Communication Styles

Communication Styles

  • Submitted By: mschmitt
  • Date Submitted: 04/29/2009 8:38 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 341
  • Page: 2
  • Views: 1

Professor Stevens

English A

14 October 2008

In “Communication Styles,” written by Deborah Tannen, she speaks of the significant differences in classroom speaking between males and females. Tannen talks about how boys are more aggressive when speaking and live to be challenged with public speaking in a classroom, while most females would “shrink from such a ‘challenge.’”

Tannen argues that the main difference between the ways men and women communicate are that men grow up being more aggressive and fighting for fun. Boys grow up playing in groups so they’re more comfortable speaking to a crowd or speaking loud enough to get their point across. While most girls growing up are use to having a best friend and telling secrets so they speak more quietly to each other or only speak in small groups. I think women are also more respectful in a sense that they wait for each other to be done speaking instead of interrupting each other. She also says that women would be more outgoing and talk more in class if it was all females.

I disagree and agree with some of the things Tannen said. I agree with her on her thoughts that getting into small groups in a classroom is important. I think speaking in small groups in a classroom is good and helps loosen up students in a classroom. I think if people mixed up the groups enough and had a chance to be outspoken with everyone in the class at some point, then it would be easier for students to speak aloud when the whole class is together. I disagree with her when she says mostly men speak out in classrooms. I know a lot of females that are very outspoken and like to argue in classrooms. I also know a lot of shy men who never talk in class. A majority of my classes have always had women who were much more talkative in class discussions then men, but in every class there is always one man who never shuts up.

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