Communicative Strategies

Communicative strategies are blueprints for how information will be exchanged. These
are used by learners to overcome problems of conveying intended meaning. Effective use
of these strategies results in communicative competence.

Being able to use such strategies make certain not only the achievement of Speech
Purpose but also the enrichment of communication experience for both Speaker and
Listener.

communicative strategies are plans/ways/means of sharing information which are

adopted to achieve a particular social, political, or linguistic purpose.

Types of Communicative Strategies

Since engaging to conversation is also bound by implicit rules, Cohen (1990) states that
strategies must be used to start and maintain a conversation. Knowing and applying
grammar appropriately is one of the most basic strategies to maintain a conversation. 

communicative strategies are plans/ways/means of sharing information which are

adopted to achieve a particular social, political, or linguistic purpose.

1. Nomination  
2. Restriction   
3. Turn - Taking   
4. Topic Control                      
5. Topic Shifting   
6. Repair        
7. Termination

Nomination  
Employed when you try to open a topic with people you are talking to.

Restriction
Refers to the limitation you may have as a speaker

Turn - Taking  
Pertains to the process by which people decide who takes the conversation floor.
Topic Control
Conversely, how procedural formality or informality affects the development of topic in
the conversation.
Topic Shifting
 

Involving moving from one topic to another.

Repair 
Refers to how the speaker addresses the problem of speaking, listening, and
comprehending that they may encounter in a conversation.     

Termination
Refers to how conversation participants’ close-initiating expressions that end a topic in
a conversation.

Summary
communicative strategies are plans/ways/means of sharing information which are
adopted to achieve a particular social, political, or linguistic purpose. Knowing and
applying grammar appropriately is one of the most basic strategies to maintain a
conversation. There are seven types of Communicative Strategies, Nomination,
Restriction, Turn-Talking, Topic Control, Topic Shifting, Repair and Termination. If
you are able to use these strategies well you will be good in handling conversation. You
will avoid miscommunication.

Communicative Competence
It includes the ability to select and apply skills that are appropriate and effective in the respective
context.

Factors affected by a shift in Speech Context, Speech Style, Speech Act,

and Communicative Strategy
Language Form 
This refers to the formality or informality of the language used and it involves the choice of words
and how sentences or utterances are structured.
 Formal
is used when talking with professionals or
persons in authority in a formal, official or
ceremonial occasion, situation, gathering or
event. Talking with a lawyer, a doctor or even
with your teacher often creates a formal
ambiance in communication.
Informal
on the other hand, is used without much
consideration to rules of convention or
etiquette. It is casual and mostly not well-
thought-of or prepared because it is used to
communicate with people with whom you have
close association with like parents, siblings and
friends.

Duration of Interaction
This refers to the amount of time a conversation takes between and among communicators.

Relationship of the speaker 

This refers to the speech style used by the speaker suited to his/her relationship to the person with
whom he/she is communicating. Styles can be classified as intimate, frozen, consultative, casual or
formal.

Speech Style
Intimate Casual
used for very close relationships. Language is an informal communication between groups
used in this style may not be shared in public. and peers who have something to share and have
EXAMPLE: couple shared a background information but do not have
close relations. Jargon, slang, and vernacular
language are used.
EXAMPLE: Classmates
 Consultative
is used in semi-formal and standard
communication. Professional or mutually
acceptable language is a must in this style.
EXAMPLE: teacher and student
Frozen
is the most formal communicative style that is
usually used during solemn ceremonies and events.
It does not require any feedback from the
audience.
EXAMPLE: Pledges

Formal
is a one-way straightforward speech. What the speaker says is something that has been prepared
beforehand.
EXAMPLE: State of the Nation Address

Roles and Responsibilities of the Speaker

This refers to the role and responsibility of the speaker which will depend on the purpose and context
of communication. The speaker's responsibility depends on his purpose for communication which
may be to inform, to persuade, or to entertain.

Message
This involves the content of the message. The message may be facts, opinion, feelings, order,
suggestions, and questions.

Delivery
This refers to the manner of delivery involving verbal and nonverbal cues made by the speaker.
Delivery can be classified as: Manuscript Speech, Memorized Speech, Extemporaneous Speech, and
Impromptu Speech

Principles of Speech Writing 

Diagram of the Speech Writing Process
 Ce
•D u ctin
d
n
o
trm g a u
n p d
e
th cu
n
ie
o e
rp n
af lysith
so e p
c h
e
e le
S
N
•G ctin
wg
ro
h
a tin
aD
d o
ica
p tw
n a p ic'
to
l ctin
e
•S g a e e
sp p a
ch r n
te
d itn
E
•R g
r a
a
h
e /sig o
d
n e visn
rR g a a
C
p
re
•P t th
g
rin n n
a
o
ib
e d
tro
lie u
yu ctio
e n
fh c h
e
sp
p a
re
•P g th
rin c o
e clu sio
n n

The writing process is not

linear but recursive

Audience Analysis
• Means looking into the profile of your target audience
• You need to do this so that your speech will fit or match your audience.

A Demographgy
age range, male-female ration, educational background, nationality,
economic status, and others

B Situation
time, venue, occasion, size

C Psychology
values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, cultural and racial ideologies and
needs

Determining The Purpose

• Is finding out whether you want to inform, entertain, or persuade.
• They are the three types of speech according to purpose.
• Your purpose can be general or specific but it is better if you will be specific.
Example:
General Purpose
• To inform
Specific Purpose
• to inform the students about the benefits of solid waste management
Selecting The Topic and Narrowing It
• Your topic is your focal point.
• You need to make it more specific.
Example:
Topic:
Solid waste management
Narrowed Topic:
Benefits of Solid Waste Management

Data Gathering
• is the part where you collect information from sources about your topic.
• You can research in books or surf the internet.
• Be sure to site your sources.
Selecting A Writing Pattern
• It will help you to organize your ideas
• You can choose from the following; Biographical, Categorical/Topical, Causal, Chronological,
Comparison-contrast, and Problem-solution.

A. Biographical
• presents descriptions of life of a person
Example:
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience about my grandfather, the late former president, Ramon Magsaysay
Specific Topic/ Main Points:
Describing the life and works of my grandfather, the late former president, Ramon Magsaysay

B. Categorical/Topical
• presents related categories to support the topic
Example:
Specific Purpose:
To persuade a group of high school juniors to apply and attend Generic University.
Main point
I. Life in the dorms
II. Life in the classroom
III. Life in the campus

C. CASUAL
• presents cause and effect relationships
Example:
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience on the effect of overeating.
Specific Topic/ Main Points:
Explaining the possible effects of overeating to one's health.

D. Chronological
• presents ideas in time order
Example:
Specific Purpose:
To inform my audience about the significant events in the 1986 EDSA Revolution or People
Power.
Specific Topic/ Main Points:
Describing the significant events before, during, and after the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

E. Comparison-contrast
• compares and contrast two or three ideas
Example:
Specific Purpose:
To inform the audience on the amount of protection against the virus by using face masks.
Specific Topic/ Main Points:
To inform the audience on the amount of protection against the virus by using face masks.

F. Problem-solution
• presents problem and solutions
Example:
Specific Purpose:
 To persuade the audience to support the educational programs of the national
government.
Specific Topic/ Main Points:
• Explaining the reason for supporting the government's educational program as the
primary means of increasing the Philippines' literacy rate.

Making an Outline

or a hierarchical list of ideas

• It can help you arrange your thoughts to make it easy for you to write your speech in an
organized way
• You can use a table format or a list format.
Example:
Problems on waste:
A. Environment
B. Health
Ways to resolve it:
A. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
B. Solid Waste Management

Your introduction
• must catch the attention of your audience and present the subject or topic of your speech

Creating a Body
• It involves writing explanations, examples and details about the topic you have chosen.
• Be sure to focus on the main idea.
The conclusion
• restates the main point of your speech.
• Your goal is to leave a memorable mark to your audience.

Editing and revising

 is correcting your speech for mechanics such as grammar, punctuation, spelling, organization
and the like.
When you edit, be sure to:
Edit for focus
• check if it focuses on the main topic
Edit for clarity
• make sure your words are clear and easy to understand
Edit for concision
• keep it simple and easy
Edit for continuity
• ideas should flow smoothly
Edit for variety
• shift in tone and style
Edit for impact and beauty
• make it memorable

Practice Makes Perfect

• When you practice you look at the time and how you deliver your speech.
• This helps you see yourself and find out how you can improve.

How Should One Deliver a Speech?

USE OF
RAPPORT WITH
CONVERSATIO MODULATION ARTICULATION
AUDIENCE.
NAL STYLE.

GESTURES
STAGE FACIAL
AND DRESS CODE.
PRESENCE. EXPRESSIONS.
MOVEMENTS.
TIP #1
Use a conversational style more often. Audiences do not like the speaker to sound too unnatural or exaggerated .
TIP #2
Rapport with audience. Look at your audience in the eye so they will feel that they are part of your speech. This
will also keep their attention and you will know who are paying attention. Use pauses when you emphasize the
most important words, phrases or sentences. Your pauses should not last for three seconds.
TIP #3
Modulation. Remember to adjust your volume to the size of the audience and venue. Modulate your voice but
do not shout or yell. Vary your speed or rate to avoid monotone pattern.
TIP #4
Articulation. Pronounce and enunciate words correctly. You might confuse your audience if you mispronounce
a word.
TIP #5
Stage presence. Start your speech by standing straight and balancing your weight. This will give a positive first
impression.
TIP #6
Gestures and movements. Use precise movements. Move your arms with a purpose. Avoid distracting
mannerisms like swaying back and forth, leaning on the podium, licking or biting your lips, playing with your
wristwatch or jewelry, scratching parts of your body, frowning, and others.
TIP #7
Facial expressions. Avoid having a poker face or highly animated face. Just smile unless you are talking about a
sad subject. Your expression must match what your message conveys.