10. Profits of Praise

Maxims on praise

Our praises are our wages. --Shakespeare

I can live for two months on a good compliment.

---Mark Twain

About praise

Group discussion on class: 1 Try to collect more sayings about

praise.

2 Exchange one’s attitude about praise with each other.

About praise

世界上，不只是演员需要掌声，如果没有赞扬和鼓励，任何人都会丧失自信，我们大家都有一 种双重需要，即被别人称赞和去称赞别人。

没有人不会被真心诚意的赞赏所触动，因为只有真诚才能使赞语具有效力，真诚地赞扬人，才能帮助我们消除在日常接触中所产生的种种摩 擦与不快。如同艺术家在把美带给别人时感到 愉快一样，任何掌握了赞扬艺术的人都会发现， 赞扬不仅给听者，也给自己带来极大的愉快。 它给平凡的生活带来了温暖的快乐，把世界的 喧闹声变成了音乐。

人人都有值得称道的地方， 我们只须把它说出来就是了。

The power of praise

赞扬是阳光 , 没有它生活的花儿便不能开放 ; 赞扬是黏合剂 , 能聚合众多的朋友在您身边 ; 赞扬是一缕清新的空气 , 扫除沉闷 , 催人向上 ; 给予赞扬只需付出片刻的思索和努力 , 然而产生的效果却难以估量 .

The organization of the textPart (paras.1-3) a praise changed the author’s Ⅰ

attitude.

Part (paras.4-6) some statements about praise and Ⅱits power

Part (paras.7-10) praise can bring us something Ⅲunexpected

Part (paras.11-12) an experiment of the scientists Ⅳshows that praise helps people to improve quickly

Part (paras.13-14) the author calls on to pay more Ⅴattention to the power of praise

Word learning profit 益处　利润 exhaust 使筋疲力尽 stain 玷污 weary 厌倦的　厌烦的 discourage 使灰心 dozen 一打（二十个） quit 退出　离职 apply 运用　实施 reluctant 勉强的 earn 赢得　挣得 compliment 赞美 invest 投资

graceful 优美的大方的 embarrass 使尴尬 defensive 防御的 pat 轻拍 convey 传达 flatter 奉承 relay 传送 rewarding 值得的　报答的 glorious 辉煌的 appreciate 欣赏　感激 constructive 建设性的 alert 警觉的

Complete the table below

hostess girl students

god gentlemen

Prince lion

aunt policewoman

nephew heroine

cow actor

Complete the table below (key)

hostessgirl

students

god gentlemen

prince lion

aunt policewoman

nephew heroine

cow actor

host boy students

goddess lady

princess

policeman

niece hero

bull actress

lioness

uncle

The frame of Part Ⅰ

In the para. 1, author narrated her own experience as a waitress on the first day and said “I was ready to quit”.

But in paras. 2-3 the author received praises from the customer and her manager, suddenly she changed her attitude towards her job.

In one word, the author stated

her own point of view towards

praise and its power.

The frame of Part Ⅰ Translate the following sentence of para.1:

As I made out a complicated check for a family with several children who had changed their ice-cream order a dozen times, I was ready to quit.

当我为有好几个孩子的一家人开好一份复杂的帐单时－－因为这些孩子们在要冰激凌时换来换去有十几次之多－－我都准备辞职不干了。

Those few words of praise had changed everything.

那两句赞扬的话改变了一切。

The frame of Part Ⅱ

In para. 4, the author stated what is praise and the importance of praise to human beings: praise is like sunlight to human spirit.

In para. 5, the author told us that why can praise of a word bring us pleasure.

In para. 6, the author put forward her point of view that: people are not used

to giving praise because we are

not accustomed to accepting it.

The frame of Part Ⅰ Translate the following sentences in paras.

4-6: Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit; we

cannot flower and grow without it.对于人的精神来说，赞扬就像阳光一样；没有它我们就不能开花生长。

Perhaps it’s because few of us know how to accept compliments gracefully.

这也许是因为我们很少有人最低怎样大大方方地接受赞扬。

The frame of Part Ⅱ When one thinks of the speed with which s

piteful remarks are conveyed, it seems a pity that there isn’t more effort to relay pleasing and flattering comments.

当我们想到那些充满恶意的言辞传播得速度之快，我们就会感到，人们没有做出更大的努力来传递令人愉快、高兴的评语似乎是太遗憾了。

The frame of Part Ⅲ

In para. 7. It tells us: praise is especially rewarding to those whose efforts goes unnoticed and unmentioned.

In para. 8. It shows that praise is particularly appreciated by those doing routine jobs.

In para. 9. the author narrates a fact that: although we know the value of praise, we are still not perceptive enough.

The frame of Part Ⅲ

In para. 10. the author

takes teachers for example:

teachers are aware of

the value of praise.

To sum up, Part mainlyⅢ tells us that: praise can bring

us something unexpected.

The frame of Part Ⅲ Translate the following sentence of paras.7-10:

Praise is especially rewarding to those whose efforts goes unnoticed and unmentioned.

对于通常不为人们注意或提及的努力加以赞扬是特别有益的。

Mothers know instinctively that for children an ounce of praise worth a pound of scolding.

母亲们本能地知道，对于孩子们来说，一句赞扬抵得上十句责骂．

The frame of Part Ⅳ

In paras. 11-12. The author stated the result of an experiment carried out by the behavioral scientists. It shows that praise helps people to improve quickly.

In virtue of this experiment,

the author emphasizes the

power of praise to human

beings.

The frame of Part Ⅳ Translate the following sentence of paras.11-

12:

Behavioral scientists have done countless experiments to prove that any human being tends to repeat an act which has been immediately followed by a pleasant result.行为科学家已经做过无数次试验，证明任何人都往往会重复一个立即产生出愉快结果的动作．

The frame of Part Ⅴ

In paras. 13-14. The author ended the passage by calling on to pay more attention to the power of praise.

In this part, the author quoted the saying of Mark Twain—I can live for two months on a good compliment. which strengthened her point of view.

The frame of Part Ⅴ Translate the following sentence of paras.1

1-12:

To give praise costs the giver nothing but a moment’s thought and a moment’s effort.给予赞扬只需要给予者付出片刻的思索和片刻的努力．

We will not only bring joy into other people’s lives, but also, very often, added happiness into our own.我们将不仅给别人的生活带来欢乐，而且还常常会给我们自己的生活增添更多的乐趣．　

Language points

1 profit: n. advantages or good obtained from sth.; mone

y gained in business Eg. Your mother did that for your profit. What’s the profit of doing that thing? Frank makes profits

by buying and

selling stocks.

Language points

vt. Be of advantage to Eg. The new bus route profits those who do not

have cars. It will profit you to absorb as much knowledge a

s

possible while at university. vi. Be benefited or helped Eg. I profited a lot from the trip abroad.

Language points 2 exhaust: v. tire out① Eg. We all felt exhausted by the stiff hike. ② use up Eg. The hero’s strength was exhausted aft

er a long time in prison. The king soon exhausted every penny in t

he national treasury.

Language points

n. outlet, in an engine or machine, for steam, vapor, etc. that has done its work

Eg. The young man committed suicide by breathing in the car exhaust.

The motorcycle has an open exhaust.

Language points

3 as, like: As can be used with a noun in the same

way as like, both being prepositions.

But there is some difference in meaning in that as has more emphasis on a specified capacity whereas like is basically synonymous with “in the manner of”

Language points

Take a look at the difference between as and like.

He worked as a slave.= he was a slave. He worked like a slave.

= He worked in the manner of a slave, but he was a free man

Language points

4 load: v. put a full amount of things on or in sth. Eg. The father loaded the family into their

new truck and drove west. n. that which is to be carried or supported Eg. Your arrival took a load off my mind. The tractor has a full load wheat.

Language points

5 discourage: Cause to lose courage or confidence Eg. Don’t let failure discourage you. The hero in the Greek mythology was never

discouraged by his numerous misfortunes.

Language points

6 make out: write out Eg. The shop assistant made out a receipt for th

e customer who bought a camera.

7 dozen: twelve Eg. These eggs are sold at 99 cents a dozen.

Language points

8 quit: Stop doing something and leave Eg. George doesn’t like his present job as a wait

er. He is quitting. I have quit my job. I am now making a living by

freelancing.

Language points

9 only too: very Eg. If you invite him, he will be only too gl

ad to attend.

10 reluctant: unwilling Eg. The official made a reluctant promise

under the pressure that he would look into the matter.

Language points

11 somehow: In one way or another; for some reason that one

does not understand or is not sure about Eg. We shall go there somehow. Time is pressing, but I will finish the work someh

ow in time.

Language points

12 not much of a: not a very good Eg. He is not much of an artist. The food is so-so, it wasn’t much of a dinner.

13 earn: Bring to or get as deserved, win Eg. Her hard work earned her the respect of her

fellow workers.

Language points

14 embarrass: make awkward or ashamed Eg. The young teacher felt embarrassed t

o speak to a roomful of students. 15 pass on: Convey to another Eg. I passed the message on to all those

whom it concern.

Language points

16 shrug off: Dismiss something as

not deserving one’s

attention or as unimportant Eg. James cut his hand, but he shrugged

off his injury and went on his work. She can shrug off her troubles and keep s

miling.

Language points

17 pat: n. tap with the open hand Eg. She gave the puppy a slight pat. v. tap gently with the open hand or with somethi

ng flat Eg. She patted the seat next to her for him to sit

down.

Language points

18 When one thinks of the speed with which spiteful remarks are conveyed, it seems a pity that there isn’t more effort to relay pleasing and flattering comments. :

When one considers how quickly offensive remarks are passed from one to another, it seems a pity that we do not make effort to pass on compliments that will bring pleasure and satisfaction.

Language points convey: v. make (ideas, views, feelings, etc) kn①

own to another person Eg. I can hardly convey my gratitude in w

ords. ② take; carry Eg. Conveyer belt in the airport convey pa

ssengers from one gate to another.

Language points

flatter: give an often exaggerated feeling of plea

sure to; praise insincerely (in order to please)

Eg.He was flattered into believing that he was really exceptional.

George was flattering Mary when he said she was a brilliant artist; he didn’t really mean it.

Language points

comment: n. opinion, explanation or judgment written or sp

oken about an event, book, person, state of affairs, etc.

Eg. Any comments on this topic are welcome. v. give opinion, explanation or judgment Eg. The State Department spokesman refused t

o comment on the recent political situation in East Europe.

Language points

19 it’s especially rewarding to give praise in areas in which efforts generally goes unnoticed and unmentioned.

It’s particularly beneficial to praise those who do unexciting routine jobs and whose efforts is usually ignored or overlooked.

generally: usually; in most cases Generally the morning post arrives at 7:00.

Language points

20 when the shirts are done just right: when the shirts are washed or cleaned exactly

as excepted.

21 paper boy: A boy who delivers or sells newspapers

Language points

22 appreciate: understand and enjoy; be thankful for Eg. It was such a wonderful play I really appreci

ated it.

23. constructive: helping Eg. Students are urged to make full use of their

summer vacation time.

Language points

24 routine: adj. not unusual or exciting; regular Eg. Relax. This is just a routine medical c

heck. n. fixed and regular way of doing things Eg. His daily routine begins with checking

E-mail messages.

Language points

25 an ounce of praise is worth a pound of scolding:

Praise (in whatever small amount) is far more valuable than scolding (in whatever large amount)

worth: having a value of; deserving Eg. This book is worth 10 dollars. scold: blame with angry words Eg. He scolded her for coming back late.

Language points

26 drown: ① cover completely with water Eg. Two years ago, most of the town was drown

ed by the floods. ② (cause to) die in water because unable to bre

athe Eg. Since ten years ago, over 50 people were dr

owned in the river.

Language points 27 favorably: with approval Eg. The young monitor was looked on fav

orably as a rising star. 28 ignore: not to take notice of; pay no attention to Eg. Those who ignore the traffic lights will

be fined.

Language points

29 criticize: ① find fault with Eg. Why are you always criticizing him? ② form and give a judgment of; to assess

the merits and demerits of Eg. The Sunday newspaper devoted a pa

ge to criticizing new books, films, and plays.

Language points

30 react:

① respond Eg. The government reacted to criticism and im

proved its image this year. ② respond to something with a feeling or take a

ction (against) Eg. Peasants uprose in arms to react against th

e harsh regulations of the Qin dynasty.

Discussion

1 Do you think praise plays an important role in our daily life? List some profits of offering or accepting praises.

2 How do you understand Shakespeare’s word ”our praises are our wages”?

3 Good at offering praise to other is a kind of virtue, according to you, how to acquire this virtue?