12 Wrap-Up
Discussion
At the beginning of this chapter, you placed yourself on a scale similar to the one below.
Read the descriptions in the boxes.
Count how many points are most true for Gilles, Ivan, and Claire.
Place (Gilles) and (Ivan) on the scale below. Discuss any patterns in how these men usually speak or write. Place (Claire) on the scale.
Discuss if Claire’s way of speaking and writing matches the others.
Does gender or age make any difference?
Does status (such as being in charge) make any difference?
Does location (such as being on private property or in a public space) make any difference?
Does situation (such as being face to face or using social media) make any difference?
Share your opinion about possible reasons for speech patterns.
| He/she uses the same words and expressions with everyone and doesn’t adjust for relationships. He/she uses fewer words and expressions to be clearly and easily understood. If there is a problem or a conflict, he/she says exactly what he/ she feels and means. |
He/she chooses different words and expressions depending on relationships. He/she uses more words and phrases to be calm and not misunderstood. He/she expects people to “read between the lines” in his/her tone or body language. If there is a conflict, he/she asks a third person to help talk about it. |
Reflection
In this chapter, we
- recognized how Claire, Gilles, and other community members changed their word choices to be direct or indirect
- compared how close relationships show up in more direct talking and writing and how distant relationships show up in more indirect communication
- identified that people in close or distant relationships try to get others to follow instructions by giving suggestions or making requests or demands
- looked for patterns of directness or indirectness in different styles of spoken and written instructions.
The writing and speaking activities gave us ways to adjust our use of English. Observing how people in our community talk and write, and trying to use new words from this chapter has reinforced, or strengthened, our vocabulary outside class.
- Review the Language Log pages you have been filling out.
- Think of some people in your community who you communicate with in English. Think of times you’ve made a suggestion or request. Keeping your own experiences in mind, think about and discuss these questions:
- How is your style of requesting or suggesting similar to or different from other people you’ve communicated with? Do you suggest and request the same way as others in the community?
- How do others in your community say “no” or respond negatively to requests or suggestions? Is your style similar to or different from others in your community? How do you feel or respond if you notice differences?
- How do you think differences in levels of directness affect how people think about (perceive) others? How can adjusting our directness help how we communicate and understand each other?
- Thinking of your own communication style when you make requests or suggestions, how do you want people to think or feel about (perceive) you when you write and speak? What could you adjust about your speaking or writing to make your future requests or suggestions more successful?