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we try to weave into the conversation. Personal topics are often introduced through a first-
person referent.
The point is that there might be single or multiple versions of a conversation topic. Topics
in a conversation are dynamic and are negotiated as a conversation progresses. For this
reason, we cannot really say that a discourse has a topic; only speakers and writers do.
To make the messages "cohere," contributions must be relevant to what goes before and
what one expects might follow. In writing, only one person is building the text, trying to put
information into an appropriate sequence so that the pieces most highly related to each other
come together. Writers can use paragraph markers to do some of this work. Each new
paragraph shows a slight shift in focus so that the sentences within it relate more directly to
each other. Each paragraph in turn relates in some organized way to the overall topic of the
discourse.
In writing and in speaking, there are times when we want to add material but realize that
our contribution is not directly relevant to the ongoing communication. In some cases, this
material can be bracketed as a side sequence.
In other cases, there is a small shift in topic as the result of the contribution. In any event,
if contributions are not directly relevant, there need to be special signals (such as "This is a little
off the subject, but ..." or "Doesn't that remind you of...") to show the topic shift.

Manner Be perspicuous.
1. Avoid obscurity of expression.
2. Avoid ambiguity.
3. Be brief (avoid unnecessary prolixity).
4. Be orderly.
Finally, we should "be clear" avoiding obscurity and ambiguity. Our message should be
constructed in an orderly way. This overlaps with the system constraint on interpretable
messages.
All four of Grice's maxims are important for effective communication. Controls on manner
(clarity), quality (relevance and truthfulness), and quantity (enough but not too much) of
contributions are important for communication to run smoothly among cooperative participants.
You might, however, think for a moment about instances where the maxims are flaunted. For
example, a recommendation letter that is two sentences long flaunts the maxim of quantity.
And there are instances of noncooperative communication, sometimes called crosstalk, in
which participants have their own agendas. Questions may be answered with apparently
irrelevant responses. Not only may the responses be unrelated to the question, but they may
be misleading rather than truthful. The quantity maxim may also be violated in crosstalk.
Opponents may pile on irrelevant facts and details or refuse to give any details or supporting
information at all. Finally, the clarity of the message may be intentionally distorted so that each
side can claim that the other has sabotaged the communication.

Hedges
It is important to recognize Grice’s maxims as unstated assumptions we have in
conversations. We assume that people are normally going to provide an appropriate amount of
information; we assume that they are telling the truth, being relevant, and trying to be as clear
as they can. However, there are certain kinds of expressions speakers use to mark that they
may be in danger of not fully adhering to the principles. These kinds of expressions are
hedges.