Breakdown Repair
You are giving a group presentation. You notice your team member in the audience making a subtle "slow down" gesture while two classmates in the back row are leaning forward and squinting at your slide.
How do you repair the breakdown?
pausing, slowing your speaking pace, and asking, "Should I go back to explain this diagram before we move on?"
In the sentence "Unlike her sister who was completely hesitant to try out for the team, Maria walked up to the coach with total confidence," what does hesitant mean? What could you say to help Maria's sister?
unsure, slow to act, or reluctant
"You got this!"
You receive a $0 on an assignment you submitted on time because the file format didn't open on the teacher's computer. Draft a professional email to resolve this.
"Dear [Teacher], I noticed I received a zero for [Assignment]. I uploaded it on [Date], but it seems the file format may have glitched. I've re-attached it as a PDF here. Could you please take a look?"
You are studying in the library for a mid-term exam. A friend sits down next to you and starts showing you videos on their phone, ignoring your quiet environment.
Setting a firm, friendly boundary: "These are funny, but I am really stressed about this midterm and need to focus for the next 45 minutes. Let's catch up after class."
During a group lab, you explain a complicated calculation. A peer nods and says, "Yeah, totally, makes sense," but when you look at their paper, they haven't written anything down and are staring blankly at their calculator.
How do you repair the breakdown?
identifying an breakdown (nodding out of politeness) and repairing it by offering a visual or step-by-step direction: "Let me write out the first equation on paper so we can do the steps together."
The prefix pre- means "before." What does a pregame speech or a preview mean?
How might an athlete feel while giving a pregame speech?
a speech given before a game, or an inspection/showing before something starts?
Nervous or excited
At your part-time job, your manager schedules you for a 6:00 PM shift on Thursday night—the exact time you told them during hiring that you have a mandatory varsity game.
"Hi [Manager], I noticed I'm on the schedule for Thursday evening. As we discussed during my interview, I have a mandatory game at that time. Would it be okay if I swap shifts with [Co-worker], or how should we adjust this?"
A friend group plans a weekend trip to an amusement park. They expect everyone to chip in $60, but that is out of your budget right now.
"That sounds awesome, but it's out of my budget right now. I'll have to pass on the park, but let me know if you guys hang out for dinner later!"
You send a lengthy, detailed email to a teacher asking three specific questions about a missed assignment. The teacher replies: "Thanks! Just hand it in by Friday."
How do you repair the breakdown?
replying with your question reworded
In the sentence "The instructions for the project were ambiguous, leaving everyone confused about what was actually due on Friday," what does ambiguous mean?
How may you feel if the instructions were ambiguous?
unclear, vague, or open to more than one meaning
frustrated or confused
You are assigned to a 4-person group project where 2 members are refusing to do their assigned slides, leaving you and one other student to do all the work 24 hours before the deadline.
"We have completed our sections of the project, but we've run into an issue with how to divide up the work Could we talk about this?"
A peer you aren't close with repeatedly makes sarcastic "jokes" about your quiet personality in front of others during lunch.
"I know you're trying to be funny, but I don't appreciate those comments. Let's drop it."
You use sarcasm during a stress-filled meeting with your group for a group project, saying, "Oh sure, because that plan works every single time." A group member takes it literally, looks alarmed, and starts deleting their work.
How do you repair the breakdown?
"I'm sorry, I was using sarcasm out of frustration. Your work is great—let's stick with what you were doing."
The root word bio means "life," and graphy means "written down." What is a biography?
a written story or account of a person's life
You have an IEP accommodation for extended time on exams. A substitute teacher announces, "Pencils down, time is up!" and comes to collect your paper mid-test.
"I have an IEP accommodation for extended test time. Can I please finish my test?"
You are explaining a technical error to your lab partner. You notice them checking their phone and zoning out as you explain the specific line of code.
How do you repair the breakdown?
stop using difficult and hard to understand language and reword your response
In the sentence "The coach made a hostile remark to the referee after the bad call, resulting in a technical foul," what is a synonym for hostile?
Do you think the coach is correct for making a hostile remark?
angry, unfriendly, aggressive
During a interview, the interviewer gives you feedback that feels unfair: "It seems like you lack leadership experience." How do you advocate for yourself respectfully without arguing?
"I appreciate that feedback. Some experience I have is____."