07.28.10

In today's class, we looked at the models of Mark Knapp's Relational Development Model and Steve Duck's Filtering Theory Model. Both models and theories made me reflect on my relationships with my family and friends. Regarding the Knapp's Relational Development Model, I was able to relate all my relationships with this model because the relationships started and ended the way the model showed. I don't completely agree with Steve Duck's Filtering Theory Model because there are people have relationships who are very different when it comes to demographics, environmental factors, or physical looks. Those relationships are initiated and maintained because they are close emotionally, and all of the other superficial factors isn't always the reason. Overall, a good relationship requires a proactive communication between the two people. The professor also discussed about how the media affects relationships and communication. I was slightly worried when he mentioned the face to face communication and how media creates an ideal portrayal of communication between people because I was suppose to talk about that in our group presentation.

Then the professor explained to us about a good persuasive speech. He went through the introduction, body, and conclusion of the speech that has to be presented next week. Going through them, I remembered (as an audience) all the speeches I heard from teachers to the speakers at my high school graduation. We had two speakers, a man who was a politician for Brooklyn and Russell Simmons. The Politician was a short, balding man and I expected him to be boring but he turned out to be a great public speaker. He was very enthusiastic, eager and funny about what he was telling us and everyone had a great time listening to him. On the other hand, when Russell Simmons came out, everyone was shouting, applauding, and screaming. But when he started talking, I realize now that he didn't do a good job at grasping everyone's attention towards the end of his speech because he kept going off track and his voice lacked confidence. I was definitely zoned out during his speech and I was sitting in the front row too. Once again I realized that Communication, especially verbal communication that's done publicly, is difficult and it is learned.