LESSON 5: TYPES OF SPEECH
CONTEXTS
OUTLINE
I. Types of Speech Contexts
- Intrapersonal Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Public Communication
- Mass Communication
TYPES OF SPEECH CONTEXTS
1. Intrapersonal Communication
- It centers in one person where the
speaker acts both as the sender and
the receiver of the message.
- Form of thinking out loud or soliloquy
in literature.
- Different levels of intrapersonal
communication:
o Internal Discourse – thinking,
concentration, and analysis.
o Solo Vocal Communication –
speaking aloud to oneself
(practicing to speak to another
person).
o Solo Written Communication –
writing one’s thoughts and
observations without the
intention of having somebody
what they have written
(diary/journal).
2. Interpersonal Communication
- It refers to communication between
and among people and establishes
relationship.
- May also be mediated.
o Dyadic – occurs between two
people.
o Small Group – it refers to
communication that involves
at least three but not more
than ten people working to
achieve a desired goal. Also
known to be task or work
group that participate in
democratic exchange of
ideas. The group’s objective
varies whether it’s private or
public.
o Private group – without an
audience, equally active
participants, usually around a
table or a private room.
o Public meeting – speak in
front of an audience, may or
may not be participants.
- Other Types:
o Panel Discussion – it is an
exchange of thought among
several participants of usually
about 3 to 4 or more. Most
popular group discussion,
informal but organized
conversation in front of a
larger audience, can be used
to discuss topics that is too
complex to be discussed by
one people. A chairman
presides and introduces each
participants (panellists), briefly
introduces the topic to the
audience as to what the issue
is about. The panel members
discuss the topics to one
another until the end of the
time limit. The chairman then
summarizes the topic and
entertains questions from the
audience.
o Lecture – a single discourse
or speech given by an expert
before an audience. It is a 50-
60 min presentation where the
audience is given a chance to
participate after the lecture. It
is a discussion type because
it’s purpose is to instruct, to
inform, or to impart, and to
provide the audience a clear
idea about the topic that
 needs to be communicated. A
chairman always presides the
lecture and tells the audience
what the topic is about.
He/she also introduces the
speaker. The lecturer must
use a strategy that he/she will
use to match the learning
process of the audience. A
good method is to make sure
that he/she begins with a
simple-complex, general-
particular, etc. The speaker
can be sure that everyone in
the audience is able to learn
from his/her presentation.
o Forum – it is a participation of
the entire group after a
planned program of
discussion or lecture has been
held and the balance of the
time is turned over to the
group for comments,
questions, and exchange of
ideas. It is open for discussion
(voicing out of ideas).
o Symposium – It is a series of
individual presentations which
address different aspects of a
single topic, and which is
usually followed by questions
from the audience. It is a
meeting/conference about the
discussion of a topic
especially when a member of
the audience makes
Characteristics of Public Communication
presentations. It is from a
Latin word which means a
drinking party, a party where
the host serves his/her guests
fine wine. 3 or 4 members are
considered authority on a
particular topic where they are
seated in front facing the
audience (similar to panel
discussion and forum). A
symposium has a chairman
which is one among the
guests that explains what the
topic is about. The objective of
a symposium is to instruct or
to inform. The audience may
or may not be allowed to ask
questions.
o Debate – contenders are
made to make use of their
critical thinking and to present
or cite evidences or proofs
that they are right.
o Round Table – a form of
academic discussion where
participants agree on a
specific topic to discuss and
debate. Each person is given
equal rights to debate, as
illustrated by the idea of a
circular layout, referred to the
term round table. It is similar
to a panel discussion group,
where the audience are
seated face-to-face around a
table but it is without a larger
audience or a moderator or a
chairman.
3. Public Communication
- It refers to communication that
requires you to deliver or send a
message before or in front of a
group.
- Public Speaking
a) It is audience-centered. See to it that
your message is understood.
- Know the social composition of the
audience.
- Know the audience’s attitude toward
the speech.
- Know the audience’s attitude toward
the speech purpose.
 - Know the audience’s attitude
towards the speaker.
b) It involves critical thinking. Occurs when
the audience/listeners:
o accumulate the ideas
imparted to them by the
speaker;
o assess whether the
information given to them is
valid;
o decide what to believe;
o form their judgment; and
o apply the new learning.
c) It requires ethics. Every speaker is
expected to behave ethically. As a
speaker, you are morally obliged to be
ethical – you should be truthful in
everything that you say.
d) It empowers the speaker. It puts the
speaker where he/she can control the
situation. Able to think critically and
influence the behaviour and attitude of
other people.
4. Mass Communication
- It refers to communication that takes
place through television, radio,
newspapers, magazines, books,
billboards, Internet, and other types
of media.
- Disseminating information by
communication media.

REFERENCES
Tapia, A. G. (2020). Pre-recorded Video: Types
of Speech Context.