1. Positive and negative politeness
In order to make the participants feel at ease, people often engage in politeness strategies: verbal and non-verbal techniques designed to ‘smooth things over’.
Look at the following list of positive and negative politeness behaviours. Change the positive politeness behaviours to GREEN and the negative politeness behaviours to ORANGE.
If you are working alongside your partner, you could check each other’s results at the end.

2. Positive and negative politeness
Showing sympathy with a speaker (‘That’s awful…’ ‘I understand how you feel’) Being apologetic Hedging – i.e. avoiding being direct Showing agreement with the speaker Retreating from debate Making jokes that we know the other person will like Choosing ‘safe’ topics to talk about Paying compliments to the other person/people Avoiding intrusion whenever possible

3. Positive and negative politeness
Look at the following scenarios. Jot down some notes about how you could use a) positive politeness and b) negative politeness in these situations.
Your friend has arrived at college in a state. She is angry that a tutor ed her to say that her assignment wasn’t up to standard.
A new student has joined one of your classes. They don’t seem to know anyone, and they are sitting alone.
Someone asks your opinion on their chances of passing their driving test. You have seen them driving…

4. Face theory Related to politeness theory is ‘face theory’.
In your own words below, describe what is meant by…
Saving face
Losing face
‘Saving face’ is…
Losing face is…

5. Face theory - scenarios
Choose one of the following scenarios and write a mini-script between two participants: you can choose whether to allow face-saving or face- threatening!
Your friend has applied to live in halls of residence at university; you have heard really bad things about these halls in terms of theft and noise.
Your friend asks your opinion on their UCAS personal statement: you are not impressed.

6. Functions of speech
There are SIX key functions of speech: can you remember them? (Try to recall them: if you cannot, move onto the next point for a hint..)
Tr_____________
P______________
Ref_____________
Int_____________
Perf____________
Ex_____________

7. Functions of speech
There will follow a list of types of spoken exchanges. You need to decide which function of speech each contains.
A marriage ceremony
Two friends discuss the outcome of a job interview – which went well
Two neighbours stop to ask after each other’s families as they each leave to go to work
Someone phones up to book a babysitter, giving them times and requirements
Some stops briefly to say thanks for someone holding a door open
Two businesswomen discuss a recent new policy

8. Grice
Grice was a theorist who looked at what makes a conversation successful. He came up with four rules – or maxims – which he believed had to be present for a conversation to work well. If a conversation lacked these qualities it was said to FLOUT Grice’s Maxims.
Can you remember them all? Add them below:
The Maxim of…

9. Which maxim does it flout?
Look at each exchange and decide which of Grice’s Maxims it flouts (i.e. breaks): S: So did you get your assignment feedback? T: Yeah, it was well out of order! I’d been ill the week before that, so there was no way I could have got everything done that Peter asked for, and besides, a lot of the questions related to work we did in Year 10 which was way too long ago. Do you remember that field trip we went on – with Mr. Evans? I still miss that purse I lost.
This conversation breaks the maxim(s) of
…because…

10. Which maxim does it flout?
S1: How are you settling in to the new place – okay? S2: We didn’t really get the price we wanted for the old place, but we found the estate agents surprisingly helpful.
This conversation flouts the maxim(s) of… …because…

11. Which maxim does it flout?
S1: Are you doing anything tonight? S2: Well…have you seen if there’s anything on at the…hang on, I could check it on my…oh actually, I’m not sure.
This conversation flouts the maxim(s) of… …because…

12. Grice’s Maxims – in action
Watch the above clip. Make sure you understand how the Gricean Maxims are being flouted. Can you explain it to a friend? Make notes below…

13. Grice’s Maxims – in Action
Look at this extract from Waiting for Godot. Are any of Grice’s Maxims being flouted? Where/how? ESTRAGON: Why doesn’t he put down his bags? POZZO: I too would be happy to meet him. The more people I meet the happier I become. From the meanest creature one departs wiser, richer, more conscious of one’s blessings. Even you…[He looks at them ostentatiously in turn to make it clear they are both meant]..even you, who knows, will have added to my store. POZZO: But that would surprise me. VLADIMIR: You’re being asked a question.

14. labov What do you remember about Labov? Mind map what you can:
Now watch this revision clip, making notes if necessary…
Can you now jot down OR find a story which fits this model? Watch the clip again to help you.

15. Reviewing non-fluency features
Q: What is meant by non-fluency features? Think of as many things as you can, on your own or in a pair…one has been done for you.
Filled pauses

16. Private, semi-private or public?
Look at the following scenarios. Are these private, semi-private or public? Think carefully…
A job interview in a town centre office: one interviewer and one interviewee.
Three flatmates discuss their cleaning rota.
A businesswoman takes a call on speakerphone as she checks her s.
A mother and her three year old son do some phonics cards activities together.
A group of friends at the Refectory chat about the weekend.
A door-to-door salesman calls and describes his products to the homeowner.

17. Now…see how well you can apply what you have revised to the following extract, to practice your skills…

18. Useful Resources Practice your grammar:
Resources and guides:
Past papers and Examiners’ Reports
level/english-language-and-literature-b-2725
Study help:
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