THE COMMUNICATION STUDIES SBA

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU MEET ALL DEADLINES SET FOR SUBMISSION OF

DRAFTS!!! THE SBA IS WORTH 20% OF THE TOTAL EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT!!!

The SBA consists of four sections:

● The general introduction (12 marks)

● The expository section (16 marks)

● The reflective section (14 marks)

● The analytical section (18 marks)

( Total - 60 marks)

1. The general introduction:

In this section the student must:

● State/identify theme that she has chosen as an area that she is interested in studying however this is
subject to the approval of the teacher. (This must be written at the top of this page)

● The student is then expected to write the General introduction which includes -
an introductory paragraph that sets this theme within a specific context. This paragraph can give
information about the background of theme or it can define the concept embodied in said theme or
any other suitable/approved way of writing an introduction

● The second idea is to provide a rationale/reason/purpose for your choice of theme / area of study.
These rationales/reasons should/can be related to your:

● career goals,

● academic and

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● Personal interest/experience. This includes – motivations / inspiration, relation to personal or
academic interests) (2 marks for each reason = 6 marks)

The third idea focuses on how the theme will be reflected in the three different sections of the portfolio.
This should show what will be done in the three sections based on the theme.

The word limit for this section is ……… 200 WORDS

The general introduction

Theme and purpose of portfolio 2 marks

How the theme is treated in the exposition and reflective sections 4 marks

How the theme relates to candidate’s academic interests 2 marks

How the theme is related to candidate’s work related interests 2 marks

How the theme relates to the candidate’s personal interest 2 marks

(Total – 12 marks)
The General Introduction is followed by the Expository Section

(This is in fact the section that deals with the speech. This section is NOT included in the written
submitted portfolio but presented as a speech but must follow the guidelines/outline given here)

2. Introduction of speech

This is that section that looks at a particular topic formulated by the student that is current
nationally/regionally and is of interest to her. This section provides a rationale/reason for choosing that
particular topic.

A. Choosing and writing the topic

The topic must:

● be in the form of a question (either implicitly /explicitly stated)

● show a relationship between two or more variables. How does one thing
influence/impact another?
● be based on current social issues ( national or regional )
B. The actual speech starts with an introduction which consists of basically three ideas….
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 # 1. The first idea here again is to set your topic within a national, regional or any other relevant context
by giving information about the topic in an introductory paragraph or two. It is important to give
● Brief explanation of background/exposition of issue
● Give a sense of the debate or controversy which surrounds the topic—mention varying
views
● Information used should be no more than ten years old
# 2. This is followed by the second idea/ point which explains your interest in the topic. (not those used in
general introduction… they now have to be specific to the topic!!)

# 3. The third idea/point is to refer to information that you will /have collected

All information you have garnered for this section will be presented in the form of a speech.

THE SPEECH will be 7-10 MINUTES LONG. This is NOT included in the portfolio but is presented
orally.

o Three sources of information are to be assessed, one of which must be a primary source
(sources must be diversified –limited to one of each type).Sources must indicate different
views.

o Candidates should show a substantial knowledge of and discuss issues raised and the challenges
experienced in exploring the selected topic.

o Candidates should evaluate the effect of source, context and medium/channel on the reliability and
validity of the information gathered.

THE SPEECH
1. The speech should start off with a greeting eg. Good morning Mrs. Thorpe. This should
be followed by information from the introduction to your speech, especially the first
paragraph which gives a context/setting for what you will be saying.
2. Next – be sure to say specifically what your topic is …. Say it out loud and then go on to
say WHY you have chosen to explore this topic.
3. Say that to properly explore this topic you have chosen to use three (3) sources. Then go
on to list them one by one eg. To examine this topic I have chosen to work with three
sources ,one primary source ,a university student who has been a victim of sexual abuse
and who has kindly consented to provide answers through an interview, a newspaper
article from “The Daily Gleaner” entitled “Male sexually exploited in the workplace” and
a book on………. By …….. or so on, whatever your sources are.

4 Briefly describe each source one by one

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5 For the article – This description may include title, date and place of publication / date
conducted, the name of channel through which document was published/aired e.g. Radio Jamaica
or “The Daily Gleaner”, name of author, context in which document was published/done ( what
prompted the writing the article)
6 For the questionnaire, describe it by referring to the type such as face to face/telephone, the
number of questions, also say how many are open ended and how many are closed ended. You
can also describe how the questions are grouped eg. Questions 1-4 are requesting biographical
details or they are used to gather information about the source's background etc. do this for
all/most of the questions.
7 The description of the interview follows the same concept as that for the questionnaire. Also for
the interview and questionnaire please discuss the circumstances/context that existed when they
were being conducted.
8 Summarize (no more than two/three sentences )the information that is in the article or
whatever source that you have used
9 Summarize (no more than two/three sentences) the information that you got from the
interview
10 Summarize(no more than two/three sentences) the information you get from the
questionnaire/ book
11 Discuss the major issues that came up/ were raised in each source and challenges that
came about/ raised by the issues that surface relating to the topic. What are some of the
critical issues relating to the topic? ( for doing this you can get a maximum of five (5)
marks)
12 Other challenges experienced/faced include those that came up while trying to find the
sources and to write the interview questions and conduct the interview/administer the
questionnaire etc. These should be acknowledged and discussed for their impact/how
they influence the reliability and validity of the information that you have gathered and
how the process of collecting may have impacted on the validity or the reliability of the
information.
13 Discuss how valid/invalid (truth) or reliable each source is. First analyze the author’s
suitability. What makes this person capable of giving true information on this topic? Then
focus on the media house that published the material. Then look at what is said … does
the person make claims that cannot be substantiated? The information that the source
gives can be the truth/valid or not. Be sure to say why/why not. Also focus on how the
context and the medium/channel impact the validity of the information gathered.
14 How reliable is your source and why? Justify your claims (what makes each a reliable
source? Do not just make blanket statements such as “The newspaper article was valid

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 and reliable” You may also qualify the degree of reliability by using words such as
“extremely, not very etc”. Also focus on how the context and the medium/channel impact
the reliability of the information gathered.
15 For questionnaires and interviews look at the instrument itself and say what if anything is
wrong with it and how that may influence the information that you collected. Focus on
your lack of skills in writing these instruments etc.
16 Conclusion: Overall summary of assignment. Remember that the focus was to make a judgment
on the validity and reliability of sources. Make recommendations / generalizations about the issue
if this is appropriate.

Marks are also assigned for Organization [ 3 marks ] and Delivery [ 4 marks ]

Some autonomy is allowed in the organization of your document but should not digress too much from
suggested outline.

Students with speech impediments are NOT penalized for how this impediment impacts fluency!!!

The exposition

Discussion of issues and challenges 5 marks

Evaluation of the effect of source, context and medium/channel on the reliability 4 marks
and validity of information gathered

Organization 3 marks

Delivery (audibility, fluency, eye contact body movement and paralinguistic 4 marks
features and other communicative behaviors

(Total – 16 marks)
THE REFLECTIVE SECTION
This section requires a submission of one (1) original piece (student’s own product) that must reflect the
THEME of the portfolio. NO MORE THAN 800 WORDS.

[Plagiarism is a punishable offense!!!]

Candidates should also write a preface/commentary to the piece. This should be NO MORE THAN 200
WORDS.

This reflective piece may be a short story, dramatic piece or any other genre that lends itself to
incorporating all four OR at least two aspects needed for the analytical section.

Avoid clichéd predictable compositions. (Creativity enhances your piece and helps you to maximize
your marks!!!)

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 Observe technicality of form that you have chosen (short stories must make use of the narrative
elements and dramatic pieces must observe the dramatic conventions)

Please note that this piece is to be specifically written to be used as the piece for the language
analysis in section three and that there are special guidelines that must be followed. The piece
must show the use of at least TWO of the following: registers, dialectal variations, attitudes to
language and communicative behaviors. Your teacher will assist you in this.

The preface

The piece must be accompanied by a preface. This preface should:

 Identify piece

 Briefly explain the formal considerations that have guided the creation of the piece (the careful thoughts
and planning in packaging the piece to reach the audience for whom it is intended.

 Identify the audience: specify the audience for whom piece is intended and say why choice of medium
is appropriate. Say why it is suited to the age, gender and background (educational, cultural, socio-
economical, socio –linguistic etc.)

What is the purpose of this piece/ communication/ The purpose for writing the piece. What do you hope to
achieve by writing this story/drama piece? What impact are you hoping for in the audience of your
choice?? The audience you identified earlier??

Identify the situation / context in which this will be presented. Identify what features of the piece are
appropriate for context and the channels that will be used to get the message across. Will audio visual aids
be used?

You can make a brief comment on the actual process of composing the piece. Say how the piece was
actually made. Refer to writing, re-writing, editing and changes made. What is your inspiration? What are
some of the special challenges you encountered while composing the piece. These must be used to
comment on your choice of audience, context and purpose. Refer to any special feature of piece that is
worth mentioning (especially if they affect the creation in any major way relating to context, audience or
purpose)

The reflective

The preface
Clearly identifying Audience, purpose and context 4 marks

The actual sample 10 marks

(Total – 14 marks)

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 THE LANGUAGE ANALYSIS (350 WDS.)

 A critical analysis of the reflective piece of communication commenting specifically on any TWO of
the following - a) language registers b) dialectal variations c) attitudes to language d) communicative
behaviors.

This piece must be thematically relevant [relating to any aspect/area of your THEME – NOT YOUR
TOPIC!!!and must contain the various linguistic requirements.

 Analysis must be done in continuous prose.

Like all written pieces, the Language Analysis MUST have introduction (must say what the piece is about
and communicate a sense of what the analysis intends to accomplish

The student must observe all the technicalities of writing continuous prose while analyzing the different
features.

AREAS FOR ANALYSIS

[YOU ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO INCLUDE TWO OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR IN YOUR
ANALYSIS]

1) Language registers;

Identify and Comment on all types found (including the narrator’s and characters). Give/refer to examples
to support claims and give possible reasons (based on context of the piece) for the linguistic features.

1) Language registers: This refers to the kinds of English appropriate to a particular purpose
or situation. It refers to the levels of formality/ informality and tone that are correct for a
specific context. A register can refer to either written or spoken language. In deciding
which register is suitable for a given situation one has to consider factors such as the
audience or written about, the medium which may/may not include verbal elements of
communication and the writer’s attitude towards the content he writes about.
Language registers may be identified as:
● Formal: for use in formal social settings. Eg. Ceremonies, services and conversation
between strangers. It almost always involves the use of Standard English.
● Casual: for use between friends/acquaintances in a non-formal setting. Usually marked by
the use of slang and ellipsis

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 ● Intimate: for use between people who are very close. Usually marked by minimal
sentence structure, ellipsis, non-verbal elements of communication and specialized
words/expression restricted in meaning to those involved in this intimate relationship.
● Consultative: for use in a situation in which the listener is expected to give some form of
continuous feedback based on the information provided by the speaker.
● Frozen: for use in print and public speeches, sermons and recitations for which no direct
response from a reader/listener is expected.
2) Dialectal variation

Again, identify each and focus on characters’ and or narrators’ choice and give examples and possible
reasons/explanations

. Dialectal Variations
Dialectal variation refers to spoken and written differences in the use of language within a speech
community; in our case English. Speech related variation within the Caribbean may be allocated
on the Creole continuum. This is a spectrum of language variation linking the more standard end
of the linguistic range to the creole end. In short, the acrolect refers to the standard variety of the
language; the mesolect refers to varieties which are closer in features to the standard language
and which are primarily used in the urban areas. The basilect represents the variety mainly used
in the rural areas and which has mainly creole features. In commenting on dialectal variation the
student needs to be aware of the different types of English used and spoken in the Caribbean.
Their difference is apparent in their accent and inflection. These include:
● Foreign English: used mainly by tourists and expatriates from other countries where
English is a major language. It may also be spoken by Caribbean nationals who try to
imitate the accent of tourists with whom they associate.
● Radio and Television English: involve sound and the human voice in the electronic
media. Can be divided into four categories: newscasts, music programmes,
advertisements and general public features.
● Erudite English: language containing features that show that the speaker is
knowledgeable of words, phrases and idioms, especially older ones and foreign ones
which are considered to be difficult.
● Colloquial English: refers to English which is characteristically West India without being
creole English-marked by differences in pronunciation, pitch and syntax
● Rasta English: variety of English made popular by the Rastafarian cult which consists of
biblical and apocalyptic words, words related to Africa or things African; punning or
playing on words and “I” words.
Profane English refers to impolite and shocking expressions and obscenities (used in
cursing) involving God, religious things, sex, sexual organs and practices

3) Attitudes to language

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Identify each and indicate what the basis for each attitude portrayed is.

Attitudes to the varieties of English spoken in the Caribbean result from a number of
factors including historical and social ones, crucial to the attitude one adopts are two
considerations-the association of education, formality and good taste with standard
English and the question as to whether creole English is fitting and appropriate for certain
uses. Attitudes to the use of language may include: pride, confidence and celebration, on
the one hand, and contempt, shame and even ridicule of the language one speaks. Code
switching or adopting the variety of English spoken by others can be a sign of lack of
confidence and pride in one’s mother tongue.
4) Communicative behaviors

Usually non verbal including the use of the voice, objects, time actions and dress among others.

Identify and discuss what these behaviors “say” in each situation – provide examples and explanations.

This refers to communicating impressions to others without being aware of doing so

(unconscious) and without even wishing to do so (inevitable). Such include six elements:
● Vocalics-use of the volume, rate, tone, and pitch of the voice to give dimension to
meaning.
● Proxemics-use of space to communicate
● Artifacts- objects that relay a message about you
● Movement-posture, gesture, eye contact, facial expression that say something about you
● Chronemics-attitude and use of time that communicate something about you
● Our Five Senses-these convey information to you about others
Non-verbal communication has six basic functions-substituting for words; reinforcing words;
regulating how the verbal message is received; contradicting the verbal message; managing
impression or the way other people perceive you and establishing relationship
ConclusionThis provides an evaluation of how effectively the different linguistic features were presented
and dealt with by the writer.

You may include a bibliography and an appendix however these are optional as the student does not gain
marks for including them NOR does she lose marks for not including them.

The analysis

Content 8 marks

Expression 5 marks

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 Organization 5 marks

(Total - 18 marks)

THE MARK SCHEME FOR THE SBA

The general introduction
Theme and purpose of portfolio 2 marks

How the theme is treated in the exposition and reflective sections 4 marks

How the theme relates to candidate’s academic interests 2 marks

How the theme is related to candidate’s work related interests 2 marks

How the theme relates to the candidate’s personal interest 2 marks

(Total – 12 marks)
The exposition

Discussion of issues and challenges 5 marks

Evaluation of the effect of source, context and medium/channel on the reliability 4 marks
and validity of information gathered

Organization 3 marks

Delivery (audibility, fluency, eye contact body movement and paralinguistic 4 marks
features and other communicative behaviours

(Total – 16 marks)
The reflective

The preface 4 marks

The actual sample 10 marks

(Total – 14 marks)
The analysis

Content 8 marks

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Expression 5 marks

Organization 5 marks

(Total - 18 marks)

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