COMM104: COMMUNICATION SKILLS
JOURNAL ENTRIES
DUE: NO LATER THANOCTOBER 17, 2011
ENTRY 1
As your first blog post, you are required to introduce yourself. Please state the following: Your name, your major, Tell us a little about yourself, Rate yourself on a scale of 1-10 on how effective you are as a communicator, 1 being ineffective and 10 being effective, and lastly, brain storm ways you can improve on your areas of weakness as a communicator.
ENTRY 2
Your personal response to the event that took place on 9/11. Did it have any impact on your life? Yes, No? State the reasons for your answer! Did the even change any of your personal point of views? Do you think differently after this event?
ENTRY 3
What is your perception of you? In about 1 paragraph state how you perceive you!
ENTRY 4
Select one local Trinidad and Tobago newspaper. Choose one article and comment about it. What is your perception of the article? What perception was formed after reading the article?
ENTRY 5
How does your culture impact the way you communicate? How does it influence your verbal and nonverbal behaviors?
ENTRY 6
What did you learn from the in-class presentations on culture?
ENTRY 7
What did you learn from the culture you presented in class? Was that culture strange to you? If you did learn something new, how does the new knowledge influence the way you communicate now.
ENTRY 8
Choose one article from your local newspaper and comment about it. What is your perception of the article? What perception was formed after reading the article?
ENTRY 9
Are you an effective verbal communicator? Is there clarity in your speech? Do you demonstrate linguistic sensitivity?
ENTRY 10
Do you use slang in your everyday conversations? Why? Do you think you use slang appropriately? State the reasons for your answer!
Journal Entry (1)
ReplyDeleteWho am I?
Hi dear, my name is Ryan B. Mc Clatchie and I am from the beautiful and tranquil island of Tobago. I am currently pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and a minor in Finance. I love sports especially football and enjoy the outdoors like wilderness camping, fishing, hiking, rock climbing and rappelling just to name a few. In terms of being a good communicator I rate myself as 7 on a scale of 1 - 10. I communicate effectively orally; I am a good listener and can quickly assess a person thoughts and feelings. Some of the challenges I face when communicating are (1) People being able to understand my Tobagonian accent. (2) I write really fast most of the times, which makes it difficult for others to understand my hand writing and (3) I have somewhat a shaky foundation in being able to write Standard English and a limited vocabulary. I know what the solutions are and its importance but hope that someday I will be committed and willing to develop my communication skills through various means like writing slower and practicing cursive writing. Study and practice good Standard English Language through speaking, reading and writing at the university level. It is my hope that at the end of this course I will achieve the necessary skills of an effective and efficient communicator.
Journal Entry (2)
ReplyDeleteMemories of 9/11 and how it affected me.
I remember that morning of September 11th 2001; I have just arrived home from my family’s garden which was located two miles from my home. As my custom was I usually turn on the television to watch another episode of “Due South” while getting something to eat in the kitchen. But that morning was different, I was already late for the time the show usually starts and when I turn on the television, all I can see on the TV screen was a tall building engulf in flames. So I thought I had the wrong challenge so I switched the channel and there it was again the burning tower. Then I read as the word scrolled along the bottom of the screen “America under attack”. I said to myself “seriously this can’t be happening”. Then as the thoughts ran through my head in amazement I saw an aircraft crashed into the second tower. Stunned by the horrific scene I had just witness, I immediately call to my dad’s attention; “looks what happening on the TV. They are bombing America!” The TV was left on for the entire day as we kept update on the events of 9/11. A few years later, my father was blind for a couple of weeks because he was afraid to travel to America by plane for the first time to visit my brother who lives there. This situation was very hard on my family. Eventually we got additional help and my father was able to regain his sight and make the trip to America.
After the 1990 attempted over through of government in our country, I was always skeptical and cautious of Muslims. Now the events of 9/11 just drive my thoughts about them home further. I don’t hate them but I think some of their beliefs and views of life are rather misleading as it relates to the path towards God and reflecting His image in our daily life. I don’t have any family or friends who are Muslims and surely don’t have a sound knowledge about their doctrines. I would communicate, discuss opinions and work with them. I remember in 2006 while in a five weeks university orientation program, I was attracted to this Muslim young lady who was covered from head to toe. What I admired about her was her devotion toward her religion and her caring attitude towards other. Afiyah had some of the qualities such as faithfulness, loyalty, kindness etc. that I was looking for in a prospective wife. Sadly, I am a bit afraid of what they are capable of doing and still skeptical and cautious about them and my feelings towards them may not change.
Journal Entry (3)
ReplyDeleteMy perception of me and how do I perceive myself?
Surely, for one thing, I have always perceived myself as a work in progress. I appreciate who I am and always strive to become a better person which includes the Christian perspective. I have strong confidence in myself and know that I am resilient, patient and persistent towards my dreams and goals. I have a calm, gentle, compassionate and quiet personality. There are some things that I am not totally good at for example art, socializing with people and sports, but I enjoy doing them and truly haven’t worked hard enough to turn my weakness into strengths. I believe I can if work at it. What I love most about my self is the power of my mind which God has blessed me with. Mostly in terms of problem solving, intuition, creativity, thirst for knowledge and innovation. Sometimes I am scared to use it to my fullest potential to find out what I am capable of. I am amazed by some of the things I accomplish that seemed quiet impossible for me to do. I am generally able to get along good with others and make new friends.
Journal Entry (4)
ReplyDeleteNews paper article review.
Sunday Newsday Magazine: Mentality, issue 66
Sunday 16th October, 2011
Lifestyle Mentality, page 7
Performance Time by James Dupraj.
The main focus of the article deals with men’s performance anxiety and how it affects their performance at work, in the bedroom, in relationships and in life. Some of the main points highlighted in the article are (1) Performance anxiety is inescapable, which manifest itself innately and all men suffer from anxieties, even though they think that they are strong, fearless and possess a big ego. (2) Accept the fact that some things in life cannot be change and we must learn to adapt to it. (3) We are not perfect individuals or saints, but should strive to be the best we can and do not place value on your self base on the perception of others. (4) Anxiety is not meant to scare us, but rather inspire us to reach our fullest potential without fear. Finally, (5) Performance anxiety should make us evaluate and make wise decision about our life situations, job, relationship and life goals.
I think that article was quite informative and did address some issues on performance anxiety that affect males. As men including my self we do worry about the being the best performing person in the work place or at school. Always trying to satisfy our female counterpart in bed and gaining her acknowledgement that we please her well. Keeping our relationship blossoming and meaningful and striving to accomplish all our life goals at certain points in age before dying. I always try to keep this Bible text in mind “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty… I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Phillipians 4: 6-7 & 11-13. I think its all about patience and mind over matter.
In general the article serves to strengthen and in some aspects adjust the views and attitudes of some men towards certain issues in life that affects them. I agree with the underling goals of this article and the magazine in its entity of reshaping the values, attitudes and priorities of men especially in today’s society; so that we can become better men, fathers, husbands, boyfriends, sons and brothers in our society and treat others especially women with love and due respect.