The Nature and Elements of Communication

Created by:
1.0 Ms. Julie Mae C. Alforque
Ms. Lilia V. Ibo
In this module, you will spend two weeks to:
a. explain the functions, nature and process of communication;
b. differentiates the various models of communication;
c. uses various strategies in order to avoid communication breakdown;
d. examines sample oral communication activities.

INTRODUCTION

George Bernard Shaw, a prominent Anglo-Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political
activist in the18th century, once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that
is has taken place.”
Indeed, there are instances in people’s daily lives
that moments of confusion, conflicts and
misunderstandings among family members, friends,
colleagues and even within one’s self occur. This could be
attributed to the delusion that such exchange of information
and messages has taken place successfully.
With this, it begs the question: How can people get
their messages across to the other person without the fear of
being misunderstood? Or How can people communicate
effectively in specific situations with different sets of
audience? Or How can communicators make sure that the
receivers of such messages comprehend the speakers’ point
of view?
These are just some of the questions that people
need to ponder on before attempting to communicate with
anybody. In this module, we will attempt to understand the nature and complexities of communication
together with its elements and processes before trying to answer the questions stated above.

DISCUSSION
Before diving head first to the world of communication,
watch the short clip, “A Guide to Effective Communication” for
your tasks on the succeeding pages.
Now, let us define what communication is. It came from
Latin words communis which “to make common” and
commūnicāre which means "to share”. It is a process of
exchanging thoughts, messages, or information
(speech, signals, writing, or behavior) by enclosing it in a
package and channeling them via different media between
senders and receivers and vice versa. Moreover, the process of
communication is not only possible with words but it can also
manifest through one’s tone of voice and body language. As a
matter of fact, studies have shown that words account for 7% of
the information communicated while vocal tone accounts for
55% and the body language for 38%.
It is also important to note that people usually engage with each other for different reasons such
as for information, entertainment and persuasion.
Thus, to be effective communicators, it is important that communicators are made aware of these
and use them effectively.

SHS MODULE v201720 1

continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 2

Basic Communication Process

Now, let us look into how it works. For the longest

time, communication was done one-way but as time
progresses so as the development of technology and the
people’s need to be understood clearly, quickly and
effectively. To continue, this has been defined as the
transmission or passage of information from senders
through selected channels to the receivers overcoming
various barriers that may affect its transference ("Effective
Communication - Process").
Thus, from a simple process, it has apparently
evolved into something more inclusive yet complicated. It is
truly difficult to tell when the communication process
begins and/or ends. When people exchange messages, what
happens before affects the interaction and what occurs after
also affects future correspondences. With this, Dr. Julia
Wood, a gender and communications professor at the
University of North Carolina, puts it that “communication is
a process that is always in motion, moving forward and
changing continually”(Pinzon, and Jamandre).
For instance, when teachers gets into Online
Meetings while the whole class is chitchatting about something unrelated to the subjects. Everyone can
speak whatever they want and however they want as long as the teachers have not arrived yet in the
Meeting Rooms. However, this changes when the teachers are already in. All students are enjoined to
interact with one another within the bounds of academic discussions. This too is different when people
connect with friends in different contexts. It maybe acceptable that friends speak in loud and animated
voices when in public spaces excluding churches, libraries and among others.
Moreover, let us look into how the process works. This dynamic process beings with the
conceptualization of ideas by the senders who then transmit the messages through different channels to
the receivers who in turn give feedback, if applicable, in the form of some messages or signals with the
given time frame ("What Is Communication Process? Definition And Meaning - Business Jargons").

Sender He/she initiates the conversation and conceptualize the ideas that he/she intends to convey.
This is the part where the sender begins to use certain words or non-verbal means such as
symbols, signs, body gestures and the like to translate the information into a comprehensible
Encoding message. The sender’s knowledge, skills, perception, background and competencies play an
important role on the success of the message.
These are the encoded messages which can be written, oral, symbolic or non-verbal such as
Message body gestures, silences,sighs, sounds or any other signals that trigger the receiver’s response.
These are the different media through which the sender convey the message. This must be
carefully chosen to make sure that the encoded message can be interpreted effectively and
Channel correctly. The use of channels, however, depend on the relationships between the sender and
the receiver together with the sense of urgency for the message to be sent.
He/she takes the encoded message. He/she tries to comprehend it in the manner that the
sender sends it. It is important to note that the degree to which the receiver decodes the
Receiver message depends on his/her knowledge of the subject matter, experience, trust and
relationship with the sender.
This is the part where the receiver interprets the message in the best possible manner.
Decoding However, an effective and successful communication can only occur if the receiver gets to
understand the message in the same way it was intended. If not, communication breaks.
This is the final step which ensures that the receiver has gotten the message and has
interpreted it correctly. This also signals the effectiveness of the exchange as it allows the
Feedback sender to know whether or not, his/her messages’ efficacy is high. This, too, can be verbal or
non-verbal.
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 3

Characteristics of Communication

Now that we know how the process works, let us look into the diverse characteristics of
communication.
‣ It is inevitable. People cannot NOT communicate. Intentionally or unintentionally people send and
receives messages from one another. From laughter with friends, cries when a loved-one dies to the
silences and sighs in arguments and frustrations speaks volume. It is part of life.
‣ It is dynamic. Exchanging information and thoughts is not only influenced by the mood and
thinking of the sender and receiver. The way a message is accepted depends upon which of the
sensory organs of the receiver is active at that time. Thus, it is a process that keeps changing in
different contexts. Moreover, the dynamic aspect of communication can also be seen in the
language used. As culture keeps on changing so as the linguistic aspect of the community. Take for
instance, the Filipino slang for idol. “Lodi” is the slang term for someone one idolizes (Pobre).
Examples of Some Filipino Slang
1. mumshies an endearment towards one’s mom or female friend
2. Pak ganern! to illustrate a point
3. Gandara Park to admire someone’s beauty
4. Haggardo Versoza to express tiredness
5. werpa to encourage someone
6. awra to encourage someone to make his/her presence known
7. chika another term for gossip
8. jowa significant other
9. Havey, waley to signify approval and non-existence
10. walwal commonly used during drinking sesh

Examples of Some American Slang

1. to pig out to eat a lot of food in a messy way
2. to screw up something to mess things up
3. to take a raincheck can't do something right now, but want to do it
later
4. to jack up the prices to suddenly increase prices
5. to drive someone up the wall to make someone crazy
6. to ride shotgun to be in the passenger seat
7. a couch potato someone who always stays inside
8. a party animal someone who loves or really enjoys parties
9. something is sick something is awesome/really good
10. to be hyped to be extremely excited about/looking forward
to something
‣ It is continuous. People’s interaction with one another is perceived to be non-stop. Take for
example, when office managers continuously assign tasks to their subordinates and try to know the
progress of the work and sometimes give directions for revisions. Another example is when people
post anything on any social media platforms where the sender has no power to know to whom and
where his/her posts have reached. These are just some scenarios that manifest the continuity of
communication.
‣ It is complex. People exchange correspondences for different purposes, contexts and forms. A
single transaction may possess meanings that can be interpreted differently. The success of any
forms of communication is totally dependents on the sender and receiver’s background. Moreover,
it is also important to look into words with multiple meanings also known as homonyms.
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 4

Examples of Homonyms
1. row a fight or disagreement to propel a boat forward
2. consult to seek advice to give professional advice
3. discount a reduction in price and can also to underestimate someone or
be used as “on sale” something and give them no
value
4. express a fast version of something to show one’s thoughts with
words
5. object anything that can be seen or to express disapproval
touched
6. stalk a part of a plant to follow or harass someone
7. compact small a small case for makeup
8. desert a dry, barren area of land to abandon a person or cause
9. entrance a point of access and entry to bewitch and delight
10. overlook to fail to notice something a place where you can look
down and see from a higher
vantage point
‣ It is irreversible. When a communicator expresses a message either verbally or non-verbally, it is
said and done. It can either either be deleted nor taken back. One may immediately apologize for an
erroneous gesture or hurtful remark, but the effect or impact of the message or behavior may still
remain and linger for a long time (Pinzon, and Jamandre).
‣ It is non-sequential. Communication is supposed to be two-way street. It is not only sending and
receiving messages, for communication process to be successful, the message must be understood
by the receiver in the same sense (Maiti).
‣ It is unrepeatable. Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said that “people cannot step into the same
water twice.” This is quite similar to communication in which everything is expected to be new. A
public speaker who delivers a speech to an audience cannot repeat the same performance in exactly
the same way to another audience. The message may be used again but the speech performance is
unique and the reception may also differ (Pinzon, and Jamandre).
‣ It is a process of adjustment. When communicators interact with each other, they always adjust to
each other’s cultural and personal differences. There are different signal systems and meaning in
every communication situation. Effective communicators should be sensitive enough to adjust to
each other’s behavioral traits and differences in signal system meanings. They are also expected to
adapt in order to achieve understanding and success in the interaction (Pinzon, and Jamandre).
‣ It is transactional. In any communication
situations, there are two parties who agree
on the transaction. Both must be willing to
participate in the exchange. They
recognize that the communication process
involves the self and others in a shared
process. Thus, it is we-oriented (as quoted
in Pinzon, and Jamandre).
Elements of Communication Process
1. Context
- refers not only to the environment where
the communication happens but also with the
type of relationships people have with others
together with the communicative rules that
govern such relationships ("Elements Of The Communication Process | Principles Of Public Speaking").
With these, people do not speak the same way they speak to a small child, a parent, a boss, a doctor and
the like.
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 5

2. Source/Sender
- comes up with an idea and sends a message to the receiver. The source could be a single person or
a group of people. The source determines the message—what to say and how to say it.
3. Message
- is the information or subject matter the source is intending to share. The information may be an
opinion, feelings, instructions, requests, or suggestions.
4. Channel
- is very simply the means through which the message travels. In face-to-face communication the
channel involves all of our senses, so the channel is what we see, hear, touch, smell and perhaps
what we taste. When we’re communicating with someone online, the channel is the computer; when
texting the channel is the cell phone; and when watching a movie on cable, the channel is the TV
("Elements Of The Communication Process | Principles Of Public Speaking").
5. Receiver
-receives the message from the source, analyzing and interpreting the message in ways both
intended and unintended by the source ("1.2 What Is Communication?").
6. Feedback
- is composed of messages the receiver sends back to the source. Verbal or nonverbal, all these
feedback signals allow the source to see how well, how accurately (or how poorly and inaccurately)
the message was received. Feedback also provides an opportunity for the receiver or audience to ask
for clarification, to agree or disagree, or to indicate that the source could make the message more
interesting. As the amount of feedback increases, the accuracy of communication also increases
("1.2 What Is Communication?")
7. Noise or Interference
- is anything that blocks or changes the source’s intended meaning of the message ("1.2 What Is
Communication?"). It may include poor audio quality or too much sound, poor image quality, too
much or too little light, attention, etc.(Ashman).

‣ Physical Noise
‣ Psychological Noise
‣ Physiological Noise
Types of Noise
are those distractions int he environment such as seatmates talking,
sound of the air conditioner or electric fan, or the traffic hear from
outside of the room (Pinzon, and Jamandre). Loud music playing at a
party, a number of voices of people talking excitedly, a lawnmower
right outside the window, or anything that is overly loud will interfere
with communication ("Elements Of The Communication Process |
Principles Of Public Speaking").
are the thoughts that run through the communicator’s mind during the
interaction that takes his.her attention away from it (Pinzon, and
Jamandre). Another example includes when someone has just broken up
with a significant other, or if they’re worried about their grandmother
who is in the hospital, or if they are thinking about their shopping list,
this may interfere with communication processes as well ("Elements Of
The Communication Process | Principles Of Public Speaking").
refers to bodily processes and states that interfere with a message. For
instance, if a speaker has a headache or the flu, or if audience members
are hot or they’re hungry, these conditions may interfere with message
accuracy ("Elements Of The Communication Process | Principles Of
Public Speaking").
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 6

‣ Semantic Noise are the differences in meaning or interpretation of words or messages

which results to distraction and confusion. Examples include the use of
homonyms, double speak, regional languages among others.

1. langgam bird (Cebuano) ant (Tagalog)

2. habol blanket (Cebuano) run after (Tagalog)
3. kamot hand (Cebuano) Scratch(Tagalog)
4. magsukul to fight (Cebuano) Thank you (Tausug)
5. libog to be confused To be horny
(Cebuano) (Tagalog/Hiligaynon)
6. balak a poem Intention (Tagalog)
(Cebuano/Hiligaynon)
7. bitin snake Too short (Tagalog)
(Cebuano/Hiligaynon)
8. hilom Silence and peace Healing (Tagalog)
(Cebuano) A secret (Waray)
9. bagay To fight (Cebuano) Friends
(Tagalog/Bikolano,
Tausug)
10. daga A maiden (Cebuano) Rat (Tagalog)
Soil (Bikolano, Ilokano)

‣ Cultural Noise refers to message interference that results from differences in peoples’
worldviews

Now that we have tackled the different nature, process, characteristics , and elements of
communication. Let us now go to the different models of communication available.

Models of Communication

Lasswell’s Communication Model (1948)

‣ is regarded by many communication and public relations scholars as "one of the earliest and most
influential communication models."[1] The model was developed by American political
scientist and communication theorist Harold Lasswell in 1948 while he was a professor at Yale Law
School.
‣ describes who is saying something, which channel is used to convey the messages, who the message
is aimed at and what effect the message has. Communication sciences and public relations still often
use this model, making this a classic sender receiver model ("Lasswell Communication Model").
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 7

Shannon's Model of the Communication

Process (1949)

‣ It is a transmission model consisting

of five elements: an information
source, which produces a message; a
transmitter, which encodes the
message into signals; a channel, to
which signals are adapted for
transmission; a receiver, which
decodes (reconstructs) the message
from the signal; a destination, where
the message arrives. A sixth element,
noise, is a dysfunctional factor: any
interference with the message
travelling along the channel (such as
static on the telephone or radio) which
may lead to the signal received being
different from that sent. For the telephone the channel is a wire, the signal is an electrical current in
it, and the transmitter and receiver are the telephone handsets. Noise would include crackling from
the wire. In face-to-face conversation, my mouth is the transmitter, the signal is the sound waves,
and your ear is the receiver; noise would include any distraction you might experience as I speak. It
is a very linear model; unlike later models it does not even include a feedback loop ("Shannon And
Weaver's Model").
‣ Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver were mathematicians, and Shannon worked for Bell
Telephone Laboratories. This work proved valuable for communication engineers in dealing with
such issues as the capacity of various communication channels in bits per second, thus contributing
to computer science. It led to very useful work on redundancy in language, and in making
information measurable it gave birth to the mathematical study of information theory. Consequently
it is hardly surprising that Shannon and Weaver's model is information-centred rather than meaning-
centred, but this points to its limitations as a general model of human communication ("Shannon
And Weaver's Model").

Schramm’s Model of Communication (1954)

‣ Wilbur Schramm indicated that we should

examine the impact that a message has (both
desired and undesired) on the target of the
message. Between parties, communication
includes acts that confer knowledge and
experiences, give advice and commands, and
ask questions. These acts may take many forms,
in one of the various manners of
communication. The form depends on the
abilities of the group communicating. Together,
communication content and form
make messages that are sent towards a
destination. The target can be oneself, another person or being, another entity (such as a corporation
or group of beings). Communication can be seen as processes of information transmission governed
by three levels of semiotic rules: Syntactic (formal properties of signs and symbols),
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 8

Pragmatic (concerned with the relations between signs/expressions and their users) and
Semantic (study of relationships between signs and symbols and what they represent). Therefore,
communication is social interaction where at least two interacting agents share a common set of
signs and a common set of semiotic rules. This commonly held rule in some sense
ignores autocommunication, including intrapersonal communication via diaries or self-talk, both
secondary phenomena that followed the primary acquisition of communicative competences within
social interactions.
‣ It is also important to note that meaning depends on the following definitions. Denotative Meaning
which is based on how something is defined in the dictionary while Connotative Meaning is based
on one’s emotional and personal experiences, thus can be different for different people based upon
their evaluation.

David Berlo – SMCR Model (1960)

‣ develops ideas about communication first voiced by Aristotle over 2,300 years ago. It was Aristotle
who observed that it is the receiver who
holds the key to whether the
communication is effective. Berlo’s model
doesn’t include feedback, but it is always
useful for the source and receiver to swap
places, replay the message in the opposite
direction and confirm understanding
("Berlo - Praxis Framework").
‣ In his 1960 work titled The Process of
Communication, David Berlo quoted
Aristotle, saying that “…the prime goal of communication was persuasion, an attempt to sway other
men to the speaker’s point of view” (Berlo, 1960, p. 8). Berlo’s work focuses on the purpose and
goals of communication before addressing his communication model.
He states that the purpose of communication is four-fold. It is:
1. Not logically contradictory or inconsistent with itself;
2. Behavior-centered; that is, expressed in terms of human behaviors;
3. Specific enough for us to be able to relate it to actual communication behavior;
4. Consistent with the ways in which people do communicate.

Barnlund’s Transactional Model (1970)

‣ Dean Barnlund (2008) proposed a

transactional model of
communication. The basic premise of
the transactional model of
communication is that individuals are
simultaneously engaging in the
sending and receiving of messages.
In a slightly more complex form a
sender and a receiver are
linked reciprocally. This second
attitude of communication, referred
to as the constitutive model or
constructionist view, focuses on how
an individual communicates as the
determining factor of the way the message will be interpreted. Communication is viewed as a
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 9

conduit; a passage in which information travels from one individual to another and this information
becomes separate from the communication itself. A particular instance of communication is called
a speech act.
‣ This model depicts face-to-face interaction, or “trans-action” as a dynamic and changeable process
that is not limited to simple definition. In the Transactional Model, receiver and sender can play the
same roles simultaneously, as sometimes happens, as messages can be sent back and forth
simultaneously.

Levels of Communication

Intrapersonal Communication
‣ is language use or thought internal to the communicator. Intrapersonal communication is the active
internal involvement of the individual in symbolic processing of messages. The individual becomes
his or her own sender and receiver, providing feedback to him or herself in an ongoing internal
process. It can be useful to envision intrapersonal communication occurring in the mind of the
individual in a model which contains a sender, receiver, and feedback loop.
 day-dreaming
 nocturnal dreaming, including and especially lucid dreaming
 speaking aloud (talking to oneself), reading aloud, repeating what one hears.
 making gestures while thinking
 interpreting non-verbal e.g. gestures, eye contact.

Interpersonal Communication
‣ is defined by communication scholars in numerous ways, though most definitions involve
participants who are interdependent on one another, have a shared history.

Interpersonal communication encompasses:

 speech communication
 nonverbal communication
 unconscious communication
 summarizing
 paraphrasing
 listening
 questioning

Group Communication
‣ refers to the nature of communication that occurs in groups that are between 3 and 12 individuals.
Small group communication generally takes place in a context that mixes interpersonal
communication interactions with social clustering.
Public Communication
‣ It's at the heart of our economy, society, and politics. Studios use it to promote their films.
Politicians use it to get elected. Businesses use it to burnish their image. Advocates use it to promote
social causes. It's a field built on ideas and images, persuasion and information, strategy and tactics.
No policy or product can succeed without a smart message targeted to the right audience in creative
and innovative ways.
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 10

Functions of Communication

Information
‣ Communication provides the information individuals and groups need to make decisions by
transmitting the data needed to identify and evaluate choices. Thus communication helps to
facilitate decision making ("What Is Communication And Functions Of Communication - Paper
Tyari").
‣ Organizations need to keep their employees informed of their goals, industry information, preferred
processes, new developments and technology, etc., in order that they can do their jobs correctly and
efficiently. This information might come to employees in formal ways, via meetings with managers,
news and messaging via a centralized system (like an intranet site), or it could be informal, as when
a team member on the assembly line suggests a quicker way to approach a task and gets his
coworkers to adopt the method ("Functions Of Organizational Communication | Organizational
Behavior And Human Relations").

Regulation/Control
‣ Organizations have rules and processes that employees must follow, communicated to workers to
keep order and equity operating within the system. For instance, if an individual has a grievance
about her job task, the organization might dictate that the grievance first has to be addressed with a
supervisor. If it goes unresolved, the next step in the process might be to file a complaint that is
reviewed by a committee. This is an example of an organization leveraging their communication
processes to keep order and ensure grievances are heard fairly ("Functions Of Organizational
Communication | Organizational Behavior And Human Relations").
‣ Examples also include doctors giving prescription to patients, parents commanding children to do
something and friend giving advises on what to do in certain situations.

Motivation
‣ Communication fosters motivation by clarifying to employees what they must do, how well they are
doing it, and how they can improve if performance is subpar. The formation of specific goals,
feedback on progress toward the goals, and reward for desired behavior all stimulate motivation and
require communication ("What Is Communication And Functions Of Communication - Paper
Tyari").

Emotional Expression
‣ Communication is a fundamental mechanism by which members of group shows their satisfaction
and frustrations. Communication, therefore, provides for the emotional expression of feelings and
fulfillment of social needs ("What Is Communication And Functions Of Communication - Paper
Tyari").
‣ Communication is a social activity and every organisation is above all a social entity. The members
of the group or organisation are human beings who have so much to share, gather, or pass on.
Newman and summer point out that the content of communication is not just facts and figures, or
objective ideas, but also feelings, attitudes and interpretations ("What Is Communication? -
Meaning, Objectives, Functions And Barriers").
‣ Examples also includes showing appreciation like “I’m glad that you came into my life.”,
expressing one’s ambition like “I want to became a good human right lawyer in the future.”,
expressing a need like “I need to finish my studies no matter what.” and expressing prayers like
“We pray for the Philippines and its leaders.”
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 11

Social Interaction
‣ used to produce social relationships; used to develop bonds, intimacy, relations,; used to express
preferences, desires, needs, wants, decisions, goals, and strengths; used for giving and getting
information and encouragement ("Functions of Communication")
‣ Examples include but not limited to marriage proposals and invitations.

Intercultural Communication (Cross-Cultural Communication)

‣ is a form of communication that aims to share information across different cultures and social
groups. It is used to describe the wide range of communication processes and problems that
naturally appear within an organization or social context made up of individuals from different
religious, social, ethnic, and educational backgrounds ("INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION").

Problems with Intercultural Communication

Message transmission proves to be the biggest problem when exchanging thoughts and ideas
with people from different cultures and social groups. People coming from the same cultural background
may interpret the message the same way it was intended but that could not always be the case with
people from different cultural background. Since due to the fact that these people carry with them their
own perception on things. For example, Filipino’s idea of extended family, sanctity of marriage and
familial obligations may mean differently for people outside of Filipino cultural background.
As a result, there is a tendency that attribution occurs. This is the process in which people look
for an explanation of another person’s behavior. When people do not understand each other, they usually
blame the confusion on the one another’s stupidity, deceit or craziness ("INTERCULTURAL
COMMUNICATION")..
The following are important aspects to be aware of:
Kinesic Behavior
‣ is communication through body movement—e.g., posture, gestures, facial expressions and
eye contact. The meaning of such behavior varies across countries.
Occulesics
‣ are a form of kinesics that includes eye contact and the use of the eyes to convey messages.
Proxemics
‣ concern the influence of proximity and space on communication (e.g., in terms of personal
space and in terms of office layout). For example, space communicates power in the US
and Germany.
Paralanguage
‣ refers to how something is said, rather than the content of what is said—e.g., rate of speech,
tone and inflection of voice, other noises, laughing, yawning, and silence.
Object language or Material Culture
‣ refers to how we communicate through material artifacts—e.g., architecture, office design
and furniture, clothing, cars, cosmetics, and time.
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 12

HERE IS YOUR WORK

WRITTEN WORKS

I. Self-reflection: After watching the video “A Guide to Effective Communication”, briefly explain
the importance of communication in your life as a student, as a child, and as a member of the
society (5 points).

II. Watch “Adik sa Bato” by Carlo Bonn Hornilla of Ampalaya Monologues and evaluate the
speaker’s performance based on his message, delivery (body language, gestures, eye contact and
etc.), audience engagement, language used, articulation, voice projection and confidence (35 points).

Be comprehensive with your evaluation by providing sufficient details. Be guided.

5 points - evaluation is explained and supported with substantial information

3 points - evaluation is somehow explained but needs more information
1 point - evaluation is done haphazardly

Message

Delivery

Audience
Engagement

Language Used

Articulation

Voice Projection

Confidence
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 13

PERFORMANCE TASK

III. Write a 3 minute original free-verse spoken word poetry in any language you are comfortable
with and record your delivery. Remember to observe various strategies to avoid communication
breakdown and make sure that the message of the poetry is clear. Be mindful of the volume, tone,
pitch, and like. Make use of an effective background music. It is advisable to use Instrumental
Music so it will not overpower the performance. Just be careful in choosing the background music.
It must be reflective of the theme and mood of the poetry. Refer to the rubric below (40 points).

Write here!
continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 14

SPOKEN WORD POETRY RUBRIC

5-4 3-2 1
CRITERIA
Well Done! Almost There! Not Yet!
CONTENT-FOCUSED
Entire poem shows reflection Poem shows some evidence Poem is basic and shows very
and expression of a particular of the author's reflections on little reflection on a theme.
theme. Supportive ideas are a particular theme. Supportive ideas are mostly
relevant & original Supportive ideas are mostly irrelevant & unoriginal.
CONTENT throughout. relevant & original. Parts of The poet's feelings are not
Poem gives real insight into the poem might be off topic revealed.
the but most of the poem
writer's character and point of expresses some depth and
view. insight.
Theme and message clearly Theme and message apply to Theme and message may
apply to poet and all poet and most members of apply to poet a few like-
MESSAGE
members of the audience. the audience. minded members of the
audience.
Utilizes numerous effective Utilizes more than one Utilizes a poetic device and
poetic devices or figurative effective figurative language. Uses
LANGUAGE language. Uses vivid, poetic devices or figurative some images. Language is
detailed images and rich, language. Uses images and mundane.
imaginative language. imaginative language
DELIVERY-FOCUSED
Highly effective and Effective and expressive Moderately effective and
VOCAL expressive intonation used tointonation used to reinforce expressive intonation used
INTONATION & reinforce change in mood, change in mood, voice, with
EXPRESSION voice, setting, and/or setting, and/or room for improvement and
characterization. characterization. practice.
Speaks clearly 90-100% of Speaks clearly 70-90% of the Speaks clearly 50-70% of the
the time, mispronounces no time; mispronounces one time; mispronounces two or
ARTICULATION
words. word. more words.

Highly appropriate audience Appropriate volume used Volume not used effectively.
volume used when speaking when speaking and More practice is
VOLIME and performing. performing, with recommended.
a little room for
improvement.
Appropriate audience address Appropriate audience A little more practice in
with a high likelihood to address; audience may be voice, intonation, language,
AUDIENCE engage engaged and and volume is recommended
ADDRESS and entertain. entertained. to
engage and entertain the
audience.
Excellent use of facial Good use of facial Some use of facial
expression, expression, expression,
BODY
gestures and body language. gestures and body language gestures and body language to
LANGUAGE
Body language adds to enhance poem.
meaning. enhance poem.

SELF-ASSESSMENT
Complete the “traffic light” assessment of your learning with this topic by ticking (√) the right
box . Use LEGEND for your guidance.
You should know… RED ORANGE GREEN
a. explain the functions, nature and process of communication;
b. differentiates the various models of communication;
c. uses various strategies in order to avoid communication breakdown;
d. examines sample oral communication activities.
 continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 15

RED: I do not understand.

LEGEND

ORANGE: I understand most of it, but am not confident.

GREEN: I totally understand.

Reflect on your assessment of your learning during this topic. Think about those statements you have
identified as RED. Set two targets that will help you improve your knowledge and understanding of this
statement. You must decide HOW you are going to ensure that you meet the target and WHEN you
intend to achieve it.

MY How are you going to achieve your target? What are When will you achieve
TARGET you going TO DO? your target?

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continuation… SHS MODULE v2017 16

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