Clear and Engaging: A Review of Sidnell's Conversation Analysis: An Introduction

In: Qualitative report: an online journal dedicated to qualitative research and critical inquiry

Abstract

Conversation Analysis: An Introduction by Jack Sidnell is a concise and clear primer to describing, analyzing, and understanding human talk. Combining theoretical descriptions and analysis of transcribed conversations, Sidnell (2010) explains the elements of conversational organization: turn-taking, action and understanding, preference, sequence, repair, turn construction, stories, and openings and closings. In addition, Sidnell opens the discussion about the role of topic and context in conversation analysis. Conversation Analysis: An Introduction is a good guide to conducting conversation analysis. This book is appropriate for those who are not familiar with conversation analysis and want to get a better understanding of this method and its major components. It can also be used to teach conversation analysis to undergraduate and graduate level students.