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Sequence organisation in conversation: Preference

This article examines how conversational actions are organized based on preference in different contexts. It explores preferred and dispreferred actions, as well as the role of agreement, contiguity, and turn shape in preference organization. Examples and features of preferred and dispreferred responses are provided.

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Sequence organisation in conversation: Preference

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  1. Sequence organisation in conversation:Preference

  2. Preference organization • Choices between non-equivalent SPP types may have different interactional import. • The concept of preference deals with the possible ways in which some conversational action may be accomplished. • In a particular context, certain actions may be avoided, or delayed • other actions are normally performed directly and with little delay.

  3. Preference organization • Actions which are routinely performed immediately, and whose immediate production is unremarkable are preferred actions. • Actions which are not normally be performed in this way are called dispreferred actions. Invitation: Accept – preferred Decline – dispreferred

  4. Preference organization • The way preference organization shapes talk relates to • preference for agreement (talk aligns with the preceding talk) • That was a great film, wasn’t it? is designed to project a yes response (preference for a ‘yes-like’ response) • The film wasn’t very good, was it? projects a no response (preference for a ‘no-like’ response) • preference for contiguity (talk comes immediately after the talk it responds to)

  5. Preference organization and turn shape • The preferences for agreement and contiguity are basic organising principles for sequences.

  6. Dispreferred responses • Dispreferred responses typically come late in their turns. They may be preceded by: • Silences • The silence may allow an opportunity for the speaker to repair a preference problem.

  7. Dispreferred responses • Dispreferred responses typically come late in their turns. • Dispreferred responses may be preceded by: • Hesitation tokens or or audible breathing • Warrants (explanations, excuses) • Dispreferred responses are often produced in mitigated form.

  8. Dispreferred responses • Often, turns which are disagreements may be phrased as if they are really agreements. • These agreements are normally weakened or qualified in some way.

  9. Dispreferred responses • Speakers can deploy devices (for example, repairs) which delay the SPP in its sequence.  

  10. Features of responses • A preferred action is routinely performed without delay; • A dispreferred action is routinely delayed in its turn; • A dispreferred action is routinely prefaced or qualified in its turn; • A dispreferred action is routinely accomplished in a mitigated or indirect form; • A dispreferred action is routinely accounted for.

  11. Examples: Invitations • Preferred • Dispreferred

  12. Examples: Assessments • Upgraded responses (strong agreement) • Same responses (equal agreement) • Downgraded responses (weak agreement)

  13. Examples: Assessments • Dispreferred responses may be delayed • Weak or same agreements may precede disagreements  

  14. Dispreferred FPPs • Some FPPs have features in common with dispreferred SPPs. • Requests

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