Gricean Maxims (Principles of Grice) allow us to have smoother and more meaningful conversations in English.
In this conversation, we dive into the four maxims for better conversation. Here is a summary of the four different maxims. In the video, you will learn how to practice Gricean Maxims and learn some examples of Gricean Maxims in conversation.
Quantity
- provide enough information to your listeners
- do not say too much or too little
- do not add extra details, extraneous information or useless information
- only add information or details that enhance the story or your conversation
- if you give too much information (TMI) you will risk confusing the listener and get off-topic
- be careful not to sidetrack the conversation by jumping to a different topic
- be concise and precise with your language
Quality
- is this information worth sharing?
- will the listeners benefit from this information?
- how high is the quality of your contribution to the conversation
- is the information upsetting or hurtful? is it untrue?
- is this information going to engage the person in some way?
- will the listeners learn something from the conversation?
Relation
- also known as relevance
- is this information relevant to the conversation (i.e., expanding on the topic at hand) and to the audience
- is it a meaningful contribution to the conversation?
- see something from the listener's perspective
- put yourself in the listener's shoes
- frame the conversation in a way that will be meaningful and relevant to the listeners
- when changing topics, be sure to do it in a way that will make a connection between topics (i.e., “Speaking of….”, “On the topic of…, I think…”
Manner
- how you are communicating
- not just what you say but how you say it
- delivery of the message
- think about tone, volume, gestures, nonverbal communication
- be respectful of people and their time
- making sure the listener is following along in the conversation
- making sure you are explaining terms or acronyms
Be sure to tune into the conversation for lots of examples of each of the four Gricean Maxims and also for strategies on how to practice these maxims in conversation.
Remember that in every conversation you have, you can rely on these Gricean Maxims to have richer conversations.
No need to be robotic when using these maxims or stress about remembering to include all four in every conversation you ever have. Just try to focus on one Gricean Principle at a time and be deliberate about it. Over time, add another of the four principles and you will begin to internalize them. Before you know it, they will become second nature to you and you'll notice that you use these Gricean Maxims in all your conversations.
Happy Advanced English learning!
About the Author and the Explearning Academy:
Mary Daphne is an expert in communication, executive skills and professional development. She is the founder of the Explearning Academy, a platform dedicated to helping individuals enhance their social fluency, boost their careers, and elevate their social game. Through immersive group coaching programs like the Executive Communication Lab and self-guided journeys, participants gain the social superpowers and career catapults they've been searching for. If you're ready to take your negotiation skills to the next level and connect with like-minded individuals, visit academy.explearning.co and explore the various plans available. Join the Explearning Academy community and unlock your full potential.
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