Hypertext in the key of G: Three types of "history" as influences on conversational structure and flow

Abstract

This article argues that an essential piece in the puzzle of everyday communication is the history that exists among conversational partners. Three types of history are examined as creators of "hypertextual links" among ideas in conversation in a way that allows the flow of conversation to continue. The importance of the relational history among participants in any conversation is stressed as a major influence on the understanding necessary for conversation to be coherent. Theorists of communication are urged to attend to the history existing among participants in interpersonal communication. A method for incorporating history into studies of interpersonal communication is suggested.