UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST - CALOOCAN
Cohen (1990) states that strategies must be
used to start and maintain a conversation.
Knowing and applying grammar appropriately is
one of the most basic strategies to maintain a
conversation.
Types of Communicative Strategies
1. Nomination - Presenting a particular topic
clearly, truthfully, and saying only what is
relevant.
2. Restriction - Constraining the response or
reaction within a set of categories.
3. Turn-taking - Recognizing when and how to
speak because it is one’s turn.
4. Topic control - Keeping the interaction going
by asking questions and eliciting a response.
5. Topic shifting - Introducing a new topic
followed by the continuation of that topic.
6. Repair - Overcoming communication
breakdown to send more comprehensible
messages.
7. Termination - Using verbal and nonverbal
signals to end the interaction.
To make things easier…
1. Nomination – presenting a topic to start a
conversation.
Example:
Hello there, how are you?
2. Restriction – Limiting the response or
reaction of the person you are talking to.
Example:
P1: Hello there, how are you? Were you able
to do the assignment?
P2: Oh wait… do we have an assignment
today?
(Obviously, the person you are talking to would
respond to your question “Were you able to do
the assignment”. In that way, the speaker
already restricts/limits the response of the
receiver.)
3. Turn taking – Give an equal opportunity for
everyone to speak. Recognize when and how to
speak.
Example: May I have the floor, sir? The topic
under discussion is the state of the Philippine
economy today. We want better lives for all
Filipinos, whether they are working here or
abroad.
(“May I have the floor, sir?” is a hint that the
person wants to speak and should be given an
opportunity)
4. Topic Control – Prolonging the topic by
asking questions or eliciting a response.
5. Topic Shifting – Changing/introducing new
topic.
6. Repair – Connecting bridges to
communication breakdown.
Example: “What did we discuss last time we
met?”
(Because of tight schedule, the teacher would
normally ask a question that would
link/continue your previous discussion)
7. Termination – ending the conversation by
using verbal and non-verbal signals
Examples:
“Goodbye class!”
Waving goodbye
Take note that Communicative Strategies are
ways as to how we start, prolong, fix and end a
conversation.
Love lots,
Sir Yohan