How Conversation Works: 6 Lessons for Better Communication

By: Anne Curzan, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Anne Curzan

Length: 3 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Regardless of age or occupation, conversation can be tricky. But like it or not, it's one of the most important things you do on a daily basis. Successful conversations help you advance professionally and make, maintain, and deepen relationships. Moreover, research shows that talking, when done on a substantive level, is correlated with a feeling of happiness and general well-being.

In just six lectures, Professor Curzan teaches you key strategies that can dramatically improve your ability to converse with anyone, from strangers to supervisors. This highly practical course focuses on the fundamental principles you need to become more conversationally aware and savvy at home, in the workplace, and beyond. You'll learn graceful ways of pointing out a mistake, asking someone to do something he or she doesn't want to do, preparing a person for "no," asking for a big favor, and providing information the recipient doesn't want to hear. You'll also learn devices for skillfully opening and closing exchanges, taking turns "negotiating the conversational floor," sending people subtle signals, and sharing the conversational burden to make discussions feel more mutual and enjoyable.

Whether you want to build rapport with colleagues, promote yourself in an interview, give a winning presentation, ingratiate yourself with your boss, or even create a connection on a first date, knowing what to say and how to say it allows for more productive, smoother interactions.Professor Curzan helps you get ahead by outlining simple techniques for accomplishing all of these goals and more.

Disclaimer: Please note that this recording may include references to supplemental texts or print references that are not essential to the program and not supplied with your purchase.

©2012 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2012 The Great Courses

Introductory and too short

Any additional comments?

I liked the course very much as a reminder, but learned almost nothing new. I think that given the shortness of the course, it was an excellent introduction. I would definitely listen to a longer course on the topic by professor Curzan. I would not recommend this course to anyone else who has taken communications in college unless they wanted a short, engaging review.

Good book!

Great for mechanics and navigation and not just surviving conversations. The six lessons are packed with good take always. Will listen again.

good primer, nothing game changing

I enjoy the great courses. The professors know their stuff, and, this is an example of quality, consise information, albeit, maybe a little basic.

I walked away with a few good reminders, but, I didn't change my mentality on anything specific due to the content. If I was transitioning into the workplace for the first time, or, desiring to be more intentional in how I'm perceived, I think I would've had more actionable takeaways. For me, this is material I learned earlier in my sales career.

That being said, I'd love to get an additional lecture that focuses on professional conversations now that we've changed a lot of communication methods due to remote work.

informative

easy to listen, enjoyed listening to the lecture, engaging and entertaining for all young people

Interesting and very good speaker

This was an enjoyable and educational listen
The author narrates really well and I would be interested in hearing other works by her.
I have returned to listen to a chapter or two again.
Not overly long (compared to some other audiobooks) but as I got in a 2 for 1 credit sale I felt like I got more than my money’s worth for the quality of this production. Thanks for making it.

excellent.

super interesting and very helpful overall. I really had a hard time stopping the play back.

Not what I though

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I was looking for conversation strategies that would apply to my life. This book was more like a text book that really did not put the information into practical life situations that one could apply.

It was ok

The book was ok. It keep me listening while I was working out at the gym.

Good Discussion Maybe of Limited Use

This course has three aspects.

1. This course outlines conversation from a linguistic standpoint, categorizing and defining certain aspects of conversation. This aspect was of limited practical use to me, a native speaker from the US. It did highlight that conversation is more complex than one might think.

2. This course indicates where and when certain conversation patterns are best and worst applied. This may be useful if you have ever felt misinterpreted or if you wish you could convey something in a particular way. I liked this aspect a lot.

3. This course points out how conversation is changing and how it is different for different groups (e.g,. male vs. female). I felt that this aspect was mostly FYI. The science here (while sources were quoted) felt soft and obvious (reinforcing stereotypes).

I would say that considering the length of the course, it was a pretty good survey of the topic. It was well organized and I feel that I came away with a few really good ideas.

To be used every day

Excellent information that can be applied to every day life. I only wished it had more "homework" so I could practice more.