ICT-ED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAN ANTONIO

143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon

(043) 703-2273
Oral Communication
WEEK 2
VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Learning Objective(s):

 Distinguish the difference of verbal and non-verbal communication

 Use various strategies to avoid communication breakdown

‘93/7 Rule’
“ 93% of communication occurs through nonverbal behavior & tone; only 7% of
communication takes place through the use of words.”
― John Stoker

VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message. For effective
and successful verbal communication, use words to express ideas which can easily
understood by the person you are talking to.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN ENGAGING TO VERBAL COMMUNICATION

 Appropriateness – the language that you use should be appropriate to the

environment or occasion.
 Brevity – speakers who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are
found to be more credible. Try to achieve brevity by being more direct with your
words.

• Clarity – the meanings of words, feelings or ideas may be interpreted differently

by a listener; hence, it is essential for you to clearly state your ideas and feelings.
 ICT-ED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAN ANTONIO
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
• Ethics– words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles,
ethnicity, preferences, and status of the person or people you are talking to.

• Vividness – words that are vividly or creatively describe things or feelings

usually add colors and spice to communication

NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey and represent meanings.

All kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words are classified as
nonverbal communication. Examples of nonverbal communication are stares, smiles,
tone of voice, movements, manners of walking, standing and sitting, appearance, style
of attire, attitude towards time and space, personality, gestures, and others.

FUNCTIONS OF NONVERBAL MESSAGES

Nonverbal communication performs several functions. It can be used to

accentuate a particular point, complement, contradict, or repeat a verbal message,
regulate a conversation, or substitute for a verbal message. Let us discuss each of
these functions.

1. Accenting

Non verbal messages accentuate or emphasize a particular point in verbal

message. For example, a skilled public speaker will bang his/her fist on the podium or
vigorously wave his/her hands in the air when making a dramatic point. Accenting is the
most effective way for a speaker to indicate an important point.

2. Complementing

The function of complementing is to reinforce, or enhance the verbal message.

When you tell someone that you admire them, you may simultaneously be hugging and
kissing that person.
 ICT-ED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAN ANTONIO
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
3. Contradicting

Sometimes nonverbal messages contradict the verbal message. For example,

when you tell someone with a sardonic smile, “You look lovely”

Generally, when verbal and nonverbal messages are in conflict with each other,
people tend to believe the nonverbal message more than the verbal message.

4. Repeating

When after saying “Yes!” you nod your head vigorously or you also give a
“thumbs up” sign after you holler that things are okay, you are repeating the verbal
messages in a nonverbal way.

5. Substituting

A mother stares hard at her child when she disapproves of what he/she is doing.
No need for words. The child understand and immediately stops. In this example, we
note how mother’s nonverbal behaviour is used in place of the verbal behaviour to stop
the child from what he/she doing.

CATEGORIES OF NONVERBAL MESSAGES

Body movements and gestures

Body movements and gestures which are commonly referred to as kinesics refer
to any movement of the head, arms, legs, hand, and so on (Richmond and McCroskey
2004; Wrench et al. 2008)

Emblems

Emblems are nonverbal behaviours that directly translate words or phrases, or

nonverbal substitute for specific words or phrases. Emblems include for instance, the
signs for okay, peace, laban, money, and so on.
 ICT-ED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAN ANTONIO
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273
Illustrators

Illustrators are nonverbal behaviours that are used to illustrate or add meaning to
the verbal message. They help clarify the message. Illustrators are primarily made by
using hands, but not exclusively. For example, when we describe a circle or square, we
are likely to make circular or square movements with our hands.

FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

1. Completeness – complete communication is essential to the quality of

communication process in general.

2. Conciseness – it does not mean keeping the message short, but making it direct or
straight to the point.

3. Consideration – to be effective, the speaker should always consider relevant

information about his/her receiver.

4. Concreteness – effective communication happens when the message is concrete

and supported by facts, figures and real-life examples and situations.

5. Courtesy – the speakers shows courtesy in communication by respecting the culture,

values, and beliefs of his/her receivers.

6. Clearness – clearness in communication implies the use of simple and specific

words to express ideas.

7. Correctness – correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience

and increases the credibility and effectiveness of the message.

NOTE:

 Verbal communication and nonverbal communication express ideas in different

ways.
 Nonverbal communication can be easily misinterpreted, and must therefore be
“considered in connection with verbal messages” (Franklin & Clark, 2001).
 ICT-ED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SAN ANTONIO
143 ME C. Harina Street, Poblacion, San Antonio, Quezon
(043) 703-2273

WEEK 2
VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Activity 1. Watch Ted Talks titled “Your body Language Shapes Who You Are “by
Amy Cuddy on Youtube. Discuss what you learned from her speech about how
nonverbal communication affects the communicator. Write your answer inside the box
below. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ks-_Mh1QhMc )