eng8-u4-focus· UNIT 4. MANNERS AND RULES· ~8 min

Unit 4 Focus: Manners and considerate choices

Describe behaviour, explain its effect, and suggest a respectful alternative.

Talking about manners requires three different response moves. First, describe the observable behaviour without inventing motives. Next, explain a likely effect on another person, using the details in the situation. Finally, propose a practical alternative that respects other people and the shared place. Precise responses connect an action to its effect: speaking loudly can interrupt others, ignoring a speaker can make that person feel unheard, and throwing rubbish can dirty a shared environment.

Key terms

manners — ways of behaving towards other people in social situations
effect — a result that an action has on another person or place
considerate — showing care for other people’s needs and feelings
alternative — a different action that could be chosen
Three response moves
MoveQuestionUseful frame
DescribeWhat is the person doing?The person is ...
ExplainHow may it affect others?This may make/cause ...
SuggestWhat is a considerate alternative?Instead, the person could ...
✎From action to alternative
  1. 1Describe: A passenger plays music aloud in a quiet carriage.
  2. 2Explain: The sound may disturb passengers who are resting.
  3. 3Suggest: The passenger could use headphones at a low volume.
💡Keep the three moves separate

A description states the action; an effect states the result; an alternative proposes a better action.

🚫Avoid mind-reading

Describe the evidence in the situation instead of claiming to know why a person behaved that way.

Rules

  1. 1Describe what the person does before judging the behaviour.
  2. 2Use observable details from the situation; do not invent a motive or personality trait.
  3. 3Explain the effect with a clear action-and-result link.
  4. 4Name the person, group, or shared place affected by the action.
  5. 5Suggest a specific alternative that can be carried out in the same situation.
  6. 6Use respectful language when proposing a better choice.

Practice

1 easy · 1 medium · 1 hard

Up to 10 random questions per test

EasyMediumHardMixed