STRATEGIES TO AVOID THE 7Cs OF EFFECTIVE

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN COMMUNICATION

1. Keep focused 1. Completeness
- One way of being focused is to - The speaker should include
put in mind the purpose everything that the receiver
communication. As a speaker needs to hear, respond, react,
identify your purpose for or evaluate properly.
speaking and as a listener find - S/he should be able to convey
the speaker’s purpose thru all pertinent details so listener
his/her verbal and non-verbal
or audience will be able to
cues.
grasp the intended message.
2. Speak intelligibly
- Speaking intelligibly or clearly 2. Conciseness
means using the appropriate - The message should be direct
speaking volume, pitch rate, or straight to the point and
proper enunciation, stress, and should be expressed in the
acceptable pronunciation. We least possible number of
speak in order to be words. Irrelevant information
understood. should not be included.

3. Listen with your ears and eyes 3. Consideration

- Pay attention to verbal and non- - In order to be effective, the
verbal message. Effective speaker should give high
communication depends on what regard and courtesy to
people say and how they say it. audience’s background
information such as his/her
4. Minimize distractions culture, education, religion,
- Look for a place where you can status, mood, feelings, and
minimize distractions or noise like needs.
closed area, empty room, or quiet - This will result in building
places. Lessening the cause for rapport or connection with the
confusion means giving more audience.
room to focus and concentrate.
4. Concreteness
5. Be specific - Effective communication is
- Use simple and concise words backed up by facts, figures,
as much as possible in and real-life examples or
delivering a message. Being situations.
specific means being particular - This will make the receiver to
and direct to the point. understand the message
better.
6. Do not jump into conclusions
- Before you give your comments 5. Courtesy
and judgement, be sure that you - Good choice of words and
have listened attentively to the language and a consideration
speaker. Conclusions should be of the audience’s perspectives
drawn after a thorough analysis of and feelings on the part of the
point given or information sender.
received.
 - Showing courtesy helps create - Consider the venue of theme of
a positive vibe with the the event or where you’re
audience. speaking.
 Repetition/Phrasing
6. Clearness - For audience to fully
- It implies the use of simple and understand.
specific words to express  Tone
ideas. - Shows the attitude of speaker
- When the speaker focuses on towards the listener and the
specific ideas, it will not message.
confuse the audience.
4 Types of Verbal Communication
7. Correctness 1. Oral Communication
- Avoiding mistakes in grammar - Involves a speaker and a
helps to boost the credibility receiver exchanging verbal or
and effectiveness of the oral message for a particular
message, and at the same time purpose.
it eliminates negative impact on 2. Written Communication
the audience. - Refers to communication and
TIPS TO AVOID COMMUNICATION interaction using written words
to convey a message.
BREAKDOWN
3. Media or Electronic
 Use helpful expressions to gain Communication
time to think. - Includes communication
 Give positive remarks or through the world wide web.
comments. 4. Visual Communication
 Ask to repetition. - Indicates communication using
 Check for understanding. maps, graphics, traffic signals,
and advertisements.
VERBAL AND NONVERBAL
Consider the following when engaging
COMMUNICATION
in Verbal Communication
- Refers to an act where
individuals transmit and 1. Appropriateness
exchange ideas through - The language that you use should be
spoken language. In it, there is appropriate to the environment or
a sender who verbally occasion.
transmits the message, and a
receiver who also reacts 2. Brevity
verbally by either giving a - The use of simple yet precise and
positive or a negative powerful words, being direct with words.
feedback. - Avoid fillers and insubstantial
expressions which do not add to the
 Pause message.
- Audience processes what you
3. Clarity
have said.
- It is essential for you to clearly state your
 Loudness/Rhythm message and express your ideas and
- Achieve emphasis feelings.
- Emotions can be expressed
here.
 Rhythm 4. Ethics
- Words should be carefully chosen in Touch or haptics
consideration of the gender, roles,  Shows nonverbal cues that may
ethnicity, preferences, and status of the indicate affection, familiarity, and
person or people you are talking to. other emotions.

5. Vividness Visual Elements used in Nonverbal

- Words that vividly or creatively describe Communication
things or feelings usually add color and
spice to communication; thus, it is 1. Kinesics
encouraged to find ways to charm your - Communication through
audience through the use of vivid words. gestures
- Indicators:
 Facial expressions
 Hand movement
Nonverbal Communication  Posture
- The act of conveying and transmitting - Examples:
messages with the use of gestures,  Smiling, frowning,
behaviors, actions, and other nonverbal raising of eyebrows,
cues. pouting of lips
 Crossing of fingers,
high-fives, waving
Facial expressions
 Nodding, shaking of
 Are medium in which we convey
head, bowing
different information; these
 Crossing of legs,
constitute a big portion of
standing on one foot,
nonverbal communication.
slouching, sitting erect
Gestures
2. Oculesics
 Signals or movements that are
- A study of eyes and its
used to communicate nonverbal
movement in relation to
information.
communication
 they may vary from culture to
- Indicators:
culture
 Eye movements
- Examples:
Body language and Posture
 Frown
 May convey a lot of meanings like
 Wink
sitting, standing, or leg-crossing.
 Blink
 some postures may connote
 Direct gaze
defensive or offensive attitude, and
 Raised eyebrows
there are also some that may show
 Breaking eye contact
various feelings and attitudes.
 Lack of eye contact
Appearance
3. Proxemics
 The way we dress ourselves may
- A study of how people use
communicate message to those
space and distance in
who are observing us.
communicating.
 the color of our dress and our
- Indicators:
hairstyle can also indicate
 Distance
something in our personality.
- Examples:
 Close
Personal space
 Far
 This is relating to the distance and
 Near
space we prefer to have with
 Apart
people when we communicate.
4. Haptics  Clean clothing vs. dirty
- Touching behavior expressing clothing
range of feelings
- Indicators:
 Touching gestures
- Examples:
 Shoving
 Slapping
 Striking
 Holding arms
 Wrapping arms around
one another caressing
 Shaking

5. Chronemics
- The study of time in
communication
- Indicators:
 Use of time
- Examples:
 Being early or late in
speaking engagements

6. Objectics
- The use of physical objects in
communication
- Indicators:
 Use of objects
- Examples:
 The size of chair in an
office may indicate
status
 Nameplates and signs
 Badges

7. Environmental factors
- These may reveal the
personality of a person
affecting communication
- Indicators:
 Use of physical
environment
- Examples:
 Ugly or dirty room
 Poor ventilation
 Good or poor lighting
 Furniture arrangement
8. Physical appearance
- The way people dress may
communicate something.
- Indicators:
 Clothing as a powerful
communicator
- Examples:
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN - Sight, sound, and stimuli that
 Results when the intended draw away people’s attention
message of the sender is not away from intended meaning.
understood exactly by the receiver.  Noise from vehicles
 Dog barking
Barriers to Communication  Loud sound system
 Physical Barriers from the gym.
- Natural or environmental
condition that act as a barrier in  Internal Noises
communication in sending the - Thoughts and feelings that
message from sender to interfere with meaning.
receiver.  Anxiety
 People talking too loud  Problems at home
 Noise from a  Racial prejudice
construction site
 Loud sound of a  Semantic Noises
karaoke - Alternate meaning aroused by
 Blaring of jeepney speaker’s symbols.
horns  Incorrect grammar
 Using excessive
 Psychological Barriers technical jargon
- These refer to social and  Using idiomatic
personal issues of a speaker expression
towards communicating others.
 Trauma VERBAL AND NONVERBAL
 Shyness, lack of COMMUNICATION
confidence Verbal Communication
 Depression  Refers to an act where individuals
 Fear, stage fright transmit and exchange ideas
through spoken language.
 Cultural Barriers
- These pertain to 4 Types of Verbal Communication
communication problems 1. Oral Communication
encountered by people 2. Written Communication
regarding their intrinsic values, 3. Media & Electronic Communication
beliefs, and traditions in conflict 4. Visual Communication
with others.
 Different beliefs Consider the following when engaging
 People’s traditions and in Verbal Communication
customs  Brevity
 Speaking - The use of simple yet precise
and powerful words, being
 Linguistic Barriers direct with words.
- These pertain conflict with
regard to language and word  Appropriateness
meanings. - The language that you are
 Difference in language using should be appropriate to
 Accent and dialect the environment or occasion.
 Use of jargon and slang
 Speech defects and  Clarity
language impairments - It is essential for you to clearly
state your message and
Barriers to Communication (Verderber, express your ideas and
1991) feelings.
 External Noise
  Ethics - Communication that centers on
- Words should be carefully one person where the speaker
chosen in consideration of the acts both the sender and
gender, roles, ethnicity, receiver of the message.
preferences, and status of the
person or people you are  Interpersonal
talking to. - Communication between and
among people and personal
 Vividness relationship between and
- Words that vividly or creatively among them.
describe things or feelings - “When you engage on
usually add color and spice to interpersonal communication,
communication. you and another person
become linked together. The
NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION personal part means that your
 The act of conveying and unique qualities as a person
transmitting messages with the use matters during interpersonal
of gestures, behaviors, actions, communication.” – Hybels and
and other nonverbal cues. Weaver, 2012

 Facial Expressions Types of Interpersonal

- Are media in which we convey Context:
different information; these o Dyad Communication
constitute a big portion of - Occurs between two
nonverbal communication. people.
- Source may
 Gestures become the receiver
- Signals or movements that are and vice-versa.
used to communicate - Communication is
nonverbal information. dynamic.
- Feedbacks are
 Body Language and Posture shared.
- May convey a lot of meanings
like sitting, standing, or leg- o Small Group
crossing. - Occurs among 3-12
people.
 Appearance - Face-to-face
- The way we dress ourselves interaction where
may communicate message to participants can
those who are observing us. freely share ideas in
a loose and open
 Personal space discussion.
- This is relating to the distance - Its main purpose is
and space we prefer to have for sharing
with people when we information. Finding
communicate. facts, and decision
making.
 Touch or Haptics
- Shows nonverbal cues that Types of Small Group:
may indicate affection,  Meeting
familiarity, and other emotion. - A communication
format where
TYPES OF SPEECH CONTEXT superior and
 Intrapersonal subordinates tackle
agenda and topics
 needed to be TYPES OF SPEECH AND SPEECH
addressed. STYLE
Types of Speech According to Purpose
 Round Table A. Informative or Expository
Discussion - Is mainly performed for the
- A small group purpose of educating the
discussion where audience on new or relevant
communicators sit piece of information on a
around a circular particular topic.
table. - The speech is aimed to offer
valuable and stimulating
 Panel Discussion information to an audience.
- 3-6 participants, - Preparation is a must in
carrying a delivering informative speech.
conversation on a
timely and relevant Preparation for Informative
topic before an Speech:
audience. o Have an outline;
Introduction – State
For effective panel your purpose, preview
discussion: the points that you’re
- Talk to each other going to tackle
for the discussion. Body – Cause and
- Avoid effect, climatic, topical,
monopolizing the sequential,
discussion. chronological
- State the topic Conclusion – Recap the
clearly. major points

 Public B. Persuasive
- Requires a person to deliver or - Is solely given for the purpose
send the message before or in of convincing the audience to
front of group. agree with the speaker’s
- The message may be opinion on a particular topic.
informational or persuasive. - Speakers are to relate to
- Only a single person is the audience in a cognitive level.
source of information that is - Make them accept your
received by a big number of viewpoints.
audience. - Topics: political, economic,
- There is no mutual feedback social, etc.
between the source and the
receiver. How to persuade audience:
- Communication is focused only 1. Use facts in your
on the speaker. arguments.
2. Value – Argue on the right
 Mass Communication or wrong of particular
- It takes place through action.
television, radio, newspapers, 3. Persuade audience that
magazines, books, billboards, actions should be or should
internet, and other types of not be taken.
media.
C. Entertainment
- Aims to share laughter and
enjoyment to the audience
 through witty and humorous  Intimate
lines. - This style is private, which
- Affective level on audience. occurs between or among
- Audience reaction is the most close family members or
critical. individuals.
- The language used in this style
Types of Speech According to Delivery may not be shared in public.
A. Manuscript - Occurs in couples, best-friend.
- Is the word-for-word iteration of
a written message using visual  Casual
aids. - This style is common among
- Can insert adlibs. peers and friends. Jargon,
- Visual aids like paper or slang, or the vernacular
teleprompter. language are used.
- Ex: TV reporter - Characteristics:
o There is the absence of
B. Memorized background information.
- Is the rote recitation of a written o There is little reliance
message that speaker has on listener participation.
committed to memory. - Two Devices:
- Need to practice. o Ellipsis (Omission) –
- Avoid sounding too unstressed words in a
mechanical. sentence can be
omitted particularly at
C. Extemporaneous the beginning; the
- Is the presentation of a sentence structure
carefully planned and becomes incomplete.
rehearsed speech, spoken in a Ex: Thanks
conversational manner using o Slang – very informal
brief notes. vocabulary or
- Prepared or planned ahead of phraseology that would
time. be out of place in a
- Delivered with the help or short formal setting and is
notes or outline. often confined to a
- Ex: Motivational speaker specific context.
D. Impromptu
 Consultative
- Is the presentation of a short
- Semi-formal speech style.
message without advance
- Language used is polite and
preparation and is for people
professional.
knowledgeable about the
- Ex: Doctor to patient, teacher
subject.
to student.
- Ex: Recitation
 Formal
TYPES OF SPEECH STYLE (JOOS,
- This is used in formal settings.
1968)
Speech Styles Unlike the consultative type,
this is one-way.
 Are patterns of speaking by
instinctive pronunciation, - Ex: Sermon, SONA, formal
speeches, or pronouncements
vocabulary, intent, participants,
and grammatical structure. by judges.
 They vary/change in degree of
formality.  Frozen
 - This style is “frozen” in time Rules:
and remains unchanged. It 1. Not just saying something
mostly occurs in ceremonies. but;
- Does not require feedback.  Stating an opinion,
- Ex: Preamble, Lord’s Prayer, conforming, or
Allegiance to the Country/Flag denying something.
 Making a prediction,
TYPES OF SPEECH ACT a promise, a
 How we communicate depends on request.
the elements of communication.  Issuing an order or
 Language is dynamic. a decision; or
 Giving advice or
Speech Act permission.
- Utterance that a speaker makes to
achieve an intended effect. Ex: You don’t look good
- (John Austin, 1955), first one to in that dress.
introduce speech acts.
* Non explicit speech
3 Types of Speech Act act
 Locutionary Act - Does not explicitly say
- Literal meaning of a certain - No verb that states
utterance. illocutionary act.
- “Utterance act” - “I’ll help do the
dishes.”
- (J.R. Searle) “Propositional
act”
* Explicit speech act
- Speaking part of the
- “I promise to help do
speech act.
the dishes.”
- Uses verb; request,
Rules:
promise, ordering
1. It has sense for the
- Ex:
communication to take
It’s more fun in the
place.
Philippines. (opinion)
2. It has the same meaning to
I’ll help you clean the
both listener and speaker.
house tomorrow.
3. Utterances give rise to
(promise)
shared meaning when it is
Get my things in the
adjusted by the speaker for
office. (order)
the listener.
 Perlocutionary Act
Ex:
- Resulting act of what is
“Don”
“Wow!” – someone is amazing said.
“Hello!” – greeting someone - Reject or accept
“Get out!” – a strong command proposition.
- Many ways of responding
 Illocutionary Act to illocutionary act.
- Is the social function of
what is said. * Illocutionary Force
- Intent
- (J.L. Austin) “By saying
* Perlocutionary Force
something, we do
- Effect of speaker’s act on
something.”
receiver.
- Effect beyond just saying
something.
Rules:
 1. This is seen when a - “I’m so disappointed in
particular effect is sought you.”
from either the speaker or 5. Declaration
the listener, or both. The - Brings a change in the
response may not external situation.
necessarily be physical or - Ex: blessing, firing,
verbal and is elicited by: baptizing, bidding, passing
 Inspiring or insulting a sentence, and
 Persuading/ excommunicating
convincing
 Deterring/scaring

Ex: I am so thirsty.
LA: Extremely thirsty.
IA (1): Indirect request for someone to
give the speaker a drink.
IA (2): Indirect refusal to someone who’s is
asking the speaker’s drink.
PA (1): The hearer will give the speaker
something to drink.
PA (2): The hearer will not ask for his
water bottle anymore.

Searle’s 5 Classification of Speech Act

1. Assertive
- Expressing belief about the
truth of proposition.
- Ex: assert, suggest,
conclude, swearing,
boasting
- “It is I who murdered Mr.
Guzman.”
2. Directive
- Speaker tries to make the
addressee perform an
action.
- Ex: asking, ordering,
requesting, inviting,
advising, and begging
- “I am your teacher in oral
communication.”
3. Commissive
- Commits the speaker to
doing something in the
future.
- Ex: promising, planning,
vowing, and betting.
4. Expressive
- The speaker expresses
his/her feelings or
emotional reactions.
- Ex: thanking, apologizing,
welcoming and deploring.
COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGY - Ask tag questions to clarify
 Corder (1978), it is a systematic information briefly like, “You
technique employed by a speaker are excited, aren’t you?”, “It
to express his ideas when faced was unexpected, wasn’t it?”
with some difficulties.  Topic Shifting
 Cohen (1990), strategies must be - It involves moving from one
used to start and maintain topic to another.
conversation. - Use conversational
 Minimize communication transitions like “By the
breakdowns. way,” “In addition to what
 Can also be called topic you said,” “Which reminds
management. me of,” and the like.
 Repair
Types of Communicative Strategy - How speakers address the
 Nomination problems in speaking,
- Try to open a topic with the listening, and
people you are talking to. comprehending that they
 Restriction may encounter in a
- In communication, it refers conversation.
to any limitation you may - (Schegloff et al, 1977) Self-
have as a speaker. righting mechanism in any
- These confine you as a social interaction.
speaker and limit what you  Termination
can say. - It refers to the conversation
 Turn-taking participants’ close-initiating
- Process by which people expressions that end a
decide who takes the topic in a conversation.
conversation floor. - Most of the time, the topic
- The primary idea is to give initiator takes responsibility
all communicators a to signal the end of the
chance to speak. conversation.
- To acknowledge others,
employ visual signals like a
nod, a look, or a step back. EFFECTS OF THE SHIFT IN SPEECH
- You may use spoken cues CONTEXT, SPEECH STYLE,
such as “What do you SPEECH ACT AND
think?” or “You wanted to COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGY
say something?”
 Topic Control A. In Language Form
- It covers how procedural Language Form
formality or informality  Refers to the surface
affects the development of features of language and
topic in conversations. how these are arranged.
- MEETINGS VS. CASUAL  Organization, placement
CONVERSATIONS
- Avoid unnecessary A SHIFT IN SPEECH STYLE
interruptions and topic - (ex: formal to informal) can
shifts. affect the form of language.
- Use minimal responses like - Martin Joos (1976), a linguist
“Yes,” “Okay,” “Go on” to and German professor, the
make yourself actively form of language that the
involved in the conversation speaker utilized is
without overly dominating it. characterized by the level of
formality.
 A SHIFT IN SPEECH CONTEXT - Ex: duration when talking to
- An intrapersonal your teacher vs talking to your
communication used most of principal.
first-person pronoun when
people are talking to A SHIFT IN SPEECH ACT
themselves about their feelings - A person who is reflecting
by means of thoughts. (intrapersonal) can control
- In interpersonal, language is time. He/she can have as long
affected depends on the as s/he wants to except if
context of the conversation. interrupted by factors like
another person who talks and
A SHIFT IN SPEECH ACT develop conversation
- Also affects the language form. (interpersonal).
- The forms of language depend
on the intention of the speaker A SHIFT IN COMMUNICATIVE
and the listener. STRATEGY
- A conversation that needs
A SHIFT IN COMMUNICATIVE repair will make the interaction
STRATEGY longer. On the other hand, a
- Also affects the language form. restricted conversation
- Nomination and turn-taking demands shorter time, and a
strategies somehow are terminated conversation stops.
presented through
interrogatives while the C. In the relationship of the
process of terminating the speaker.
conversation ends in a plain - We communicate with different
statement. people in different ways.
- More in declarative form in - How we communicate with
termination because you are individuals close to us differs
concluding. from the way we communicate
with strangers.
B. In the duration of interaction. - That is, how we respond to a
Duration of Interaction communication process
 Length of time in a given depends on the degree of
conversation. relationship we have with other
 Affected by the shift of all people.
these factors. - The degree of relationship we
have with others in a certain
A SHIFT IN SPEECH STYLE speech environment dictates
- (ex: consultative to casual) can the level of communication.
affect the duration of (conversational relationship)
interaction. and the language (speech
- A casual style is closely style) we use which can be
connected to social interaction intimate, formal, casual,
which results to a longer time consultative, or frozen.
of connection (Pena and - As we shift from one speech
Anudin, 2016). context to another, our level of
communication and language
A SHIFT IN SPEECH CONTEXT (speech style), speech act and
- Communication is enhanced communicative strategy also
when the relationship exists change.
over a long period of time.
- Active participants take longer
interaction.
D. In the role and responsibility of
the speaker
- An individual who participates
in any communication process
has roles and responsibilities.
- He or She may be the speaker
(sender of information) or a
receiver (listener/audience
listening to the information).

E. In the message
- The message can be delivered
verbally or nonverbally.
- Verbal messages are in the
form of words, phrases,
sentences, or any form of
utterances.
- Nonverbal messages include
signs, symbols, touch, eye
contact, voice, space, body
language and posture, facial
expressions, and gestures.
- The message will be affected
when there is a shift to the
communicative strategies and
their elements:
- Speech context (Intrapersonal
and Interpersonal);
- Speech Style (Intimate,
Casual, Consultative, Formal
and Frozen);
- Speech Act (Locutionary,
Illocutionary and
Perlocutionary); and
- Communicative Strategy
(Nomination, Restriction, Turn
taking, Topic control, Topic
shifting, Repair and
Termination)

F. In the delivery
- We want our message or
information to be understood
by others so we can maintain a
smooth and a meaningful flow
of the communication process.
Hence, the delivery of
message, how it is done, is
also a concern of the speakers
in the communication process.
Any problem in the delivery of
message can cause
communication breakdown.