D.A

QUALITY

Say what you believe to be true and what we have evidence for.

QUANTITY

Make your contribution sufficiently informative for the current purposes of the conversation. Do not make your contribution more informative than is necessary.

RELATION

Make sure that whatever you say is relevant to the conversation at hand.

CLARITY

Do not make your contribution obscure, ambiguous or difficult to understand.

The Tact Maxim

Maximize benefits to others while minimizing their costs.

The Generosity Maxim

Minimize benefits to ourselves while maximizing our costs.

The Approbation Maxim

Minimize criticism of others and maximize praise for them.

The Modesty Maxim

Maximize criticism of ourselves and minimize praise for ourselves.

The Agreement Maxim

Maximize agreement and minimize disagreement with others.

The Sympathy Maxim

Use courteous speech acts to express congratulations or condolences.