One of the biggest sources of

misunderstandings and
communication breakdown
is language.
Communicative Strategies
These are plans, ways or means of
sharing information which are
adopted to achieve a particular
social, political, psychological, or
linguistic purpose.
7 Types of Communicative Strategies
1.
Nomination- presenting a particular
topic clearly, truthfully, and saying
only what is relevant.
When this strategy is used, the
topic is introduced in a clear
and truthful manner, stating
only what is relevant to keep
the interaction focused.
Examples:
Have you noticed the weird weather lately?
Is this because of global warming?

I was late for class again! The MRT stopped

midway. What is wrong with the MRT?
2.
Restriction- constraining the
response or reaction within a
set of categories.
Restriction Communicative Strategy is a
strategy that constrains or restricts the
Response of the other person involved in
the Communication Situation. The
Listener is forced to respond only within
a set of categories that is made by the
Speaker.
Examples:
They say that the Philippine economy is
getting better. Only the stupid thinks that,
right? (No one wants to be stupid.)

That arrest move was a disaster waiting to

happen. Do you agree? (Yes/No)
3.
Turn-taking- recognizing when
and how to speak because it is
one’s turn.
Turn-taking Communicative Strategy
requires that each Speaker speaks
only when it is his/ her turn during
interaction. It also means that others
should be given the opportunity to
take turn.
Examples:
I agree with the point just made. But may I add that
OFWs would rather be home and work here so they
could be with their families.

May I have the floor, sir? The topic under discussion

is the state of the Philippine economy today. We
want better lives for all Filipinos, whether they are
working here or abroad.
4.
Topic shifting- introducing a new
topic followed by the
continuation of that topic
Topic-Shifting Communicative Strategy is
the strategy that is useful in introducing
another topic. This strategy works best
when there is follow-through so that new
topic continues to be discussed. This is also
used in Repair Communicative Strategy.
5.
Topic control- keeping the
interaction going by asking
questions and eliciting a
response.
Topic-Control Communicative Strategy is
simply a question-answer formula that
moves the discussion forward. This also
allows the Listener or other participants to
take turns, contribute ideas, and continue
the discussion.
Examples:
How do you often ride the MRT, Tony? How
many times have you encountered a stoppage in
service?

Your car may break down, too, Luna, right? So

you have to find another means of getting to
school. We all do not want to be late for class, yes?
6.
Repair- overcoming communication
breakdown to send more comprehensible
messages.
Examples:
This is a battle with corporations that continue to pollute
the environment. But this is also a battle with man
himself, who continues to act as if there is another Earth
we can move to once this Earth dies.
If we cannot use the Earth’s resources, our economies will
die. We need to choose: the economy or the environment.
We have already learned that communication almost always
breaks down. When miscommunication occurs, one can apply the
Repair Communicative Strategy that includes requesting
clarification, not acknowledging, topic shifting, not responding,
repeating, recasting and adding. One requests clarification by
asking questions or using eyebrows , eyes, head or shoulders to
show that the Message could not be understood. By not
acknowledging the new situation, the situation already in
progress will continue. Topic shifting can help direct the
discussion to another or divert the attention of the Listener from
the topic that has become problematic.
7.
Termination- using verbal and
nonverbal signals to end the
interaction.
Termination Communicative Strategy ends the
interaction through verbal and nonverbal
Messages that both Speaker and Listener send to
each other. Sometimes the Termination is quick
and short. Sometimes it is prolonged by
clarification, further questions, or the continuation
of the topic already discussed, but the point of the
language and body movement is to end the
communication.