Strategies of Spoken Discourse Flashcards
Strategies in Spoken Discourse
help speakers achieve successful communication and create a harmonious social environmet
Topic Management
refers to the methods speakers use to manage a topic within a conversation or monologue
Initiation (topic management)
introducing new topic in a conversation
Development (topic management)
Progression or elaboration of a topic
Shift (topic management)
conversation moves from one topic to another
Change (topic management)
transition from one topic to a different one
Loop (topic management)
revisiting or returning to a previously discussed topic
Termination (topic management)
closure of a topic within a conversation
Turn Taking
refers to the methods by which speakers alternate turns when talking. Prevents from people talking over each other and helps maintain the flow of conversation
Guidelines of turn taking
- change speakers regularly
- speak one at a time
- be orderly
- take turns of any length
- provide cues and feedback
- signal problems (repairs)
Minimal Responses in Turn Taking
a way for listener to show interest and encourage speaker to continue their turn
Adjacency Pairs in Turn Taking
a way to efficiently switch back and forth, using predicable discourse patterns
Pauses in Turn Taking
can be used purposefully to build suspense when storytelling and therefore dissuade other from attempting to take a turn
Filled pauses in Turn Taking
sends the signal that the speaker has not yet finished their turn and wants to continue
Increased Volume in Turn Taking
sends signal that the speaker wishes to continue, particularly if they have observed signs that another participant wishes to speak (take the floor). VPITS
Overlapping speech in Turn Taking
can sometimes be an attempt by another speaker to take the floor. the overlap will continue until one speaker yields the floor
Faster Pace in Turn Taking
sends signal that the speaker wishes to continue, particularly if they have observed signs that another participant wishes to speak (take the floor). VPITS
Politeness Strategies
- politeness refers to language choices that show respect, consideration and awareness of social expectations and norms
- depend on contextual/social factors e.g. degree of social distance
- commonly used to build rapport
Positive Politeness
refers to a persons need to be accepted or liked by others and to be treated as a member of a group knowing that their wants are shared by others
Key Features of Positive Politeness
- emphasising similarity
- showing interest
- using humour
- offering compliments
- using inclusive language
Negative Politeness
refers to a persons need to be independent and not imposed on by others. Strategies focus on reducing imposition placed on the listener
Key Features of Negative Politeness
- hedging (tentative language, avoid, imposing on listeners autonomy e.g. making requests, challenging opinion)
- being indirect and ambiguous (vague language such as hints or euphamisms)
- using low modality verbs (indicate possibility to make requests in less imposing manner)
- apologising (to show defence and acknowledging potential imposition on listener)
- applying other mitigating strategies (soften impact/tone)
Face
the term face is used to describe the aspect of the listener that is being acknowledged through use of politeness strategies
Positive Face
desire for competence, social approval, focusing on recognition, appreciation, inclusion, favourable interactions and positive self-image
Negative Face
desire for autonomy, independence, privacy and freedom, focusing on individuality and personal space
Face-threatening acts
- communication that may pose a threat to individuals positive or negative face, leading to embarrassment, loss of face, offence or conflict
- includes requests, giving directives, complaining, disagreeing, interrupting, delivering bad news
- politeness strategies are used to mitigate face-threatening effects, maintain rapport, harmony, politeness
