CLE Online

Morning

Introduction

Overview: Laying the Foundation With Three Points

• how important is gender anyway?
• the two main themes of the course
• the case of childhood play—what are the differences and what it means in later life

Ways in Which Women and Men Differ and Tips on How to Deal With the Differences

• public persona/physicality: what people do when they speak
  • introduction
  • body language
  • use of space
  • physical appearance

The Way People Speak

• basic rhetoric rules
  • the basic rules of language
  • the essence of storytelling
  • the qualities of memorable rhetoric

Afternoon

• basic rhetoric rules, cont’d
  • how to put together a talk or speech
  • openings
  • closings
• the two main differences between male and female speakers
• learning to listen and being polite
• the use of language
• the use of voice
• related topics in oral presentation
  • the physical environment
  • visual aids/PowerPoint
  • nerves
  • humour

Specific Issues in Conversational Style

• directness vs. indirectness
• the use of gossip and small talk
• interruptions
• the uses of humour
• styles that undercut seriousness or credibility
  • apologizing
  • too many questions
  • tag lines and modifiers
  • failure to take credit
  • unhelpful advice and complaining

Special Issues in Gender Communication and the Law

• how the genders deal with conflict and anger differently and how they perceive these differently
• how the genders persuade and argue differently and how they perceive these differently
• specific issues in legal communication
  • oral argument—the do’s
  • oral argument—the don’ts
• how the genders convey expertise, authority, and confidence, and how they perceive these differently
  • expertise
  • authority
• how the genders differ in their behaviour in meetings and groups (hearings)