AT: Turn-taking SCORE: _________

LT: Understand the nature of turn-taking and apply it in various TOA: CN

communication situations

Turn refers to the opportunity given to a speaker to talk, whereas turn-taking is a process in which a
participant stops speaking and yields the floor to another participant so he or she could begin to speak.
There are three turn-taking acts:

1) Keep-turn suggests that a speaker must not stop until he fulfills his purpose in a conversation.
2) Release-turn suggests that a speaker is finished talking and is ready to yield the floor to another
person to take his or her turn. He or she may use signals or pause in a conversation.
3) Take-turn suggests that another participant can take the role of the speaker.

Signals and cues indicate that a speaker wants to keep, yield, or take his or her turn.

 Intonation signals that a speaker wants to keep or yield his or her turn. Rising and falling intonations
indicate that a speaker is releasing his or her turn. A falling intonation indicates that a speaker is
about to end his or her turn, while a rising intonation implies that a speaker is asking the
participants for clarification and confirmation or sometimes to express disbelief.
 Verbal cues suggest that a speaker wants to yield or to keep his or her turn. For example, calling
the participants’ names indicate that a speaker is releasing his or her turn.
 Nonverbal cues or gestures like raising one’s hand show that a participant wants to take the floor
or speak. Aside from acts and signals and cues, turn-taking also has rules.

 Limit interruptions – Participants should wait for the speaker to finish first before interrupting.
 Properly timed signals – Participants should wait for verbal and nonverbal cues.
 Acknowledge understanding and provide attention – Participants should dedicate their attention
to or be interested in the discussion so that they will know when to take turns.