Paper #2 Gender Conversational Styles

(3-4 pages, typed, single spaced, minimum 3 scholarly sources)

Analyze an actual relationship that illustrates differences and/or similarities in womens and
mens conversational styles as described by Deborah Tannens Rapport versus Report talk.
Use the following headings in bold:
Description of the Relationship
Define the relationship. Parent- child? Boyfriend-girlfriend? (You do not need to give out
names if you feel uncomfortable sharing that information.)
Describe two experiences that illustrate the relationship communication. Be specific.
Conversation Styles
Describe the conversation styles illustrated by the two experiences using Tannens Genderlect
Theory. Choose two from the Rapport versus Report style in the chart below. (i.e.
Connection versus Status and Private talk versus Public talk) Use communication vocabulary.
Give specific examples of the type of communication you witnessed. Specifics will help us
get a clearer picture of the communication and your analysis.
Women
versus
Men
Build rapport...Reports facts
Connection. Status
RelationshipTask
Private Public
Expressive (feelings). Instrumental (facts)
Troubles Talk (offers empathy)..Fix-it Talk (offers advice)
Sounds tentative. Sounds certain
IndirectDirect
Fight because angryFight for fun
Initiates and.Controls conversation
maintains conversation
Communication Strategies
Describe how each partner copes with the differences and/or similarities in conversational
styles. (behavior, feelings, biases) How effective are these coping strategies?
Other Theory
What would you suggest to improve the communication?
How could one of the theories you have studied be applied to improve the
communication?
Power
Describe the power differences in the communication relationship. Is it equal? How would
you change the balance of power?
Conclusion
What relationship communication lessons did you learn from doing this analysis? What can
you use to improve your communication?
Work Cited
West, Richard and Lynn H. Turner. Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and
Application. 4th Ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill, 2010.

Reflection Questions
1. How does this assignment illustrate the growth/change/progress you have had in this class?
2. How you can apply what you've learned in this class to other classes, to the workplace,
and/or to other areas of your life? Please be sincere. Don't over-inflate your claims.