1. Language, Gender, and Culture
Directions: Staple ~ 5 pages and set up your Table of Contents
Your 1st assignment is:
Pre-reading: Anticipatory Set

2. Pre-reading: Anticipatory Set Directions: mark “Y” or “N” for each
I prefer it when people speak quietly around me.
I prefer it when people look me in the eye when we talk.
I like it most when I am taller (or higher up) than the person with whom I am speaking.
I like to talk loudly at parties.
I appreciate when someone is at least a foot from me when we are in conversation.

3. I am quiet more often than I am loud.
I like to be the center of attention.
I often wish I was more out-spoken.
I consider myself to be a good communicator.
I always know when someone is angry with me – even if they don’t say it.
I can tell when someone is being dishonest.
12. My facial expressions come across loud and clear to people.
13. I find myself telling secrets or gossiping with my friends a lot.

4. 14. I do not like to be in a crowd of people.
15. I look people in the eye when I talk to them.
16. I am more comfortable talking to one gender than the other.
17. I have more friends of my gender than the other.
18. I spend a lot of time on the phone with my friends.
19. My mom or dad say I am too loud.
20. My parents are openly affectionate with each other.
21. I find myself with my hand on my hip or my arms crossed when I talk to someone.

5. Jump the Line Significance of “The Line”
Let’s go OUTSIDE! (bring your answers).
Significance of “The Line”
Start by standing
on the line
Jump“Yes” or “No”
Be prepared to “defend your answer”

6. Debrief “Jump the Line”
Introduce:
Language
Culture
Gender
Defend your answers.

7. Quick write (2 different ones)
Divide paper in half (horizontally).
Label #1 on the top.
Label #2 on the bottom.
You will be responding to your quick write in the space labeled. (7 minutes for 1 paragraph).

8. One or two generations ago, men and women seemed to have firmer codes for how to behave: men could be loud and assertive, but women were expected to dress modestly and use feminine voices. Do you think these “rules” for males and females behavior still hold true today? From your own experiences and observations, what can you point to as support for your position?
2. Families have their own rules for how males and females members should talk and behave. Think back to the advice you have heard in your family or to the rules you have noticed in your family members following. Describe the communication styles of talking and behaving for men and women in your family.

9. Share Quickwrite Ideas
Lines of communication:
Line up with the #1s against the wall and #2s are facing the #1s.
Write your partner’s name on your sheet and jot down notes about their response.
Shift to talk to a second partner and do the same.

10. Debrief

11. The Big Question
What are the major misunderstandings that exist in regards to communication between genders and cultures?
Frame: The major misunderstandings that exist between different genders and cultures include ___, ___, and ___. It is important to find ways to overcome these because ___.

12. Big Question: Sentence Frame:
We are all aware of misunderstandings or misjudgments that exist regarding language, gender, and culture in our society. What are some specific examples?  How do such misunderstandings affect our ability to communicate with others?
Sentence Frame:
One example of miscommunication between (languages/genders/cultures) that I’ve witnessed is ______. This (surprised/shocked/…) me because_____. (When it comes/ In regards) to (languages/cultures/genders), people need to remember_____.

13. T-chart: title= MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
Debrief and add 4 more to each side.
Effective
Ineffective

14. Making Predictions
Prediction (1 minute): Tannen’s article is titled “His Politeness is Her Powerlessness.” Make a prediction: What will it be about?
Frame: I believe that ___’s article will (discuss/argue/explain) ___ because ___.
(30 seconds): Share with a partner

15. Making Predictions
Read paragraph 1 (look closely at the last sentence): “Often, the labeling of ‘women’s language’ as ‘powerless language’ reflects the view of women’s behavior through the lens of men’s.”
2. (1 minute): What do you think Tannen means by this?
(30 seconds) Share with partner; then whole class.

16. First Reading
Look for the thesis in the first paragraph. Paraphrase the thesis using the Sentence Frame:
Thesis Statement Frame:
The (thesis/controlling impression/main idea) of __’s article is ___.

17. De-brief Seinfeld’s “Close Talkers”
Frame: The Seinfeld video clip “Close Talkers” (includes/displays/exhibits) characteristics of (L/G/C).
One example of a (L/C/G) issue is___.
This was (illustrated by/reflected in)__.

18. First Reading Finish reading to understand the main ideas.
Highlight words/ideas that relate to direct or indirect communication.
Direct = Verbal = 1/3 of the message
Indirect = nonverbal= 2/3 of the message
What new information did you learn? Anything surprising? Anything you disagree with?

19. 2nd Reading: read as a “skeptic” (add: Icons + Annotate)
Write the Main Idea in your packet:
American men tend to speak _____, whereas American women tend to speak ____. In America, _____ is viewed as powerlessness, and is often labeled ____ or ___. In other cultures, _______. This is important because___.

20. 2nd Reading
LANGUAGE POINT: “Indirectness itself does not reflect powerlessness” but that women are “seeking connection” when they speak.
CULTURAL POINT: “Evidence from other cultures also makes it clear that indirectness does not in itself reflect low status. Rather, our assumptions about the status of women compel us to interpret anything they do as low status.”

21. 2nd Reading Questions
Suggests: Our tendency to characterize women’s behavior as low status is what makes it difficult to see their conversational styles as legitimate, powerful, or effective.
Is Tannen assuming that only women are seeking to build rapport? (In other words, is she implying that men don’t also seek to build connections?)
Is Tannen valuing women’s speech as superior to that of men’s?
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of making generalizations according to gender?

22. Directed Annotations:
Rhetorical Appeals:
ethos, pathos, and logos
new vocabulary?

23. PARTNERS: Textual Structure
Discuss your ideas of why Tannen devotes the majority of her article to analyzing women’s speech.
Does this rhetorical choice strengthen or undermine the persuasiveness of her argument?
Have your ideas changed about the ways in which men and women talk?

24. Reflection 1 paragraph (7 minutes)
Linguistic researchers, such as Tannen, have shown that male and female communication styles are different. Some have gone so far as to suggest that women could benefit themselves by learning a “male” style of communication, including, for example, giving direct orders, as Tannen describes. Such behaviors, these researchers argue, could help women to win the respect of men in the business world and thus advance women’s careers. How would you respond to this suggestion? Consider to what extent your gender determines your answer.

25. Reflection 1 paragraph (7 minutes)
B. People often say one thing and do another. What does Tannen mean when she says, “Only modern Western societies place a priority on direct communication, and even for us it is more a value than a practice” (paragraph 8)? Do you agree that we claim to value direct speech but often act otherwise? Give specific examples to support your point of view based on your personal experience or on your observation of others.

26. Text 2: Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus by: John Gray
Quickwrite: (7 min: 1 paragraph)
What are some ways you have noticed that males and females communicate differently?
Who are better communicators: males or females? Explain how.
What are traits that comprise strong communicators? Give examples of how each would be effective.
In regards to: sales, management, and marriage, is it better to communicate more directly or indirectly? (Give pros and cons of each).

27. Making Predictions + Asking ?s
What can you infer from the title?
(Skim the text) How is this book probably structured?
What are the benefits to this type of book?

28. Introducing Key Concepts

29. Vocabulary from Text sullen (21)
Underline each word in the text and list them in your notes (skip 3 spaces between words).
Read the sentences and figure out their meanings.
For each, write the part of speech and definition in your notes.

30. FIRST READING: (look for and mark)
According

31. “Indirect Communication”
personal examples
textual ex.
(1 word/branch)
INDIRECT COMMUNICATION

32. TREE TRUNK: “Indirect Communication”
Textual references:
(ex: “polite, sensitivity, covert, sneaky, underhanded, delicate”)
Your own words:
(ex: subtle, suave, polished, refined, elegant, euphemistic).
Connotations? (underhanded vs. sneaky; sensitive vs. indirect).

33. Draw a 2nd tree textual ex. (1 word/branch) personal examples
DIRECT COMMUNICATION

34. 2nd TREE TRUNK: “Direct Communication”
Tannen’s vocab: (ex: “natural, logical, demand, clumsy, crude”)
Your examples:
(ex: overt, straightforward).
Connotations?
Think of film characters that embody these characteristics. (Write their names next to branch in parenthesis).

35. Poker Chips: 2 paragraphs (14 minutes)
Linguistic researchers, such as Tannen, have shown that male and female communication styles are different. Some have gone so far as to suggest that women could benefit themselves by learning a “male” style of communication, including, for example, giving direct orders, as Tannen describes. Such behaviors, these researchers argue, could help women to win the respect of men in the business world and thus advance women’s careers. How would you respond to this suggestion? Consider to what extent your gender determines your answer.
Tannen states that “Only modern Western societies place a priority on direct communication, and even for us it is more a value than a practice” (paragraph 8). Brainstorm a list of examples that would support her contention that, even though we may say that we value directness, there is plenty in our social behavior and relationships that would prove the opposite. Then write a response to the author explaining to what extent you (dis)agree with her on this point.
People often say one thing and do another. What does Tannen mean when she says, “Only modern Western societies place a priority on direct communication, and even for us it is more a value than a practice” (paragraph 8)? Do you agree that we claim to value direct speech but often act otherwise? Give specific examples to support your point of view based on your personal experience or on your observation of others.