Brown and Levison's politeness/face theory

Theory (1987)

Brown and Levison based the face theory on principles of our desire to be liked and not imposed upon.

FACE is defined as the public self image every adult portrays, which is intended for interaction. These include the positive and negative face.

       ☺ - 

Positive face

       ☻  -

Negative face

☠ -Threatening face act (FTA)

Positive face: The desire to be liked
Negative face: The desire to have freedom
Face threatening act: This face deliberately threatens the face needs of others. 

The face theories all relate to the politeness theory as to have a polite, positive conversation the positive face act needs to be used. Where as for a negative conversation, the negative face or FTA will be used.  

 Politeness super strategies :
Bald on record
Positive politeness
Negative politeness
Off record
Withhold (from FTA)

Grice's Maxims

Grice's Maxims: 

1. The maxim of quantity
2. The maxim of quality
3. The maxim of relevance
4. The maxim of manner  

1. The maxim of quantity:

When someone tries to be as informative and give as much information as is needed and no more.

2. The maxim of quality:

Where someone is truthful and doesn't over exaggerate or doesn't give any false information and no evidence to support what they're saying.

3. The maxim of relevance:

Where someone is being relevant to the conversation without going off topic, saying things that are applicable to the discussion.

4. The maxim of manner:

When someone tries to be as clear and brief as they can. They also avoid being ambiguous and try to be straight to the point without obscurity.