Exchanges are formed by moving elements, with two major classes: Organizational and

Conversational. Organizational exchanges have two subclasses: Boundary and Structuring.

Conversational exchanges consist of units like Elicit, Inform, and Direct, and bound-Elicit
exchanges Clarify, Repeat, and Re-initiation. Conversational exchanges have the structure I
(R/I) R (Fn), with I and R obligatory. R/I is optional but shares the property of being predicted.
Direct is the only exchange without the optional element R/I. The structure, function, and
realization of each unit are explained, with examples from data or students' examples.

The text outlines the structure of a conversation, including organizational boundaries (Fr),
structuring, greeting, and summarising (R). Boundary is realized by a framing move, while
structuring, greeting, and summarising are realized by opening and answering moves.
Structuring is used to structure the conversation, either prospectively or retrospectively. Greet
is used to greet or take leave, while summarising engages another participant in conversation.
Conversational structures involve eliciting, directing, and clarifying. Eliciting involves an
eliciting move, directing involves an informing move, and acknowledging involves an
acknowledging move. Direct requests immediate or future action. Clarifying involves eliciting
clarification of a preceding utterance. The boundary between the two is marked by a broken
line. In bound-Elicit exchanges, the preceding exchange is supplied and the boundary is
marked by a broken line. The text also discusses the use of silence in acquiescing, acquiescing,
and directing in conversation.

The structure of the 'bound-Elicit' function involves a sequence of eliciting moves, informing
moves, and acknowledging moves, aiming to elicit the repetition of a preceding utterance.

Transactions

Transactions are a type of linguistic system where each exchange realizes one element of
transaction structure. The transaction has one obligatory element, M, which is realized by one
exchange. The other two elements, P and T, are optional and are realized by one or more of
the Organizational class of exchange units. In the absence of P or T, the beginning of a new
transaction can be recognized by intonation. Transactions differ from units lower down the
rank scale in that they cannot be described in terms of linguistic patterning or if there is an
impossible combination of exchanges. This makes them less satisfactory units than those lower
down the rank scale.

Interactions

Interactions form the highest unit on the rank scale, but their internal structure is limited.
Coulthard suggests that greetings and leave-takings should not be seen as part of the
interaction structure but as markers of the beginning and end of situations. However, this
approach is inconsistent with the fundamental principles of rank-scale analysis. The data
sample used in this study is a complete interaction, with 'opening' and 'closing' transactions
defining the interaction boundaries. The question of whether interactions exhibit further
evidence of internal structure is also raised, as situational factors often result in structure. The
interaction is described as an unordered series of transactions, with order not yet
characterized in linguistic terms. The analytical system is then examined to address key areas
and problematic issues, particularly those concerning exchange structure.