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