Generally, when you're flying about and getting (or requesting) a FIS or a MATZ penetration (don't ask for a MAX penetration, as I once did - that is something different and will elicit confusion), what the people on the ground want to know is
Who are you? - Call sign
What are you? - a/c type
Where are you from?
Where are you going?
Where are you now? - position, height, QNH
What do you want? - type of service, flight rules...
And try not to tell them your lifestory along the way.
I found it very helpful to sit in the lounge of a busy club (preferably with a full tower and ground service) and just listen until I had 'zoned in'.
