Ch. 3 Verbal Communication Notes Speech Professional Communications E. Noyola
Feb 21, 2016
Ch. 3
Verbal Communication
Notes
Speech
Professional Communications
E. Noyola
Communication The process of sending and receiving
messages to share meanings.
Nonverbal Communication
• Body language:
– Smiling
– Direct eye contact
– Folded arms
– Yawning
– Hands on hips
Verbal Communication
• The spoken or written words that are sent
and received when communicating.
Formal Language
• Refers to the use of standard English with
careful pronunciation and full sentences.
• Frequently used in the workplace
Informal Language
• Is more relaxed language usually used
among friends or in casual situations.
• Friendly
Word Meaning
Connotative meaning:
a person’s emotional or
personal response to
a word
Denotative meaning:
dictionary definition
Assignment: Writing
1. In two paragraphs, discuss when it is
important to use formal language and
when it is appropriate to use informal
language.
Students often speak casually with teachers
before class begins, and then once class
begins, students use formal language.
Gender language Issues • Males and females often crate gender-based
speech communities
• Spoken language tended to be heavily masculine
• Females were assumed to be included in references that used masculine pronouns.
Expl: “You guys need to finish your assignment.”
How can we fix it?
“Students, you need to finish your assignment.”
Workplace
• Many employers have
rules that tell you appropriate ways for men and
women to talk to and about one another
• Specific rules sensitive to general workplace
language and behavior that puts down a person
because of his or her gender.
• This abuse is called sexual harassment.
Sexual Harassment
• Illegal whether in schools, corporations, or
community groups
• Verbal and nonverbal messages such as
name calling, sexual jokes, rumors, highly
personal conversations and notes, and
unwanted touching
Sexual Harassment
• Recognize that the communication is
unwelcome and unwanted
• Receiver doesn’t like it and is made to feel
uncomfortable or threatened
How do you avoid Sexual
Harassment? • Treat each other with respect
• Create and maintain a supportive climate for
differences
• Avoid gender biased language
guys, fireman, stewardess, he
5 W’s and H
• Who
• What
• When
• Where
• Why
• How
• Starter words that are used at the beginning of may questions
• Designed to give you very specific information
Telling Stories
• Sometimes the best way to get a point
across
• Stories are passed along informally
• To instruct employees about what is
expected of them
• Useful at times when giving specific advice
that otherwise might be seen as giving
orders or lecturing someone.
Guidelines for
Organizational Stories
1. Have a clear point to make.
2. Keep it brief.
3. Only tell stories that are general
knowledge
4. Avoid sexist language, swearing, and
offensive references
5. Keep the story truthful.
6. Don't exaggerate.
Assignment: Create a story
• Brainstorm
• Misunderstandings you have experienced
at school or at an after-school job
• Create a story that will illustrate how to
avoid a similar problem
• Present the story to the group
• Evaluate whether or not they got your
“message.”
example
A time that I experienced a misunderstanding was when my dad asked me for something and I did the wrong thing.
Jose and his dad were going fishing. Jose was listening to music while packing for the trip. His dad asked him to bring a sweater. When they arrived at the lake, it was very hot and his dad asked him for the cold water. “Cold water? I thought you told me to bring a cool sweater.” Jose’s dad was very upset and they went home early. If Jose would’ve listened better and asked questions when he wasn’t sure, he would be fishing right now instead of home alone and board.
What message did you get from the
speech given by the following
students? Exp: Jose: To have better listening skills. He was
clear.
• Student # 1
• Student # 2
• Student # 3
• Student # 4