ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

Course Description and Contents

Core Course Description: This module talks about the development of listening and
speaking skills and strategies for effective communication in various situations.

Contents
No. Module Title Topic/s Pages Performance Task
1 Definition of Communication 1 to 2
Communication

Components of Communication 3 to 5
Elements of
Nature and

Elements of Communication
7 to 8
Process
Panel Discussion
Models of Communication 8 to 9
Communication Barriers 10 to 13
Strategies to Avoid Communication
15 to 21
Breakdown
2
Functions of Communication 25 to 28
Communication

Deconstructing Verbal
Functions of

and Non-verbal cues

Patterns of Communication 32 to 33
Types of Communication 33 to 36
Strategies for Effective Functions of
36 to 40 Communication
Communication
Speech Act 40 to 41
3 Definition and Elements of
49 to 50
Various Speech

Rhetoric
Strategies in

Situations

Types of Speech Context 50 to 52 Analytic Discussion

Importance of the Types of
52 to 53
Speech
Types of Speech Style 53 to 56
Language Forms and Functions 57 to 62 Panel Discussion
Communicative Strategies 64 to 74
4 Types of Speeches According to Readers Theatre
78 to 80
Purpose Presentation
Speeches
Types of

Types of Speeches According to

80 to 82 Speech Writing
Delivery
Principles of Effective Speech
82 to 91
Delivery Speech Delivery
Writing the Speech 102 to 103

Disclaimer: The reading texts and inputs for discussion are provided for general purposes
for classroom use only. Should you want to consider the original source of the selections
used please see footnotes.

Printed in the Philippines

2017
 Module 1: Nature and Elements of Communication

I. Content Standards: Understand the nature and elements of oral communication

in context.

II. Performance Standards: You should be able to design and perform effective
controlled and uncontrolled oral communication activities based on context

III. Specific Learning Objectives:

A. Defines communication
B. Explains the nature and process of communication
C. Differentiates the various models of communication
D. Distinguishes the unique feature(s) of one communication process from the
other
E. Explains why there is a breakdown of communication
F. Uses various strategies in order to avoid communication breakdown
G. Demonstrates sensitivity to the socio-cultural dimension of communication
situation with focus on: a. culture, b. gender

Target Learning Competencies

• Defines communication (FK)
• Explains the nature and process of communication (CK)

Activity 1. Word Association

Directions: Listen carefully as your teacher gives the instructions on how to do this
activity.

Activity 2. Let’s Know This!

What is communication?
How do we define communication? Communication comes from the Latin word
communicare which means to share with or to make common. This connotes sharing our
thoughts, emotions, and knowledge to others using a certain code (culture) and symbols
(language) that must be learned and shared between communicators.

What are the presuppositions of the communicator? There are three major
presuppositions that every communicator needs to consider before striking a conversation:
(1) language, (2) topic or subject matter, and (3) context.
a. Language is considered one of the elements of culture. It is the system of words
or signs that a particular group of people use to express thoughts and feelings with

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 ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

each other; hence, if you do not belong to the same group or culture you do not
speak the same language.

b. Topic or subject matter is what the communicators are trying to share. This may
be their thoughts, ideas, emotions, and knowledge. This can also be considered as
the meaning in the communication process.

c. Context is the situation in which the communication

is taking place. These are the conditions that exist
when and where the communication is occurring and
only the people involved in the process will be able
to understand their specific context. Sometimes
people may be just joking with each other but to
some people listening to their conversation may
perceive it otherwise because they may understand Context
the language and topic but not the context.

Activity 3. Synthesis
Direction: Complete the Concept-Definition Map.
 Target Learning Competencies
• Defines communication (FK)
• Explains the nature and process of communication (CK)

Activity 4. Let’s Know This!

What are the components of communication? There are two types of communication:
(1) intrapersonal, and; (2) interpersonal. Intrapersonal communication is a highly
metacognitive process where you organize your thoughts into coherent ideas before
representing them in relevant symbols and signs that the person you are communicating
with can understand. You may have observed yourself by now that you think in mental
images and not in words, unless you are initially reading a text (but this will be dealt with
by your next English subject: Reading and Writing).
Say, someone asks you the following questions.
1. Who is your ideal man/woman?
2. What is your favorite pet?
3. What is your favorite food?
4. Where do you live?

What was exactly in your mind when you were processing these questions? You were
sifting mental images in your mind, weren’t you? This is exactly what I mean. Intrapersonal
is one aspect of communication where we process information.
Interpersonal communication on the other hand takes place between two or more
people where one initially starts the conversation (source) and the listener/s (receiver/s)
processes the information (message) conveyed to them through a chosen medium
(channel) chosen by the source either via oral form, print or non-print material, verbal and
nonverbal cues. Let us look at the diagram to better understand the interplay between
intrapersonal and interpersonal communication.

DeVito (1986) presents ten components of communication.

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Component Description
This is the initial sender of
1. Source message who has a purpose
to communicate
The process of translate or
2. Encoding transforming our ideas
(mental images) into symbols
like language that our target
listener will understand.
3. Message The encoded idea/s. This is
the product of our ‘encoding’.
4. Channel The means or mode how we
transmit our message/s. This
is also called medium of
communication (media if
plural).
5. Noise This refers to anything that
distorts or interrupts the
message of the source.
6. Receiver This is the person who initial
receives or attends to our
message
ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT
Example
• A person asking for directions
• A person giving a speech
• A sales agent
• (picture of a house) ➔ house
• (picture of a dog) ➔ dog
• (picture of a man drinking) ➔
drinking
• words
• icons
• commercials
• Speaking
• Writing
• Painting
• Computer/internet
• External noise (things in the
environment, sounds, lights,
etc.)
• Internal noise (personal
thoughts and feelings)
• Semantic noise (alternative
meanings or other possible
meanings of the source’s
intended message)
• Intentional (the actual person
that we want to communicate
directly)

7. Decoding This is the opposite process of
encoding. This is where our
receiver translates our
encoded message into a
mental image.
8. Receiver This anything our receiver
response does after having attended
our message. This is may be
congruent to our purpose or it
may also be incongruent.
9. Feedback This a part of the receiver’s
response where we are able
to attend to and gives us a
sign whether our intended
message and purpose was
received or not.
10. Context This is the situation or
generally the environment in
which we are purposely
communicating.
• Unintentional (any person who
happens to listen to our
communication who are not our
intentional receiver)
• house ➔ (picture of a house)
• dog ➔ (picture of a dog)
• drinking ➔ (picture of a man
drinking)
• (source) laugh ➔
angry/irritated (receiver)
• (source) angry ➔ nonchalant
(receiver
• (source) sad ➔ confused
(receiver)
• A nod or a smile
• A frown or a smirk
• A question or a statement of
confirmation
• Crossing of the arm
• Clenching of the fist
• Physical (jeep, classroom, mall,
market, etc.)
• Mental (subject matter, topic,
theme, emotions, culture, etc.)

What are the different characteristics of communication? It is important for us to

know the different characteristics of communication. Understanding these characters will
help us better understand the different models of communication.

1. Two or More Persons. The first important characteristic of communication is that

there must be a minimum number of two persons because no single individual can
have an exchange of ideas with himself. A listener is necessary to receive one’s ideas.
Therefore, there must be at least two persons-the sender of information and the
receiver.

2. Exchange of Ideas. Communication cannot be thought of in the absence of exchange

of ideas. In order to complete the process of communication there must be an exchange
of ideas, orders, feelings, etc., among two or more than two persons.

3. Mutual Understanding. Mutual understanding means that the receiver should

receive the information in the same spirit with which it is being given. In the process
of communication, it is more important to understand the information rather than carry
it out.

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 ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

4. Direct and Indirect Communication. It is not necessary in communication that the

receiver and giver of information should be face-to-face with each other.
Communication can be both direct and indirect. Direct communication means face-to-
face conversation, while indirect communication is through other means.

5. Continuous Process. Communication is an endless process, as is the case with

business where the manager continuously assigns work to his subordinates, tries to
know the progress of the work and gives directions.

6. Use of Words as well as Symbols. There can be many means of communication,

like the written, the oral and symbolic. The examples of symbolic communication are
the ringing of bell for closing a school or a college, saying something by the movement
of the neck, showing anger or disapproval through eyes, giving some decision by the
raising of a finger in cricket, etc.

7. Paralinguistic features in Communication are the aspects of non-spoken

communication that do not involve words. Examples of these are Body language,
gestures, facial expressions, tone and pitch of voice. Paralinguistic are important as
they can change message completely.

Target Learning Competency

• Differentiates the various models of communication (CK)

Activity 5. Message Relay

Directions: Listen carefully as your teacher gives the instructions.

Target Learning Competencies

• Distinguishes the unique feature(s) of one communication
process from the other (CK)
• Differentiates the various models of communication (CK)
 Activity 6. Let’s Know This!

The goal of communication is to convey information1—and the understanding of

that information—from one person or group to another person or group. This
communication process is divided into three basic components: A sender transmits a
message through a channel to the receiver. The sender first develops an idea, which is
composed into a message and then transmitted to the other party, who interprets the
message and receives meaning. Information theorists have added somewhat more
complicated language. Developing a message is known as encoding. Interpreting the
message is referred to as decoding.

Sender Messages Transmissions Recipient Receiver

(ideas) (encodes) (signals) (decodes) (meaning)

Feedback

What are the 7 Major Elements of Communication Process?2

Communication may be defined as a process concerning exchange of facts or ideas
between persons holding different positions in an organization to achieve mutual harmony.
The communication process is dynamic in nature rather than a static phenomenon.

Communication process as such must be considered a continuous and dynamic

inter-action, both affecting and being affected by many variables.

1. Sender. The person who intends to convey the message with the intention of
passing information and ideas to others is known as sender or communicator.

2. Receiver. Receiver is the person who receives the message or for whom the
message is meant for. It is the receiver who tries to understand the message in
the best possible manner in achieving the desired objectives.

3. Ideas. This is the subject matter of the communication. This may be an opinion,
attitude, feelings, views, orders, or suggestions.

4. Encoding. Since the subject matter of communication is theoretical and

intangible, its further passing requires use of certain symbols such as words,
actions or pictures etc. Conversion of subject matter into these symbols is the
process of encoding.

1
Retrieved from https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/principles-of-management/communication-and-
interpersonal-skills/the-communication-process
2
Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/business-communication/7-major-elements-of-communication-
process/25815/
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 ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

5. Communication Channel. The person who is interested in communicating has

to choose the channel for sending the required information, ideas etc. This
information is transmitted to the receiver through certain channels which may
be either formal or informal.

6. Decoding. The person who receives the message or symbol from the
communicator tries to convert the same in such a way so that he may extract
its meaning to his complete understanding.

7. Feedback. Feedback is the process of ensuring that the receiver has received
the message and understood in the same sense as sender meant it.

What are the different models of communication? To understand the

communication process better, let us learn its different models. There are three major
models of communication: linear, interactive, transaction.

B. Linear Model. The linear model of communication is a one-way process. The sender
encodes the message, delivers it via a chosen channel and the receiver receives the
message and the process ends there.

Noise

Source Message Channel Message Destination

Sender Message Receiver

C. Interactive Model. This is a model with two linear model stacked one on the other
with feedback as an added element. It explains that communication is a two-way
process which includes field of experience of the communicators involved. The field of
experience is considered to be our total cognition which includes our cultural
background, ethnicity geographic location, extent of travel, and general personal
experiences accumulated over the course of our lifetime. The more homophily (degree
of similarity of field of experience) the communicators have, the better they can
communicate with each other.
D. Transactional Model. This model
sees communication as a fluid
process where communicators are
constantly negotiating meaning. This
means that the components of
communication are interdependent
and that the communicators can
simultaneously send and receive
messages. Wood (2009) presents
three implications of this model.

1. “Transactional” means that

communication is an ongoing
and continuously changing
process. The communicators,
the environment; hence the context are constantly changing.

2. The different components or elements of communication are interdependent and

one cannot exist without the rest.

3. Each communicator responds depending on the environmental factors and their

individual field of experience. Wood (2009) further explains that the transactional
model of communication considers “noise” and “time” in communication.

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