ______________________________________________________________
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3. Write a five-minute speech. Give it at a meeting of a group.__________________________________________________
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Communications p. 6

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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4. Interview someone you know fairly well, like, or respect ____________________________________________________
because of his or her position, talent, career, or life experiences. Listen actively to learn as much as you can about the
person. Then prepare and deliver to your counselor an introduction of the person as though this person were to be a
guest speaker, and include reasons why the audience would want to hear this person speak. ______________________
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Show how you would call to invite this person to speak. _____________________________________________________
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5. Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor _______________________
where several points of view are given on a single issue. _____________________________________________________
Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Present an objective report that includes all
points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor. _________________________________________
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Communications p. 7

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

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6. With your counselor's approval, develop a plan to teach a skill or inform someone about something.
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Prepare teaching aids for your plan. _______________________________________________________________________
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Carry out your plan. With your counselor, determine whether the person has learned what you intended. _____________
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7. Do ONE of the following:
a. Write to the editor of a magazine or your local newspaper ___________________________________________________
to express your opinion or share information on any subject you choose._____________________________________
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Send your message by fax, e-mail, or regular mail. _______________________________________________
-OR- b. b.Create a web page or blog of special interest to you (for instance, your troop or crew, a hobby, or a sport).
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Include at least three articles or entries _________________________________________________________________
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and one photograph or illustration, _____________________________________________________________________
and one link to some other Web page or blog ____________________________________________________________
that would be helpful to someone who visits the Web page or blog you have created. It is not necessary to post your
Web page or blog to the Internet, but if you decide to do so, you must first share it with your parents and counselor
and get their permission.
-OR- c. Use desktop publishing to produce a newsletter, brochure, flier, or other printed material for your Scout troop,
class at school, or other group. Include at least one article and one photograph or illustration. __________________
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Communications p. 8

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

8. Plan a troop court of honor, campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders' council
approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies. _________________________
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9. Learn about opportunities in the field of communication. ___________________________________________________
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Choose one career in which you are interested _____________________________________________________________
and discuss with your counselor the major responsibilities of that position and the qualifications, education, and
preparation it requires. _________________________________________________________________________________
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Online Resources (Use any Internet resource with caution and only with your parents or guardians permission.)
Boy Scouts of America: scouting.org Guide to Safe Scouting
Age-Appropriate Guidelines Safe Swim Defense
Scout
Tenderfoot
Second Class First Class
Rank Videos
Safety Afloat
Merit Badge Books: www.scoutstuff.org Please don't post workbooks on your site. Please instead post links to these:
MeritBadge.org: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/MBW -or- usscouts.org: http://www.usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/list.asp
Requirement Resources
These resources and much more are at: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Communications

Communications p. 9

Merit Badge Workbook

Scouts Name: ________________________

1. How we communicate: Communications - Interpersonal Communications - Telecommunications

1a. A communications log is in the Communications Workbook.
1b. A listening journal is in the Communications Workbook.
1c. See below: #4 for interviewing resources, #5 for active listening and taking notes.
2a. Scout Songs - Scout Skits - Also see Art Merit Badge. Microsoft PowerPoint - Great Microsoft PowerPoint tutorials.
2b. How to sell Popcorn - with sample scripts, sales plans, and even a video. Also see Salesmanship #3.
3. Lesson Videos: ExpertVillage: Giving a Speech - Public Speaking Tips
Speeches & presentations: How to Choose a topic - How to Write a Speech - How to Give a Speech - Ideas from eHow
The Citizenship in the Community #8 public presentation...of your community
could be given as a Communications #3 five-minute speech using the techniques from Photography #4b to produce a
picture story and Art #1 to tell a story with...pictures which could be developed into the Computers #6e short presentation.
Also see Public Speaking #1. "Give a three- to five-minute introduction of yourself".
4. Lesson Video: How a reporter interviews someone - How to Conduct an Interview (Job).
5. Communications #5 "Attend a public meeting" is similar to Journalism #4 " Attend a public event"
Active Listening skills: Wikipedia - How to be an active listener
How to remember what is said: Memory Tricks - 12 Memory Tricks
How to Take Notes - Take Better Notes - Lesson Video: How to take notes
6. Some ideas for skills or topics you could teach:
Knots - pick a basic knot or knots to teach (animated instructions and handouts.
Scout Songs & Scout Skits for great campfire programs
How to present a Flag Ceremony
Essentials for the Outdoors - what you need for a hike, campout, or summer camp, etc.
What is Order of the Arrow? Great topic if you are in OA.
First Aid Merit Badge Requirement 7 is to teach a first aid skill - resources and videos are there.
Camping - possible topics include packing a backpack, cold or warm weather clothing, Leave No Trace, etc.
Lesson Videos (If you want to use PowerPoint): PowerPoint Presentation Basics - PowerPoint Tips - More PowerPoint
7a. : Microsoft Outlook great email tutorials. - Lesson Videos: Outlook Email
Microsoft Word - Great Microsoft Word tutorials.
7b. Communications #7b "Create a Web page" is very similar to Computers #7d "Design a webpage"
7c. Microsoft Word - Great Microsoft Word tutorials teach desktop publishing and more.
See Photography for help with your photo.
8. See Court of Honor for ideas and a sample script and program in the Word Doc format that you can customize.
9. Communications Careers resources from: Berkley, Rutgers, and Temple University