Learning Target: I can have a comfortable, casual conversation

 Interactive and spontaneous communication between 2 or more people
 Natural give and take of topics
 Most people find it pleasant and like the company to pass time

 Affects every other sort of behavior in which we engage:
• Personal relations
• Efforts in the workplace
• Initial impressions

ELEMENTS OF
CONVERSATION
 Discussion -- sharing opinions on subjects that are thought of during the conversation.
• The subject usually changes before discussion becomes dispute
 Subject – conversations based on their content (often a combination)
• Ideas
• Objective facts
• Other people (usually absent)
• Conversations about oneself
 Functions – conveys information to achieve a goal
• Small talk
• Banter

 Conversations follow rules of etiquette
 Conversations are social interactions, and depend on social convention
 Failure to follow the rules ends the conversation
 Awkward turtle.

HOW TO MAKE POLITE
CONVERSATION
 Step 1: Think of a topic. What will you talk about today? Every conversation has a subject, or topic.
 Some of the popular conversation topics are; music; opinions;
"Have you ever...?" sentence starters and topics; shopping; clothes; sports; television and movies, school, celebrities.

HOW TO MAKE POLITE
CONVERSATION
 Step 2: Start off your conversation with something interesting.
• Ask a question
• Be brave!
 Step 3: Actively Listen
• Give them your full attention
• Don't let your eyes wander

HOW TO MAKE POLITE
CONVERSATION
 Step 4: Do not interrupt them.
• Listen to what they have to say!
• Don’t just think about what you want to say next
• Listen to where the conversation is moving
 Step 5: Answer in detail
• Yes and no are boring and don’t promote conversation
• Give your opinion on a subject and analysis and evidence
• We often avoid talking about ourselves, but the other person
WANTS to know

CONVERSATION STARTERS
 Books
 Movies
 Television Shows
 School, education
 Travel
 Family
 Puppies

 Politics
 Religion
 Money
 Uncomfortable topics (dating)
 Inappropriate Humor

 Uncomfortable pause in a conversation or presentation
 Associated with feelings of anxiety as the participants feel pressure to speak but are unsure what to say next
 Remedies:
• Summarize what was said and thank them for their contributions
• Conversation pieces (artwork, music, etc.)
• Ice breakers
• How about them Bears? Nice weather, eh?
• Puppies

 Brainstorm conversation topics and/or questions to ask
 Don’t just talk to your friends!

You as the SPEAKER:
Name of the person(s) you conversed with:
Summary of the conversation: How did the conversation flow?
Was it easy or difficult to maintain conversation? What would you do differently? How did the conversation end?