1). (Regarding chapter 11) Distinguish among a forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium as a mans for making a public presentation. Which one would you prefer? Why?
In chapter 11 the book defines forum, panel, colloquium, and symposium. First, panel is defined as "a public format in which a group of four to eight experts discusses a problem or decision in front of an audience."(Harris, 220) Second, colloquium is "a form of public discussion in which a group of three to six experts, usually chosen for their divergent views, discuss a problem, following the problem solving format, in front of an audience with a moderator facilitating their interaction." (Harris, 220) Third, is symposium, which "provides a format for a series of two to six brief speeches made on different aspects of a complex and different problem." (Harris, 221) Lastly, forum "provides a small group presentational format in which the group can speak and listen to a larger audience." (Harris, 219)
I think that Harris gave great explanation and detail to these concepts. I got a great sense to what these presentation formats were. Each of these concepts has it own particular way about making decisions, problems solving, facilitating, mentoring, group interaction, and ways of performing a speech. They all signify great qualities on how to present in front of audiences. If I had to choose one that I prefer, I would choose forum. I chose this particular one because I like to keep the audience involved in my speeches. Letting the audience to actually participate and speak on a behalf of what they are listening to keeps then not only involved but interacting as well. In a way it is almost like a mini debate because the audience speaks and then there can be commentary back. The other thing that stood out to me about forum is that is follows well with all of the other concepts discussed above. It sets up a proposal for the other concepts and provides a diverse ideas and perspectives for many to obtain more information and knowledge about the specific topic.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Week 13: Discussion Question #3
3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading, that has not already been discussed during this discussion week, that you found useful or interesting, and discuss it.
The concept that I found most interesting this week was manipulative verbs. The book defines this is “deciding to alter, multiply, eliminate, divide, or transpose, we are using manipulative verbs to change the way we view a particular process.” (Harris, 191)
This was interesting to me being a communication major because it explained to me exactly why and how speaking techniques can change the context of what your saying. Changing verb placement can completely change the context of a sentence or give it a completely different meaning. I think that when many people speak they do not think about the placement of their verbs and this is why so many people have misconceptions in communication.
I think that this is most common in situations like texting, instant messaging, facebook, etc. Since there is a lack of face-to-face communication you have to be particularly careful to the how you word things and the placement of verbs. Many people misunderstand the meaning because they do not have the nonverbal gestures to back up what is being said and how it was meant.
The concept that I found most interesting this week was manipulative verbs. The book defines this is “deciding to alter, multiply, eliminate, divide, or transpose, we are using manipulative verbs to change the way we view a particular process.” (Harris, 191)
This was interesting to me being a communication major because it explained to me exactly why and how speaking techniques can change the context of what your saying. Changing verb placement can completely change the context of a sentence or give it a completely different meaning. I think that when many people speak they do not think about the placement of their verbs and this is why so many people have misconceptions in communication.
I think that this is most common in situations like texting, instant messaging, facebook, etc. Since there is a lack of face-to-face communication you have to be particularly careful to the how you word things and the placement of verbs. Many people misunderstand the meaning because they do not have the nonverbal gestures to back up what is being said and how it was meant.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Week 13: Discussion Question #2
2). Name five cultural barriers to creativity. What do you think these would keep a group from being creative? Have you experienced any of these personally? Explain.
“Cultural Barriers include a requirement for conformity, an expectation of practicality and efficiency, particular arenas for competition or cooperation, and expectation of politeness and following rules for social order, a reliance on statistical proofs, a dependence of generalizations, a trust in the power of reason and logic, a belief I an either/or perspective on issues, and a reliance on expert knowledge.” (Harris, 188)
All of the items listed above are cultural barriers to our creativity. All of these thins could lead a group to disaster if barriers are put up. In many situations when you meet new people and try to form group’s barriers stay present because many do not want to look foolish or incompetent.
I have experienced cultural barriers in a group. I was taking an intercultural communication class and was assigned to do a semester long project on another culture with my group. We chose to do China as our group. Now, one of my group members was very interested in this subject. I had an expectation that this project would go well because she had the background knowledge of this culture. We were wrong she brought in a woman to help us with the project, since she had great expertise in this area. This woman because of her cultural background felt the she could not conform and share her experiences because it was very different from what Americans are exposed to. As well she did not want to cooperate and follow the rules of the assignment because she felt they were unrealistic. She did not have trust in our group that we would be generalize and stereotype her culture. In the end we had to find someone else to help us with the assignment. The first woman chosen set too many barriers for herself considering her culture and this made it impossible for us to be able to share ideas and information.
“Cultural Barriers include a requirement for conformity, an expectation of practicality and efficiency, particular arenas for competition or cooperation, and expectation of politeness and following rules for social order, a reliance on statistical proofs, a dependence of generalizations, a trust in the power of reason and logic, a belief I an either/or perspective on issues, and a reliance on expert knowledge.” (Harris, 188)
All of the items listed above are cultural barriers to our creativity. All of these thins could lead a group to disaster if barriers are put up. In many situations when you meet new people and try to form group’s barriers stay present because many do not want to look foolish or incompetent.
I have experienced cultural barriers in a group. I was taking an intercultural communication class and was assigned to do a semester long project on another culture with my group. We chose to do China as our group. Now, one of my group members was very interested in this subject. I had an expectation that this project would go well because she had the background knowledge of this culture. We were wrong she brought in a woman to help us with the project, since she had great expertise in this area. This woman because of her cultural background felt the she could not conform and share her experiences because it was very different from what Americans are exposed to. As well she did not want to cooperate and follow the rules of the assignment because she felt they were unrealistic. She did not have trust in our group that we would be generalize and stereotype her culture. In the end we had to find someone else to help us with the assignment. The first woman chosen set too many barriers for herself considering her culture and this made it impossible for us to be able to share ideas and information.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Week 13: Discussion Question #1
1). Provide an example of creativity from your own experience. How does it fit with the chapter's discussion of creativity?
In this chapter the section that I felt related most to an experience in my life was emotional barriers. An emotional barrier is when we "go out on a limb" to try something new. And I think that there are many situations in my life where I have taken a risk and gone out on a limb. An example in my life was when I started to date my best friend. We had a great relationship and thought that we should maybe start to date. I brought up the topic to him taking a risk thinking I may be shut down because I did not want it to ruin our friendship. We did decide to start to date and then about two weeks into the relationship we started to grow apart. I was not sure why we started to grow apart, but my feelings were hurt because I felt like I not only had lost a relationship but, I had lost my best friend. I brought it up to him and we both agreed that is was just a little awkward cause we were so used to being just friends. From then on our friendship started to deteriorate and we now do not talk very much at all. It is sad to know I lost a best friend because I went out on a limb to put more feelings and emotion into the relationship and then realized it was a mistake. I was because we put our emotions out there and did not think of what to risks were and now realize it was a foolish mistake and we both looked foolish.
In this chapter the section that I felt related most to an experience in my life was emotional barriers. An emotional barrier is when we "go out on a limb" to try something new. And I think that there are many situations in my life where I have taken a risk and gone out on a limb. An example in my life was when I started to date my best friend. We had a great relationship and thought that we should maybe start to date. I brought up the topic to him taking a risk thinking I may be shut down because I did not want it to ruin our friendship. We did decide to start to date and then about two weeks into the relationship we started to grow apart. I was not sure why we started to grow apart, but my feelings were hurt because I felt like I not only had lost a relationship but, I had lost my best friend. I brought it up to him and we both agreed that is was just a little awkward cause we were so used to being just friends. From then on our friendship started to deteriorate and we now do not talk very much at all. It is sad to know I lost a best friend because I went out on a limb to put more feelings and emotion into the relationship and then realized it was a mistake. I was because we put our emotions out there and did not think of what to risks were and now realize it was a foolish mistake and we both looked foolish.
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