SPEECH STYLES

Pair Activity

You received an academic recognition from your school.

Brainstorm on what each one of the following would say to
you:

>Your parent
>Your teacher
>Your best friend

Using the table below, determine the degree of formality in

each conversation by placing a check mark on the column
which corresponds with your answer.
 Pair Activity
LEVEL OF FORMALITY FORMAL INFORMAL

Student-Parent

Student-Teacher

Student-Friend
• Intimate
SPEECH STYLE

• Form of language that a speaker uses

and it is characterized by the degree of
formality (Joos, 1967)

• Also referred to as “communicative

style” or “register”
 Martin Joos (1961) The Five Clocks
• Intimate

• Casual
• Formal
• Frozen
• Intimate
• Consultative
 I. Frozen/Fixed Speech
• Most formal
• Rarely or never changes
• Often scripted/fixed
• Used in respectful situations/formal
ceremonies
• Complex grammar sentence structure
• Feedback from audience is not required
 Frozen/Fixed Speech
Examples:
• Prayers
• biblical verses
• Preamble to the Constitution
• Pledge of Allegiance, national pledge
• School creeds
• Wedding vows
 II. Formal

• One-way participation
• Technical vocabulary, complete sentences with
specific word usage
• Used to show respect in places such as work,
school, public offices
• Used in speaking to medium to large groups
• Speakers prepare their sentences beforehand
 Formal
Examples:
• sermons
• speeches
• Announcements
• Pronouncements made by judges
• Job interview
• meetings
 III. Consultative

• Two-way participation.
• Formal register used in conversations where
there is listener participation and feedback
• Shorter and spontaneous sentences
• Unplanned speech
• Interruptions are allowed.
 Consultative

Examples:
• Communication between
– supervisor and subordinate
– teacher and student
– doctor and patient
– counsellor and client
 IV. Casual
• Informal conversations with in-group friends
and acquaintances.
• Idiomatic expressions, colloquialism, and
slang are common.
• Often very relaxed and focused on just
getting the information out
• Interruptions are common.
 Casual

Examples:
• Blogs
• Chats
• Letters to friends
 IV. Intimate
• Non-public
• Reserved for close family members or intimate
people
• Intonation is more important than wording or
grammar.
• Private vocabulary.
 Intimate
Examples:
• Communication between:
– Husband and wife
– Boyfriend and girlfriend
– Siblings
– Parents and children
– Close friends
 Application
Identify the communicative style appropriate in
the following situations:
1. Students chatting during recess
2. A couple talking about their future wedding
plans
3. A student delivering an oratorical speech
4. Leading a prayer before a meal
5. A student reciting in class
 Application
6. Reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine
Flag
7. Two best friends telling each other their deepest
secrets
8. A journalist delivering news reports
9. An SSG Officer conducting room to room
discussion meetings about school rules and
regulations
10. A student discussing with the nurse about her
nutritional status
 Group Activity

1. Form 5 groups.
2. Using the assigned speech style to your group,
advertise any product.
3. You have 5 minutes to prepare for a one-minute
presentation.
 Group Activity

Scoring:
10 – The words, attitude, tone of voice, and overall body
language of the speaker are appropriate for the setting.
8 - The words, attitude, tone of voice, and overall body
language of the speaker are acceptable for the setting.
6-The words, attitude, tone of voice, and overall body
language of the speaker are inappropriate for the setting.