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

Great mix of foundation, and examples. And timely.

Thr Importance of productive conversation doesn't decrease normally. The necessity today is skyrocketing. And such a great fit in audio book form.

Glad it was free

There are a few good points and a few interesting facts but this didn’t really do much for me. It’s a good listen because it’s free but I wouldn’t pay for this.

Wow! Only complaint - too short!

Absolutely loved it! Anne is so fluent and the lectures go by quickly. I only wish we could dig in a bit more in each topic 'cause they were so interesting, and we touched only the tip of the iceberg there. That being said, I have learned a lot and would definitely recommend! Thank you.

The Best!!!

If you could sum up How Conversation Works: 6 Lessons for Better Communication in three words, what would they be?

REALLY teaches nuances

What was one of the most memorable moments of How Conversation Works: 6 Lessons for Better Communication?

Some new realizations that I had about how to communicate in ways that preserve relationships--especially given that I am an experienced and effective psychologist. It was great to learn these new things--for myself and to teach my clients.

What about Professor Anne Curzan’s performance did you like?

Able to easily communicate the big concepts AND the trickier ones with ease. Professor Curzan also provided us with clear examples AND in different contexts (for example, within friendships, in professional/business relationships, with "strangers").

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Not to overwhelm people with too much information, especially when the content is fairly negative.

Any additional comments?

I haven't "erased" the book from my library yet, since I want to review it again soon.

Great course!

Anne Curzan is articulate, has a pleasant tone and demeanor, and offers useful instruction toward improving conversation skills.

Highly recommend

It was good.

I enjoyed it. Would be great for ESL. Seemed like more of a review than fresh insights but a beneficial listen nonetheless.

Concise and refreshing

There wasn’t necessarily anything in this book that I hadn’t picked up on myself in my 23 years of life. That said, Anne brings a fresh perspective to share a wonderful, brief narrative that can help a bit more in your everyday life.

It's ok

This is the shortest release I have ever heard from The Great Courses, by far. This very short work has a few bits of interesting, but not memorable, material about communication. For people who have an interest in interpersonal communication, this is a small tidbit to add to the pile, but it's certainly not life-changing or any sort of exhaustive primer. It's ok.

Interesting but general with a lot of filler

This was interesting but much too broad to get where I needed it. Most was incredibly basic almost commonsense style information. If you’ve been communicating at all on planet earth this will not be news to you.

I listened at 1.3x and still feel like the whole thing could’ve been half as long.

Chapter 4 Chapter 5 and chapter 6 were the most interesting but still could’ve been much more detailed. Frankly the whole series could’ve just been the back half.

In the end I learned how to label something but not how to control it how to intentionally engage or disengage or subvert these communication styles. I am not better at communicating because of this I am simply aware of what you call the thing when it happens.

Nice clear analysis

Sometimes felt like a long-winded stating of the obvious, but on the other hand articulating such a clear examination of a thing we take for granted -- day-to-day conversation -- is not an easy thing to do well. Good, clear narration. Enjoyable for the non-linguist like myself.