COMMUNICATION STUDIES STUDY GUIDE

MODULE 1
MODULE 2
MODULE 3
Communication Studies Module 1
Monday, May 16, 2022 9:03 PM

The Module 1 Essay The Author's Purpose Organizational Strategies

The author’s purpose is the reason they decided to write
Required to do: about something in the first place. To understand the - Comparing and Contrasting
Analysis of an Expository Passage Written in author's purpose, imagine yourself as the author and ask - Cause and Effects
Standard English (normally 500 words) the question, "What is the reason for writing this piece?"; - Problems and Solutions
- Summarize main message and identify author’s "Why did I write this piece?"; "What is the ultimate intention - General to specific
purpose of my piece?" - Chronological order
- Assess the effectiveness of the organizational - Classification
strategies and language techniques used to The author's purpose can seek to: - Lists
convey the message and achieve the writer’s - Inform - Order of importance
purpose - Highlight - Illustrations and Examples
- Persuade - Concession and Rebuttals
- Entertain - Presentation of evidence
Essay Checklist - Outline
- Prove
Introductory Paragraph - Establish You are not limited to these alone
- Author's Purpose Language Techniques
- Enlighten
- Main Point - Draw attention to
- Thesis statement with the organizational strategies and language techniques - Flashback
used by the author (just name them) - Use of literary devices
The Main Point - Dialogues
Body Paragraphs The main point answers the question, "What is this piece - Anecdotes
- Each body paragraph, use the N-I-E method about?"; "What did I learn at the end of reading?" - Rhetorical Questions
○ Name the organizational strategy/language technique. (DO NOT define.) - Use of jargons
○ Identify/Illustrate an example, for example, a sentence that exemplifies - Description
this technique in the passage. - Foreshadowing
Note the differences:
○ Explain its use. Comment on its effectiveness. Was it useful in achieving
the author's purpose? (This does not always have to be a yes.)
- The author's purpose is to + verb Tones
(One paragraph per strategy/technique)
vs - Cheerful
Tone: Clearly identify the overall tone of the piece. Include examples of how
it is employ and comment on its usefulness in achieving the author's purpose. - Assertive
- The main point of this passage is that - Lighthearted
Conclusion - Regretful
- Rephrase the thesis statement. - Humorous
- Summarize strategies, technique and tone. - Pessimistic
- Answer the question - Was the author's purpose achieved? - Nostalgic
- Joyful
REMINDERS: - Sarcastic
1. Remember the word limit. - Persuasive
2. Organize essay in logical paragraphs. - Uneasy
3. Use transitional phrases - Inspirational

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Communication Studies Module 2
Monday, May 16, 2022 10:43 PM
The Module 2 Essay
Required to do:
Analysis of a Narrative Passage which includes
Caribbean Creole English (500 words)
- Discuss the Use of Elements of Language such
as the following:
○ Dialectical Variety
○ Language Registers
○ Communicative Behaviours
○ Attitudes to Language
Essay Checklist
Introduction
- General statement of the question
- Include the title of the piece to be analyzed
and the author's name to set a background.
- Thesis statement
Body Paragraphs
For each body paragraph use the I-E-I-A
principle
- Identify the dialectical variety/language
register/communicative behaviour/attitude to
language. (DO NOT define these terms.)
- Explain/Clarify what exactly do you mean.
Expound on why you believe that the first
pointer is correct.
- Identify/Illustrate an example, for example, a
sentence that exemplifies or give evidence
of the dialectical variety/language
register/communicative behaviour/attitude to
language.
- Analyze the usage and or effectiveness of
the element employed.
(One point per paragraph.)
Conclusion
- Rephrase the thesis statement.
- Summarize the main points discussed
- Make a generalization on the use of the
element of language in the piece to wrap up
your essay.
REMINDERS
1. Remember the word limit.
2. Organize essay in logical paragraphs.
3. Use appropriate jargons as it refers to the
element of language.
4. Use transitional phrases.
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Language Variation/Dialectical Variation Communicative Behaviours
The speaker's ability to use different forms of language to suit their communication need based Communicative behaviours refer to the body language and other non-verbal
on the context they are in. clues to the persons attitudes and feelings. It can be conscious and
deliberate or unconscious and accidental.
Types of Language Variation
i. Acrolect - Language used by the elites. Official or standard language. There is usually no Forms of Communicative Behaviour
regional variation. - Use of objects - the things we own, use, wear, etc.
ii. Mesolect - Language used by normal people. Intermediate of acrolect and basilect. There e.g. A man carrying a stethoscope can be assumed to a doctor.
can be regional variations. Unofficial and informal.
iii. Basilect - Language that is least comprehensible to the standard. Regarded as the broken - Proxemics - the use of space. Highlights how close we feel towards a
language. Usually found where creole is spoken. Many regional variation - depends on person.
speech community. e.g. A greeting in France usually comes with a kiss on the cheek while in
the USA, a handshake is sufficient.
Factors that Influences Language Varieties
- Chronemics - the use of time. Arriving early or late, hurrying to do an
- Social Factors - Geographical Factors activity or procrastination, etc.
○ Location - Individual Factors
○ Social class e.g. An interviewee showing up late may indicate lack of dedication,
○ Place of birth ○ Age
○ Religion laziness or creates a bad impression.
○ Migration ○ Sex
○ Ethnicity
○ Place of residence ○ Occupation
○ Education - Paralanguage - the use of tone, volume, pitch and rate of speaking.
○ Cultural background e.g. Speaking loud and fast may indicate anger.
○ Media
Language Registers Attitudes to Language
Describes the way a person speaks in relation to their audience. A speaker modifies their Attitudes to language refers to how one feels about his/her own language
language register to signal levels of formality according to their relationship to their audience or the language use of another. These are reveal through actual behaviour.
and intended purpose of speech.
To identify a person's attitude to language
Types of Language Registers - Look at what comment he/she makes towards that language.
i. Frozen/Static - language does change. Allows for recitation. ○ Objection to a language in particular setting.
e.g. Wedding vows, pledges, prayers ○ Preference of one language type over another.
○ Commentary on appropriateness of the language used in a
ii. Formal - speech that is elevated, precise, and often professional, official, or impersonal in particular setting.
nature. Allows for speech without interruption. ○ Convergence - Making his/her language similar to that of his/her
e.g. Professional meeting, graduation ceremony, academic lecture audience.
○ Divergence - Making his/her language different (by accentuation or
iii. Consultative - involves the participation of all parties. A speaker employs consultative emphasis) to that of his/her audience
register to discuss a topic, and the listener(s) must contribute feedback to the speaker.
Can be standard or non-standard language (depending on social context). - Observe how he/she reacts to another individual use of a language
e.g. discussions between student and teacher ○ Pride
○ Disgust
iv. Causal/Informal - speech of acquaintance. Uses many nonstandard grammatical forms, such ○ Acceptance
as slang, incomplete sentences, or regional phrasing. ○ Scorn
e.g. talking with a friend ○ Shame
v. Intimate - personated speech, usually between close acquaintance. Can use a mixture of
standard and non-standard grammatical forms. Not usually used to convey information for
public knowledge.
e.g. Romantic partners, mother and child
Salient Characteristics of the Caribbean Standard English and the Caribbean Creole English

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Communication Studies Module 3
Tuesday, May 17, 2022 1:14 PM

The Module 3 Essay Promotional Strategies

These are the plans and tactics used to diffuse
Required to do: information in order to gain an audience's interest.
- The Writing of a Proposal (for the delivery of a These include:
message to a specific audience) and Justification
of The Use of the Following for the Targeted - Jingles
Audience (Usually 300-500 words) - Roadshows
○ Promotional Strategies - Use of paraphernalia (merchandise)
○ Rhetorical Appeals - Billboards
○ Presentation Strategies - Public service announcements
○ Technological Devices - Flyers
○ The Timeline for Delivery - Posters
- Town hall meetings
- Bumper stickers
Essay Checklist - Press briefings
(Regardless of the fact that this section may say "outline a campaign"; "write - Edutainment
a proposal" or "write a speech" remember that you are expected to write in - Blogs
continuous prose.) - Celebrity endorsement
- Town criers
Before you begin writing the essay answer the following question - Social media
- Who are you? - Word of mouth
- What is the situation?
- What is required of you?
- Who is your audience?
Rhetorical Appeals
Introduction
- Begin with an attention grabber. It should be relevant to the topic that i. Logos - Appeal to logics and facts.
you will be focusing on in your proposal. ii. Ethos - Appeal to ethics, morality and credibility.
- Explain who you are, what the situation is and what is required of you. iii. Pathos - Appeal to emotions.
- Briefly outline the Promotional Strategies, Rhetorical Appeals,
Presentation Strategies, Technological Devices to be employed in your
campaign. Presentational Strategies and Technical Devices
- PowerPoint Presentation
Body Paragraphs - Handouts and Pamphlets
- You are focusing on the different aspects of your proposal. - Speakers
○ Name the Strategy/Appeal that you intend to use. DO NOT define - Video Presentation
what they are. - Audiovisuals
○ Outline how you plan to use that strategy or appeal in your - Testimonials
proposal. Give appropriate examples of each in your proposal. DO - Microphone
name what exactly you will use. - Charts
○ Justify why is this the most effective strategy/appeal to be
employed.
○ The information to be relayed and the medium by which it will be
diffused.
○ Outline how the usage of technology will help to enhance the
message towards your intended audience. DO name the device to
be used.
○ Clearly outline the timeline with which you will be working with if
your proposal were to be approved.

Conclusion
- End on a high note.
- Reiterate the points of your proposal.

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