Oral

Communication in
Context
Quarter 1 – Module 7:
Types of Speech Act
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master types of speech acts and know how to respond to them effectively and
appropriately. 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 Act

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe speech act;
2. distinguish types and classification of speech act;
3. determine the appropriate response in different social setting; and
4. respond appropriately and effectively to a speech act.

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 Lesson Types of Speech Act

Communication happens effectively when the message is passed clearly; it becomes

useful and meaningful when both the sender and the receiver understand the idea
being put across. Indeed, there could be no valid reasons to ignore the need for
communicating successfully.
Moreover, to achieve effective communication, it is essential to know the different
types of speech act which are the focus of this lesson. Hence, this module will help
you distinguish the important role of speech act in achieving communicative
competence by responding appropriately to various utterances for you to efficiently
communicate with the world.

What’s In

You have learned from your previous lesson that each Speech Style (i.e. intimate,
casual, consultative, formal, and frozen) constitutes various uses depending on the
social situation you may find them appropriate and most fit to use. Make use of all
these insights for you to be able to broaden your understanding of the concepts
that will be discussed in this module. Enjoy learning!

Notes to the Teacher

You may give various examples of social situations and ask the learners to point out
directly the type of speech suited in the given scenario. (Use scenarios/situations the
learners can relate to.)

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 What is It

Suppose you will be given another chance to go back to the scenario you have
recalled and shared. Is there anything you would wish to change in your utterances
so that you would not be misunderstood? What realization have you made toward
responding appropriately to utterances or statements over a certain conversation?
Write your answer on the space provided for. Write your response on a separate
sheet of paper.

Your response:

A speech act is an utterance that a speaker

makes to achieve an intended effect.

Speech acts are performed when a person offers

an apology, greeting, request, complaint,
invitation compliment, or refusal. Speech act is
an act of communication.

As we communicate with others, we use

language without minding whether to use
complete sentence or not. The number of words
in a single utterance does not matter so long as
we can get our message across.

Three Types of Speech Act

According to J. L. Austin (1962), a philosopher of language and the developer of the

Speech Act Theory, there are three types of acts in every utterance, given the right
circumstances or context. These are:

By uttering the locution “Please do “Please do the dishes” would

the dishes,” the speaker requests lead to the addressee washing
“Please do the dishes.” the addressee to wash the dishes. the dishes

Locutionary Illocutionary Perlocutionary

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1. Locutionary act is the actual act of uttering or saying something.
This act happens with the utterances of a sound, a word or even a phrase as a
natural unit of speech.
For the utterances to be a Locutionary Act, consider the following:
 It has sense, and mostly importantly, for communication to take place.
 It has the same meaning to both the speaker and the listener.
 Utterances give rise to shared meaning when it is adjusted by the speaker
for the listener.

Examples of Locutionary Acts:

 “Doh!” (favorite expression of TV cartoon character Homer Simpson)

 “Wow?” (When someone is amazed)
 “Hello!” (greeting someone)
 “Get out!” (a strong command)

2. Illocutionary act is the social function of what is said.

In an illocutionary speech act, it is not just saying something itself but with the act
of saying something with the intention of:
 stating an opinion, conforming, 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.

Examples of Illocutionary Acts:

 It’s more fun in the Philippines. (opinion)
 I’ll help you clean the house tomorrow. (promise)
 Get my things in the office. (order)

3. Perlocutionary act refers to the consequent effect of what was said.

This is based on the particular context in which the speech act was mentioned.

This is seen when a particular effect is sought from either the speaker or the
listener, or both. The response may not necessarily be physical or verbal and is
elicited by:
 inspiring or insulting
 persuading/convincing; or
 deterring/scaring

The aim of Perlocutionary Speech Act is to change feelings, thoughts, or actions.

Examples of Perlocutionary Acts:

 “We can do this. We heal and win as one!” (inspiring)

 “It is crucial that we give all our collective efforts to fight against this
pandemic. We must start working together.” (persuading)
 “Smoking destroys your health, certain as it brings diseases, it kills – you,
your loved ones, and others!” (deterring)

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Searle’s Classification of Speech Act

As a response to Austin’s Speech Act Theory, John Searle (1976), a professor from
the University of California, Berkeley, classified illocutionary acts into five distinct
categories.
1. Assertive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses belief
about the truth of a proposition. Some examples of an assertive act are
suggesting, putting forward, swearing, boasting and concluding.

Example:
No one can love you better than I do.

2. Directive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker tries to make the
addressee perform an action. Some examples of a directive act are asking,
ordering, requesting, inviting, advising, and begging.

Example:
Please maintain the cleanliness of our school.

3. Commissive – a type of illocutionary act which commits the speaker to doing

something in the future. Examples of a commissive act are promising,
planning, vowing, and betting.

Example:
From this moment on, I will love you and honor you for the rest of my life.

4. Expressive – a type of illocutionary act in which the speaker expresses

his/her feelings or emotional reactions. Some examples of an expressive act
are thanking, apologizing, welcoming and deploring.

Example:
Thank heavens, you came to save me! I owe you my life.

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 5. Declaration– a type of illocutionary act which brings a change in the external
situation. Simply put, declarations bring into existence or cause the state of
affairs which they refer to. Some examples of declarations are blessing,
firing, baptizing, bidding, passing a sentence, and excommunicating.

Example:
You are hired!
By saying that someone is hired, an employee causes or brings about the
person’s acceptance to job; consequently, this changes his external
situation.

What I Can Do

Do a Good Turn Daily!

A. Suppose you are in the situations described below. As a good citizen, how are
you going to respond to these? Supply the table with the needed information.
The first one is done for you.
Scenario Locutionary Illocutionary Perlocutionary
(Utterance) (Intention) (Response)
Mrs. Sanchez was “It’s heavy!” Mrs. Santos I will help her
carrying heavy needs help. bring her books.
books.

Renato lost his

wallet.
The children
were crossing the
busy street.

Anton could not

find his eraser for
the Math test.

Mae accidentally
slipped on the
floor.

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 Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Region I
San Fernando City
La Union

ACTIVITY SHEETS IN ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT 11

QUARTER 1, WEEK 7
Name: ___________________________________________________Date: _____________
Grade/Section: _____________________________________________Score: ____________

Title of the Activity: Identify Me!

Most Essential Learning Competency: Responds appropriately and effectively to speech act.
K to 12 BEC CG: EN11/12OC-Ifj-20
I. Directions: Read each statement below. Identify the correct classification of illocutionary act
(Assertive, Directive, Commissive, Expressive or Declaration) being used in the sentence.
Write your answer on the space provided in each numbered item.

1. Maria asks her bestfriend Rosa, “ Why don’t you like to attend our next class?”
2. Mother says to her daughter, “Stop using your gadget while eating!”
3. Rio told her classmates, “ I have the most expensive phone in this class.”
4. The child says to her playmate, “Yehey, chocolates!”
5. The boy gives his promise to his girlfriend saying , “ I promise not to hurt you and will not
leave you through ups and downs.”
6. The doctor says to a patient, “I advise you to stop drinking liquor and continue your
medication.”
7. A priest says to the child, “I baptize you in the name of the Father,and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, Amen.”
8. The boss reminds his employees, “ Be on time and dress properly.”
9. A police officer says to the traffic violator, “ You are under arrest.”
10. The teacher says to her stubborn student, “ Leave the room now!”
11. Kathryn says to Julia, “ I have the sweetest boyfriend ever.”
12. The teacher says to her students, “ Clean your respective areas before we start our class.”
13. The SSG President says,” I promise that I will do my best to serve you my fellow
students.”
14. The IATF says, “ Please follow the guidelines in implementing the Modified General
Community Quarantine (MGCQ).”
15. The judge says to a lovely couple, “I pronounce you husband and wife.”

Noted:

RAMON V. ESTRADA,M.Ed.
Prepared: OIC, Principal Checked:

ANGELICA ORBIZO JOSIE N. ALCANTARA,M.Ed.

SHS-TII Head Teacher III
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