Small Talk & Basics
At its core, a conversation is a give-and-take of this
What is information?
The two parts that make up the "1-2 Combo" formula.
What are a compliment and a question?
Unlike open questions, closed questions usually end in one of these two one-word answers
What are "yes" and "no"?
People generally love to talk about these two things
What are things they love and things they are good at?
"Would You Rather" questions are best used with this group of people because they can sound silly or random
Who are closer friends?
Small talk is considered low-pressure and low-energy for this specific reason.
What is because it gets a conversation moving easily when you don't know what to say?
The primary purpose of adding a question after a compliment
What is to find out more information and keep the conversation from hitting a dead end?
Open-ended questions require these types of responses
What are longer/elaborated answers?
The "Safe Zone" in conversation is the overlap between your personal interests and these.
What are another person's interests?
The main purpose of an "Icebreaker Question".
What is to shatter awkward silence and lead to deeper conversation?[
Besides saying hi or checking in, this safe, everyday subject is a classic small talk starter.
What is the weather (or surroundings)?
Complete the example: "I noticed you were pretty good playing in gym. What _____ would you give me to improve my basketball practice?"
What are tips?
Rephrase the closed question "Do you like video games?" into an open-ended "Open Door" question.
What is "What video games are you playing right now?"
Name two common topics peers often share in common besides sports and classes
What are music, bands, or growing up in the same town?
Are you a cat or a dog person?" is an example of this specific type of conversation starter.
What is an icebreaker question?
According to the Golden Rule, you should do this once a conversation gets going instead of immediately asking a new question
What is keep talking / let it turn into a combo?
If a classmate is wearing a cool outfit or carrying a neat accessory, you should give them a compliment on it, followed immediately by this.
What is a tied question (e.g., "Where did you get it?")?
Name three of the question words that typically start open-ended questions.
What are Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How?
During a speed-networking or common ground activity, this is the recommended amount of time to talk with one partner before finding new similarities.
What is 3 to 5 minutes?
Finish this hypothetical "Would You Rather" prompt from the lesson: "Would you rather live without your cell phone or your...?
What are shoes?
Developing conversation skills can be uncomfortable at first, but it helps kids and adults do this long-term.
What is build positive relationships / navigate social situations throughout their entire lives?
This type of response is avoided when you tie a question to a compliment.
What is a short or single-word answer (or a conversational dead end)?
Rephrase the closed question "Is science your favorite class?" into an open-ended version.
What is "What is your favorite class in school and why?" (or "How do you feel about science class?")?
This question starter directly asks a peer about their preferences in leisure activities
What is "What are your favorite outdoor (or free-time) activities?"
True or False: You need to grab a brand-new task/topic card as soon as someone answers your first question
What is False? (You should keep talking and let the topic flow naturally)