This volume investigates how the structural organization of conversation—specifically the construction of turns and sequences—functions as a primary mechanism for social interaction. The authors, Barbara A. Fox, Cecilia E. Ford, and Sandra A. Thompson, curate a collection of original research that applies conversation analysis (CA) to examine the intersection of linguistic form and social practice. By analyzing the mechanics of how speakers manage dialogue, the text argues that language use is fundamentally shaped by the sequential requirements of human interaction.

Experts recognize this collection as a significant contribution to the field of conversation analysis, particularly for its focus on the formal properties of talk-in-interaction. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, making it a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students of sociolinguistics.