MODULE 3

Communicative Competence Strategies in Various Speech Situations

Allotted Time: 20 hours (5 weeks)

Introduction:

This module focuses on certain reasons or functions why human beings communicate. To achieve
these functions, communicative strategies have to be applied. The strategies discussed in this module
encompass and make use of the types of speech context, speech styles, and speech acts. Recognizing what
the speech context is and applying appropriate speech style – made up of speech acts -- combine to form a
communicative strategy for imparting a message.

Students Learning Outcome (SLO)

At the end of this module, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the various types of speech context;
2. Exhibit appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior in a given speech context;
3. Distinguish types of speech style;
4. Identify social situations in which each speech style is appropriate to use;
5. Observe the appropriate language form in using a particular speech style;
6. Respond appropriately and effectively to a speech act;
7. Engage in a communicative situation using acceptable polite and meaningful communicative
strategies; and
8. Explain that shifts in a speech context, speech style, speech act and communicative strategy
affect the following:

Language form
Duration of interaction
Relationship of speaker
Role and responsibilities of the speaker
Message
Delivery

Lesson 1: Enhancing Competence in using Communicative Strategies

Pre-Test (Preliminary Exercise)

The teacher will list on the blackboard a number of possible topics for communication.
Students will be allowed to choose whether they must to present the topic as speech (by one
person), as a conversation/dialogue (by two persons), or as group discussion (by three or more
people). The activity will be judged on whether the communication type is suitable to delivering
the message of the topic.

Contents:

People do not communicate in just one way using only one method. When
communicating with other persons, people interact in different ways. People might joke with one
and be reserved with another. They might be casual with a best friend, but formal with their

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 parents. Group discussion is different from public speaking. A different communication strategy –
that leads to effective communication – is needed for every situation. Each speech context
requires an understanding of the speech act. With understanding comes an adjustment of speech
style to ensure the delivery of the message.

Although we always communicate with one another, we interact based on a specific

speech context. After all, a speaker cannot whisper a speech to an audience, nor can we talk as
though a public speaker at the person giving the job interview. Communication is divided into
certain levels based on the number of participants in the process. Intrapersonal communication
means one person (yourself) is both communicator and receiver. Interpersonal communication
involves more than one person, from two (such as in dyadic communication) to many persons
(such as in group discussion or public communication). The level of communication dictates the
type of speech style and speech act to be used in a communicative strategy.

Each speech style (or the way language is used) varies with the purpose of
communication and the speech context (or the level of communication engaged in). Intimate and
casual styles are used in dyadic communication, particularly in conversation and dialogue, while
consultative style may be for group discussion, formal and, sometimes, frozen styles are most
associated with public communication.

As for the three types of speech acts, these are helpful in elaborating the meaning of what
is being said. For a locutionary speech act to make sense, the same meaning should be showed by
both the speaker and the listener. While an illocutionary act embodies the speaker’s intention, the
perlocutionary act is meant to elicit a response from the listener.

All the above mentioned are crucial in building a communicative strategy – a way, a plan,
a means – of sharing information to achieve a purpose. Seven types of communicative strategy
are discussed and will be practiced by the students: nomination, restriction, turn – taking, topic
control, topic shifting, repair and termination.

Lesson 2: Learning the Types of Speech Context

Intrapersonal Communication

It was already noted in Module 1 that many think of “communication” as public speaking or as a
situation in which one speaker addresses many listeners. Others think of it as involving only two people
talking to each other, but communication can involve more than two people or an audience. It can be a
group discussion on cancer awareness, an organizational program to save the environment, a radio or TV
show focussed on corruption in government, or it could even be a showcase of tribal dances from all over
the Philippines. Indeed, communication may be classified into different types based on the number of
participants in the process.

The first type of speech context is intrapersonal communication, meaning communicating with
oneself. What does this mean? Intrapersonal communication may be seen in situation involving talking to
or writing to oneself, even thinking to myself. To clarify further, talking to oneself may mean repeating a

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song heard while looking in the mirror, memorizing out loud a dialogue in a play or berating oneself in a
mutter on the way to school for forgetting one’s homework. A teenager may write in a diary or on a
private blog which nobody else is supposed to read. One also writes on post- it notes to remind oneself of
things to be done. And of course, there is daydreaming, meditating or mental planning.

Clearly, in intrapersonal communication, the speaker and the listener are one and the same: YOU.
You send the message to yourself and you yourself receive that message.

Interpersonal Communication

Beyond intrapersonal communication are several types of speech context which we are more
familiar with, such as interpersonal communication which involves more than one person. Of course, it is
not just the number of participants that determine each particular type of communication. They can each
be differentiated by its purpose. Remember? Communication is always intentional.

a. Dyadic Communication involves two participants forming the dyad. One speaker and one
listener come together to exchange thoughts, ideas, opinions and information. The roles of speaker and
listener are not fixed, they are interchangeable. Conversation is informal dyadic communication while
interview and dialogue are formal dyadic communication. Conversation is the most common, the most
frequent, and the most popular of all dyadic communication. Talking with others is one way people amuse
themselves. Dialogues usually happen during guidance counselling consulting with a priest, or heart- to-
heart talks with a trusted person. One bares heart and soul to go deeper into their motivations, attitudes
and beliefs. Interviews are almost always highly formal compared to conversation, but not as in- depth as
a dialogue is.

b. Small Group Communication requires from 3 to 15 people to study an issue, discuss problem,
and come up with a solution or a plan. This is not just a gathering of people with no goal in mind but to
pass the time. The group has an agenda, a leader, and an outcome to accomplish. Because everyone can be
both speaker and listener in this setting, rules must be followed to facilitate order. Order allows for a full
discussion, which leads to a compromise and the hope for result: a solution or a plan. Small groups may
be divided into two according to purpose: study groups and task - oriented groups. Study groups are
meant to look into a problem but not necessarily come up with a solution. It is the task-oriented groups
that study an issue such as the perennial traffic problem of Metro Manila or the pollution of Laguna de
Bay to come up with a plan to resolve that issue. Examples of small groups are panel discussions,
symposia, roundtables, etc.

c. Public Communication is different from dyadic or small group communication in that one
speaker addresses many listeners collectively known as an audience. There is no interchanging of speaker
and listener roles. Many public communication events are formal. The speech is well prepared, the
speaker is dressed appropriately and the listeners are set to listen to the message. Moreover, there is
usually a stage, a lectern and a microphone coupled with a sound system and, sometimes, spotlights.
Usually the programs are formally structured, with a Master of Ceremonies or MC (emcee), a welcome
address, an introduction of the keynote speaker, the speech by the keynote speaker or paper presenter, and
closing remarks. The informal version of public communication does not necessarily have a stage, the
speaker may be dressed informally, and there may not be a microphone or, sometimes, just a microphone.
With no sound system at all, the speaker has to project his/her voice to be heard by the audience. This

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informal form of public communication happens when the gathering is impromptu such as family
reunions and is most often seen during protest rallies, especially while participants are moving through
the streets.

d. Mass Communication is any of the above human verbal interactions carried out with the aid of
media technology. Mass media used to mean only radio and television, which reached more people with
the use of their technical system. With the advent of the Internet and the worldwide web, mass
communication now includes social media which allows for the use of technology by everyone, not just
journalists, broadcasters, and technical crew. Social media cover videos that go viral on the Internet as
well as webcasts/podcast which reach millions, more than radio or TV ever could. In fact radio and TV
have joined social media by putting up their own websites to communicate to a larger audience.

e. Organizational Communication refers to the interaction of members along the links in an

organizational structure. There are two variations of organizational communication. Formal organizational
communication uses the proper channels graphically illustrated by an organizational chart. Memos,
announcements and reports are passed along to the members of the organization following the chain of
command. An example is a memo on salary increase which is issued by the company president, sent along
to the vice president, and then is passed on to the managers, and, finally, handed on to the supervisors
before reaching the employees. The informal version bypasses the links, skips forward or backwards or
even goes sideways just to achieve the same goal: for example, to pass a memo, announcement, or a
report. The memo on salary increase will probably reach the employees faster than the formal
announcement because the secretary who typed the memo told another secretary who told the supervisor
who shared it with co-workers. This is not to say that one is more important than the other, or that one is
bad, the other not. Both types of organizational communication are necessary for the organization to
survive.

f. Intercultural Communication is the exchange of concepts, traditions, values, and practices

between and among people of different nationalities and ways of life. It goes beyond showcasing folk
dances, local songs, and native delicacies. To make the exchange more meaningful, there should be a
deeper understanding and awareness of what makes various nationalities different and unique but also
similar and familiar. For example, a roundtable discussion to exchange views about how we relate without
families can show the differences and similarities in Korean and Philippine cultures. A lecture on the
Chinese way of doing business might enlighten Filipino businessmen. Chatting with a friend from Abu
Dhabi might bring out the difficulties of a Catholic Filipino migrant workers in a Muslim country.

Summary:

All communication, whatever the speech context, has to have a purpose. Each context that one
may be engaged in is according to what best suits the purpose and how best to accomplish it, but the
contexts are not mutually exclusive. Before public communication can take place, the speaker subjects
himself/herself to intrapersonal communication by thinking, writing, and talking to oneself. Small group
communication happens because of something that came up in a dyadic communication, and so on. Given
the context and purpose, communication strategies are also based on different types of speech styles.

Reference: Oral Communication In Context

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 Ramona S. Flores First Edition

Post-Test (Assessment Exercise)

1. When talking to one’s self (intrapersonal), which of the following is most used? Why?
a. skill at remembering
b. capability to analyze
c. ability to summarize

2. When talking to another person (dyad). What is most necessary? Why?

a. knowledge of the other person
b. respect for the experience, culture, etc., of the other people
c. adjustment to the communicative setting

3. When talking to other people (small group), what do you most need? Why?
a. knowledge of the other group members
b. awareness of the topic under discussion
c. desire to reach an agreement

4. What is the best factor in keeping (formal) organizational communication going?

a. following the chain of command
b. issuing clear memos, directives, etc.
c. knowledge of the employees

5. What does good intercultural communicate require?

a. openness to the other culture
b. in-depth discussion of features of different cultures
c. showcasing dances, songs, and food

Lesson 3: Learning the Types of Speech Style

Introduction:

Each speech context, having a different set of participants coming together for a specific purpose,
calls for a specific communicative strategy. These strategies are also dependent on the type of speech
style that is used in a particular speech context.

Like speech context, there are several types of speech style for communicating. The exercises in
the previous lessons, described the reasons for communicating and the way in which that communication
was carried out. When talking to another person, words are carefully chosen and so is the manner those
words are spoken.

Each speech style is as distinct as the types of speech context and can be paired according to
usage. The styles according to Martin Joos (1959) are the following:

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a. Intimate is a non-public speech style that uses private vocabulary and includes nonverbal messages. It
is a style in which meaning is shared even without “correct linguistic forms”. This occurs among people
who have known each other for a long time and have shared many experiences. Because they know each
other well, they can sometimes complete each other’s sentences and know what the other person is
thinking even before they open their mouths. Even without the correct linguistic forms, people using the
intimate style understand each other.

b. Casual is a speech style used among friends and acquaintances that do not require background
information. The use of slang is common and interruptions occur often. Casual style is used when there
are no social barriers to consider.

c. Consultative is the opposite of the intimate style because this style is used precisely among people
who do not share common experiences or meaning. This does not preclude disclosure of background
information later in order to become the basics of shared meaning. Consultative style requires two – way
participation and interruptions can occur during communication.

d. Formal is used only for imparting information. The speech is well organized and correct in grammar
and diction. Technical vocabulary and exact definitions are important in the formal style, such as in
presentations. Straightforward and direct, with no circumlocution, this style does not allow interruptions.

e. Frozen is a formal style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic. Frozen style is
exemplified by prayers that have been recited in the same w
ay for years, the Pledge of Alliance or Panatang Makabayan, and the Oath of Office of any officer,
whether of the Student Council or of Congress.

Summary:

Each type of speech style is used according to the purpose and speech context discussed
previously. On the other hand, speech styles use speech acts to enhance communication.

Reference: Oral Communication in Context Ramona S. Flores First Edition

Source: PEAC Training/Seminar SHS

Post – Test (Assessment Exercise)

Choose the speech style that may be used in speech context presented below:

1. When communicating with one’s self (intrapersonal), which speech style is most appropriate?
a. Intimate – uses private vocabulary and shared meaning due to long relationship.
b. Casual – used among friends because there is no need for background information
c. Consultative – style used for people who do not have shared experiences or meaning
d. Formal – only for imparting information; well organized and correct in grammar and diction
e. Frozen – style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic

2. When communicating with another person (dyad), which speech style can be used?

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 a. Intimate – uses private vocabulary and shared meaning due to long relationship
b. Casual – used among friends because there is no need for background information
c. Consultative – style used for people who do not have shared experiences or meaning
d. Formal – only for importing information; well organized and correct in grammar and diction
e. Frozen – style whose quality is static, ritualistic and may even be archaic

3. When talking to other people (small group), which is the best speech style for this purpose?
a. Intimate – uses private vocabulary and shared meaning due to long relationship
b. Casual – used among friends because there is no need for background information
c. Consultative – style used for people who do not have shared experiences or meaning
d. Formal – only for imparting information; well organized and correct in grammar and diction
e. Frozen – style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic

4. When making and delivering a speech, which speech style works best?
a. Intimate – uses private vocabulary and shared meaning due to long relationship
b. Casual – used among friends because there is no need for background information
c. Consultative – style used for people who do not have shared experiences or meaning
d. Formal – only for imparting information, well organized and correct in grammar and diction
e. Frozen – style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic

5. While on radio or TV, which speech style captures the audience?

a. Intimate – uses private vocabulary and shared meaning due to long relationship
b. Casual – used among friends because there is no need for background information
c. Consultative – style used for people who do not have shared experiences or meaning
d. Formal – only for imparting information, well organized and correct in grammar and diction
e. Frozen – style whose quality is static, ritualistic, and may even be archaic

Lesson 4 : Learning the Types of Speech Act

Introduction:

Speech context and speech styles are just two parts to a communicative strategy. The third
prerequisite is the speech act. The three types of speech act are locution, illocution and perlocution. A
locutionary speech act occurs when the speaker performs an utterance (locution), which has a meaning in
the traditional sense. An illocution speech act is the performance of the act of saying something with a
specific intention. A perlocutionary speech act happens when what the speaker says has an effect on the
listener.

Pre – Test (Preliminary Exercise)

Based on the definition and examples, come up with other examples of locutionary acts.

Contents:

a. Illocutionary Speech Act

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 This act happens with the utterance of a sound, a word, or even a phrase as a natural unit of speech.
What is required for the utterance to be a locutionary act is that it has sense, and most importantly, for
communication to take place, has the same meaning to both the speaker and the listener. In fact, the
utterance gives rise to shared meaning when it is adjusted by the speaker for the listener. Even though the
utterance might be a sound, a word, or a phrase, the utterance follows the rules of language.

b. Illocutionary Speech Act

In an illocutionary speech act, it is not just saying something itself but the act of saying
something with the intention of:

 stating an opinion, or denying something;

 making a prediction, a promise, a request
 issuing an order or a decision; or
 giving advice or permission.
This speech act uses the illocutionary force of a statement a confirmation, a denial, a prediction, a
promise, a request, etc.

c. Perlocutionary Speech Act

This is seen when a particular effect is sought from either the speaker, the listener, or both. The
response may not necessarily be physical or verbal and elicited by:

 inspiring or insulting;
 persuading/convincing; or
 deterring/scaring.
Summary:

The aim of a perlocutionary speech act is to change feelings, thoughts or actions. Speech acts are
useful in crafting the types of speech styles or its combinations. These speech styles are used in specific
speech context, which are based on the speech purpose and the number of participants.

Reference: Oral Communication in Context

Ramona S. Flores First Edition

Post – Test (Assessment Exercise)

The class will be divided into groups, with each group assigned a social situation pertaining to a
specific speech context. The group will choose a speech style(s) for that context and list the speech acts
that may be used.

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Lesson 5: Learning to Use the Types of Communicative Strategies

Topic - Shifting Communicative Strategy is the strategy that is useful in introducing another topic. This
strategy that works best when there is following through so that a new topic continues to be discussed.
This is also used in Repair Communicative Strategy.

Example: 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 and if there is another Earth can move to once this
Earth dies.

Example: 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
request clarification by asking questions or using eyebrow, eyes, head or shoulder to show that the
message could not be understood. By not acknowledging the new situational already progress will
continue. Topic Shifting can help direct the discussion to another topic or divert the attention of the
Listener form the topic that has become problematic.

Repeating is a good way of connecting one - self and gives the Speaker time to do just that. Recasting
means changing the form of a message that could not be understood. It allows the Speaker to say the
Message in another way so that the Listener can understood. It allows the Speaker to say the Message in
another way so that the Listener can understand what was originally incomprehensible.

Example: I have ordered Colonel … uh … General Puno to look into this matter. General Puno I
mean will report directly to me, as President of the Philippines.

Example: When we look at the world wide web, more popularly known as www … excuse me
www … we find that this information Highway or rather Superhighway is the means toward becoming
part of a globally economy a global economy.

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.

Example:

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P1: So that’s it for our plans in the upcoming Student Council Elections.

P2: yes

P3: Okay, all done

P4: Finished

P1: See you in class

P2, P3, P4: See you later

Reference: Oral Communication In Context

Ramona S. Flores First Edition

Source: PEAC Training/Seminar SHS

Post – Test (Assessment Exercises)

Identify the Communicative Strategy in the following quotations.

1. The school administration just suddenly increased tuition, without consulting the students.”

2. The tuition increase has already been imposed. What can students do to let the school
administration know that the students do not agree that the students will not accept this unilateral
move?

3. How about convincing the parents to join the student’s fight? After all, they are the ones paying
the tuition.”

4. “Ah, everyone? wait a minute, why don’t we dialogue with the administration officials first?

5. There is only one option: We must protest this action of the school. The school cannot dictate to
the student body. Right? Right? What other options is there? They won’t talk to us. The parents
will not want to get involved. The students must hold a rally every day.

Learning to use the Types of Communicative Strategies

Introduction:

The use of Communication Strategies is the hallmark of communicative competence. Being able
to use such strategies makes certain only the achievement of the Speech Purpose but also the
enrichment of the communication experience for both Speaker and Listener, more than making

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interaction possible. Communicative Strategies when used by the Speaker (and sometimes the
Listener) allow for the adjustment of the Message and its Delivery. Of course, such strategies are
employed within specific Speech Context using a combination of Speech Styles and Speech Acts.

Communicative Strategies are plans/ways/means of sharing information which are adopted to achieve
a particular or linguistic purpose.

There are Seven Types of Communicative Strategies:

A – Nomination – presenting a particular topic clearly, truthfully and saying only what is relevant.
B – Restriction – constraining the response/reaction within a set of categories.
C – Turn-taking – recognizing when and how to speaker because it is one’s turn.
D – Topic Control – keeping the interaction going by asking questions and eliciting a response.
E – Topic Shifting – introducing a new topic followed by the continuation of that topic.
F – Repair – overcoming communication breakdown to send more comprehensible messages and
G – Termination – using verbal and nonverbal signals to end the interaction.

When introducing a topic at the beginning of a Communicative Situation, what is being used is
the Nomination Communicative Strategy. It is a strategy they can also be applied anytime during the
course of an interaction as a way of continuing the communication. When this strategy is used the
topic is introduced in a clear and truthful manner, stating only what is relevant to keep the interaction
focussed.

Restriction communicative Strategy is a strategy that constrains of 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.

Example: They say that the Philippine economy is getting better only of the stupid thinks that
right? (No one wants to be stupid)

Example: That arrest more was a disaster waiting to happen.

Do you agree! (Yes/No)

Turn – taking Communicative Strategy requires that each Speaker speaks only when it is his/her turn
during an interaction. Knowing when to talk depends on watching out for the verbal and nonverbal
cues that signal or the topic under discussion has been exhausted and a new topic may be introduced.
At the same time, it also means that others should be given the opportunity to take a turn. Turn-taking
Communicative Strategy uses either an informal approach (just jump in and start talking) or a formal
approach (permission to speak is requested).

Example: I agree with the point just made. But may I add that OFWs would rather be home and
work have so they could be their families.

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 Example: May have the floor, sir? The topic under discussion is the state of the Philippine
economy today. We want better lines for all Filipino, whether they are working here or abroad.

Topic – Control Communicative Strategy. This is simply a question – answer formula that moves the
discussion forward. This, also allows the Listener or the other participants to take turn contribute
ideas, and continue the discussion.

Example: How often do you ride the MRT. Tony? How many times have you encountered a
stoppage in service?

Example: your car may be 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!

Post-Test

1. What are the two major levels of communicative according to speech context?
2. Why is communicating at the interpersonal level considered communication?
3. What are the different interpersonal levels of communication?
4. Do organizations, companies and clubs use communication?
5. In order to communicate, what speech style may be used?

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