Oral Communication

M6

Let me test your knowledge!!

1. What are you doing when you start a conversation?

a. Nomination c. Repair
b. Restriction d. Termination
2. What refers to any limitation you have as a speaker?
a. Nomination c. Repair
b. Restriction d. Termination
3.What pertains to the process by which people decide who takes the conversation floor?
a. Repair c. Topic Shifting
b. Topic Control d. Turn-taking
4.What covers how procedural formality or informality affects the development of topic in
conversations?
a. Repair c. Topic Shifting
b. Topic Control d. Turn-taking
5. What strategy involves moving from one topic to another?
a. Restriction c. Topic Shifting
b. Topic Control d. Turn-taking
6. What refers to how speakers address the problem in speaking, listening and comprehending
that they may encounter in a conversation?
a. Restriction c. Topic Shifting
b. Repair d. Turn-taking
7. Which refers to the conversation participants’ close-initiating expressions that end a topic in a
conversation?
a. Restriction c. Topic Shifting
b. Repair d. Termination
8. Which of the following is NOT an example of nomination?
a. Hi! How are you?
b. Have you heard the news today?
c. I have to go now, bye!
d. Can I ask you something?
9. Which of the following is an example of termination?
a. Do you want to say something?
b. I think that is wrong.
c. It’s already time! Let us talk about it next time.
d. Hello Annie!
10. When you say, “Please speak slowly, you are too fast,” what strategy are you applying?
a. Nomination c. Repair
b. Topic shifting d. Termination

Notes
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.

These are the strategies that people use:

Nomination – employed when you try to open a topic with the people you are talking to. You
may start off with news inquiries and news announcements as they promise extended talk. This
could signal the beginning of a new topic in the conversation.
Restriction – refers to any limitation you may have as a speaker. You are given specific
instruction that you that must follow. These instructions confine you as a speaker and limit what
you can say.
Turn-taking – pertains to the process by which people decide who takes the conversation floor.
There is a code of behavior behind establishing and sustaining a productive conversation, but the
primary idea is to give all communicators a chance to speak.
Topic Control – covers how procedural formality or informality affects the development of topic
in conversations. This is achieved cooperatively. When a topic is initiated, it should be
collectively developed by avoiding unnecessary interruptions and topic shifts. You can say
“Yes,” “okay,” “go on,” or asking tag questions to be actively involved without dominating.
Topic shifting – involves moving from one topic to another. You have to be very intuitive.
Make sure that the previous topic was nurtured enough to generate adequate views. You may
say, “by the way,” “in addition to what you said,” “which reminds me of,” and the like.
Repair – refers to how speakers address the problem in speaking, listening and comprehending
that they may encounter in a conversation. For example, if everybody in the conversation seems
to talk at the same time, give way and appreciate other’s initiative to set the conversation back to
its topic.

Termination – refers to the conversation participants’ close-initiating expressions that end a

topic in a conversation. Most of the time, the one who initiated the conversation takes
responsibility to signal the concluding cues. You can do this by sharing what you learned or
complete the discussion of the topic.

M7: LESSON 1

1. 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. Profile includes
a. Demography – age range, male-female ration, educational background, nationality,
economic status, and others.

2. Determining the purpose - is finding out whether you want to inform, entertain, or
persuade. Sounds familiar? Yes, 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.
3. Selecting the topic and narrowing it - are also important. Your topic is your focal
point. You need to make it more specific.

4. 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.
5. Selecting a writing pattern- will help you to organize your ideas. You can choose
from the following:
 Biographical – presents descriptions of life of a person
 Categorical/Topical – presents related categories to support the topic
  Causal – presents cause and effect relationships
 Chronological – presents ideas in time order
 Comparison-contrast – compares and contrast two or three ideas
 Problem-solution – presents problem and solutions
6. Making an outline - or a hierarchical list of ideas 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.

7. Creating the body - involves writing explanations, examples and details about the topic
you have chosen. Be sure to focus on the main idea.

8. Your introduction- must catch the attention of your audience and present the subject or
topic of your speech.

9. The conclusion - restates the main point of your speech. You can summarize, emphasize
your point, and call for action. Your goal is to leave a memorable mark to your audience.

10. 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

11. 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.

Lesson 2 : WRITTEN TO BE SPOKEN

1. Use conversational style more often. Audience do not like the speaker to sound too
unnatural or exaggerated.

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.

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. This will avoid boredom.

4. . Articulation - Pronounce and enunciate words correctly. You might confuse your
audience if you mispronounce a word.

5. Stage Presence. Start your speech by standing straight and balancing your weight. This
will give a positive first impression.

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.

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.

8. Dress properly and appropriately.

9. Breathe in and out to relax before your speech.

Knowledge test for M7

1. What refers to looking at your audience in the eye and having a good connection
with them?
a. Articulation c. Rapport
b. Modulation d. Gestures

2. Which refers to enunciating the words correctly?

a. Articulation c. Rapport
b. Modulation d. Gestures

3. What refers to making your voice loud enough to be heard?

a. Articulation c. Rapport
b. Modulation d. Gestures

4. What involves adding actions and walking while delivering your speech?
a. Articulation c. Rapport
b. Modulation d. Gestures

5. Which includes standing confidently while you speak?

a. Movements c. Rapport
b. Modulation d. Stage Presence
6. Which should NOT be done when you deliver your speech?
a. Eye to eye contact c. Poker face
b. Have pauses d. Vary the pitch
7. Why should you look at your audience in the eye?
a. It will lessen your nervousness.
b. You can make them feel scared.
 c. It will make them feel that they are part of your speech.
d. It adds to the beauty.
8. Why should you pause in some parts of your speech?
a. To breathe c. To relax
b. To emphasize d. To have effects
9. Why is articulation important?
a. To impress the audience
b. To attract attention
c. To make the message clear
d. To give a good impression
10. How can you make sure that you are heard by everyone?
a. Articulate words c. make eye to eye contact
b. Modulate voice d. have good stage presence

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