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The two examples above are similar in terms of the FPP projected, that is, an invitation. The difference between those examples is laid on how the second
speaker responds to the invitation. In the first example, Jane as the second speaker
uses a preferred structure to reply to Amy’s invitation. She states an acceptance
immediately and her words contain a simple structure. On the contrary, the second example shows a different case. Joy, as the person invited, performs a dispreferred
act of rejection to Harry’s invitation by delaying the response with a short silence
and arranging it with structurally complex components. To design the response, Joy employs a hesitation marker huh, an expression of doubt
well, I don’t really
know, statements for understanding you see; you know, and an account
it’s a
bit hectic for me on Wednesday to explain the reason why he may not be able to accept the invitation.
c. Sequence Organization
In sequence organization, adjacency pairs are regarded as the basic forms of sequences at talk since they are only constructed of two turns each of which
establishes an FPP and an SPP Wilkinson and Kitzinger, 2011: 26. With respect to this, sequences of talk can have more complex forms than adjacency pairs.
They may be expanded into comprising more than two turns. A sequence expansion can occur in a range of different places. It can come before an FPP of
an adjacency pair, between an FPP and an SPP of an adjacency pair, or after an SPP of an adjacency pair. In their technical terms, these three possibilities of the
production of a sequence expansion are generally called pre-expansions, insert- expansions, and post-expansions Liddicoat, 2007: 125. Since expansions can be
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made up of sequences in their own right, they may also be termed pre-sequences, insert-sequences, and post-sequences. Sidnell illustrates the occurrences of the
three types of expansions as follows 2010: 95.
Figure 1: The Illustration of the Occurrences of Pre-expansions, Insert- expansions and Post-expansions in Sequence Expansions
The discussion of the three types of sequence expansions is provided in the following section.
1 Pre-expansions or Pre-sequences
Pre-expansion or pre-sequence is a sequence that precedes a base FPP. It is composed of utterances preliminary to some particular action projected in a base
sequence. Cutting 2002: 31 tells that a pre-sequence serves as a sequence which introduces a further sequence. In other words, a pre-sequence is a prelude to
another sequence. e.g.
A :
You know that French film that’s on
in the Odeon? Pre-sequence
B : Yes? A : Do you want to go and see it tonight?
B : Yeah, why not?
Cutting, 2002: 31 In the example, it is noticed that A wants to invite B to watch a film
together. However, before uttering hisher intention, A previously talks about the
Pre-expansions
Insert-expansions
Post-expansions Second pair parts
First pair parts Adjacency pairs
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film by asking B whether she already knows about the film or not. The question is in turn followed by B
’s answer
. Further to this, A finally launches the invitation in which B accepts it in reply. In this situation, the question-answer session prior
to the invitation is called pre-sequence, and the type of the pre-sequence is pre- invitation.
2 Insert-expansions or Insert-sequences
Insert-sequence, which is also known as insertion sequence, is a sequence inserted between a base FPP and a base SPP Yule, 1996: 78. Although it appears
to be a sequence that delays the outcome of a base SPP, it still performs some conversational actions related to a base sequence. It is sometimes produced to
seek more explanation for an unclear base FPP. e.g.
Agent : Do you want the early flight? Client : What time does it arrive?
Agent : Nine forty-five. Insert-sequence
Client
: Yeah, that’s great.
Yule, 1996: 78 In the dialogue, the agent asks the client whether she wants to take the
early flight. However, the client does not give hisher answer immediately. She delays the answer by asking the agent about when the flight will arrive. As soon
as the agent gives an answer to the question, the client elicits an answer to the initial question produced by the agent. In this case, the question-answer sequence
initiated by the client serves as an insertion sequence.
3 Post-expansions or Post-sequences
Post-sequence is a sequence which follows a base SPP. It may occur as a reaction towards a base SPP. Post-sequence has two types: minimal and non-
