Reexamine Tannen. (Retrospe - Assignment Example

Deborah Tannen: The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue Why does Tannens work matter? Tannens work matter because it provides a critical analysis on how the world seems to be focusing on proving ourselves correct while others are wrong.2. What are the most important points to me? For me, the most important point is the difference of the Western and Asian styles of debate and argument. Tannen discusses how there will always be more than one side in every issue.3. What do I do with this information?

This information is important especially in classroom set-ups, where childrens knowledge and character are being shaped.4. How do I use it? In classroom debates, for example, we can encourage enlightenment and integration of ideas rather than opposing every point that goes against our personal beliefs and principles.5. How do I make connections between this reading and life experience? Communication is an essential part of everyday lives. I believe that if people were to listen more to what others are saying, we would realize that “they, too, have a point.

” There will be lesser fights over issues and more collaborations on how to solve differences among individuals.6. Where might I observe “real life” situations that put Tannens principles “to the test”? In our day to day living, we get into discussions that either go with or against our own ideas. For example, in classrooms, subjects such as English can provide a wide array of topics to debate about. If we apply the principle of being open to all ideas and reaching a compromise regarding which ones are the best, more people will be less scared to voice out their opinions.7. Why would I want to do that?

It is an common knowledge that in classroom debates, not everybody becomes involved in arguments. This is most probably not due to lack of opinions, but in lack of strong points that will counter the “strong debaters” standpoint. This is a common, but not a good scenario. Everyone should be encouraged to present their opinions, no matter how small they are. If this kind of attitude is present in classrooms, more and more students will be braver to present their ideas without the fear of being ridiculed or rejected.

For all we know, we can learn more if more people will be encouraged to talk. On a deeper perspective, this will also instill tolerance to those who are different from us --- something that the world needs so much these days.Works CitedTannen, Deborah. “The Roots of Debate in Education and the Hope of Dialogue.” The New Humanities Reader. Ed. Miller, Richard E. Wadsworth Pub. Co, 2011. 402-424. Print.