Page 150 - Essentials of Human Communication

Everyday Conversations 129

video Choice Point
First Day of Class
Tim would like to initiate a conversation with his classmate Emad, but feels awkward. Tim
considers some of the principles of conversation that you will read about in this chapter as he makes both
effective and ineffective communication choices. See how his choices play out in the video “First Day of
Class” and respond to the questions posed.
Watch the Video “First Day of Class” at MyCommunicationLab

Objectives self-Check
● Can you explain the principles of conversation—process, turn-taking, dialogue, immediacy,
flexibility, and politeness?
● Can you apply the skills suggested in these principles in your own conversations?

Take a look at “Interpersonal
everyday Conversations Communication Exercise, Discourse
Analysis” at tcbdevito.blogspot
Having covered the basic principles of conversation, we can now explore a variety of every- .com for an opportunity to apply
day conversation situations: making small talk, apologizing, and complimenting. In the content of this chapter (and
reviewing the everyday conversations included here, do realize that not everyone speaks other chapters) to a short dia-
with the fluency and ease that textbooks often assume. Speech and language disorders, for logue.
example, can seriously disrupt the conversation process if some elementary guidelines
aren’t followed. Table 6.2 (p. 130) offers suggestions for making such conversations run
more smoothly.

sMAll TAlk
Before reading about small talk, examine your own small talk behavior by taking the accom-
panying self-test.

TeST yOuRSelf

how Do you Small Talk?

Examine your small talk communication by responding to the following questions.
_____ ➊ On an elevator with three or four strangers, I’d be most likely to
a. try to avoid interacting.
b. respond to another but not initiate interaction.
c. be the first to talk.

_____ ➋ When I’m talking with someone and I meet a friend who doesn’t know the person I’m with, I’d be
most apt to
a. avoid introducing them.
b. wait until they introduce each other.
c. introduce them to each other.
Another “everyday conversation”
_____ ➌ At a party with people I’ve never met before, I’d be most likely to concerns the giving and receiving
a. wait for someone to talk to me. of advice. For an introduction to
b. nonverbally indicate that I’m receptive to someone interacting with me. this topic, see “Advice Giving” at
c. initiate interaction with others nonverbally and verbally. tcbdevito.blogspot.com.