Oral Communication

in Context
Week 5-6
Types of Speech Context
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the Types of Speech Context. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many
different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level
of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But
the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with your needs.

The module consists of one lesson, namely:

• Types of Speech Context

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. define speech context;

2. identify the various types of speech context in different situations; and
3. employ appropriate verbal and non-verbal behavior in different speech context.

Pre-test

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate
sheet of paper.

1. What type of speech context happens when two persons interact?

A. Dyad C. Public Communication

B. Mass Communication D. Small Group

2. What type of speech context refers to communication that focuses on one

person, in which the speaker acts as both the sender and receiver of the
message?

A. Interpersonal C. Mass Communication

B. Intrapersonal D. Public Communication

3. What type of speech context refers to the process of imparting information

through television, radio, newspaper, magazines, books, billboards, internet and
other types of media?

A. Interpersonal C. Mass Communication

B. Intrapersonal D. Public Communication

4. Which of these types of speech context takes place between and among people
and establishes personal relationship between and among them?

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 A. Interpersonal C. Mass Communication
B. Intrapersonal D. Public Communication

5. Which type of INTERPERSONAL context involves at least three but not more
than twelve people engaging in a face-to-face interaction?
A. Dyad Communication C. Small Group Communication
B. Sharing Group Communication D. Team Communication

6. What type of speech context requires you to deliver or send the message before
or in front of a group?

A. Interpersonal C. Mass Communication

B. Intrapersonal D. Public Communication

7. Which of the following is NOT a speech context?

A. Dyad Communication C. Long Story Communication
B. Intrapersonal Communication D. Mass Communication

8. Who is/are involved in an intrapersonal communication?

A. a small group C. a speaker and an audience

B. only one speaker D. two speakers

9. Which of the following refers to the number of communicators and the setting in
which the communication process takes place?

A. Speech delivery C. Speech defect

B. Speech context D. Speech communication

10. You spent the night reminiscing your happy moments with someone you are
interested in and suddenly realized that you must prioritize your studies. What
type of speech context is evident in the situation?

A. Public communication C. Interpersonal communication

B. Mass communication D. Intrapersonal Communication

For numbers 11-15:

Directions: Tell whether the given statement is True or False.

11. Speech Context refers to the number of communicators and the setting in which
the communication process takes place.

12. In dyad and small group communication, you have to listen carefully and
understand what the other person is saying. Asking clarifying questions will let
the other person know that you are indeed listening attentively.

13. Cheering yourself up before an important event or talking to yourself while

completing a task are examples of interpersonal communication.

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 14. To become a good communicator, you should at least know how to behave and
respond to various speech contexts.

15. Providing comfort to a friend who is feeling down, or simply talking with your
classmates about your plans for a group activity is an example of a dyad and
small group communication.

Lesson
1 Types of Speech Context

There is never a day that you do not communicate. It could be a group discussion,
Facebook status update, dinner conversation with someone you are interested in,
or small talk with a family member. In this case, it is necessary for you to
understand the concept of speaking in a variety of communication situation and
the number of people you are communicating with.

Since you have already learned the various components of communication in the
previous modules, this time you are going to look at speech context and find out
how to act appropriately in the different communication situations.

Looking back to your lesson

In the previous lesson, you were able to determine the verbal and non-verbal cues
that the speaker uses in order to achieve his/her purpose. You were given different
activities that helped you to fully understand the functions of communication (i.e.
control, social interaction, motivation, emotional expression and information
dissemination).

You have now realized that your ability to communicate affects your relationship
with the people around you. To further strengthen this insight, the tasks in this
module will let you discover the meaning and types of speech context, and apply
appropriate verbal and non-verbal behavior in different speech situations.

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 Brief Introduction
Speech Context
Context when referring to speech communication is the
surroundings, circumstances, environment, background or setting that determine,
specify, or clarify the meaning of an event. (LumenLearning.com/Elements of
Communication).
According to DeVito (2005), “Context refers to the setting in which the
communication takes place. Context helps to establish meaning and can influence
what is said and how it is said.”

Read and carefully evaluate the statements written inside the circle, then select
from the given communication contexts what you think matches the phrase.
Choose the letter of the correct answer.

A. Communica
tion in
Public
5. B. Communica
Articulating
1 . Consoling a tion with
your stand on Self
friend who is
a pressing
feeling down C. Communica
issue in the
editorial page
tion
between two
persons

4. 2 . Cheering
Discussing yourself up
with your before an
groupmate important
s your event
assigned
report

3 . Delivering your
graduation
speech to your
fellow graduates

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D. Mass Communication
E. Communication in a small group

Lesson

Speech Context is important because it helps you communicate appropriately,

understand the meaning of any message conveyed, and respond accordingly. In
order for you to have a clear grasp of what Speech Context is, its types are
discussed below.

Types of Speech Context

1. Intrapersonal – This refers to a type of communication that is focused on
one person, where the speaker acts both as the sender and as the receiver of the
message. The message is made up of thoughts and feelings while the medium is the
brain that processes what you think and feel. (Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 16)

Examples:
•
There is a voice within you that tells you, “It’s okay, you can still do it! You can make
it!” when you are losing your drive to finish the task that you are doing.
•
When you told yourself not to talk to your friends when you have read in a Facebook
post that they were in a party and you were not invited.

2. Interpersonal – This refers to the type of communication that takes place

between and among people and creates a personal relationship between and among
them. Normally, it includes two individuals, and it can vary from casual and very
personal to formal and impersonal.

Types of Interpersonal Communication

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Dyad Communication – communication that happens between two people.

Examples:

•
You consoled your brother who was feeling down.
•
A conversation between your father and mother about the latest
announcement of your Barangay Chairman.

Small Group– This applies to interactions involving at least three but not more
than twelve people engaged in face-to-face interactions to achieve the desired goal.
In this type of conversation, all participants can freely express their ideas
throughout the discussion.

Examples:

•
You are having a discussion with your two brothers about the surprise party you
are planning for your Mom’s birthday.

•
Kathlyn who came back from the United States called her three brothers and four
sisters and announced that she is getting married.

3. Public– This type refers to a communication that enables you to send or

deliver a message before a crowd. The message can be transmitted for informative
or persuasive purposes. "In public communication, unlike interpersonal and small
groups, the channels are more exaggerated. The voice is louder and the gestures
are more expansive because the audience is larger” (Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 19).

Examples:

• Delivering a graduation speech to your fellow graduates .

You were elected as the new SSG president of your school and were given
•
a chance to deliver a message of gratitude to your fellow students.

4. Mass Communication – This refers to communication through television,

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

Examples:

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•
You are watching a televised briefing of IATF on COVID-19.
•
You have recorded a commentary for your school’s Online Discussion of the
pandemic and uploaded it in your social media account.

Verbal and Non-verbal Behavior in a Speech Context

Different speech context whether it is intrapersonal, interpersonal, public or mass
communication requires different approaches. Though there might be some
occasional similarities, you should at least know how to behave and respond to
various speech contexts appropriately.

When talking to your self

You might be familiar with the feeling of quietly talking to yourself in your mind,
and it's normal — and good for you. By performing this, it makes you think and
reflect on the things you have done or are planning to do. But here are some
important reminders that you need to keep in mind:

1. Use self-talk to your advantage: Cheering

yourself up before an important event or
talking to yourself while completing a task are
two perfect opportunities for self-talk (Gould,
2018, Talking to yourself is normal, n.d.).
2. Don’t overdo it. While it is normal to talk to
yourself constantly, it is better not to overuse
yourself of doing so. The most common reason
why people end up talking to themselves is
because they feel like they do not have
someone else to talk to. To address this, you need to be more sociable, it would
give you more people to talk to other than yourself.

When talking to one person or a small group of people

Consoling your friend who is feeling down, or simply talking with your classmates
about your plans for a group activity is an example of a dyad and small group
communication. This kind of communication implies that the conversation is being
shared and there is exchange of ideas. Small group involves different skills because
unlike dyad, it consists of more than two people. In both cases, you can be as
natural as yourself, however, unlike a running conversation in your head, you have
to consider that there are others who are equally important in the conversation.
Thus, to achieve successful communication in a dyad or small group, you have to
consider the following:

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1. Listen carefully - Needless to say, this is the
very basic foundation of effective
communication. You have to listen carefully
and understand what the other person is saying.
Asking clarifying questions lets the
other person know that you are indeed listening
attentively. More so, take active part. You also need
to be heard and
understood when it is your time to speak.

2. Check your tone and body language . The

vocabulary of the body is more revealing than
the actual words you speak. So, watch your tone
and body language while you are
talking. Is your tone tough? Do you smile and
encourage the person you are talking to?

Your body language tells more about your

emotions and thoughts than your actual words.
Bear this in mind the next time you
have a conversation with someone. Check your
body language to ensure that it is
consistent with your words (Oakes, 2017).

3. When talking to the public

Speaking in front of the crowd requires many
preparations; from analyzing your

target audience, to planning and

drafting your speech up to the rehearsing
part. The key therefore is to
come prepared. Be yourself while you are on
stage and speak in the way that you will be easily
understood by your
audience.

You will know more about this in the succeeding

“Principles of Speech Delivery”.

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 Activities and Assessment

Crossword Puzzle
Complete the puzzle below by identifying the four (4) types of Speech Context and the
two (2) types of Interpersonal Communication evident in the presented
situations.

ACROSS: DOWN:
2. Webinars for teachers are conducted
1. Four students are discussing their
via Facebook live.
thesis proposal.
4. The principal interviews a teacher-
3. Miggy requested his brother
applicant.
Mikko to help him on his task. 5. Emman talks to himself in front of
6. The city mayor delivered a speech the mirror.
for his townsfolk.

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 What I Have Learned

1. Based on what you have learned from the previous activities, define speech context in
your own words.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2. As a senior high school student, what do you think is the advantage of having good
communication skills in a variety of contexts? Do you think it will help you improve
your personality? Why or Why not?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. Do you agree with this statement: Speech context can influence one’s behavior?
Why/Why not?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. Which of the types of speech contexts do you find easy to practice? Which ones do you
find difficult?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

5. What should you do to improve your skills?

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 ______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do
Using the graphic organizer below, describe each type of speech context and give three (3)
examples for each. For the description, refer to the following rubric for evaluating the answer
in description.

Type Description Example

1.

Intrapersonal 2.
Communication

3.

1.

Interpersonal 2.
Communication

3.

1.

2.
Public Communication

3.

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 1.

2.
Mass Communication

3.

Rubric in evaluating the answer in description:

CRITERIA Points SCORE

Completeness
2 1 point
(Did your answer 5 points 3 points
directly describe points (Needs
(Excellent) (Very Good)
the type of (Good) improvement)
speech context?)

Knowledge
(Did your answer
clearly show you 2 1 point
5 points 3 points
have read and points
(Excellent) (Needs
understand the (Very Good) (Good) improvement)
lesson content by
correctly defining
the key term?)

Writing Skills
(Did you write
2 1 point
clearly in complete 5 points 3 points
sentence with points (Needs
(Excellent) (Very Good)
minimal errors in (Good) improvements)
grammar and
spelling?)

Adapted from:
http://qm.riosalado.edu/resources/SyllabusDB/SocialSciences/Rubric_Short_Answer.pdf

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 Assessment
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet
of paper.

1. Which of the following is NOT a speech context?

A. Intrapersonal Communication C. Long Distance Communication
B. Dyad Communication D. Public Communication
2. Which one of the following is NOT an example of intrapersonal communication?

A. sending a text message to a friend C. writing a note to yourself

B. talking to yourself D. thinking about a problem

3. Which of these is an example of Dyadic Communication?

A. two brothers arguing
B. a coach and a player discussing last week’s game
C. a husband and wife making plans for the summer vacation
D. all of these are correct
4. Why do you think group communication involves a different set of skills than
interpersonal communication? It is because _______________________
A. in a group, one sender has many different receivers to take into account.
B. in a group, one receiver has many different senders to take into account.
C. group, by definition, consists more than two people.
D. group communication is more important than interpersonal communication

5. Which of the following is NOT true about speech context?

A. 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.
B. The most common reason why people end up talking to themselves is because they
feel like they do not have someone else to talk to.
C. Different speech context whether it is intrapersonal, interpersonal, public or mass
communication require different behavior. However, there might be some occasional
similarities.
D. In interpersonal communication, asking clarifying questions lets the other person
know that you are not listening attentively.

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For numbers 6-10:
Directions: Identify the type of speech context evident in the following situations.

6. You provided reassuring and comforting words to a friend who was feeling down.

A. Dyad Communication C. Mass Communication

B. Public Communication D. Interpersonal Communication

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

A. Public Communication C. Dyad Communication

B. Small group communication D. Interpersonal Communication
8. Karen thinks about the things she did the whole day and writes them in her journal.

A. Intrapersonal C. Mass Communication

B. Dyad D. Small Group

9. The TV news anchor is giving the latest news update.
A. Public communication C. Interpersonal Communication B. Mass
communication D. Intrapersonal Communication
10. Group 5 discussed the effects of social media on communication skills.

A. Intrapersonal communication C. Mass Communication

B. Interpersonal communication D. Public Communication

For numbers 11-15

Directions: Tell whether the given statement is True or False.

11. In intrapersonal communication, the message is made up of your thoughts and

feelings.
12. In small group communication, all participants can freely share ideas in a loose and
open discussion.
13. Participating in the declamation, oration, debate or story telling activity is an example
of small group communication.
14. To become an effective public speaker, you have to be yourself while you are on stage
and speak in the way that you will easily be understood by your audience.
15. Just like in small group communication, the channel in public communication should
not be exaggerated.

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 Additional Activities
Try to recall what you did and how you felt when you experienced any of these situations;
(your best friend confided a secret to you; you delivered a speech in front of your classmates
as a subject requirement; you talked to yourself about the things you did and what you were
supposed to do instead).
What can you say about your experience? What did you learn from it? If you have a second
chance, how will you deal with the situations? What examples of verbal and non-verbal
responses will you use? Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Rubric in evaluating the essay

Directions: Your essay will be graded based on this rubric. Consequently, use this rubric as
guide in writing your essay and check it again before submitting your final output.
Criteria 5 3 2 1
There is one clear, There is one Main idea is The topic and
focused topic. clear, well somewhat clear. main idea are
Main idea is clear focused topic. not clear.
Focus and and well supported Main idea is
Details by detailed and clear but not
accurate well supported
information. by detailed
information.
The introduction The introduction The introduction There is no clear
states the main states the main states the main introduction,
topic, and provides topic and topic. A structure, or
an overview of the provides an conclusion is conclusion.
essay. Information overview of the included.
Organization
is relevant and essay. A
presented in a conclusion is
logical order. The included.
conclusion is
good.
It uses vivid words It uses vivid It uses words It uses a limited
and phrases. The words and that vocabulary.
choice and phrases. The communicate Jargon or
placement of words choice and clearly, but the clichés may be
Word Choice seems accurate, placement of writing lacks present and
natural, and not words is variety. detract from the
forced. inaccurate at meaning.
times and/or
seems overdone.
Sentence All sentences are Most sentences Most sentences Sentences
structure, well constructed are well are well sound awkward,
grammar and and have varied constructed and constructed, but are distractingly
mechanics structure and have varied they have a repetitive, or
length. There are structure and similar

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 no errors in length. There structure are difficult to
grammar, are few errors and/or length. understand.
mechanics, and/or in grammar, There are There are
spelling. mechanics, several errors in numerous
and/or spelling, grammar, errors in
but they do not mechanics, grammar,
interfere with and/or spelling mechanics,
understanding. that interfere and/or spelling
with that interfere
understanding with
understanding.

Adapted from:
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/printouts/Essay%20Rubric.pdf

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