In this lesson, students learn about communicating honestly. They explore different ways communication can be changed through interpretation and intentionally misleading.

The learner will:

• define eschew and obfuscation.
• brainstorm and identify ways to be honest or dishonest in verbal communication.

copy of the list of six statements (See Teacher Preparation) on the board or on a handout

Anticipatory Set

Tell the students that your goal for them in their writing and all communication is that they eschew obfuscation. Ask them what they think of that goal. Most students will not understand the phrase. Tell them the phrase eschew obfuscation means "to avoid purposely concealing the meaning of the communication." (Eschew means "to avoid"; obfuscation is "making meaning unclear.") (This is an example of irony because the phrase itself is an example of obfuscation.)

• Ask the students to brainstorm what it means to be honest in communication. Make sure their definitions include being straightforward, telling the truth, giving complete information, showing intent to be understood, and being sincere. Honesty in communication means that in writing and in speech and other nonverbal communication, you are straightforward in expressing the truth without misleading.
• Tell the students to pair up. Give them a list of statements and questions to read to each other. Tell them to take turns reading the statements in different ways in order to communicate different meanings. They may use tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and other means to change the meaning, intent, or sincerity of the sentences. Give the students five minutes to experiment with this.

1. Don't you love those dandelions?
2. Are you ready yet?
3. What are you doing?
4. We were gone for three hours.
5. The pencil was on my desk.
6. It is my turn to do that.

• Meet as a whole group. Discuss how facial expressions and body language and tone change meaning.
• Review obfuscation. Ask what can make the meaning unclear when they are communicating verbally. Lead students to recognize that tone might not match body language and make meaning unclear. Ask students what they can do to make their meaning clear and honest when communicating with others.