CONVERSATIONAL
LANGUAGE
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
CONVERSATION
 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)
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Ideas
Objective facts
Other people (usually absent)
Conversations about oneself
 Functions – conveys information to achieve a goal
• Small talk
• Banter
POLITE CONVERSATION
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
TOPICS TO AVOID
 Politics
 Religion
 Money
 Uncomfortable topics (dating)
 Inappropriate Humor
AWKWARD SILENCE
 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:
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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
LET’S TRY IT!
Brainstorm conversation topics and/or questions
to ask
Don’t just talk to your friends!
REFLECTION
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?