Grice (1975)

Question 1

The cooperative principle

Answer 1

He argued that conversations proceed on the assumption that those taking part have common goals and agreed ways of achieving these goals. Four maxims:

Question 2

Maxim of quantity

Answer 2

You shouldn’t speak too much or too little

Question 3

Maxim of relation

Answer 3

What you say should be relevant to the ongoing context of the conversation

Question 4

Maxim of manner

Answer 4

You should avoid ambiguity and obscurity and be orderly in your utterance

Question 5

Maxim of quality

Answer 5

You should be truthful and not say anything that you suspect to be false

Question 6

What if we don’t follow these?

Answer 6

The maxims are said to be flouted. This can lead to conversational difficulties and breakdown.