One essential aspect of being a competent verbal communicator is knowing what things to say when, during a first-meeting conversation with a new acquaintance. To test your initial interaction skills, identify when would be the most appropriate place in the conversation to say the following things: toward the beginning, middle, or end of the conversation.
Please note that your score for this activity will not be recorded unless your instructor has assigned the activity.
“What’s your major?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting and chatting with you like this!”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“I love your jacket—where did you get it?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“Can you believe how much snow we’ve gotten this winter?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“It’s getting late, and I have to go pick up my roommate.”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“What’s your favorite movie of all time?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“I’m taking this class because it’s required. What about you?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“Are you doing anything this weekend? It would be fun to hang out again.”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
“I’m doing all right. How’s it going with you?”
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
Total Score:
If you got 0–4 answers correct, you probably have a limited understanding of topical ordering within initial encounters. You likely find initial encounters difficult to make sense of and manage. Improve your skills by initiating conversations with new acquaintances and by following the pattern of topics suggested in Figure 7.2.
If you got 5–6 answers correct, you probably have a moderate understanding. You may make occasional errors in what you say during initial encounters.
If you got 7–9 answers correct, you probably have a strong understanding of initial encounters and can work through such encounters with skill.