Page 330 - Nidalist

Making conversation STALLING TECHNIQUES

If extra time is needed to think about a difficult question before
answering it, a response can be started with a stalling phrase to
Many words and phrases are used in English to ease the See also: indicate that the question is being considered.
flow of conversation. These techniques are often called More linking words 112
organizing, backchanneling, or stalling. Hedging 119

INFORMAL ORGANIZING WORDS
A number of general words “Right” gets attention before
can be used to move from saying something important.
one topic to another in
conversational English.

“OK” acknowledges that the
other speaker has been heard.

“So” indicates that a conclusion
is being reached.

BACKCHANNELING FURTHER EXAMPLES
When listening to another speaker,
it’s common to use words to show
you agree and are paying attention.
This is known as backchanneling.

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