Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Metaphor
My job is a rollercoaster ride - up one minute, down the next and I am constantly traveling in circles, going nowhere. One hour they ask me to do one thing, the next hour it is something completely different. It would appear that the managers have never spent any time on the frontlines of day-to-day store operations. There is never enough time to finish a task, but always time to ask why nothing ever changes. Management is a pail of conflicting decisions, daily pouring out confusing directives to store staff. I am one of the buckets into which the muck of confusion and indecision flows. This constant state of confusion has the rest of the staff walking around with a dazed look on their faces, never quite sure what to do next. In so many ways, I am the tread that moves swiftly on a treadmill but goes nowhere in never changing scenery. Yet, I still live in the misguided belief that I am the shining star that, given the opportunity, could point the way to a better approach.
Language
Kirby and Goodpaster indicate that language is the software of our brain and that "language is the landscape of our minds" (1995, p.94). Whichever the metaphor, it is clear that thinking cannot be separated from language. Language translates thinking into communication with others and has three primary purposes—to provide information, to explain, and to use persuasion (Messina and Messina, 2005).
Facts are one of the tools used when trying to inform or explain. The suitable use of language can make the difference between moving knowledge forward properly and spreading rumors. As language has the ability to distort information, it is important that explanation be as clear as possible to ensure that it will be understood correctly.
It is also essential to be aware of context when imparting information. Context helps to determine the type and style of language used in different situations (Kirby & Goodpaster, 1995). For...
Please login to view the full essay...