Voices of Modern Culture

Activity 1.5continuedCreating Group NormsThe quotations that follow reflect how people act when theycommunicate with each other. Read the quotations and make inferencesabout how to best communicate with others.“The problem with communication . . . is the illusion that it has beenaccomplished.” George Bernard Shaw“The newest computer can merely compound, at speed, the oldestproblem in the relations between human beings, and in the end thecommunicator will be confronted with the old problem, of what to sayand how to say it.” Edward R. Murrow“The greatest compliment that was ever paid me was when someoneasked me what I thought, and attended to my answer.” Henry DavidThoreauGrammar&UsageNotice the reciprocalpronoun of each other inthe second line. Reciprocalpronouns show a two-wayaction, as in two peoplecommunicating. Each otheris used to describe actionsbetween two people. Oneanother is also a reciprocalpronoun and is used todescribe actions betweenmore than two people, asin students in the classcommunicating with oneanother.“Most conversations are simply monologues delivered in the presenceof a witness.” Margaret Miller“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Mostpeople never listen.” Ernest Hemingway“I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach meanything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening.” Larry King© 2011 College Board. All rights reserved.“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.” Turkish ProverbIdentify two to three norms (guidelines) you and your fellow students canfollow to communicate effectively when you work with partners or in groups.1.2.3.Unit 1 • Voices of Modern Culture 15