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219
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30 Dec 2025
•
English Language A-Level: Practice Essay on Gender Roles
L
Lauren Giles
@laurengiles_rfks
1 / 3
How Ben Shows Typical Male Communication Patterns
When things get tense in the boardroom, Ben (the only male candidate) immediately starts distancing himself from his teammates using loads of personal pronouns. He throws around statements like "I think the bottom line here" and "it's a failure on your part" - classic examples of what linguists call fact-focused communication.
This perfectly demonstrates Deborah Tannen's Difference Theory, which suggests men communicate through information and facts whilst women focus more on feelings and emotions. Ben's language is all about stating what he believes are hard truths, without any emotional cushioning.
The contrast becomes crystal clear when you compare Ben's blunt statements with Paula's softer "I understand that". It's like watching two completely different conversation styles clash in real time.
Key Insight: Male speech patterns often prioritise directness and factual statements over emotional consideration - exactly what we see with Ben's defensive language choices.
Interruptions and the Dominance Theory Challenge
Here's where things get really interesting - the interruption patterns in this conversation actually challenge some established gender theories. Zimmerman and West's Dominance Theory claims men dominate conversations through interruptions (their research found 55 male interruptions vs just 2 female ones).
But Paula completely flips this script! She interrupts Ben right back with "I'm not surprised you're both going to say that", showing that women can be just as assertive in heated moments. This suggests the dominance theory might not be as clear-cut as researchers once thought.
Ben also demonstrates Jennifer Coates' theory about men rejecting topics introduced by women. When he randomly blurts out "I also got a scholarship to Sandhurst", he's completely ignoring the conversation flow - a classic example of poor turn-taking that actually makes him look like the weaker communicator.
Reality Check: Real conversations don't always follow textbook theories - context and pressure can make anyone break the typical gender communication 'rules'.
Yasmina's Inclusive Communication Style
Yasmina's approach is completely different from her teammates' aggressive tactics. She waits for the shouting match to calm down, then uses brilliant positive politeness strategies that actually work in her favour.
Her opening line "Listen guys, we're talking about this situation" is linguistically fascinating. The imperative "Listen" commands attention, "guys" includes everyone equally, and "we're" creates a semantic field of inclusion that neither Ben nor Paula managed to achieve.
Yasmina also uses tag questions like "ok?" - a classic feminine speech trait that shows politeness whilst still making her point. She follows Grice's Maxim better than anyone else, staying relevant and cooperative instead of creating drama.
This demonstrates Jane Pilkington's theory that women use more positive politeness strategies, making them often more effective communicators in group situations.
Pro Tip: Yasmina's inclusive language style shows how feminine communication traits can actually be more powerful than aggressive, fact-focused approaches in team situations.
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
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The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
English Language A-Level: Practice Essay on Gender Roles
L
Lauren Giles
@laurengiles_rfks
Ever notice how men and women sometimes speak differently in heated situations? This analysis of 'The Apprentice' transcript shows exactly that - revealing fascinating patterns in how gender influences the way we communicate, especially when we're under pressure.
How Ben Shows Typical Male Communication Patterns
When things get tense in the boardroom, Ben (the only male candidate) immediately starts distancing himself from his teammates using loads of personal pronouns. He throws around statements like "I think the bottom line here" and "it's a failure on your part" - classic examples of what linguists call fact-focused communication.
This perfectly demonstrates Deborah Tannen's Difference Theory, which suggests men communicate through information and facts whilst women focus more on feelings and emotions. Ben's language is all about stating what he believes are hard truths, without any emotional cushioning.
The contrast becomes crystal clear when you compare Ben's blunt statements with Paula's softer "I understand that". It's like watching two completely different conversation styles clash in real time.
Key Insight: Male speech patterns often prioritise directness and factual statements over emotional consideration - exactly what we see with Ben's defensive language choices.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Interruptions and the Dominance Theory Challenge
Here's where things get really interesting - the interruption patterns in this conversation actually challenge some established gender theories. Zimmerman and West's Dominance Theory claims men dominate conversations through interruptions (their research found 55 male interruptions vs just 2 female ones).
But Paula completely flips this script! She interrupts Ben right back with "I'm not surprised you're both going to say that", showing that women can be just as assertive in heated moments. This suggests the dominance theory might not be as clear-cut as researchers once thought.
Ben also demonstrates Jennifer Coates' theory about men rejecting topics introduced by women. When he randomly blurts out "I also got a scholarship to Sandhurst", he's completely ignoring the conversation flow - a classic example of poor turn-taking that actually makes him look like the weaker communicator.
Reality Check: Real conversations don't always follow textbook theories - context and pressure can make anyone break the typical gender communication 'rules'.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Yasmina's Inclusive Communication Style
Yasmina's approach is completely different from her teammates' aggressive tactics. She waits for the shouting match to calm down, then uses brilliant positive politeness strategies that actually work in her favour.
Her opening line "Listen guys, we're talking about this situation" is linguistically fascinating. The imperative "Listen" commands attention, "guys" includes everyone equally, and "we're" creates a semantic field of inclusion that neither Ben nor Paula managed to achieve.
Yasmina also uses tag questions like "ok?" - a classic feminine speech trait that shows politeness whilst still making her point. She follows Grice's Maxim better than anyone else, staying relevant and cooperative instead of creating drama.
This demonstrates Jane Pilkington's theory that women use more positive politeness strategies, making them often more effective communicators in group situations.
Pro Tip: Yasmina's inclusive language style shows how feminine communication traits can actually be more powerful than aggressive, fact-focused approaches in team situations.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
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Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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Most popular content: Contrasting Perspectives
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4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user