How do conversations work?

Question 1

What is an everyday conversation?

Answer 1

1. The term conversation refers to talk that involves more than one participant.
2. The connotations of ‘everyday conversation’ may suggest an interaction that is: (5)

Question 2

The connotations of ‘everyday conversation’ may suggest an interaction that is: (5)

Answer 2

a. Spontaneous
b. Private
c. Equal
d. Perhaps trivial
e. Usually polite

Question 3

What is a sequence of turns called?

Answer 3

An exchange

Question 4

What is each turn within an exchange called?

Answer 4

A move

Question 5

What’s an Adjacency Pair

Answer 5

It is a sequence of two related utterances by two different speakers - the second turn is a response to the first.

Question 6

Turn-taking (3)

Answer 6

• Turn-taking is intrinsically linked with power and status and these key terms should feature in any essay that you write.
• In an exam look carefully at who takes the most turns or speaks for the longest amount of time (holding the floor). This can be done pretty quickly and so can be done pretty early on.
• Context is key, as taking the most turns does not necessarily mean that the speaker is in control.