GRE写作素材Section Three: Ideas_GRE写作

GRE写作素材Section Three: Ideas

　　This basic principle is central to many professions. Physicians diagnose before they prescribe. Lawyers brief themselves on the opponent s case. Effective teachers find out what a student already knows before they guide her to ideas. Skilled salespeople find out what a customer s needs are before they present a product.

　　Effective understanding calls for listening without judgment. To enter another person s world, sum up her viewpoint in your own words. If you re conversing with that person, keep revising your summary until she agrees you ve stated her position accurately. If you re reading an article, write a short summary of it. Then scan the article again, checking to see if your summary is on track.

　　Many of us find it difficult to fully permit others a point of view that is much different from ours. Instead we can actually celebrate other people s opinions, knowing that diversity leads to valuable new ideas.

　　Watch for hot spots

　　Notice any anger or discomfort you feel when conversations shift to certain topics. During a presidential election, for instance, politics often becomes a hot spot an area in which defenses rise, assumptions run rampant, and tempers quickly flare. All these things get in the way of thinking thoroughly.

　　Most of us have hot spots. For some people they include abortion or handgun control. Other people heat up when they talk about the death penalty or world government.