You are on page 1of 33

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES

38
Module 2 is a combination of communication for various purposes (modes of delivery
and types of public speaking) and communication for employment purposes. This Module
follows the Hook-Book-Look-Took format to guide the learner for a better understanding of the
lessons.

Objectives/Aims:

At the end of this Module, the students are expected to present communication skills
through public speaking and written work as well as know the basics of communication for work
and professional purposes.

Learning Expectations:

At the end of this Chapter, the students are expected to:

1. overcome the cause and symptoms of their stage fright;


2. deliver impromptu and extemporaneous speeches with confidence using real-life
questions or scenarios;
3. present various speech types such as informative, persuasive, narrative and
demonstrative and share them to YouTube or Facebook to reach a number of audience;
4. communicate effectively in workplace context;
5. identify the difference between formal and informal report;
6. explain the significance of body language and feedback in workplace communication;
7. make professional e-mails; and
8. construct resume and application letter for employment purposes.

Teaching Goals:
At the end of this module, the teacher is expected to:

1. discuss the causes of, and ways to overcome, stage fright;


2. illustrate the steps on how to deliver the various modes of Public Speaking;
3. guide the students on how to present various speech types and how to share their outputs
via YouTube and Facebook to reach a number of audience;
4. explicate the significance and guidelines of workplace communication; and
5. explain the various forms of internal correspondence especially for work/employment
purposes.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


39
MODULE 2
Communication for Various and Work Purposes

Lesson 5
Communication for Various Purposes

Communication helps us answer one of our three fundamental needs: connection,


control and consistency. In doing so, one should learn how to communicate effectively by utilizing
the various purposes of communication such as to inform, to express feelings, to imagine, to
influence, and to meet social expectations.

Communication in the workplace is very important for companies to work effectively and
be productive. Employees can experience increased morale, productivity and commitment if they
can communicate up and down a company’s communication chain (In.Corp Global Pte Ltd, 2020).

Do you have stage fright? What are your tendencies when you are feeling nervous in
front of an audience? List 3 nervousness symptoms (e.g., sweaty palms, dry mouth, shaky
legs, etc.) and share it to your Google Classroom Stream.

Public Speaking

In elucidating about public speaking, Tapalla and Tapalla (2010) said that

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


40
you learn early in life that to succeed, you have to be
a good speaker. Thus, the great desire to be one is deeply
ingrained in your conscious and subconscious self, and you
have good reasons, of course.

People with excellent presentation skills definitely


change their lives for the better. They acquire confidence
which leads them to achieve almost impossible dreams. Besides, they can assert themselves in
more persuasive ways so others are much receptive to their ideas and opinions. Hence, they
usually get what they want—fame, glory, and financial stability, all because of excellent public
speaking skills.

You, too, can be one of these people. But, of course, this does not happen in an instant. It
takes time and process to achieve the dream. In any endeavor, sweat and inspiration are needed
to be good at it. “Success is 99 percent perspiration and 1 percent inspiration.” There are no
shortcuts to success. You have to sweat it out.

Overcoming Stage Fright in Public Speaking

Lucas (2007) said that one of the major concerns of


students in any speech class is stage fright. We may as well face
the issue squarely. Many people who converse easily in all kinds
of everyday situations become frightened at the idea of
standing before a group to make a speech.

He added that if you are worried about stage fright, you


may feel better knowing that you are not alone. A survey
conducted in 1973 asked more than 2,500 Americans to list their greatest fears. To the surprise
of the researchers, the largest number of people – 41 percent – listed speaking before a group
among their greatest fears. Amazing as it may seem, many Americans appear to consider public
speaking a fate worse than death.

Nervousness is Normal
Actually, most people tend to be anxious before doing something
important in public. Actors are nervous before a play, politicians are
nervous before a campaign speech, athletes are nervous before a big
game. The ones who succeed have learned to use their nervousness to
their advantage (Dukoko1, 2020).
Lucas (2007) also observed that

much the same thing happens in speechmaking. Surveys show that 76 percent of
experienced speakers have stage fright before taking the floor. But their nervousness is a
healthy sign that they are getting “psyched up” for a good effort. Novelist and lecturer I.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


41
A. R Wylie explains, “Now after many practice I am, I suppose, really a ‘practiced speaker.’
But I rarely rise to my feet without a throat constricted with terror and a furiously
thumping heart. When, for some reasons, I am cool and self-assured, the speech is always
a failure.”

In other words, it is perfectly normal – even desirable – to be nervous at the start


of a speech. Your body is responding as it would to any stressful situation – by producing
extra adrenaline. This sudden shot of adrenaline is what makes your heart race, your
hands shake, your knees knock, and your skin perspire. Every public speaker experiences
all these reactions to some extent. The question is: how can you control your nervousness
and make it work for you rather than against you?
Controlling or Dealing with Stage Fright

On the subject of dealing with stage fright, Lucas (2007)


advised that

rather than trying to eliminate every trace of stage


fright, you should aim at transforming it from a negative
force into what one expert calls positive nervousness – “a
zesty, enthusiastic, lively feeling with a slight edge on it … it’s still nervousness, but it feels
different. You’re no longer victimized by it; instead, you’re vitalized by it. You’re in control
of it. Here are six time-tested ways you can turn your nervousness from a negative force
into positive one.

1. Acquire Speaking Experience

You have already taken the first step. You are enrolled in a public speaking course,
where you will learn about speech making and gain speaking experience. Think back to
your kindergarten, your first date, and your first day as freshman. You were probably
nervous in each situation because you were facing something new and unknown. Once
you become accustomed to the situation, it was no longer threatening. So it is with public
speaking. For most students, the biggest part of stage fright is fear of the unknown. The
more you learn about public speaking and the more speeches you give, the less
threatening speech making will become.

2. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!

Another key to gaining confidence is to pick speech topics you truly care about –
and then to prepare your speeches so thoroughly that you cannot help but be successful.
How much time should you devote to preparing your speeches? A standard rule
of thumb is that each minute of speaking requires one to two hours of preparation time
– perhaps more, depending on the amount of research needed for the speech. This may

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


42
seem a lot of time, but the rewards are well worth it. One professional speech consultant
estimates that proper preparation can reduce stage fright by up to 75 percent.

3. Think Positively

Confidence is mostly the well-known power of positive thinking. If you think you
can do it, you usually can. On the other hand, if you predict disaster and doom, that is
almost always what you get. This is especially true when it comes to public speaking.
Speakers who think negatively about themselves and the speech experience are much
more likely to be overcome by stage fright than are speakers who think positively. Here
are some ways you can transform negative thoughts into positive ones as you work on
your speeches.
Negative thought Positive Thought
I wish I didn’t have to give this speech. This speech is a chance for me to share my
ideas and gain experience as a speaker.
I’m not a great public speaker. No one’s perfect, but I’m getting better
with each speech I give.
I’m always nervous when I give a speech. Everyone’s nervous. If other people can
handle it, I can too.
No one will be interested in what I have to I have a good topic and I’m fully prepared.
say. Of course, they’ll be interested.

4. Use the power of visualization


Visualization is closely related to positive thinking. It is a technique used by many
people – athletes, musicians, actors, speakers, and others – to enhance their performance
in stressful situations.
The key to visualization is creating a vivid mental blueprint in which you see
yourself succeeding in your speech. Picture yourself in your classroom rising to speak. See
yourself at the lectern, poised and self-assured, making eye contact with your audience
and delivering your introduction in a firm, clear voice. Feel your confidence growing as
your listeners get more and more caught up in what you are saying. Imagine your sense
of achievement as you conclude the speech knowing you have done your very best.
As you create these images in your mind, be realistic but keep focused on the
positive aspects of your speech. Don’t allow negative images to eclipse the positive ones.
Acknowledge your nervousness, but picture yourself overcoming it to give a vibrant,
articulate presentation. If there is one part of the speech that always seems to give you
trouble, visualize yourself getting through it without any hitches. And be specific. The
more lucid your mental pictures, the more successful you are likely to be.

5. Know that Most Nervousness is not Visible

It’s hard to speak with poise and assurance if you think you look tense an insecure.
One of the most valuable lessons you will learn as your speech class proceeds is that only

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


43
a fraction of the turmoil you are feeling inside is visible on the outside. “Your nervous
system may be giving you a thousand shocks,” says one experienced speaker, “but the
viewer can only see a few of them.”
Even though your palms are sweating and your heart is pounding, your listeners
probably won’t realize how tense you are – especially if you do your best to act cool and
confident on the outside. Most of the time when students confess after a speech, “I was
so nervous I thought I was going to die,” their classmates are surprised. To them the
speaker looked calm and assured.

6. Don’t Expect Perfection

There is no such thing as a perfect speech. At some point in every presentation,


every speaker says or does something - no matter how minor – that does not come across
exactly as he or she had planned. Fortunately, as with one’s nerves, such moments are
usually not evident to the audience. Why? Because the audience does not know what the
speaker plans to say. It hears only what the speaker does say. If you momentarily lose
your place, just proceed as if nothing happened.
As you work on your speeches, make sure you prepare thoroughly and do all you
can to get your message across to your listeners. But don’t panic about being perfect or
about what will happen if you make a mistake. Once you free your mind of these burdens,
you will find it much easier to approach your speeches with confidence and even with
enthusiasm.

Tips for Reducing Stage Fright!

To reduce your stage nerves and work toward becoming a confident speaker, follow
these tips (Michigan State University Board of Trustees, 2000):

• Be prepared. A well-planned and well-rehearsed talk will sound clear and


organized and seem natural to deliver.

• Only speak about things you know well or that interest you, so you feel confident
you have something to offer the audience.
• Complete the “Let’s Talk About Nerves” activity found on the next page to help
you identify your anxiety symptoms. Then learn to prepare for and eventually overcome
them.
• If you get nervous speaking in front of strangers, try to chat with a few members
of the audience before you have to give your speech. This helps establish contact and
make you feel as though you’re on friendly ground.
• Eat light before a presentation.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


44
• Avoid carbonated beverages, which may cause stomach upset or uncomfortable
gas. Dairy products may coat the mouth and throat, and also may cause stomach upset
for some people.
• Practice giving your presentation several ways so you’re comfortable making last-
minute adjustments.
• Learn a quick stress-reducing routine for relaxing your neck, shoulder and facial
muscles just before giving your talk.
• Visualize yourself succeeding and enjoy the applause!

Modes of Delivery

Speech can be presented in different ways and, according to Capecce (2008),

there are four basic methods (sometimes called styles) of presenting a speech:
manuscript, memorized, extemporaneous, and impromptu. Each has a variety of uses in
various forums of communication.

Read the following script and try to mimic how a real flight attendant did
in the TikTok challenge. Record your voice only and share in the Class group chat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we have just landed at Ninoy Aquino International


Airport. Cebu Pacific Air welcomes you to Manila. On behalf of your Flight Deck Crew
headed by Captain (name) _______ with First Officer (name) _______ and the rest
of the team, we thank you for choosing Cebu Pacific, your airline of choice.”

Manuscript Style

The word manuscript is the clue to the style. The speech is written and the
speaker reads it word for word to the audience. Originally, it was done from the hand-
written paper manuscript. Today the manuscript style is common, but the paper is gone.
Who reads the speech to the audience? Answer: Newscasters and television personalities.
In the old days, the manuscript was hand-lettered on cue cards, which were held next to
the camera lens. Then paper scrolls, like printed piano rolls were used, especially in Soap
Operas. Today, a special teleprompter (working like a periscope) is attached to the camera
so the newscaster is looking at the lens while reading.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


45
Why is the manuscript important and in use? Precision. In the news-reporting
industry, every fraction of a second counts because broadcast time is costly. Also, the facts
and names must be exact and accurate so there is no room for error. Errors in reporting
decrease the credibility of the news organization and the newscaster.

Memorized Style

The memorized style of speaking is when the manuscript is committed to memory


and recited to the audience verbatim (word for word). In the days when elocution was
taught, this was a typical approach. A speech was a recitation. The Optimists Club (a
national organization) used to have a “Oratory” contest for high school students.
Contestants wrote essays on a given theme, to create a speech at a specific time length
(e.g.: three minutes). The essay was memorized and the delivery was judged by 1) the
quality of the writing, 2) the accuracy with which it was recited; and 3) the precise length
of time. Such contests seem archaic by today’s more casual and somewhat less formal
standards.

Where is a memorized delivery style still common? Due to copyright laws and
licensing contract agreements (other than scripts that are in the public domain), actors on
stage are obligated to memorize the script of the play and perform it verbatim exactly as
written. It is typical for speakers on high school and university speech and debate teams
to memorize their competitive speeches. Corporate conventions often use large LCD
monitors on the front of the stage as teleprompters. This allows the speaker to move more
freely across the stage while sticking to his or her script. Some monologists (such as the
stand-up comics mentioned at the start of the chapter) also use a memorized delivery
style. In all cases, they create the impression that the speech is spontaneous. You might
consider using the memorized delivery style if your speech is relatively short, or you know
you will have to deliver your speech repeatedly such as a tour operator would.

Impromptu Style

Theoretically, an “impromptu” speech is “made


up on the spot.” It is unprepared and unrehearsed. Often
ceremonial toasts, grace before meals, an acknowledgement, an
introduction, offering thanks and so on, fall into this category.
While there are some occasions when a speech in those categories is actually prepared
(prepare your acceptance for the Academy Award BEFORE you are called!), there are many
occasions when there is little or no opportunity to prepare.

Impromptu speeches are generally short and are often given with little or no notice.
Notes are rare and the speaker generally looks directly at the audience. It would be
presumptuous and arrogant to declare rules for Impromptu Speaking. It is fair to explain
that “impromptu” describes a range from absolutely no preparation, to a modest amount

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


46
of preparation (mostly thought) and rarely incorporates research or the formalities of
outlines and citations that more formal speeches would include.

Extemporaneous Style

Sandwiched between the memorized and impromptu delivery styles you find the
extemporaneous speech style. For this style, the speech is not completely written out. It
is usually delivered with keynotes for reference. Most public speaking courses and books
describe extemporaneous speeches as carefully prepared and rehearsed but delivered
using notes of key words and phrases to support the speaker. Phrasing is pre-rehearsed,
words are pre-chosen, and the organization is fluid and well-constructed. There should be
no fumbling for words, no rambling, and length of time should be carefully monitored. The
style does offer the speaker flexibility to include references to the immediate
surroundings, previous speeches, news of the day, and so on.

How you develop the notes and what they look like are up to the individual, but a
natural extemporaneous delivery is difficult if you are relying on a manuscript. Under no
circumstances should the speaker be spending more than 20% of the speaking time
looking at the notes. It would be ideal to practice so you only glance at your notes
approximately 5% of the time of the speech.

The extemporaneous style is the method most often recommended (and often
required) in today’s public speaking courses, and is generally the best method in other
settings as well. While it is not the only method of delivering a speech, it is the most useful
for presentations in other courses, in the corporate world and in pursuing future careers.

Your instructor will be showing pictures or news


headlines. Your task is to describe or comment on them for
just a minute only. This will be done via Zoom or Google Meet
with the class. Be sure to watch the news beforehand.

“When it comes to being a public speaker, the type of speech to give depends on what you are trying to
accomplish” (My Speech Class, 2017). The different types of public speaking include: speaking to inform,
to persuade, to narrate or to describe.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


47
Your teacher will play the video on The Greatest Speech of Leonardo DiCaprio: Climate
Change uploaded by Le Fou (2016) in the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
2Cc8E3BWOqA. Identify the purpose of the speaker’s speech. Is it to inform,
demonstrate, persuade, or narrate?

Informative Speeches
Informative speeches aim to educate the audience. Speakers basically act as teachers and
provide new knowledge and ideas. Topics can include people (e.g., Jimi Hendrix, the Ainu people
in Japan), places (e.g., India, the Bermuda triangle), objects (e.g., chopsticks, a sculpture by
Rodin), events (e.g., folk festivals, space missions), concepts (e.g., intelligence, alternative
medicine), and issues (e.g., assisted suicide, industrial pollution) (Permadi, 2014).

My Speech Class (2017) explained that to be appealing to audience members, a topic must
be:
1. Dealt with at a stimulating level.
If you are merely teaching the audience information that they already know, you
will certainly bore them. If you teach them information that is “over their heads,” you will
lose their attention and interest. The key is to find a happy medium, new information that
they will readily grasp.

2. Dealt with creatively.


Surprise your audience. Think about your topic in unexpected ways. Don’t merely
step behind the podium with a modified version of an essay you wrote in another class.
Be an entertainer. When an audience is entertained, they pay closer attention.

Your audience will also appreciate it if you pick a topic that is relevant to their lives.
Whether we care to admit it or not, deep down, we all have one primary interest:
ourselves. If your audience does not see a personal benefit that they will receive by
listening to your speech, the speech will not be very appealing. When presenting an
informative speech, it is important to have proper supporting material to enhance your
audience’s understanding of your topic.
Some forms of support include:
✓ Examples – It’s difficult to listen to someone speaking about an abstract idea with
which you have little familiarity.
✓ Statistics – The key is to pick statistics that are particularly startling or shocking.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


48
✓ Facts – A good informative speech is filled with facts.
✓ Expert Opinion – Expert opinion involves using excerpts and quotations from people
who are highly respected in the field about which you are speaking.

Persuasive Speaking
“The purpose of a persuasive speech is to convince your audience to agree with an idea
or opinion that you present” (Fleming, 2019).
Sarikas (2020) presented three criteria of a good persuasive speech topic:
1. It's Something You Know About or Are Interested in Learning About.
The most important factor in choosing and creating a great persuasive speech
is picking a topic you care about and are interested in. You'll need to do a lot of research
on this topic, and if it's something you like learning about, that'll make the process much
easier and more enjoyable.
2. It's a Topic People Care About.
Choose something you think people will be interested in hearing about.
3. It Isn't Overdone.
The are many potential topics for a persuasive speech. Be wary of choosing one
that's cliche or overdone. Even if you give a great speech, it'll be harder to keep your
audience interested if they feel like they already know what you're going to say.

Lampton (2019) proposes three ways to hook the audience’s attention during your
speech:
1. Move and keep on moving
Our eyes and our attention do not remain with still objects very long, yet we will stay
focused on objects in motion. Movement grabs us, not inactivity.
2. Tell a compelling story
Statistics can be impressive and could alert audience.
3. Involve your audience
Find relevant, interesting, and tasteful activities that foster interaction.

Narrative Speeches

A narrative essay or speech is used to tell a story, often one that is based on personal
experience. This genre of work comprises works of nonfiction that hew closely to the facts and
follow a logical chronological progression of events. Writers often use anecdotes to relate their
experiences and engage the reader. In doing so, you can give your narrative a level of emotional
appeal. It can be serious or humorous, but this emotional appeal is essential if you want to give
your audience some way to connect with your story (Nordquist, 2018).

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


49
A narrative speech is a speech telling a story. While stories can be told in many different
ways, they usually consist of FIVE PARTS (Labov, 1972 cited in Lucas, 2007).

1. Opener: A short statement announcing the story (e.g., “You won’t believe what
happened to me . . .,” “Did I ever tell you . . .,” “I’ll always remember when . . .”).
2. Orientation: Introduction of time, place, and characters (e.g., “Last Saturday, I went
canoeing with my boyfriend on Bear River.”).
3. Complicating Events: The events of the story (e.g., We arrived at the rental place at 10
a.m. events and got a really nice, red canoe . . . . Suddenly, the water swept us away . .
. . Next thing we knew, we capsized . . . . And as if that wasn’t enough, we lost everything
to the river: our lunch, sun hats, and towels.”).
4. Resolution: How the story ends (e.g., “We were soaking wet but still alive.”).
5. Coda: A connection between the past and the present (e.g., “Looking back, it was quite
funny, really.”).

Gareis (2006) said that when people tell a story well, they also employ TECHNIQUES to
make it worth listening. These techniques include directly telling the audience how to feel (e.g.,
“you’ll be amazed”), recreating noises (e.g., “the water went s-w-o-o-s-h”), exaggerating (e.g.,
“we were under water for an eternity”), and evaluating individual events (e.g., “I was so scared”).

Writing An Engaging Speech

Before you can begin writing your speech, you must first establish the main topic about
which you plan to speak. Brainstorm early and often! Once you start to get an idea of your topic,
do a little preliminary research. See what others may have written or said about your general
topic; reading their ideas may help give you some new ideas or directions of your own (Lumen,
n. d.).

A good and engaging speech has the following DIVISIONS: Introduction, Body and
Conclusion. However, the speech writing can be a tedious process. The following discussions can
make the speech writing process easier and fun (Lucas, 2007):

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


50
INTRODUCTION. One of the most important parts of a speech is the introduction.
The introduction should function as an attention-getter, create interest, motivate the
audience to listen, establish your credibility, and give a preview of your main points.

How to Create an Effective INTRODUCTION

1. Gain the Attention of Your Audience


The first few sentences of your speech should serve to gain the attention of your
listeners. Instead of saying “Today, I will speak about . . . “ or “My topic is . . .,” begin
with one of the following openers.
❖ A rhetorical question (no answer expected)
❖ A participatory question (wait for answers from the audience or a show of
hands)
❖ A colorful description
❖ A quotation (from a famous person or from a piece of literature or music—
you can find quotations arranged by subject matter in quotation dictionaries
in any library or bookstore)
❖ An audiovisual aid
❖ A suspenseful story
❖ A joke or funny anecdote
❖ A reference to a current event
❖ Surprising statistics
2. Motivate Your Audience
Point out how the topic relates to your listeners and why it is relevant for them.
This part of your introduction should answer the question: “Why should the audience
listen?”
3. Establish Your Credibility
Tell the audience what makes you knowledgeable on the subject. You may list
classes you have taken, professional training, research projects, or personal experiences
that make you a credible speaker. This part of your introduction should answer the
question: “Why should the audience listen to you?”
4. Preview Your Main Points
There is a saying: “Tell them what you are going to say; say it; then tell them what
you said” (Jaffe, 1998, p. 172 cited in Lucas, 2007). To list your main points briefly before
you move to the body of your speech (where you mention them again and elaborate on
them) may seem like overkill to you; however, for your audience, this preview provides
invaluable guidance that helps them focus on each point with more ease and follow your
train of thought throughout the speech.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


51
BODY. The next step is to arrange your main points within the body. For this
purpose, you need to consider the general content of your main points. Look at your
material and divide it into major points. In general, the fewer main points you have, the
better. A relatively small number of main points make your speech more translucent and
memorable for the audience. A short speech of five minutes, for example, should not have
more than three or four main points.

CONCLUSION. While the introduction leads into the body, the conclusion leads
out of it and provides closure. Introductions and conclusions should be about equal in
length and significantly shorter than the body.

As a rule of thumb, the introduction and conclusion together should be about one
fifth of the total speech (i.e., in a five-minute speech, the introduction and conclusion
should be about half a minute each.

How to Create an Effective CONCLUSION

1. Signal the End


Pause slightly before you start your conclusion. Use a term like to conclude or in
conclusion to show your listeners that you have completed the main part of your
presentation.
2. Review Your Main Points
Just as you listed your major points during the introduction, list them again in
your conclusion. This will help your audience recall your major ideas and result in a
sense of accomplishment.
3. Refer to the Introduction
Referring to the introduction will provide your audience with a sense of closure.
For example, if you started with a suspenseful story, provide the conclusion now. Or if
you mentioned some surprising statistics, repeat them and relate them to your overall
presentation.
4. End with an Impact
Use the last few sentences of your speech to ensure that you leave a good and
memorable impression. The following are a few techniques useful in ending with an
impact.
❖ Humor
❖ A thought-provoking question
❖ A quotation
❖ A call for action
❖ A connection to a larger context

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


52
Below is a sample speech outline that presents how a speech can be written
bearing in mind the guidelines discussed.

Sample Speech Outline

Title: Planting and Arranging Flowers as Stress Reliever During the Pandemic

General Purpose: To inform


Specific Purpose: To inform my audience how planting flowers can be a stress
reliever
Central Idea: Planting and Arranging flowers is fun, inexpensive and a stress
reliever during the pandemic.

I. Introduction
A. (Gaining Attention): (Anecdote): I once received a dozen red roses
from a secret admirer.
B. (Motivating the Audience): Planting and arranging flowers is fun, affordable
and a stress reliever.
C. (Establishing Credibility): I took a flower arrangement course last year.
D. (Preview of Main Ideas): I will describe how to select flowers, the proper
way of planting, and how it can relieve
stress.
II. Body
A. How to select flowers
B. How to plant flowers properly
C. How planting can relieve stress

III. Conclusion
A. (Signaling the End): “To conclude”
B. (Review of Main Points): I have discussed how to select flowers, how to plant
flowers properly, and how planting can be
stress relieving.
C. (Reference to Introduction): I ended up marrying my secret admirer.
D. (Ending with Impact): Giving flowers do not need special occasions.
Surprise a loved one with a bouquet tomorrow.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


53
SPEECH OUTLINE FORM

Title: ________________________________

General Purpose: ______________________________________________________


Specific Purpose: ______________________________________________________
Central Idea: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
I. Introduction
A. Gaining Attention:
B. Motivating the Audience:
C. Establishing Credibility:
D. Preview of Main Ideas:
II. Body
A.
B.
C.
III. Conclusion
A. Signaling the End:
B. Review of Main Points:
C. Reference to Introduction:
D. Ending with Impact:

You will be grouped into three. Each group will give a three-
minute video-recorded speech on the topic assigned to the group.
Selected videos will be uploaded in YouTube or in Facebook.
G1: Ted Talk Format (Informative Speech)
G2: DIY Tutorial (Demonstration Speech)
G3: It’s Okay Not To Be Okay Moment (Narrative Speech)

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


54
Written Communication

Written communication involves any


type of interaction that makes use of the written word.
Communication is a key to any endeavor involving more
than one person. Communicating through writing is
essential in the modern world and is becoming ever
more so as we participate in what is now commonly
called the information age. In fact, written
communication is the most common form of business
communication. It is essential for small business owners
and managers to develop effective written
communication skills and to encourage the same in all employees. The information age has
altered the ways in which we communicate and placed an increasing emphasis on written versus
oral communications (Inc. Editorial, Inc., Staff, n. d.).
The purpose of written communication is to capture your reader’s attention and get your
point across clearly. Ultimately, when you communicate in writing, you are helping the reader
understand your perspective on a topic. There are certain qualities all effective written
communication shares, and if you add these elements to your writing, your work will be more
powerful (Wilson, n. d.).

Purposes of Writing

The whole process starts with knowing your purpose, which will guide you
towards writing an effective message in a document appropriate for the audience and occasion.
In general, communication, including writing documents, involves both a general and a specific
purpose regarding the feedback message. The general purpose is the end-goal of communication
such as aiming to inform, persuade, motivate, entertain, or a combination of these and other
effects.

Specifically, this Module will be introducing communication for work purposes and the
most common general purpose of workplace messages is to inform. “Most emails, memos, and
reports cover a topic thoroughly and precisely with the journalistic 5 Ws + H subtopics (Who,
What, Where, When, Why, How)” (Smith, 2019). Here is a sample letter with its corresponding
parts.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


55
Figure 4: Letter PARTS

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


56
Lesson 6
Communication for Work Purposes

Excuse me, Sir/Ma’am?


Assume that you are an employee of an Advertising Company while your
instructor is your employer. You have observed that one of your colleagues suffers
several symptoms of the Covid-19 virus. How are you going to handle the
situation? Share your answer in your Class Group Chat in the Messenger.

Communication is a foundation and an essential part of every human relationship. As it


occurs in different contexts, communicating can be especially tricky. Workplace Communication,
to be specific, requires exceptional skill and performance. Cole (2019) claimed that the way in
which you communicate with other individuals in your workplace or your business can go a long
way in how others perceive you and thus relate to you.
According to Webb (2020), internal communication happens between company
employees. External communication is used to advertise, sell, respond and build the business.
External communication happens between company representatives and customers, vendors
and others. Examples of internal communications are memos, email messages, instant
messages and phone calls. Many forms of external workplace communication are available,
including faxes, Internet websites and advertising.

Effective Workplace Communication

Effective communication in the workplace does not only lead a person


to resolving conflict but also performs as a significant building block to your
relationships with the team, colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
Furthermore, it may lead to the following results: a) generates flourishing
working environment; b) aids in eliminating cultural barriers; c) expands employee relationship; d)
promotes collaboration; e) stimulates positive transformation; and a lot more.
In order to achieve Effective Workplace Communication, there are several guidelines given to
direct individuals. Cole (2019) listed in her book Communication in the Workplace: Everything You Need
To Know About Effective Communication Strategies At Work To Be A Better Leader the following guidelines
to be an effective communicator in the workplace:
1. Match up body language and words.
2. Awareness of gender differences in communication styles
3. Understand cultural differences.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


57
4. Communicate in person and less reliance to technology.
5. Provide and accept constructive criticism.
6. Convey one’s emotions.

Understanding Body Language

As discussed in the previous chapters, verbal and non-verbal communication play a vital
role in workplaces. Even body language says a lot about who people are and determines others’
impression of them. Oftentimes, people exhibit certain body languages unmindful of the
messages they project to others.
Here are some of the body language mistakes that one makes at work, according to Cole
(2019):

1. Bad posture or slouching


2. Making restless movements
3. Tensed expression
4. Being too casual
5. Not maintaining eye contact or looking down
6. Crossing your arms
7. Being unaware of one’s proxemics

The Art of Asking Questions and Giving Feedback

Asking questions and giving feedback are also vital tasks that one has to bear in mind in order to
achieve Effective Workplace Communication. Through planning and understanding the focus of the
communication, one may improve the communication in general.
Alessandra and Hunsaker (1993) drew on several tips and strategies to master the art of asking
questions and giving feedback in the workplace:
For asking questions, for example, there are several strategies to follow in order to
successfully formulate questions for the purpose of meeting the objectives. These strategies are
vital in order to get the information you need, gain confidence, stimulate and verify information.
They include:
1. Manage a plan
2. Keep simple questions
3. Be attentive
4. Be gentle
5. Seek permission
6. Avoid uncertainty
7. Do not manipulate
Misunderstanding often occurs among workers when one does not adhere to the
appropriate ways of asking question. Similarly, providing feedback seems to be a core to effective
workplace communication. Proper way of giving feedback may create a good communication
climate. There are guidelines to follow in giving feedback, such as:

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


58
1. Avoid presumptions
2. Ask questions
3. Avoid words that can be easily misinterpreted
4. Be alert
5. Focus on the behavior, not the person
6. Keep back feedback at certain situations

Instructions on this TEST will be given by your


instructor.

Enumerate five workplace communication challenges that you encountered in your


ON-THE-JOB TRAINING (OJT) experience back in your senior high school days
and provide your own solutions.

Workplace Communication through Technical Reports

Technical report is an informative document that provides functional information about a course,
progress or outcome of a particular subject matter. Technical report, unlike creative writing, is a
communicatory prose written in common parlance. This written communication is divided into two
categories: Informal Report and Formal Report.

In your own understanding, define the terms technical, informal and formal.

Informal Reports are naturally short in length. This type of report is usually intended for
transmission within the scope of an organization. Moreover, an informal report, unlike a formal
report, typically excludes certain parts of a report such as the cover page, title page, table of
contents, etc. The purpose of this technical report is to inform individuals within a specific
organization about a subject matter; it does not target a larger scope of audience. Examples of
informal reports are memorandum, bulletin, letter report and booklets.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


59
Formal Reports are in-depth written discourse with stylized format unfolding the nature
of the report and the requisites of a wider scope of readers. This type of report contains all the
basic parts of a standard report format. Examples of formal reports are proposal, progress report,
annual report, feasibility study and research study.

Technical Reports in a workplace are necessary to inform the people or the company in
general about a certain subject matter. Young (2005) posited basic rules to follow when writing
reports:

1. Employ serious yet communicative language


2. Avoid ambiguity
3. Get to the point directly
4. Be precise
5. Utilize formal language
6. Arrange your ideas
7. Lay down actual and objective results
8. Use bias-free terms

Collect three different types of reports from a journal


or magazine in your field of specialization and give
commentaries or analysis if the basic rules in writing reports
were followed in the collected reports.

Lesson 7
Communication for Professionals

Applying for a job is probably one of the most challenging tasks an individual has to go
through. In today’s time though, it has even become more difficult because of safety and health
risks brought about by the pandemic. However, despite this, the digital world has opened more
doors of opportunity not just for learning but for employment purposes. So long as an applicant
knows the what-to-do’s, then, his chance for getting a job is visible.

Imagine yourself as a fresh graduate of your chosen course. Email your future self
(with copy to your teacher), share your plans and discuss the possible actions that you will
take to successfully make your plans come to reality.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


60
Making Professional E-mails

With the advancing technology, communicating to people from all over the world has
become a lot easier. In fact, a lot of communication tools can be used such as mobile phones,
computers, and others in accessing social media sites and the like. In the workplace, however,
probably, one of the best choices a job applicant can make is submitting his resume and
application letter using e-mails.

E-mail

WordWeb Software (n. d.) defined e-mail (electronic mail) as “a


system of electronic message communication via network, especially the
Internet.”
It is an important method of business communication that is fast, cheap, accessible and
easily replicated. In fact, because of its speed and efficiency, it is considered to be one of the most
widely used forms of communication both in and out of the workplace (Indeed Career Guide, 2020).

Making an e-mail, or a professional e-mail, at that, requires the sender to know the
important details to be included to relay a successful and perfect message. Professional e-mail
might be needed when sending a cover or application letter to a potential employer, a thank-you
letter to a colleague who agreed to be a reference, a resignation letter to your boss, or a request
for a letter of recommendation.

Parts of an E-mail

An e-mail is composed of five (5) parts, namely, (1) subject line which is a short phrase
that summarizes the reason for your message or the goal of your communication; (2) salutation which
is the first line of your email and generally acts as the greeting; (3) body which is the full message of
your e-mail; (4) closing which is the last line of your email before your signature and should wrap up
your message; and (5) signature which is where you identify yourself by your e-signature (optional),
name, title and any other information relevant to your communication (Indeed Career Guide, 2020).

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


61
Figure 5: E-mail Format Sample

Professional E-mail Message Guidelines

✓ What TO DO: What NOT TO DO:

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


62
1. Purpose: “You must identify your 1. Font Style: Avoid ornate, playful, or
goal or purpose for writing and make colored fonts; these simply distract
sure it is concisely written in the the recipient from your actual
subject line” (Indeed Career Guide, message. Avoid overusing bold and
2020). italics as well, which make an email
2. Greeting: You must create a pleasant look cluttered. Do not write in all
start to message the addressee, capital letters either; this comes
whether “greeting him using his title across as angry or overexcited in an
or his first name” (Doyle, 2020). email (Doyle, 2020).
3. Message: “Make sure your message is 2. Emoticons: “You must not include
complete, concise, error-free (in emoticons in a professional email;
spelling and grammar), and you may save these for personal
professional” (Doyle, 2020). More correspondence” (Doyle, 2020).
importantly, the information such as
dates, names, position applied for,
and other important details must be
highlighted.
4. Back-up copy. “Use the Bcc field to
send a copy of the email message to
yourself, so you have a record of
when you sent the message and who
you sent it to” (Doyle, 2020). Do this
before sending a copy to the
recipient. This is also one way to
check if everything is successfully
made.
5. Closing: ‘Sign off with a brief "Thank
you," "Best," or another simple send-
off, and then your name. Most email
accounts let you embed a signature
with your name, title, and contact
information into every email’ (Doyle,
2020).
Writing a professional email requires you to follow some guidelines in order to avoid
mistakes when sending one.

Table 1: The Do’s and Don’t’s of Sending an E-mail

Writing Resume and Application Letter

In applying for a job, there are a lot of factors to be considered. Because of the
many applicants for one position, you may want to immediately meet and talk to your potential
employer and brag about yourself and achievements. However, before you can finally get there,

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


63
you have to impress him first by laying out your qualifications through writing your resume and
application letter.

RESUME
Career Center (n. d.) defined resume as a “marketing tool to make an impact on a
potential employer and secure an interview. The goal is to make your materials so engaging that
the reader cannot wait to meet you.” It also offered some guidelines in writing a resume:

Resume Format Guidelines


Contact Information • Put your contact information at the top of your resume (state your
name, address [optional], phone number, and e-mail address).
Education • List your degrees in reverse chronological order (recent to latest).
Include relevant coursework to highlight your specific skills and
knowledge, such as your awards and achievements.
Experience • List your most recent experience first and do not overlook internships,
volunteer positions, and part-time employment. Use action verbs to
highlight accomplishments and skills.
Leadership and • List leadership positions in university or community organizations.
Activities Highlight activities including community service, athletics (which could
be a separate heading), or volunteer experience.
Academic Projects • If you have specific academic projects that qualify you for the position,
include them in their own section with details on what you
accomplished.
Additional Information • This section may stand alone under the “Additional Information”
heading and highlight relevant information that may include computer
skills, language skills, professional associations, university and
community activities (including any offices held), and interests.
Other Headings • Choosing to highlight information such as interests and professional
associations as separate headings is acceptable if relevant to the
position. Personal information (e.g., religious and political affiliations)
should be omitted unless relevant to the job.
References • Do not list your references on your resume. A prepared list of 2-4
references should be printed on a separate sheet of paper that matches
your resume format. Bring a hard copy (or multiple copies, if needed)
of your resume and references with you to the interview.

Table 2: Resume Guidelines

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


64
Add a RECENT PHOTO here

Zarina G. Lee
Dalipuga, Iligan City
+63 948 000 5555
Zarina123@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Iligan Philippine College, Iligan City


August 2020
Master of Arts in English Language Teaching

Mindanao State University – Main Campus, Marawi City


June 18, 2017
Bachelor of Arts in English
Cum Laude

EXPERIENCE
English Teacher
Iligan Philippine College, Iligan City
August 2017 – July 2019

Part-time English online lecturer


XYZ Online Teaching Company, Cebu City
June 2019 – June 2020

SKILLS
✓ Provide emotional, social and academic support for students at collegiate level to increase their
communication skills and improve their academic and job prospects
✓ Collaborate with teachers and counselors to provide a quality educational experience both inside and
outside the classroom
✓ Held a weekly writers' workshop that helped students of all ages to gain a greater command of
grammar and other concepts
OTHER INFORMATION
✓ Fluent in English, Filipino, Bisaya, and Chinese
✓ Current with English teaching strategies, methodologies, and techniques
✓ Proficient with Blackboard and other teaching software
✓ Excellent at Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, PPT, etc.) use

Figure 6: E-MAIL FORMAT SAMPLE

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


65
Application Letter

“An application letter, or a cover letter, is the official business letter often included with
a job application and/or resume and sent to a prospective employer” (Lemoine, 2019).

When writing an application letter, always remember that you are not alone in applying
for that specific job – it is going to be a tough competition, thus, your ultimate goal is to win and
obtain an interview. It is also important to note that you need to know what the employer wants
so that you can include those in your letter because an application letter is like a sales letter that
is made to sell an applicant’s personality and qualifications to a future employer.

To guide you in writing your application letter, Driz (2015) described the parts of an
application letter as follows:
1. INSIDE ADDRESS contains the name of the employer, his/her position, the company’s
name and the address of the company or organization.
2. SALUTATION contains the greeting addressed to the employer.
3. BODY OF THE LETTER contains all the messages you want your reader to understand.

Suggestions in Making and Organizing the Body of the Letter (Baraceros, 2013 cited
in Driz 2015):
A. First Paragraph attracts the attention of the employer.
1st sentence: The way the writer came to know of the job opening
2nd sentence: The exact purpose of the writer
B. Second Paragraph indicates your educational attainment.
C. Third Paragraph indicates work experience and training sessions attended.
D. Fourth Paragraph states personal attitudes, interests, qualities, and activities
towards the job.
E. Fifth Paragraph convinces the employer to believe that you are the right person
the company has been looking for.
F. Sixth Paragraph urges the employer to act on your application letter by
requesting for an interview.
4. COMPLIMENTARY CLOSE serves to end the message just as goodbye serves to end a
conversation.
5. SIGNATURE contains the name and signature of the writer.


Make your resumé and application letter and submit them to your
instructor via e-mail. Be reminded to follow the guidelines provided in this
module.
Situation: You are a recent honor graduate of the Mindanao State
University – Main Campus, Marawi City, and you want to apply for a
certain position in an institution, company, etc.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


66
Now that you have been guided on how to write an application letter, check some details
again to be sure if you have entered all information needed. Below is an image of a sample
application letter:

Rizal Street
Dalipuga, Iligan City
August 28, 2020

Dr. Yassi J. Gomid


President, University of the Philippines
Quezon City, Manila

Dear Dr. Gomid:

I am a graduate of the Mindanao State University-Main Campus, Marawi City.

The English courses, training, and seminars I obtained from this institution stressed up-to-date
principles, and theories that will enable me to have expertise in the job I am applying for.

For almost two years, I have worked in the English department of Iligan Philippine College,
Iligan City. My experience in this institution gave me a lot of knowledge about the traditional
and current trends, techniques, and strategies in the teaching profession.

During this period, I also worked as a part-time lecturer at XYZ online teaching company. My
past experience in these institutions will help me adjust to your institution if given the chance.

Enclosed is my resumé to give you a more detailed information about my qualifications.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this application. I look forward to having the
opportunity to further discuss my qualifications with you through a personal interview. You can
reach me through this number +63 948 000 5555.

Respectfully yours,

(Signature)
Zarina G. Lee

Figure 7: LETTER FORMAT sample

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


67
REFERENCES

Alessandra, A. & Hunsaker, P. (1993). Communicating at work. New York: Touchstone.

Capecce, V. (2008). Methods of delivery. Retrieved September 19, 2020 from https://bit.ly/
3cc91Re

Career Center. (n. d.). Write a resume & cover letter. Retrieved September 4, 2020 from
https://careers.usc.edu/students/write-a-resume/

Cole, S. (2019). Communication in the workplace: Everything you need to know about effective
communication strategies at work to be a better leader. Retrieved September 12, 2020
from https://www.scribd.com/book/423431493

Doyle, A. (2020). How to write and send professional email messages. Retrieved September 9,
2020 from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-write-and-send-professional-
email-messages-2061892

Driz, P. (2015). Writing an application letter. Retrieved September 9, 2020 from https://bit.
ly/32DG5yp

Dukoko1. (2020). Nervousness is normal if you feel nervous about. Retrieved September 18,
2020 from https://bit.ly/3kvedCE

Fleming, G. (2019). How to write and structure a persuasive speech. Retrieved October 2,
2020 from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-a-persuasive-speech-1857488

Gareis, E. (2006). Guidelines for public speaking. Retrieved September 19, 2020 from https://
studylib.net/doc/8180970/guidelines-for-public-speaking

In.Corp Global Pte Ltd. (2020). Importance of good communication at the workplace.
Retrieved September 13, 2020 from https://www.incorp.asia/blog/hr/importance-of-
good-communication-at-workplace/

Inc. Editorial, Inc., Staff. (n. d.). Written communication. Retrieved September 21, 2020 from
https://bit.ly/3hOtaOk

Indeed Career Guide. (2020). Business letter format and example. Retrieved September 21,
2020 from https://indeedhi.re/3cdUPr5

Indeed Career Guide. (2020). How to write a professional email. Retrieved September 9, 2020
from https://indeedhi.re/2ZQH5h0

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


68
Lampton, B. (2019). Keep audience attention throughout your entire speech. Retrieved
October 2, 2020 from https://www.businessknowhow.com/ growth/
audience-attention.htm

Le Fu, M. (2016). The greatest speech of Leonardo DiCaprio: Climate change. Retrieved
October 3, 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Cc8E3BWOqA

Lemoine, J. (2020). Definition of an application letter. Retrieved September 4, 2020 from


https://careertrend.com/facts-5003488-definition-application-letter.html

Lucas, S. E. (2007). The art of public speaking. Boston: McGraw Hill.

Lumen. (n. d.). Steps of preparing a speech. Retrieved October 2, 2020 from https://
courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless -communications/chapter/steps-of-
preparing-a-speech/

Michigan State University Board of Trustees. (2020). Communications toolkit: Vocal


expression & public speaking. Retrieved September 19, 2020 from
https://www.canr. msu.edu/uploads/resources/pdfs/4-
H_Communications_Toolkit_4H1560.pdf

My speech class. (2017). Retrieved September 19, 2020 from https://www.myspeechclass.


com/speech-speaking-types.html

Nordquist, R. (2018). How to write a narrative essay or speech. Retrieved September 15, 2020
from https://www.thoughtco.com/writing- topics-narration-1690539

Permadi, K. S. (2014). Speech-from grand theory to performance assessment. Retrieved


September 19, 2020 from https://www.academia.edu/7277843/Speech_From_Grand_
Theory_to_Performance_Assessment

Sarikas, C. (2020). 105 Interesting persuasive speech topics for any project.
Retrieved October 2, 2020 from https://blog.prepscholar.com/good-
persuasive-speech-topics

Smith, J. (2019). Communication at work: A college-to-career guide to success. Retrieved


September 21, 2020 from https://bit.ly/3iR1lq0

Tapalla, W. C. & Tapalla, V. C. (2010). Public speaking and professional etiquette. Pasig City,
Philippines: Anvil Publishing, Inc.

Webb, C. (2020). What are the two ways of communication in the workplace? Retrieved
September 14, 2020 from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/two-ways-communication-

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


69
workplace-10768.html#:~:text=Although%20there%20are%20several%20ways,
regulate% 2C%20manage%20and%20encourage%20productivity.

Wilson, K. M. (n. d.). What is an effective written communication? Retrieved September 21,
2020 from https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/style-and-usage/what-is-effective-
writing-communication.html

WordWed Software. (n. d.). Email. Retrieved September 4, 2020 from https://www.
wordwebonline.com/en/EMAIL

Young, T. M. (2005). Technical writing a-z: A commonsense guide to engineering reports and
theses. USA: ASME Press.

Purposive Communication’s LEARNING GUIDES


70

You might also like