CONVERSATION STRATEGIES COMMON QUESTIONS & VOCABULARY FOR DISCUSSING STORIES

Asking for Opinions What do you think? / What do you think about ______? What's your opinion? / What’s your opinion on_______? What are your thoughts on _____? How do you feel about ______? Giving Opinions I think the main character is an idiot because... I don't think the main character is going to die because... I believe (that) the main character will... I don't believe (that) this story will have a happy ending... In my opinion, this story is a very good read because... I feel that the story is bit too slow for me because… I don't feel this story is very original because… Rejoinders: (Quick responses to show that you are interested or paying attention). (Oh) Really? That's interesting. / That’s crazy/insane. / That’s hilarious/funny! / That’s great. / That’s too bad. Is that right? Agreeing I agree. So do I. Me too. Me neither. (Agreeing about a negative idea.) I don't either. (Agreeing about a negative idea.) You're right. That's right. Good idea. I think that's a good idea. Disagreeing I disagree. I don't think so. (No.) That's not right. Yes, but... (I'm sorry, but) I don't agree. *Note that neither is used with "positive" verbs and either is used with "negative" verbs. For negative agreement, use neither in place of "so," and either in place of "too.” Bring in other people into the Conversation What do you think (person’s name)? What’s your opinion (person’s name)? Don’t you agree (person’s name)? Making Recommendations I would recommend reading/watching this because... I would not recommend reading/watching this because... Checking for Understanding (Do you) know what I mean? Do you know what I'm saying? Do you understand? Got it? Showing Understanding I see. I understand. I get it. / I got it. Gotcha. (Informal) Expressing Lack of Understanding I don't get it. (I'm sorry.) I don't understand. What do you mean? Talking about Characters Who was your favorite character in the story? Who was your least favorite character in the story? Expressing Likes and Dislikes I like … / I loved… I didn’t like … / I hated… DISCUSSION GUIDE

Words you can use to describe a STORY or PLOT Predictable Disgusting Repetitive Interesting Scary Engaging Sad Boring Violent Clever Unique Intriguing Unrealistic Realistic Dramatic Callous Mysterious Graphic Tragic Humorous Dysfunctional Outlandish Psychedelic Bitter-sweet Upsetting Complicated Creative Words you can use to describe a CHARACTER Arrogant Bossy Creative Defiant Honest Intelligent Kind Lazy Messy Obnoxious Prim Quiet Reliable Stubborn Unique Vain Wild Make sure you tell us ‘what’ and ‘why’ the story or a character is interesting or realistic.

Ask WH- Questions Who? What? Where? When? Why? Which? How?

Jin-Woo: Hey Da Young! What did you think about The Walking Dead comic book? Da-Young: I didn’t really like it as much as the TV show. The storyline was way too fast and was lacking many of the details that the TV show had. I didn’t like the drawing style either, it was too simple. Jin-Woo: Really?! I loved the comic book! I feel like the show was way too slow and added so many unnecessary things to the story. In the comic book, Lori and the baby died in a crazy gun fight, but in the show she dies in child birth. I think the show should be cancelled. Da-Young: What?! No way! Why would they cancel a show that is a huge success? Jin-Woo: I don’t know. In my opinion, it got too repetitive. Just zombies being shot in the head all the time. Da-Young: I still love the TV show. Watching them killing the zombies is way too cool. Jin-Woo: What did you think about the comic book and TV show Jae-Won? Jae-Won: I think … EXAMPLE CONVERSATION