LESSON 11

COMMUNICATION FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES

This section presents concepts that lead you to convey ideas through oral, audio-visual, and/or
web-based presentations; create clear, coherent, and effective communication materials;
present ideas persuasively using appropriate language registers, tone, facial expressions, and
gestures; and adopt awareness of audience and context in presenting ideas.

Persuasion and Argumentation

Learning Outcomes: This section will enable students to:

1. Deliver an extemporaneous speech on social, environmental or political issues

Types of Public Speeches

1. Informative Speech

An informative speech involves a knowledgeable speaker transferring some of their knowledge

to their audience. The topic of an informative speech can range from a detailed method to an
abstract concept. Narrower topics make for more robust and comprehensive speeches.
This type of speech can be on a variety of topics like concepts, events, issues, methods,
objects, people, phenomena, places, or process. A good informative speech will:

• define terms to make the information clearer

• use description to help the audience form a mental picture
• incorporate a demonstration
• explain concepts in-depth for greater understanding
2. Persuasive Speech

A persuasive speech attempts to persuade the audience to adopt a position in relation to a

topic. In order to be persuasive, the speaker should know his audience. The form and content
of the speech must take into account what the audience knows and how it wants to be
addressed. An appeal to the emotion is used to show the character of the speaker and make
him/her more credible.
A persuasive speech attempts to influence or reinforce the attitudes, beliefs, or behavior of an
audience. This speech includes the following elements:

• appeal to the needs of the audience

• appeal to the reasoning of the audience
• focus on the relevance of your topic to the audience
• fit the speech to the audience; ensure they understand the info
• make yourself credible by demonstrating your expertise

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3. Argumentative Speech

An argumentative speech attempts to persuade audience to alter their viewpoints on a

controversial issue. While a persuasive speech may be aimed more at sharing a viewpoint and
asking the audience to consider it, an argumentative speech aims to radically change the
options already held by the audience. This type of speech is extremely challenging; therefore,
the speaker should be careful to choose a topic which he feels prepared to reinforce with a
strong argument.
Argumentative speeches generally concern current controversial issues. These topics are
often derived from political debates and issues which are commonly seen in the media. The
chosen topic may be political, religious, social, or ethical in nature. The audience should be
challenged to re-examine their long-held values, and will be asked to alter deeply held
convictions based on new evidence or viewpoints on the issue.

Types of Speech Delivery

1. Manuscript Speaking (Read Speech)

Manuscript speaking involves reding your speech word-for-word from its written form. The
advantage to delivering a speech this way is that the wording of the speech can be perfectly
planned and controlled.
However, most speeches strive for an informal, conversational delivery style. Reading prevents
that, as well as eye contact. It is typically an uninteresting way to present as it hinders vocal
expression and gestures. Also, with set wording, the speaker cannot adapt the speech if the
audience is not following or interested in the speech.
2. Memorized Speaking (Memorized Speech)

Memorized speaking involves committing the entire speech to memory. Memorization can be
useful when the message needs to be exact and the speaker does not want to be confined by
notes. It also enables the speaker to maintain eye contact and is free to move around the stage
and use hands to make gestures.
Memorized speaking can be difficult if the speaker is pressed by time. The speaker also needs
to memorize every vocal cue, gesture and facial expression, otherwise the presentation will be
flat, uninteresting and monotone. It would be very difficult if the speaker forgets his lines and
starts trying to ad lib taking the style of delivery away, or if the speaker goes completely blank
during the presentation.
3. Impromptu Speaking (Impromptu Speech)

Impromptu speaking is the presentation of a short message without advance preparation. The
advantage of this kind of speaking is that it is spontaneous and responsive in an animated
group context. The disadvantage is that the speaker is given little or no time to contemplate
the central theme of his or her message. As a result, the message may be disorganized and
difficult for listeners to follow.

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Impromptu speeches are generally most successful when they are brief and focused on a
single point. Here is a step-by-step guide for an impromptu speech:

• Take a moment to collect your thoughts and plan the main point you want to make
• Thank the person for inviting you to speak
• Deliver your message, making your main point as briefly as you can while still covering
it adequately and at a pace your listeners can follow
• Thank the person again for the opportunity to speak Stop talking

4. Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemporaneous Speech)

Extemporaneous speaking is the presentation of a carefully planned and rehearsed speech,

spoken in a conversational manner using brief notes. By using notes rather than a full
manuscript, the speaker can establish and maintain eye contact with the audience and assess
how well they are understanding the speech as it progresses.
The advantage of an extemporaneous speech is that it promotes the likelihood that the speaker
will be perceived as knowledgeable and credible. In addition, the audience is likely to pay
attention to the message because it is engaging both verbally and nonverbally. The
disadvantage is that it requires a great deal of preparation for both the verbal and nonverbal
components of the speech.
Aspects of Physical Delivery
1. Voice use
2. Facial expression
3. Eye contact
4. Gestures
5. Movement

The Essay

An essay is a piece of writing, usually from an author’s personal point of view. Essays are
nonfictional but often subjective; while expository, essays can also include narrative. The essay
has three parts: introduction, body and conclusion.
1. The Introductory Paragraph

The purpose of the introductory paragraph in an essay is to “introduce” the reader to your topic
in a gradual and logical manner. The introductory paragraph gently “eases” into the topic so
that the reader can follow your train of thought and be better prepared for what you will be
saying later in the essay. The introductory paragraph usually ends with the thesis statement,
which is one sentence that sums up the one, main point that your essay is making about its
topic.
Here are some specifications about the typical introductory paragraph:

• It begins with an indentation (as do all the paragraphs in your essay) It is not too
long or too short --usually about four to five sentences long.

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 • It should begin with an “attention grabber,” i.e., something that will capture and keep
the reader’s attention and make him want to continue reading your essay.
• It begins with a rather general tone and gradually gets more specific toward the end.
• It usually ends with your thesis statement, which might also contain a brief summary of
the supporting reasons (often three or more) for your thesis.
• The thesis statement should contain some of the same important words as the title of
your essay

2. The Body of the Essay

The body of the essay is the part between the introduction and the conclusion. It is the longest
and most important part of the essay, because its purpose is to provide support for your thesis
statement. This support can come in the form of examples, facts or statistics, short narratives
about the personal experience of the author, or simply more details explaining what you mean.
Usually the body of an essay contains at least three paragraphs and often more. Each
paragraph discusses one idea that supports your thesis statement. For example, if you have
four main ideas to support your thesis statement, then four paragraphs will be in the body of
your essay – one separate paragraph to discuss each idea. These supporting paragraphs can
be as long or as short as necessary, but the average length is usually about five or six
sentences.
Your body paragraphs should be arranged in increasing order of importance. That means to
begin by explaining the supporting idea that is only slightly important and end with the
supporting idea that is VERY important.
3. The Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraph of an essay is almost as important and as carefully structured as
the introductory paragraph. Here are some general pointers about a properly written concluding
paragraph:

• The first line should be indented (just like all the other paragraphs).
• The concluding paragraph should not be too long or too short; the average length is
about four or five sentences.
• The concluding paragraph should begin with a repeat of the thesis statement (main
idea) of the essay but with slightly different wording from the original thesis statement
in the introduction.
• The main purpose of the concluding paragraph is to sum up the major ideas of the
essay by reviewing the important points that have been made and by reminding the
reader what the main point (the thesis statement) of the essay was.
• No new information or new ideas should be in the conclusion.
• If possible, the concluding paragraph should end on a positive, upbeat note.
• It is not necessary or desirable to begin the concluding paragraph with the trite phrase,
“In conclusion,…” There are better phrases to use to imply that this is the concluding
paragraph of the essay.
Essential Tips in Writing an Effective Essay

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 1. Pick a topic
• Define your purpose
• Do some research
• Evaluate your options and choose a subject
2. Prepare an outline or diagram of your ideas
3. Write your thesis statement
• The thesis statement will have two parts. The first part states the topic;
the second part states the point of the essay 4. Write the body

5. Write the introduction

6. Write the conclusion
7. Add the finishing touches
• Check the order of the paragraphs
• Check that the essay satisfies the given specifications
• Review the essay for grammar and spelling mistakes

Title of the Essay The title of the essay reveals the general
topic of the paper and gives some indication of
the particular point being made about that topic

_________________________________ The introduction contains the thesis statement.

_________________________________ This is a sentence that summarizes the main
_________________________________ point that the entire essay is making.
_________________________________ The first body paragraph will state and explain
_________________________________ the first reason in support of the thesis.
_________________________________
_________________________________ The second body paragraph will state and
_________________________________ explain the second reason in support of the
_________________________________ thesis.
_________________________________ The third body paragraph will state and explain
_________________________________ the third reason in support of the thesis
_________________________________
_________________________________ The concluding paragraph begins with a
_________________________________ repeat of the thesis statement but with slightly
_________________________________ different wording from the first version of the
thesis statement.

Abstraction:
1. How do you differentiate informative, persuasive and argumentative speeches?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of read, memorized, impromptu and
extemporaneous speeches?
3. What are the various parts of the essay? Explain the contents of each part.

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Activity/Task:
1. Individual Activity

Deliver a two-minute extemporaneous speech on a social, environmental or political

issue.

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