Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do in order to become a good conversationalist is to find a subject that interests you and your listeners. There are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk about. But the important
thing is that you must talk about other fellow’s hobby rather than your own. Therein lies the secret of your popularity. Talk to your friends about the things that interest them, and you will get a reputation for good fellowship, charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases people so much as your interest in their interest.
It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to select for good conversation. If you do not want to be set down as a wet blanket or a bore, be careful to avoid certain unpleasant subjects. Avoid talking about yourself unless you are asked to do so. People are interested in their own problems not in yours. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only one who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it.
To be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say, but how also to say it. Be mentally quick and witty. But do not hurt others with your wit. Finally try to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your lips or click your tongue or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak.
a) Make notes on the passage using recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Give a title to the passage
Your answer
b) Make a summary of the note in about 80 words
Answers
Notes :
1. Conv’n—most easily tch’ble art (a) Reqd. interest’g subject – hobbies (b) Talk about other fellow’s int./hobby (c) Win’g reptn. as good conversationalist (i) good f’ship (ii) charm’g wit (iii) brl. Mind
2. Fit subs, for conversationalist (a) What subs, to avoid/select? (b) Avoid unpl’nt subs. (i) sickness (ii) death (c) Avoid talk’g about self
3. Qualities of a good conversationalist (a) What to say & how to say it (b) ment’y quick & witty (c) pleasant & unhurt’g (d) avoid mannerisms.
A) Note making is used to write short and brief notes about any topic. Following is the note making for this passage:
Title- Art of conversation.
1) Cnvrstn is easy
a. find intrstng subject
a. i. hobbies
b. other's hobby not your
c. secret of pplrty
2) good rpttn
a. please people
a. i. interest in their interest.
b. avoid unplsnt subjects
b. i. select subject, good cnvrstn
c. avoid talking, yourself
3) be mntlly quick, witty
a. avoid topic, scknss & death
b. avoid mnnrsm
b. i. don't bite lips, click tongue
b. ii. don't roll eyes, use hands
------------------------------------------------------------------
key to abbreviation :-
1. cnvrstn - conversation
2. intrstng - interesting
3. pplrty - popularity
4. rpttn - reputation
5. unplsnt - unpleasant
6. mntlly - mentally
7. scknss - sickness
8. mnnrsm - mannerism
-------------------------------------------------------------------
B) Summary :-
Conversation is very easy. to become good at it talk about hobbies and interests of other people. avoid talking yourself unless you're asked to. talk to your friends about the things they are interested in. select good topics and avoid topics like sickness and death that will bore everybody. in order to become good at art of conversation you must know what to say and what not to. be mentally quick and try to avoid mannerism in speech. also don't bite lips or click tongue or roll eyes, these gestures send bad message to listeners.