Warning: Use of undefined constant referer - assumed 'referer' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 102

Warning: Use of undefined constant host - assumed 'host' (this will throw an Error in a future version of PHP) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 105

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 106

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays:102) in /usr/home/essaywo/public_html/essays on line 109
Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication - College Paper

Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication



Throughout the span of the past few weeks I have traversed the globe, visiting several countries and regions, only to realize that although new methods develop, language as a way of expressing ones self has remained the most effective. Despite this fact, language still has its pitfalls. Neil Postman, in his essay “Defending Against the Indefensible,” outlines seven concepts that can be used to aid a student in better understanding the language as a means of communication. He describes how modern teaching methods leave a student vulnerable to the “prejudices of their elders”, further stating that a good teacher must always be skeptical. He urges teachers of all subjects to break free ...

Want to read the rest of this paper?
Join Essayworld today to view this entire essay
and over 50,000 other term papers

“ It is a form of stupidity when to accept without reflection someone else’s definition.” He wants people to realize that definitions are not god given, and that to question the validity is acceptable. Upon looking in a dictionary at any word you will see that all have several meanings. The same may apply to our lives, while one definition may apply to you another may not.
The ability to question a definition is a crucial part of communication. For example: in the practice of law a case might call for someone to define the freedom of press, and that very definition may mean two completely different things to two different people. Postman’s first principle was one that I feel needed to be addressed. Too often our teachers impose the same definition they learned, valid, or not. If one is not allowed to defend a definition, especially an unjust one, then communication becomes more difficult.
“All the knowledge one could ever attain is by asking questions, so logically these ...

Get instant access to over 50,000 essays.
Write better papers. Get better grades.


Already a member? Login


CITE THIS PAGE:

Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication. (2004, October 12). Retrieved December 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Defending-Against-The-Indefensible-Understanding-Communication/15765
"Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 12 Oct. 2004. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Defending-Against-The-Indefensible-Understanding-Communication/15765>
"Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication." Essayworld.com. October 12, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Defending-Against-The-Indefensible-Understanding-Communication/15765.
"Defending Against The Indefensible: Understanding Communication." Essayworld.com. October 12, 2004. Accessed December 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Defending-Against-The-Indefensible-Understanding-Communication/15765.
JOIN NOW
Join today and get instant access to this and 50,000+ other essays


PAPER DETAILS
Added: 10/12/2004 12:29:53 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1065
Pages: 4

Save | Report

SHARE THIS PAPER

SAVED ESSAYS
Save and find your favorite essays easier

SIMILAR ESSAYS
» Neil Postman
» Neil Postman
Copyright | Cancel | Contact Us

Copyright © 2024 Essayworld. All rights reserved