Task 4. Checkmate

Ex. 1. Identifying aspects of communication. Read the story “Checkmate” by J. Archer and get ready to dwell on the main elements of the communicative episode described in the text.

1. Did the participants of the chess tournament expect such a girl to attend the event? Give your reasons.

2. Say what opinion and why the author formed of Amanda and the accountant. What style of behavior did he expect from them?

2. Compare the story-teller’s expectations as regards Amanda and the actual state of things. What surprised him about her behavior both in the club and in his flat?

3. Analyse the nonverbal means of communication in the episode. Do you agree that the nonverbal message is more informative in this episode than the verbal one?

4. What were the consequences of the author’s wrong judgments?

Ex. 2. Discussion. Express your opinion about the following. What factors can affect the first impression of a person?

Ex. 3. Follow-up. Analyse the short story in terms of the participants’ perception.

Task 5. Broken Routine

Ex. 1. Identifying aspects of communication. Read the story “Broken Routine” by J. Archer and get ready to dwell on the main elements of the communicative episode described in the text.

1. Describe Septimus Horatio Cornwallis as a communicant. What principles did he rely upon in his communicative behavior?

2. Say what allowed Septimus to act mindlessly.

3. Why was he at a loss on the day when “things went wrong”? Why did he find himself in such an unpleasant situation?

4. How did people normally react to Septimus’ behavior? How did they react to his behavior on that day?

5. What made Septimus classify the youth on the train as someone belonging to a particular type of people?

6. Describe the “battle” between Septimus and the insolent youth. Who won? Why made you arrive at this conclusion?

7. Think of some ways that could help Septimus overcome automatic processing.

Ex. 2. Discussion. Express your opinion about the following. Septimus believes that sur­prise and timing in the final analysis are the weapons of Victory. Do you agree with this statement? Did Septimus himself live according to this principle?

Ex. 3. Follow-up. Analyse the short story in terms of the participants’ perception. Make use of the following terms: scripts, person prototypes, mindless and mindful processing.

Task 6. The Challenge of Straight Talking

Ex. 1. Identifying aspects of communication. Read the newspaper article “The Challenge of Straight Talking” by S. Stern and get ready to dwell on the main elements of the communicative episode under consideration.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14