Oral Communication in Context

Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

LESSON 5.4
Formal and Frozen Speech Styles
Table of Contents
Introduction 1

Objectives 2

DepEd Competency 2

Warm-Up 2

Learn about It 3
Formal Speech Style 3
Frozen Speech Style 5

Key Points 6

Check Your Understanding 7

Let’s Step Up! 7

Photo Credits 8

Bibliography 8
 Oral Communication in Context

Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Lesson 5.4
Formal and Frozen Speech Styles

Fig. 1. There are different ways to deliver a speech to an audience.

Introduction
How do you address a subject in a formal setting? The first three types of speech style seem
ordinary and comfortable to use because they involve informal registers. In using formal
and frozen speech styles, we need to prepare to communicate at a certain level where there
are considerations for academic and business formalities.

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Objectives
In this lesson, you should be able to do the following:
● Define formal and frozen speech styles.
● Exhibit appropriate verbal and nonverbal behavior using the formal and
frozen speech styles.
● Communicate effectively using the formal and frozen speech styles.

DepEd Competency
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to respond appropriately and
effectively to a speech act (EN11/12OC-Ifj-20, EN11/12OC-Ifj-19).

Warm-Up

Quick Writes
Respond to the following prompters by adding the missing essential information. Share
your ideas to your classmates.

1. When delivering an informative speech, I need to ____________________________________.

2. In writing academic papers, factors such as _______________________________ must be
taken into consideration.
3. The National Anthem, Panatang Makabayan, and school hymns use language that
__________________________________________________________________________________________.

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Learn about It
Other than the intimate, casual, and consultative speech styles, a speech can also be
classified as frozen or formal.

Vocabulary
business writing a type of writing used in a professional setting

cohesion refers to the formation of a united whole

information about reactions to a product, a person's

feedback performance of a task, etc. which is used as a basis
for improvement

one-way a type of communication where there is no need for

communication active response

oratorical style a way of speaking used in formal and public speaking

Essential Question
What are the differences between formal and frozen speech styles?

Formal Speech Style

What distinguishes the formal speech style from the consultative style is the lack of
listener participation. Unlike in interactions that use the consultative style, the listener
does not participate, in most cases, in an interaction that requires the formal style. A formal
style is often used in formal situations, such as in a graduation ceremony, an official
meeting, a television newscast, and a conference, where there is only one-way

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

communication. Since there is little or no feedback from the listeners or audience, the
speaker needs to plan ahead his or her utterances, or what he or she is going to say.

The following are the other characteristics of the formal speech style:
a. Interruptions are not allowed. Only the speaker is the source of information.
b. Pronunciation is very clear.
c. Words are carefully chosen, and grammar rules are followed.
d. Sentence structures are more complex and varied.
e. Extensive and technical vocabulary is required.
f. Ideas are cohesive and organized.
g. All background or necessary information is clearly given.

This speech style is also used in sermons, speeches, and announcements. This is also the
style that is used for academic and business writing.

Raimes stressed the importance of meaning-making in writing and that

teacher’s comments, responses, and feedback in writing tasks has been very
important to students. The idea of meaning-making in writing emerged in the
1970s, the time when students are encouraged to express themselves freely,
as well as write freely. It was believed that the message the writer [or
speaker] would like to express is more important than the accuracy of the
writing.

In this example, the speaker discussed the importance of what teacher feedback means in
writing. Notice that it follows standard grammatical conventions, and the ideas are
presented in a logical and organized manner.

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Frozen Speech Style

The frozen speech style, also called the oratorical style, is the most formal style and is
reserved for very formal situations such as in religious services, state affairs, and court
proceedings. This style is used to address or is given before an audience of absolute
strangers. It uses prescribed and highly formal language, such as in official or historical
documents and literary texts.

Here are other characteristics of this style:

a. It uses “frozen” language, where statements are learned by rote. Examples are the
Lord’s Prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem.
b. It has a symbolic or historical nature.
c. It is typically prescribed by law, custom, or ritual.
d. It involves certain fixed or stock expressions that are rarely or never altered or
changed.

Examples include the following:

● “I now pronounce you husband and wife” in wedding ceremonies

● “I solemnly swear to . . .” in oath-taking ceremonies
● “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth, so help you God?” in court proceedings.

Take a look at this excerpt from the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

The Prayer of Saint Francis has been used for decades in several schools, occasions, songs,
and other formal events. This song of prayer has become “frozen” through time.

Let’s Check In
What are the scope and limitations in using formal and frozen speech
styles?

Key Points

● In a formal speech style, there is a lack of listener participation. It is usually for

formal situations where there is a one-way communication such as graduation
ceremonies.
● In a frozen speech style, language is highly formal. It is the most formal speech style
and is used for very formal events such as religious services, state affairs, and court
proceedings.

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Check Your Understanding

Look for three examples of formal and frozen speech styles in reference materials.
Accomplish the table below:
Title of reference
material/ Book and Sample text Type of speech style Explanation
author

Let’s Step Up!

With a partner, discuss your answer to this question:

How does one’s culture and tradition affect the formation of a frozen language?

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Grade 11/12 • Unit 5: Speech Styles

Photo Credits
Fig. 1. Speech by vectorjuice is licensed under Freepik.com

Bibliography

Dunn, Daniel M., and Lisa J. Goodnight. 2003. Communication: Embracing Difference. Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.

Hybels, Saundra, and Richard Weaver II. 2011. Communicating Effectively. 10th ed. New York:
McGraw-Hill.

Manney, Jim. “Teach Me to Be Generous.” Accessed December 20, 2021.

https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/teach-me-to-be-generous/.

Wardhaugh, Ronald. 2006. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Fifth ed. Massachusetts:

Blackwell Publishing.