The Principles of the Art of Conversation by J. P. Mahaffy
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"The Principles of the Art of Conversation" by J. P. Mahaffy is a theoretical guide on the elements and skills essential for effective conversational practices, written in the late 19th century. The work explores the dynamics of conversation, suggesting that not only is it a universal and necessary social skill, but it can also be viewed as an art that can be honed and improved. Mahaffy discusses the various subjective (physical, mental,
and moral) and objective (listener dynamics) conditions that contribute to successful conversation. The opening of the text introduces the overarching premise that conversation is a vital component of society, where being agreeable in talk grants individuals social standing and personal fulfillment. Mahaffy emphasizes that while good conversation may seem spontaneous, it can be cultivated through awareness and practice. He lays out fundamental traits that characterize effective speakers, such as knowledge, modesty, and sympathy, while also highlighting the significance of tact and understanding the varied company dynamics—whether conversing with one person, a few, or a larger group. This discussion forms the foundation for the subsequent exploration of conversation's nuanced principles throughout the rest of the work. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Mahaffy, J. P. (John Pentland), 1839-1919 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Principles of the Art of Conversation |
| Credits | Turgut Dincer, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 48.2 (College-level). Difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | BJ: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion: Ethics, Social usages, Etiquette, Religion |
| Subject | Conversation |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 65638 |
| Release Date | Jun 18, 2021 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 413 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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