LESSON 1

SPEECH ARTS – AN OVERVIEW

Overview

This lesson introduces the major concepts in Speech and communication

specifically the contexts, modes, processes, and the segmental and suprasegmental. It
enables English major students to recognize public speaking as a relevant linguistic
activity in society. Students will perform different kinds of speeches by following the
speech arts.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the lesson, the students can:

A. discuss major concepts in Speech and communication – contexts, modes,
Processes, and the Segmental and Suprasegmental;
B. appreciate the importance of public speaking as a relevant linguistic activity in
society through a slogan making activity; and
C. express speech arts through sound drills, communication modes and
processes simple simulations, and public speaking tasks.

Materials Needed

• Learning Materials (Module in ELE 130)

• Laptop, PowerPoint Presentation
• Mobile Phone with Internet Connection

Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Learning Content:

1.1 Concepts of Speech and Communication

Speech is…
 • human vocal communication using language.
• communication through talking or a talk given to an audience.
• the power or ability to speak.
• the act of speaking; expression or communication of thoughts and feelings
by spoken words.

Each language uses phonetic combinations of vowel and consonant sounds that
form the sound of its words (that is, all English words sound different from all French
words, even if they are the same word, e.g., "role" or "hotel"), and using those words in
their semantic character as words in the lexicon of a language according to the syntactic
constraints that govern lexical words' function in a sentence. In speaking, speakers
perform many different intentional speech acts, e.g., informing, declaring, asking,
persuading, directing, and can use enunciation, intonation, degrees of loudness, tempo,
and other non-representational or paralinguistic aspects of vocalization to convey
meaning.

Communication

• Communication is a process.
• Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the
receiver).
• Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions
(nonverbal), or both spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.

It is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person

to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014).
There is a wide variety of contexts and situations in which communication can be
manifested; it can be a face-to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion,
a meeting or interview, a letter correspondence, a class recitation, and many others.
Types of Speech Context

1. Intrapersonal

This refers to communication that centers on one person where the speaker acts
both as the sender and the receiver of message. “The message is made up of your
thoughts and feelings. The channel is your brain, which processes what you are thinking
and feeling. There is feedback in the sense that as you talk to yourself, you discard certain
ideas and replace them with others.” (Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 16)

Examples:

• You spent the night thinking and analyzing why a student from the other class talked
to you on the way home and you decided it probably meant nothing.

• You felt happy while thinking about how your teacher appreciated you for submitting
your project before the due date and you reflected on why this was so.

2. Interpersonal

This refers to communication between and among people and establishes

personal relationship between and among them. Solomon and Theiss (2013) state that
“the inter part of the word highlights how interpersonal communication connects people…
when you engage in interpersonal communication, you and another person become
linked together… The personal part means that your unique qualities as a person matter
during interpersonal communication…” (p. 5)

Types of Interpersonal Context

Dyad Communication – communication that occurs between two people

Examples:

• You offered feedback on the speech performance of your classmate.

• You provided comfort to a friend who was feeling down.
Small Group – This refers to communication that involves at least three but not more
than twelve people engaging in a face-to-face interaction to achieve a desired goal. In
this type of communication, all participants can freely share ideas in a loose and open
discussion.

Examples:

• You are participating in an organizational meeting which aims to address the

concerns of your fellow students.

• You are having a discussion with your group mates on how to finish the
assigned tasks.

Public – This type refers to communication that requires you to deliver or send the
message before or in front of a group. The message can be driven by informational or
persuasive purposes. “In public communication, unlike in interpersonal and small group,
the channels are more exaggerated. The voice is louder and the gestures are more
expansive because the audience is bigger. The speaker might use additional visual
channels such as slides or a Power Point presentation.” (Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 19)

Examples:

• You deliver a graduation speech to your batch.

• You participate in a declamation, oratorical, or debate contest watched by a number

of people.

Mass Communication – This refers to communication that takes place through

television, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, internet, and other types of
media.

Example:

• You are a student journalist articulating your stand on current issues through the
school’s newspaper.
1.2 Levels of Context of Communication

Five Levels of Communication

Communication between two people occurs on numerous levels simultaneously,

each with its nuances and complexities. These levels of communication are verbal,
physical, auditory, emotional, and energetic.

1. Verbal Level of Communication

Although this is perhaps the most apparent level of human communication, people
can spend a lifetime trying to master it. This level includes our selection of words based
on an understanding of meaning between the speaker and the listener.

There are multiple definitions for most words, and few of us hold the exact same
meaning for each word. Different words evoke different images, memories, and meaning
for different people. The logic and reasoning of a statement or argument (Aristotle’s logos)
influence the effectiveness of the receiving message.

To communicate effectively on the verbal level, select the “right” words and usage
for the context of the conversation (including moral, religious, ethnic and religious
differences). Be clear and concise. When possible, formulate your thoughts to avoid
rambling. This is an art in itself.

2. Physical Level of Communication

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) brought the importance of visual cues in how

we communicate to many people’s attention. Visual cues like eye contact, gestures,
movements, stances, breathing, posture, and facial expressions influence how we feel
and communicate.

When used with integrity, techniques like “matching and mirroring” people’s
posture and gestures (and certain words too) can increase their receptivity of your
message.
 To communicate effectively on the physical level, it’s helpful to physically align with
others, connecting with them in form and movement. It also helps to be mindful of your
posture, facial expressions, and hand gestures.

3. Auditory Level of Communication

The sound of our voice, including the tone, range, volume, and speed affects how
our messages are received and interpreted by others. For example, fast talkers will find
it beneficial to slow their speech when speaking to a thoughtful, introverted person or risk
being unheard.

Also, how we enunciate, inflect, and place emphasis on certain words affects how
others interpret the meaning of what we say. To communicate effectively on the auditory
level, become aware of various auditory cues, speaking to others in a manner more akin
to their own ways (another form of “matching and mirroring”).

4. Emotional Level of Communication

Few people appreciate how our emotional states affect what we communicate and
how the message is interpreted by the recipient. In rhetoric, Aristotle’s pathos represents
an appeal to the audience’s emotions.

Are you more receptive to someone who is positive and life-affirming or one who
is negative and critical? Enthusiastic or boring? The speaker’s emotions put the recipient
in a particular state of mind and influence how the listener interprets what is said.

To communicate effectively on the emotional level, become aware of your

emotional state, learning to pause and release negative emotions before attempting to
connect with others. Words delivered with pride, anger or fear are rarely well-received.
5. Energetic Level of Communication

Also called the psychic level, this level of communication encompasses a vast
range of unseen factors including a person’s level of consciousness, the frequency or
harmonics of the message, and other subtle energies.

Some people seem to have an “X-factor”—a unique presence—that naturally

imparts their messages to others with greater receptivity and understanding.

To communicate more effectively, hold the highest intention for the other person’s
wellbeing. This requires a unique level of mindfulness generally cultivated through
compassion practices. When we are centered in a state of mastery, we’re more likely to
access this psychic dimension that holds great treasures of insights into others, helping
us communicate with greater ease.