Chapter 4

Common sense is a big part of peoples narratives and is often the source of connection for groups of people. Common sense is similar knowledge shared by a group of people that has been learned through time. Through communicative practices common sense is established through a commonality of practices. Thus, when we do the "same practices over and over again" (64) people no longer have to think about them and the action or idea become natural. For example, children learn at a young age in kindergarten to write their names in the upper right hand corner. This prepares them for all the grades ahead and becomes like second nature to them. Hence, the action of writing your name in the upper right hand corner becomes common sense. However, some kids may never learn this action and or choose not to write their name in the upper right hand corner. In addition, this mean that that what is common sense to one person isn't common sense to all other people.

When you are trying to appeal to a certain audience it is important to be aware of the knowledge your audience possesses in order to make your point most effectively. For example, if I am going to make a speech to a class I need to understand who my audience is and where they come from so I understand what is and isn't common sense to them. Thus, I know what information I have to share and elaborate on in order to get my point across. If someone doesn't know what communication ethics is then before you argue whether something is ethical, one must understand what the meaning of ethics is. In addition, people also have different versions of what ethics are based on their culture, personnel experience, sex, class, race and age. Once you can come to an understanding about what ethics are with another individual you can understand what is and isn't ethical.

In conclusion, common sense contributes to the narrative of individuals because it is things that we learn over time that construct how we act in the present. I think that it's important to be aware of all the different versions of common sense and what common sense means to other people. Being respectable of everyone and what they may or may not know is important when conversing with other individuals.