CONVERSATION

Kho, Gerson Ralph

Manuel, B.A., M.I.Kom.
 WHAT IS
CONVERSATION?
Conversation is an essential part of
interpersonal communication and may be
defined simply as informal social interaction
(McLaughlin, 1984).
 A FIVE-STAGE MODEL OF
CONVERSATION

BUSINESS

FEEDFORWARD FEEDBACK

OPENING
CLOSING
 01
The Maxim of Quantity
Be as informative as
necessary to communicate
The the intended meaning
Principle of
Cooperation 03
The Maxim of Relation
Talk about what is relevant
to the conversation
02
The Maxim of Quality
Say what you know or
assume to be true, and do
not say what you know to be
false
04
The Maxim of Manner
Be clear, avoid ambiguities,
be relatively brief, and
organize your thoughts into
a meaningful sequence
 THE PRINCIPLE OF POLITENESS

Tact Generosity Approbation

Tact in your conversation Generosity helps to Approbation refers to
would mean that you do confirm the other person’s praising someone or
not impose on others or importance, the complimenting the person
challenge their right to do importance of the person’s in some way
as they wish time, insight, or talent

Modesty Agreement Sympathy

minimizes any praise or
compliments you might
receive
Agreement refers to your Sympathy refers to the
seeking out areas of expression of
agreement and expressing understanding, empathy,
them supportiveness, and the
like, for the other person
 CONVERSATION
MANAGEMENT

INITIATING CONVERSATION

CARRYING CONVERSATION

CLOSING CONVERSATION
 Gossip
Conversation or reports about other people's
private lives that might be unkind, disapproving, or
typically involving details that are not confirmed as
being true

GOSSIP VS
RUMOUR
Rumour
an unofficial interesting story or piece of news
report of uncertain or doubtful truth, and quickly
spreads from person to person
TYPICAL OF UNETHICAL GOSSIP
when gossip is used to hurt
another person unfairly, for
example, spreading gossip
about an office romance or an
instructor’s past indiscretions
when you know that what when you have promised
you’re saying is not true, for secrecy, for example, revealing
example, lying to make something that you promised
another person look bad not to repeat to others
REFERENCES

● Bok, S. (1983). Secrets. New York: Vintage.

● DeVito, J. A. (2016). The Interpersonal Communication Book

(14th; Global ed.). Edinburgh: Pearson Education Limited.

● McLaughlin, M. L. (1984). Conversation: How talk is organized.

Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
THANKS
Does anyone have any questions?