Oral Comm Reviewer
1st Semester (Midterms)
Functions of Communication
Function
➢ refers to the specific purpose for which an
article is used, something exists, or a person is
tailored to meet his somebody else’s desires
➢ On every occasion we communicate, we
always have a fixed purpose, which is generally
intentional, distinguishable, or recognizable,
and functional or designed to attain something
constructive. In some instances, however, our
good intention produces a concomitant or
accompanying unintentional, dysfunctional
result. To evade having this inadvertent adverse
effect, we need to use clear, correct language
and be sensitive to cultural differences.
5 Functions of Communication
A. Information Dissemination Function
➢ The most basic function of communication
1. Communication offers data and information
for effective completion of tasks, answers of
problems, and eradication of vagueness the
three flows of information are:
Downward flow
➢ from superiors or elders to the subordinates
in the form of directives or updates
Upward flow
➢ from the subordinates or family members to
the superiors or elders in the form of feedback
and reports or suggestions
Horizontal flow
➢ peer to peer, worker to worker, husband to
wife and vice versa, sibling to sibling, or
manager to manager in the form of data and
reports. (Lombardo 2015)
2. Through communication we get information
on what is going on around us. Giving and
receiving information, directly or indirectly,
includes all other functions of communication.
3. The quantity of material we share with
another person or others differs depending on
the gradation of our familiarity to each other or
to one another. As we do not share a lot of
information with an unfamiliar person, but we
have a habit of sharing more when we are with
our immediate family or close friends.
B. Motivation Function
➢ The energy that influences a person’s
behavior in different ways in his pursuit of his
goal or objective is what we referred to as
Motivation.
1. Communication raises motivation. If we
know what, why, and how things should be
done, we gain self-confidence and reassurance
to realize our tasks.
2. Communication aids us to set explicit goals
and gives us updates or feedback on our
progress, whether positive or negative, toward
the achievement of these goals. Additionally, it
helps us strengthen desired behavior, rectify any
objectionable action, and persuade others as
well.
Examples:
➢ The priest or the leader of a religious
organization preaches to his community to
persuade them to live a Christian way of life
➢ The teacher updates his students on their
school performance to inspire them to do better
C. Regulation or Control Function
➢ To control or regulate is to exercise
limitation or direction formally or informally.
The expression of needs and want is a way to
control the behavior of another person to attain
something or get something done (Murphy,
2014). This materializes particularly among
family members or acquaintances.
➢ The control and regulation function of
communication is more apparent in formal
organizations than in informal ones (Kamat,
2011). Rules, regulations, and policies in
institutions are formal home rules and
agreements while unspoken or unwritten rules
are informal. Another kind of control, which
includes hazing, harassment, wife/husband
beating, bullying, and others, though
condemned by society, happens in our midst;
hence, they are our social concerns.
Examples:
➢ School rules and policies on attendance,
grading, and dress codes are prescribed.
Oral Comm Reviewer
1st Semester (Midterms)
D. Emotional Expression Function
➢ Communication makes possible the release
or unloading of emotions, resulting in catharsis.
➢ Communicating your emotions verbally or
nonverbally (e.g., being angry, sad, or afraid)
will lighten your apprehension and help you get
out of your emotional blocking. In times like
this, you need someone “to talk to” or “a
shoulder to cry on.”
➢ Emotional appeal, on the other hand, is used
in encouraging people to change their mind or
behavior
E. Social Interaction Function
➢ Communication permits us to act and
respond to the behavior of people around us. By
revealing our judgments and feelings, we
prompt responses from others.
➢ Communication eases social closeness to
establish, maintain, and enjoy relationships with
others. Small talk, which Locke (1998) calls
“social closeness and engagement,” is one of
the most vital purposes of human
communication (as cited in Murphy, 2014).
➢ Communication also realizes our ego needs,
the need for pride and self-esteem, and our
social needs – the need to fit in and to be
recognized, especially by our significant others
(Lombardo, 2015). Having social cliques or
barkadas is proof of this need. The saying that
“no man is an island” explains this function.
➢ Goofman categorizes social interaction into
five:
Exchange
➢ a social process whereby social behavior is
exchanged for a reward which may be material
or non material
Competition
➢ a process by which two or more people
interact and fight for a goal that only one can
win
Cooperation
➢ a social process in which people work
together to realize their common goals
Conflict
➢ refers to strong disagreement between
people, groups, and so on, which results on
other angry arguments.
Coercion
➢ the process of getting something or making
someone do something by using threats
Kinds of Talks or Oral Texts
➢ The functions or purposes of communication
can be effectually realized and fulfilled by using
diverse kinds of oral texts or what Locke (1988)
calls “talks”.
A. Small Talk
➢ a form of non-threatening communication
that may be used to effect social collaboration.
This kind of talk can help realize the following
specific purposes:
➢ to maintain status quo
➢ to break the ice
➢ to get acquainted
➢ to establish relationships
B. Light-Control Talk
➢ the discreet use of power to get
consequences. It may be used to motivate
people. It has the following purposes:
➢ to persuade
➢ to direct
➢ to seek but not force agreement
➢ to use legitimate authority
C. Heavy Control Talk
➢ intended to place blame and to control or
regulate people. This type of communication
produces defensiveness on the part of the
receiver and is infrequently, if ever, appropriate.
It has the following specific purposes:
➢ to blame
➢ to attack
➢ to threaten
➢ to coerce
➢ to demand
D. Search Talk
➢ another non-threatening method when you
want to gather data or the consensus of others to
be able to provide information. Its specific
purposes are the following:
➢ to center on an issue
➢ to examine and clarify the issue
Oral Comm Reviewer
1st Semester (Midterms)
E. Straight Talk
➢ good for problem solving and conflict
resolution. It may be used to facilitate emotional
expression. For catharsis, which is the act of
purging, cleansing, and unloading ideas and
emotions. It is typically done with people you
have a bond relationship with. The explicit
purposes that it hopes to attain are the
following:
➢ to concentrate on the here and now
➢ to focus on issues
➢ to share feelings
➢ to acknowledge feelings
➢ to accept without judging
To summarize, social interaction can be
attained through small talk; motivation of
people can be completed by means of
light-control talk; regulation and control can
be realized by engaging in heavy-control talk;
information can be provided by using search
talk; and emotional expression can be
accomplished through straight talk.
Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Verbal Communication
➢ refers to the use of words to convey a
message. This type of communication can be
regarded as efficient and successful if the
receiver can easily process the message
delivered by the sender.
Aspects you need to consider when using verbal
communication:
Appropriateness
➢ pertains to the use of suitable language from
applicable to the nature of the event or context
of the situation
Brevity
➢ speakers frequently opt to use simple and
precise words in delivering their message. It can
be achieved by using more direct and clear
words and avoiding beating around the bush. It
is saying less words
Clarity
➢ refers to using simple yet exact words that
directly express your thoughts and emotion. It
warrants that the purpose of the message will be
delivered to the audience. Through this,
communication breakdown like
misinterpretation may be avoided by the
receivers.
Ethics
➢ pertains to moral standards that need to be
considered when delivering a message. The
audience’s background such as their age,
gender, race, social status, and personal
convictions shall be given due importance for
speaking purposes.
➢ As a speaker, one of the prerequisites that
you need to do is to know your audience first.
By doing so, discriminatory acts leading to
biased judgment that may unintentionally be
committed by the speaker will be avoided.
Vividness
➢ refers to the words that make the
conversation or exchange of information lively
and vibrant. The purpose of this aspect of
communication is to simplify thoughts for the
audience to easily grasp the message though the
use of distinctive language
Formal Communication
➢ type of communication used in formal,
ceremonial, or dignified gatherings. Here, the
exchange of information is controlled,
well-thought-out, and prepared. It also
conforms to certain rules and conventions as
defined by the goals and values of particular
groups or organizations.
Types of Formal Communications
➢ Meetings
➢ Interviews
➢ Conferences
➢ Formal One-on-Ones
➢ Speeches
➢ Presentations
Informal Communication
➢ characterized by free, casual and
spontaneous exchange between two or more
people. The exchange is a kind of interaction
that is unrestrained by rules and conventions. It
is also the type of communication that occurs in
everyday life.
Types of Informal Communication
➢ Casual Conversations
➢ Gossips
➢ Tales
➢ Family Social Communication Culture
Oral Comm Reviewer
1st Semester (Midterms)

Nonverbal Communication
➢ refers to a collaboration of movements that
does not require any spoken words in order to
convey a message. This incorporates actions
such as hand gestures, body language, facial
expressions, stance, appearance, and others to
convey a message
Commonly used in nonverbal communication:
➢ Bodily kinesthetic
- Head movements
- Eye movements
- Facial expressions
- Sitting
- Standing
- Waling
- Hand Gestures
➢ Attitude or Behavior to specific situations
➢ Manner of Dressing
➢ Tone of Voice