The Game Another Way to Say
Another Way to Say is a game that challenges players to think of synonyms and alternate ways to say common phrases. The point of the game is to show how many different ways there can be to express a thought.
A single player starts the round by saying a phrase. The other players volunteer similar sayings until out of options.
For example, if the starting sentence is “the end of the work day,” suggestions might include “quitting time,” “time to punch the clock,” “happy hour,” “overtime,” after-hours,” “rush hour,” “commute home,” and so on.
The exercise can either be a last-man standing competition where the player who continues to contribute longest wins the round, or players can work together to think up phrases. Players are welcome to try to coin new phrases and use descriptive language, however the group can also challenge creative answers.
With this exercise you experience the different meanings that the same phrase can evoke in a group of people. And also, the different ways of expressing the same idea or thought.
Moment of Reflection
- What caught your attention about this exercise and why?
- Can the same message be expressed with different words? Why or why not?
- At any point during the activity did you notice that an alternative to the original sentence was incorrect? Which and why?
- Are there different ways to express and interpret the same idea? What conflicts can emerge if there are different ways of expressing and interpreting?
The topics of this publication: integration, self, diversity, reflection, critical thinking, interactions
