Evaluating

Group 4:
EVALUATING
MESSAGES
GE 05 Purposive Communication
Importance of using
appropriate language and tone
for different contexts
Communication involves a process of understanding
and sharing messages, and one of the vital aspects in
communication are language and tone. These two
highlight an author's or a speaker's point of view and
impact how the receiver value the quality and logic
of a message.
What is language?
It pertains to a set of words and the method of
combining them.
Appropriate language
It is very important to use language that fits the
audience and purpose of the message itself.
What happens when you use
inappropriate language?
-your credibility is at stake
-your argument or message will not be taken as
what you intended it to be
-your audience might not relate
Positive and Negative Language
Using Positive Using Negative
Language/Phrasing Language/Phrasing
1. Telling the audience or 1. telling the audience what

receiver what can be done cannot be done
2. Providing choices and 2. Giving a tone of blame
alternatives available to the 3. Use of negative words such
audience/receiver as can't, won't, unable, etc.
3. Sounding helpful and 4. Coming off as unengaging
encouraging and hostile
Using positive language helps reduce
conflict, improve communication, increase
optimism in others and can portray the
speaker/writer as credible and respectable.
Otherwise, negative language can cause
misunderstandings that can lead to conflict.
The audience may become confused and the
speaker may come off as obstructive rather
than helpful.
Statements that use
positive language/phrasing
Instead of “We are not used to such constant
supervision”, use “We are used to working more
autonomously”.
Instead of “The experience was not altogether
unpleasant”, use “The experience was somewhat
pleasant”.
Levels of Formality
In-group Jargon
different
aspects of Slang and Idiomatic Expressions
using
appropriate Deceitful Language and Euphemisms
language: Biased Language

Steps in using appropriate language:
1.Choose your words carefully, make sure that

they reflect your thoughts and feelings.
2. Avoid making blaming statements
3. Know the meaning of the words or
phrases you choose
4. Avoid profanity, slang, or terms that may and
can seem offensive
5. Ask if you are being clear and understood.
Tone
It pertains to the attitude conveyed by the
author or speaker. Like language, it influences
how the audience perceive and absorb the
information/message.
Types of Tone
Formal Curious
Informal Assertive
Optimistic Encouraging
Worried Surprised
Friendly Cooperative
Examples
(Formal) "I appreciate your prompt attention
to this matter."
(Informal) "Hey, great job on the presentation!
It was awesome."
(Optimistic)"Even though we faced challenges,
I believe we can find creative solutions
together."
How to choose your
tones?
purpose channel
audience voice
context feedback
BIAS AND
OBJECTIVE
REPORTING
Communication biases
These are cognitive biases that affect the
communication process which often lead to
misunderstandings or distortions in the
message being conveyed.
Different types of bias in messages
1. anchoring bias
Relying entirely on a pre-existing information, and

usually the first piece of information tie all the
decisions.
Example:
If you first see a T-shirt that costs P1200 – then see
a second one that costs P1100 – you're prone to see
the second shirt as cheap.
2. confirmation bias
Favors information that confirms your previously

existing beliefs or biases
Example:
A person believes left-handed people are more
creative than right-handed people. Whenever this
person encounters a person that is both left-
handed and creative, they place greater
importance on this "evidence" that supports what
they already believe.
3. Status quo bias
Preferring that things stay as they are or that the

current state of affairs remains the same.
Example:
An employee has the opportunity to join a different
department at her company. She is worried about
the process of transitioning to the new role, so she
rejects the opportunity.
4. Optimism bias
the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of

positive events, and underestimate the likelihood of
negative events.
Example:
Informing someone about the dangers of a specific
habit, like smoking, may paradoxically increase
the likelihood that they believe the behavior won't
have adverse effects on them.
5. Pessimism bias
refers to the tendency to overestimate the
likelihood of negative events while underestimating
the likelihood of positive events.
Example:
Students always expect their presentations to go poorly,
assuming that their audience won't find their ideas
interesting or that they'll forget important points. This
negative outlook can lead to increased anxiety and a self-
fulfilling prophecy where their communication skills may
suffer as a result.
6. Base rate fallacy bias
Ignoring general information (base rates) and

relying too heavily on specific details or individual
cases, leading to a misjudgment of a situation.
Example:
A student choosing a major based solely on the
success stories of a few individuals they know who
excelled in that field. Ignoring the overall statistics
about job opportunities and success rates in
various majors .
7. Availability cascade bias
This occurs when the repeated exposure of a particular idea

or information makes people believe it is more widespread
or significant than it actually is, influencing their
perceptions and actions.
Example:
A few people start talking about a minor issue on social media,
and it gets shared repeatedly. As more individuals see these
posts, they start to believe the problem is much more significant
than it actually is. Eventually, the topic gains widespread
attention, not because it's genuinely substantial, but due to the
availability cascade bias amplifying its perceived importance
through repeated exposure.
8. Bandwagon effect bias
This pertains to when people tend to adopt certain beliefs or

behaviors because they think many others are doing the
same, rather than based on their own independent
judgment.
Example:
Someone might start using a particular social media platform
simply because it's gaining popularity, even if they didn't have a
strong interest in it initially
Strategies to identify and
address bias in communication:
Identify your own biases
Use inclusive language
Listen actively and empathetically seek
diverse perspectives and feedback
Adapt your communication style and medium
Review and revise your communication
THANK YOU
FOR
LISTENING!
ANY QUESTIONS OR
CLARIFICATIONS?
References:
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-esc-introtocollegereadingandwriting/chapter/authors-
language/#:~:text=Language%20refers%20to%20word%20choice,words%20to%20convey%20an
%20attitude.
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/using_appropriate_language/in
dex.html#:~:text=When%20writing%2C%20it%20is%20very,argument%2C%20or%20alienate%
20your%20audience.
https://www.rocori.k12.mn.us/rocori-middle-school-home/student/a-team/using-appropriate-
language
https://www.grammarly.com/blog/types-of-tone/
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-do-you-choose-tone-style-your-
communication#here%E2%80%99s-what-else-to-consider
https://www.londonschool.com/nordic/blogg/power-positive-communication/
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/negative-language-leads-to-confusion-and-a-poor-image/
https://ethandaviesq.weebly.com/positive-and-negative-language.html
https://www.katieroberts.com.au/career-advice-blog/positive-language-for-positive-
outcomes/#:~:text=Whether%20you%20communicate%20verbally%2C%20or,writer%20as%20c
redible%20and%20respectable.
References:
https://sourcesofinsight.com/communication-biases/
https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-address-unconscious-bias-1e#adapt-your-
communication-style-and-medium
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-confirmation-bias-
2795024#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20imagine%20that%20a,supports%20what%20they%20
already%20believe.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/biases-effective-communication-emsbd-amarathunga
https://www.verywellmind.com/status-quo-bias-psychological-definition-4065385
https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/blog/status-quo-bias/
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-optimism-bias-
2795031#:~:text=For%20example%2C%20telling%20someone%20the,negatively%20affected%2
0by%20the%20behavior.
https://www.scribbr.com/research-bias/optimism-bias/
https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/pessimism-bias

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Evaluating

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Group 4:

1. Telling the audience or 1. telling the audience what

language: Biased Language

1.Choose your words carefully, make sure that

Relying entirely on a pre-existing information, and

Favors information that confirms your previously

Preferring that things stay as they are or that the

the tendency to overestimate the likelihood of

Ignoring general information (base rates) and

This occurs when the repeated exposure of a particular idea

This pertains to when people tend to adopt certain beliefs or

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