Publication Date

2017

Journal or Book Title

Argumentation and Advocacy

Abstract

The study examines transcripts from dispute mediation to explore mediators’ strategic maneuvering for keeping the disputants on task – that is, on negotiating plans about caring for their children. The article discusses mediators’ institutional practices to keep disputants on task and to constrain what becomes arguable. It analyzes strategic maneuvering at the levels of topical potential, audience demands, and presentational devices. The study also suggests that the concept of strategic maneuvering can be further developed by including identities as another type of interactional resources employed to shape argumentative activity. It focuses on how mediators use interactional resources to balance institutional goals (i.e. reaching an agreement) and interactional goals (i.e. sustaining participants’ face) and to shape an institutionally preferred interactivity.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1080/00028533.2017.1341452

Pages

234-251

Volume

53

Issue

3

License

UMass Amherst Open Access Policy

Included in

Communication Commons

Share

COinS