May I have This Dance

• Politeness in the Learning Center: Strategies for Success

Can be understood as a discursive “conversational contract” that relies heavily on tacit understandings of the terms and conditions of that contract. (Fraser)

• Politeness:

• Can be understood as a discursive “conversational contract” that relies heavily on tacit understandings of the terms and conditions of that contract. (Fraser)

“An image of self, delineated in terms of approved social attributes” (Brown and Levenson)

• Face:

• “An image of self, delineated in terms of approved social attributes” (Brown and Levenson)
• “Face is something that is emotionally invested and that can be lost, maintained, or enhanced and must be constantly attended to in interaction” (Brown and Levenson 61).

Positive Face: The desire to be liked and approved of

• Face

• Positive Face: The desire to be liked and approved of
• Positive Face Threat: Criticism, disapproval or disagreement

Negative Face: The desire for freedom and to not be imposed upon

• Face-Threatening Acts:

• Negative Face: The desire for freedom and to not be imposed upon
• Negative Face Threat: Suggestions, orders and requests

Brown and Levenson argue that it is through politeness that hearers and speakers mitigate face.

• Politeness

• Brown and Levenson argue that it is through politeness that hearers and speakers mitigate face.
• Both positive and negative politeness help interlocutors maintain face in conversation

Used by the speaker to acknowledge and support the hearer’s desire to be approved of and accepted

• Positive Politeness

• Used by the speaker to acknowledge and support the hearer’s desire to be approved of and accepted

Exaggerating interest, approval or sympathy

• Positive Politeness

• Exaggerating interest, approval or sympathy
• Seeking agreement
• Using humor, joking and laughter
• Showing optimism
• Using the inclusive “we”