Running head: READING ANALYSIS 1

Responses to Reading Analysis 1 Margaret T. Gopaul Liberty University Online

READING ANALYSIS 1 Responses to Reading Analysis 1 Chapter 1

1. Evaluate this chapters definition of communication. What are its strengths? What are its weaknesses? If you were asked to improve it in one way, by adding, subtracting, or modifying something, what would you change? Present your answer and explain the reasoning that justifies it in a 100-200 word response. According to Alban (2011), the word communication was taken from the Latin term communis meaning common, general, universal, or public (p. 12). Upon evaluation of this chapters definition of communication, I found the strengths to be in the various examples used to promote the concept that a communicative state exist when two or more people share a feeling, attitude, value, idea or perception. Examples such as a communion service, a community gathering of common interest were listed, with the core concept of oneness being the focal point. The blending of points about communication from various twentieth century theorists, such as, communication is personal, requires a message sender, receiver, encoding, transmission, decoding and reasons for its failure, all presented an effective blended concept. On the other hand, I felt the weakness of this chapter was the initial portion termed A Closer Look, which was an applicable opener; however, it did not significantly contributed in furthering the definition of communication. Therefore, I would remove that portion in order to improve the preciseness of the chapter. In addition, I would add some more researched explanation as to what is meant by other spiritual beings, (angelic, demonic or divine) (Albans, 2011, p. 16). 2. Recall an incident in which you or an acquaintance experienced a communication breakdown because of a verbal or non-verbal linguistic barrier. Chronicle this incident in a 100-200 word response. I was born and raised under a British Colony in South American, and having migrated to the United States as a teenager I was surprised at the language differences even though I spoke English. I recalled an incident when there was a verbal, linguistic barrier as I decided to invite some of my friends over to watch a game of football on my new television. At first I was hesitant as I thought they might not be interested, but I was thrilled to discover that everyone accepted with considerable enthusiasm. The evening was planned and the guest arrived as scheduled, and I thought this is going to be a memorable evening. Well, it sure was memorable indeed, but for all the wrong reasons. Awkwardly, as I clicked on the television, I soon discovered that we were not communication on the same channel. The game that was playing involved Germany against France kicking a ball on a field and all my American friends were out of their seats in disgust as they hated this game they called soccer. That was a night of failed communication, but it was nevertheless redeemed by the uniting element of humor and friendship. 3. This chapter questions the statement that no people can see the same thing because the statement is self-discrediting. If the statement were true, the person making the statement would have no way of knowing that it is true since, by his or her own

READING ANALYSIS 1 admission, he or she could never gain access to what other people see for the purpose of determining this. What do you think? Share your thoughts in a 100-200 word response.

I initially found the statement no two people can see the same thing because the statement is self-discrediting, to hold some truths in the message. However, upon reflection I queried, as noted above, how the authors of this statement were able to bypass their own viewpoint and now compare others perspectives in order to conclude that no two are alike? I believe they have proven this statement contrary just by the demonstrating of their conclusion. Subsequently, I believe they have rendered the whole notion of inescapable isolation which they have projected to be questionable (Alban, 2011, p. 18). I do agree that it is practical to believe that people do not always see things in exactly the same way, as I have proven this in my story previously; of how culturally I perceived football differently from my American peers, who considered that game soccer. Nevertheless, I find it debatable to imagine that people are incapable of viewing at least some things in the same manner. Chapter 2 1. Words are powerful communicational tools. Consider the following words of wisdom from James 3: 2-10 (NLT): If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Drawing from your personal experience, write a 100-200 word response in which you describe the power of words to be destructive and to be constructive. The verse speaks volumes to me, for I recall as a child saying to my friends Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. Well, I quickly realized how untrue this statement was, and, in fact, I wished that words could never hurt me. As a survivor of an abusive (physical and emotional) marriage, I can attest that I was able to heal from my broken bones. However, I am still trying to heal from the wounds of the abusive words that stung like millions of scorpions and the piercing words of defamation have lacerated the depths of my heart. My spirit was crushed by hurtful words, and it lingers with me to this day. This experience has shaped me to be even more guarded of how my words may impact others. I recall once I complimented a classmate on how smart I thought she was and how shocked I was at her tears of joy as she said she constantly hear her mothers word you are so dumb echoing in her head. I realized that

READING ANALYSIS 1 indeed A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11 KJV).

2. In a paragraph or two, answer the following questions about your use of artifacts to send people information about yourself: a) Which colors to you like to wear? Which do you not like to wear?; b) Why do you like or not like them? Which ideas or feelings do or might they communicate to other people? a) My preference of colors to wear is blue and white. Colors I do not like to wear are yellow and red. b) I like to wear blue as I find it to be tranquil, calming and it brings me a sense of contentment. I believe it communicate to others that I am sensitive, caring of others and gives a feeling of harmony. Being of a logical and organized nature, I tend to avoid clutter and the color white offers that sensation of cleanliness, purity and innocence. I believe it may communicate an image of a reliable, responsible, clean and even timely person to others. I do not like to wear yellow as I am more of an introvert and I find it to be a social and dramatic color. Similarly, the colo r red strikes me as an attention getter and I would rather not send the message that I wish to be in the spotlight. 3. Consider the following statement by Cornelius LaPide, a 17th century Jesuit priest: The face, therefore, is the image of the heart, and the eyes are the mirror of the soul and its affections. One finds this principally in tumultuous and vile men who conceal their badness for a long time, but when they are distracted and unaware, it suddenly appears in their face and eyes. Therefore, the face and the eyes indicate the joy or sadness of the soul, its love or hatred; so also, honesty or treachery and hypocrisy. Write a 100-200 word response that states your agreement, partial agreement, or disagreement with this statement. State your position clearly and succinctly, and back it up with information that supports your position, such as testimonies from experts, illustrations, or examples from your personal experience or that of someone else. I partially agree with this statement as I agree that we can ascertain a persons thoughts from reading their facial expression and even the emotions reflected in a persons eyes. However, I do not agree with the concept that a persons eyes are a mirror of their soul, as I find the soul to be on a much deeper and mysterious level, that even that person is unaware of, much less an observer. According to Jeremiah 17:10, it is Gods task to search the soul of man to examine secret motives, and I do not believe we can be the moral judge of someones soul. In support of my position that the face is an image of the heart, I recall a time when I was physically hurt, and my rescuer was mute. However, I did not for a moment question his intent for the expression on his face oozed of compassion, care and tenderness, as the image of his heart was revealed on his face, with no words needed. Also, the Catholic Veritas Bible states The attire of the body and the laughter of the teeth and the gait of the man show what he is (Ecclesiasticus 19:27). 4. Share an example of a strange regional word or expression that you or a friend has encountered during your lifetime. Be sure for each of these to identify your

READING ANALYSIS 1 hometown or region and where you were when you encountered the strange expression. Who said it? What was his or her home region? What did you think when you first heard the expression? How did you learn the intended meaning of the strange expression? Which term do people from your home region use for the same thing?

I was once visiting a friend in New York, in the region called West Indian Town, and even though I lived in Connecticut, I was familiar with some of the West Indian culture, but apparently not enough. I recall entering a store, and one of the staffs asked if I ever partake in the Blessed sacrament as he does daily, and they always have some on hand. When I heard this expression, I initially thought this must be a religious group, and that was lovely of him to be bold about their blessed practice. Before I could answer, my friend stormed into the store and literally had pushed me out of the store as I had rambled to him about the mans kind offer. He firmly told the store owner, No thank you, we do not want any blessed sacraments now or ever. I was totally confused as I know we partake in the blessed sacraments as communion with God. Outside, I was shockingly educated by my friend that this individual was a Rastafarian from the country of Jamaica and the word blessed sacrament meant marijuana and not the Hol y sacraments as my Christian heritage would have me understand the term.

READING ANALYSIS 1 References Alban, D. H. (2011). Created for connection. Your calling as a communicator in todays world. (1st ed.). Carol Stream. IL: Tyndale House Publisher.