GEN 001: Purposive Communication

Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Lesson title: Understanding Slanted Language Materials:

Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, students will:
a. analyze the effect of word choice to the tone or slant of a
statement References:
b. transform neutral sentences to either a positive or negative
slant
1.

Loosen your grip!

Did you know that your hand has 27 bones? When you find your hand is aching from too much writing,
it may be because you’re gripping your pens too tightly. Loosen your grip! Most pens glide smoothly
now, releasing ink in a good flow. This means that you don’t really need to hold on to your pens too
tightly nor do you have to press down on your paper to deeply. 😊 Try it!

A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW

Introduction
In the previous session, you learned about expressing your opinions. In this lesson, we will look closer at
how words can also communicate feelings – positive, negative, or neutral – to help writers persuade
readers. Knowing that word choice can be used to persuade readers is important not only to help you
when you are trying to effect change, but also to help you recognize when a writer is trying to influence
you.

B.MAIN LESSON

Content Notes
Read and understand the notes.

Slanted language
“Most language in one way or another expresses an opinion as well as communicating fact. If you wish to
point out that a person saves money, you may choose a word like “thrifty” - which signals approval of the
activity - or “miserly” - which signals disapproval. Either way your discussion will be "slanted" toward one
judgment or the other.” (The Department of English, University of Victoria, 1995)

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 GEN 001: Purposive Communication
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

- Slanted language is the use of words that is either favorable or unfavorable to the idea or person
being discussed.
- Slanted language can lead an audience into feeling either negatively or positively.

- Slanted language through word choice:

Negatively Slanted word Neutral word Positively Slanted word
confessed, admitted state, say shared, imparted
plot, scheme plan prepare
annoyed, irritated bothered concerned
mistake, blunder error oversight
outdated, old, used antique, pre-loved

- Slanted language through sentence construction: (Notice how the same message, slanted one
way, then the other affects how you feel and ultimately, how you think.)
Negatively Slanted sentence Neutral sentence Positively Slanted sentence
The Philippine Azkals suffered an The Philippine Azkals
Despite the great game by the
embarassing defeat under the scored 0 and Real
Azkals, Spain won the match.
boots of Real Madrid. Madrid scored 2.

The governor signed

The governor allowed a convicted The governor pardoned the
the release papers of
criminal to roam the streets. prisoner.
the prisoner.

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 GEN 001: Purposive Communication
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Where or when can you usually read or hear a positive slant

language? Negative slant language? Enumerate 3 for each.

+ -

Skill-building Activities, part 1

Rewrite these statements in a positive slant.

Tip: Make sure you keep the message of the original statement.
She’s a horrible person.
She’s a kind person. WRONG. You need to keep the message of the original statement.
She’s unkind to others. RIGHT. This is one way to rephrase the statement.

1. The Filipino celebrations are loud.

________________________________________________________________________
The Filipino celebrations are festive
2. Christians don’t agree with Mumin on religion.
________________________________________________________________________
Christians and Mumin have different religious beliefs.
3. Some people of Africa have a strange culture.
________________________________________________________________________
Some people of Africa have beliefs that are very unfamiliar to Filipinos.
4. Filipinos are domestic helpers abroad.
________________________________________________________________________
Filipinos abroad are known to do hard work/service-related work that no one else enjoys doing.
5. People who blindly agree with the government are stupid.
________________________________________________________________________
People who agree with everything the government does need to be more informed

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 GEN 001: Purposive Communication
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

Check your answers using the Key to Corrections found in the last pages of this SAS. Give yourself 1 point
for each correct answer. Write your score here: _____

Check for Understanding

Determine whether the statements are “favorable” or “unfavorable” toward the idea or person discussed.

a) The pilot crashed the plane. Unfavorable

__________________
b) The pilot did an emergency landing. __________________
Favorable
c) The doctor meticulously analyzed the symptoms. Favorable
__________________
d) Unfavorable
The doctor took a long time to diagnose the disease. __________________
e) They remained friends. Favorable
__________________
f) S/he was friend-zoned. __________________
Unfavorable
g) The room is old and dilapidated. Unfavorable
__________________
h) The room needs some repairs. Favorable
__________________
i) My teacher has high standards. __________________
Favorable
j) My teacher is very strict. Unfavorable
__________________

Check your answers using the Key to Corrections found in the last pages of this SAS. Give yourself 1 point
for each correct answer. Write your score here: _____

C. LESSON WRAP-UP

Thinking about Learning (5 mins)

1. Which part of the lesson did you like? Why did you like it?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2. Which part of the lesson was a little bit challenging? What made it challenging?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

FAQs
Q: What is propaganda?
A: “Propaganda is the more or less systematic effort to manipulate other people’s beliefs, attitudes, or

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 GEN 001: Purposive Communication
Module #10 Student Activity Sheet

Name: _________________________________________________________________ Class number: _______

Section: ____________ Schedule: ________________________________________ Date: ________________

actions by means of symbols (words, gestures, banners, monuments, music, clothing, insignia, hairstyles,
designs on coins and postage stamps, and so forth). … Propagandists have a specified goal or set of goals.
To achieve these, they deliberately select facts, arguments, and displays of symbols and present them in
ways they think will have the most effect. To maximize effect, they may omit or distort pertinent facts or
simply lie, and they may try to divert the attention of the reactors (the people they are trying to sway) from
everything but their own propaganda.” (https://www.britannica.com/topic/propaganda) Do they use
slanted language? Definitely. Be aware.

Q: How can we master the use of slanted language?

A: Enrich your vocabulary – read good essays found in editorials of newspapers or magazines.

Q: Does giving a critique to someone mean that you are using a negative slant?
A: Not necessarily, but it takes extra effort to phrase a critique in a neutral or positive light. You have to be
careful as a writer and speaker because a critique will be taken as an attack if your words are negatively
slanted. Consider: “Your dress doesn’t look good.” Vs “You have to choose a dress color and outline that
better compliments your skin tone and body type”.
Words are powerful. Use them wisely.

KEY TO CORRECTIONS
Skill Building 1:
1. The Filipino celebrations are festive.
2. Christians and Mumin have different religious beliefs.
3. Some people of Africa have beliefs that are very unfamiliar to Filipinos.
4. Filipinos abroad are known to do hard work/service-related work that no one else enjoys doing.
5. People who agree with everything the government does need to be more informed.

Check for Understanding:

1. Unfavorable 2. Favorable 3. Favorable 4. Unfavorable 5. Favorable 6. Unfavorable
7. unfavorable 8. Favorable 9. Favorable 10: unfavorable

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