Writing activity for Monday 12 May

Please write a short (100 - 150 word) paragraph where you discuss or describe your position on the naming conventions you used when speaking/addressing the different people you meet. Bring along your written piece to the session on Monday 12 May.

Some background to the topic
This is a contested topic, thus there is lots of disagreement about how we should address each other. Lynn feels that when you speak to her or address her, you should use her first name. You have all expressed your difficulty using her first name and cannot simply switch the approach you are accustomed to use when talking to her.While she says, she understands that you do not have many experiences of addressing a teacher or adult by their first name, she nevertheless feels you should become comfortable with calling her on her first name.

Some guidance

• think about the level of readability
• consider using conjunctions
• watch your sentence construction 
• make sure your sentences have a SUBJECT, VERB and OBJECT
• be creative and try to get your point across

What others say about the cultural impact on greeting

Here are some links to discussions about how different cultures deal with greeting. To help bolster or strengthen your position/argument it might be helpful to read these short articles. You could also include some statements or ideas made in these articles in your written piece. Of course if you find other interesting and relevant 'conversations' about this topic online, you can include this in your piece too.

• Different stages of respect in Zulu culture