PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language

Characteristics of Written Language

1. Permanence
2. Production time
3. Distance
4. Orthography
5. Complexity
6. Vocabulary
7. Formality

Characteristics of Spoken Language

1. Variation in speed
2. Loudness or quietness
3. Gestures
4. Intonation
5. Stress
6. Rhythm
7. Pitch range
8. Pausing and phrasing

Differences between Spoken and Written Language

Written - tends to be more complex and intricate than speech with longer sentences and many
subordinate clauses. The punctuation and layout of written text also have no spoken equivalent.
-usually permanent and written texts cannot usually be changed once they have been
printed/written out.
-written text can communicate across time and space for as long as the particular
language and writing system is still understood.
-writers can make use of punctuation, headings, layouts, colors and other graphical
effects in their written texts.
-some grammatical constructions are only used in writing as are some kinds of
vocabulary such as some complex chemical and legal terms.

Spoken - tends to be full of repetitions, incomplete sentences, corrections and interruptions with
the exception of formal speeches and other scripted forms of speech such as news reports and
scripts for plays and films.
-usually transient unless recorded and speakers can correct themselves and change their
utterances as they go along.
-speech is usually used for immediate interactions.
-speech can use timing, tone, volume and tremble to add emotional context.
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

-some types of vocabulary are used only or mainly speech. these includes slang
expressions, and tags like y’know, like, etc.

Register
– is a subset of language as defined by purpose and setting.

The Five Most Common Language Register in Writing

1. Formal language register

-is appropriate for professional writing and letters
Examples: business letters, announcement, professional emails, some essays, letters
complaint.

2. Informal language register

-is conversational and appropriate when writing to a friends and people you know very
well.
Examples: short notes, diaries and journals

3. Neutral language register

-is non emotional and sticks to facts. It is most appropriate for technical writings.

4. Frozen language register

-language that rarely or never changes
Examples: Pledge of allegiance, words to a song, poetry, prayer, laws

5. Consultative language register

-this is the register used when consulting an expert such as a doctor. The language used is
more précised.

Varieties
– A variety also called “Lect” is a specific form of language or language cluster. This may
include Languages, Dialects, registers, styles or other forms of language, as well as “Standard
Variety”

-Filipino-Standard Variety of the Phil.

-Varieties of the Phil.

a. Cebuano
b. Waray-waray
c. Ilocano
d. Kapampangan
e. hiligaynon
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Evaluating Messages

*The importance of evaluating the effectiveness of our messages is by developing and using
strategic questions to identify strengths and weaknesses

Four main qualities for an effective message

1.Simplicity
2.Specificity
3.Structure
4.Stickiness

Strategies for evaluating a message

– In order to evaluate whether a message is effective, we can ask ourselves a series of questions
which reflect a messages simplicity, specificity, structure and stickiness.

1. Simplicity
* In order to ensure that our messages have simplicity, we may ask ourselves two questions:
– Is my purpose evident?
– Is my core message clear?

2.Specificity
* Refers to our choices of language and its usage. In order to ensure language is specific, we may
ask ourselves:
– Is my language specific?
– Is my language concrete, rather than abstract?
– am I using words which have additional meanings and could perhaps be misconstrued?

3.Structure
*Ideas should be organize and easy to follow.
– Does my messages have a structure?
– Is there a more effective way to arrange my ideas?

4.Stickiness

Evaluating Images
*It is important to critically evaluate images you use for research, study and presentation. Images
should be evaluated like any other source, such as journal articles or books, to determine their
quality, reliability and appropriateness. Visual analysis is an important step in evaluating an
image and understanding its meaning. There are three steps of evaluating an image and these are:
1.Identifying source
2.Interpret contextual information
3.Understand implications
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Content Analysis
•What do you see?
•What is the image all about?
•Are there people in the image? What are they doing? How are they presented?
•Can the image be looked at different ways?
•How effective is the image as a visual message?

Visual analysis
•How is the image composed? What’s in the background and what is in the foreground?
•What are the most important visual elements in the image? How can you tell?
•How is color used? Can the image be looked at different ways?
•What meanings are conveyed.

Images source
•Where did you find the image?
•What information does the source provide about the origins of the image?
•Is the source reliable and trustworthy?
•Was the image found in an image database or was it being use in another context to convey
meaning?

Technical quality
•Is the image large enough to suit your purposes?
•Are the color, light and balance true?
•Is the image a quality digital image without pixilation or distortion?
•Is the image in a file format you can use?

“CONTEXUAL INFO”
•What information accompanies the image?
•Does the text change how you see the image? How?
•Is the textual information intended to be factual and inform or is it intended to influence what
and how you see?
•What kind of context does the information provide? Does it answer the questions where, how,
why and whom?

MULTIMODALITY

Multimodality is a fairly new concept in the general academic setting, but can be a very
powerful tool in light of digital and multicultural communication. A text or output is considered
multimodal if it uses two or more communication modes to make meaning. It shows different
ways of knowledge representations and meaning-making, and investigates contributions of
semiotic resources (language, gestures, images) that are co-deployed across various modalities
(visual, aural, somatic, etc.). Most importantly, multimodality highlights the significance of
interaction and integration in constructing a coherent text.
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

A multimodal text can be either be one of the following:

● Paper (books, comics, posters, brochures)

● Digital (slide presentations, blogs, web pages, social media, animation, film,
video games)
● Live (performance or an event)
● Transmedia (a story is told using multiple delivery channels through the
combination of platforms, such as comics, film, and video games all working as
part of the same story with the same message.)

The creation of multimodal text and outputs requires a creative design concept that
orchestrates the purposive combination pf text, color, photo, sound, spatial design, language,
gestures, animations and other semiotics, all with the unitary goal of bringing meaning to life.

Things to consider:

1. Purpose – the creator of the text must be cler on the message and the reason(s) why
the message has to be delivered.

2. Audience – the nature, interests and sensitivities of the target audience must be
considered so the text will not be offensive and hurt people’s sensibilities.

3. Context – the message should be clearly delivered through various semiotic

resources, and in consideration of the various situations where and how the text will
be read by different people having different cultural backgrounds.

Assessment: Poster Invitation to a Cause-oriented Event

1. Work with your partner and think of a cause-oriented event that you may want to
organize.

2. Focus on people or sectors of society that need help. Identify specigic persons or groups.
Think of a good way, in the form of a cause-oriented event, to help them.

3. Create a multimodal material inviting people to join the cause-oriented event.

4. Provide a brief description of the following:

a. Your cause and beneficiary, purpose and other details of the event, target
audience;
b. Concept of the multimodal material; and
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

c. Group members and individual tasks.

5. Be ready to present your poster.
6. You will be graded using the following rubric:
a. Purpose. The purpose of the cause-oriented event is clear just by looking at the
poster. (10pts)
b. Audience. The poster manifests ethical considerations and will be easily
understood by the target audience. (10pts)
c. Context. The context of the event, as well as that of the beneficiaries, is
manifested in the picture. (10 pts)
d. Use of Semiotic Resources. The text, font, photo, color, images, and design layout
are purposive and help send the message clearly. (20pts)
e. Overall Impact. The poster will easily catch the attention of the target audience
and has a lasting impact. (10pts)

CHAPTER REQUIREMENT: Prepare to read and Act

1. Read the article “The Flight from Conversation” written by Sherry Turkle and published
in The New York Times on April 21, 2012.
2. As you read, ask yourselves the following guide questions (answers need not be written
down):
a. How do you feel about what was written? Do you agree or disagree with the
points raised?
b. Can you identify with any of the situations presented in the article? Do you have
any experience related to any of the examples given?
c. Does the article prompt you to do something , or change any previous belief you
might have? Or does it reinforce/ support your existing stand on the topic?
3. Prepare a Reaction Paper, with the following basic parts:
a. Introduction
i. State the title and author of the article you read.
ii. Write a two sentence summary of the article (what it is about).
iii. State your thesis, which is a sentence that highlights your main point or
argument.
b. Body
i. Provide statements or details that would support your thesis. Three to four
paragraphs will suffice.
ii. Each paragraph is expected to have a topic sentence, supporting detail,
direct quote/ line lifted from the article, and explanation.
iii. You may use sentence prompts, such as
1. I think that…
2. In my opinion…
3. It is my firm belief that…
4. It seems that…
5. I truly feel that…
iv. Organize the paragraphs and provide smooth transitions using proper
devices (In addition, Furthermore, Moreover, However, etc.)
c. Conclusion
 PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

i. Restate your thesis sentence, or summarize your main point/argument.

ii. You may end with a call to action, a major comment, or a prediction, as
long as no new information or reaction is presented.
4. Proofread your work to ensure that:
a. There are no glaring grammatical or typographical errors that might affect your
message.
b. All sources have been properly cited.
c. The first person perspective is used, since you are writing your personal reaction.
d. Your paper is not simply a summary of the article.
Reminders:
● Limit the reaction paper to 2-3 pages (short bond paper).
● Use Times New Roman, font size 12, with 1.5 spacing and 1” margin on all sides.
● Your paper will be scored using the DISCO rubric: Diction, Idea Development, Style,
Conventions and Organization.

Reference:

Tejada K. C. et.al (2018). Purposive. Panday-Lahi Publishing House, Inc.

Prepared by:

LANNIE L. ENRIQUEZ
Instructor I