ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Lesson 1
 Principles of Public Communication

Objectives:
1. Know the principles and processes of
communication as embodied in the
communication models provided;
2. Comprehend the concept of communication,
its basic components and types; and
3. Get acquainted with the basic strategies that
will help guide a speaker.
 Concept of Communication
• Communication comes from the Latin word
communis which means common or shared
understanding, or to participate and to impart.
• It is defined as the exchange of ideas, views,
beliefs or information as by speech, writing,
signal or behavior.
• It is something imparted, transmitted, and
interchanged.
• Communication is considered as an important
aspect of life as it is the center to all human
activities.
• It enables people to nurture love and
understanding, thus making living worthwhile.
• Obilade (1989) defines communication as a
process that involves the transmission of
message from a sender to a receiver.
 Basic Components of Communication

• Source – is the bearer of the message to the

audience.
• Receiver – is the person who receives the
communicated information of the source.
• Message – is the information being
communicated by a source to an audience.
• Response – it is the receiver’s messages or
reactions after hearing the speaker’s speech.
 Types of Communication
1. Intra-personal Communication - it is a type
of communication wherein one’s self is the
center of the communication process – the
source and the receiver of the message. It
involves mental process for the purpose of
information and decision making.
2. Interpersonal Communication – it is a type of
communication that transpires between two
people, but it may involve more than two. Both
partakers in the communication process
function as the sender and the receiver.
3. Group Communication – it involves a small
number of people gathered to discuss important
matters such as a deciding over a serious matter.
This type of communication only involves fewer
participants because each participant should be
able to interact with each other.
4. Public Communication – this type of
communication, the speaker usually conveys a
structures message to the audience.
5. Mass Communication – it is a type of
communication wherein a large portion of the
public or a community is involved.
 10 Basic strategies that will help guide a
speaker:
1. Know Yourself – the speaker’s ability to
articulate his or her points in a speech as well
as the speaker’s credibility would also
depend on his or her own personal
knowledge, convictions and understanding.
2. Know your audience – your listeners are the
reason why there is a need for you to deliver
your speech.
3.Know the situation – be familiar with the location
and environment where the speech will take place.
The environment will always influence the outcome of
the speech.

4. Aim for a response – the response of the audience

is always part of the speech before a crowd, it is very
important to know and be familiar with the location
and environment where the speech will take place.
5. Research relevant materials – A well-
researched speech will always have a good
probability of success as far as its accuracy and
integrity are concerned.
6. Present a reasonable argument – the speaker
needs to know how to limit the topics he or she
will cover in his speech to avoid confusion and
misinterpretation on the part of the listeners.
7. Involve your audience – involving the audience by
any means in a speech will allow the speaker to know
more about the needs and interests of the audience
which are essential in evaluating the outcome of the
activity.
8. Create a structured speech – as a public speaking
always emphasizes the importance of the audience, a
speech should also adhere to certain standard wherein
it would be easy for the listeners to absorb and
interpret the information given to them.
9. Speak directly with an audience – a speaker
must be straightforward in presenting the topics.
10. Develop confidence through practice – a
speaker must practice the words that he or she
might have a difficulty pronouncing or
articulating and to overcome nervousness in
delivering a speech.