How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable

As bestselling author Suzette Haden Elgin proves, you don't have tolive your life on red alert. With her Gentle Art of VerbalSelf-Defense techniques, you'll be able to respond clearly tohostile comments from others--or deliver necessary negativemessages of your own--without sacrificing your dignity orprinciples. You'll learn to: * Keep domestic disagreements from escalating * Deliver criticism to coworkers, employers, or employees * Handle aggressive, negative comments about race, politics, orreligion * Provide discipline without increasing hostility * Use language that reduces tension and creates rapport in everysituation

OVERVIEW. Is Hostile Language Bad? Is Hostile Language Necessary? LAYING THE FOUNDATION. Detachment. Listening. Metaphors. TECHNIQUES. Using the Satir Modes. Using Presuppositions. Managing the Verbal Attack Patterns. Reducing Tension, Increasing Rapport. Conclusion. References and Bibliography. Index.