Features of a conversation (AQA AS Level 2015+)

Description

Features of a conversation, part of the discourse and pragmatics for AQA English Language AS Level 2015+ Although we do not think of informal conversation as a structured activity, much of it follows predictable patterns, and the participants in a conversation do usually follow a number of rules and conventions which are as follows:
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Resource summary

Question Answer
Opening and closing frames Various ways conversations start and end, often involving phatic talk. Formality of the context will influence how a conversation open and closes. Opening frames - "Hello, how are you?" Closing frames - "Better be off then"
Terms of address Terms of address (names and titles) range from formal to informal, depending on the nature of the relationship between speakers
Turn taking Taking turns to speak
Topic shifts and loops Topic shift - changes in the subject of conversation Loops - where the previous subject is reintroduced
Overlaps and interruptions When the speaker begins talking before another comes to the end of their turn
Smooth latchings These occur when one speaker beings speaking just as another finishes
Adjacency pairs Two part exchanges: - questions and answers - greetings and farewells - invitations and acceptance/refusals - requests and agreements/denials
Three-part exchanges These occur when the first speakers asks a question which elicits a answer from the second speaker which further generates an utterance from the first speaker e.g: the typical teacher-pupil exchange - initiation/response/feedback (IRF)
Tag questions Questions literally tagged on to the end of statements, e.g: "nice day, isn't it?"
The vocative Term given to the use of someone's name or title when addressing them directly e,g: "Are you listening, Mark?"
Back-channelling These include paralinguistic feedback and verbal responses to show the speaker they are being listened to
Monitoring features Expressions which monitor the listener's understanding e.g: "you know what I mean?"
Discourse markers Expressions speakers use to guide their listeners e.g: so, anyway, what's more Discourse markers can occur in monologic and dialogic speech
Comment clauses Expressions that allow speakers to show feelings and attitudes towards what they are saying e.g: I think, I suppose, I'm delighted to say, I'm afraid etc.
Maxims Quality Quantity Manner Relevance
Conversational implicature Implied meaning of what we are saying
Conversational language and power and authority Certain aspects of onversational language can be used to exert power and authority: - length of turn - amount of interruptions - who changes the topic setting, shifts and loops - who sets the topic - use of interrogatives (questions) - use of imperatives (orders)
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