Conversational Management Devices in the Classroom

Author(s):

Weiner, Susan L.

Publication Year:

1977

Report Number:

RB-77-02

Source:

ETS Research Bulletin

Document Type:

Report

Page Count:

13

Subject/Key Words:

Classroom Communication, Language Patterns, Phonetic Analysis, Speech Communication, Teacher Behavior

Abstract

Topical transitions in teachers' classroom talk were analyzed from the perspective of conversations as game-like structures with "moves" as basic elements. Three devices observed in this conversational context were proposed as having topical boundary functions: "framing" moves (words like O.K., alright), "pointing" moves (speech which notes the speaker's fact of saying something), and "quantifying" moves (speech with a logical or numerical quantifier which organizes subsequent talk). Preliminary evidence was presented which supported the hypothesis that these moves in fact bound topic talk. (13pp.)

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• http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.2333-8504.1977.tb01127.x