PURCOM

sociolinguistic competence

"the ability to use language appropriately across distinct social contexts—is an essential

professional survival skill (Tejada, 2021).

"Face Theory" (Brown & Levinson, 1987)

The “Face” is basically your social currency. Whenever we interact with others, we are

constantly negotiating how much currency we have, how much we are giving away, and how much we are

taking from the other person.

Face Threatening Act (FTA)

any communicative act – whether it’s a spoken word, a physical gesture, or even a

deliberate silence – that inherently undermines, challenges, or damages another person’s public self-image.

Positive Face

the desire to be respected, valued, and approved of.

is emotional and social. It is the desire that our self-image be appreciated by others.

When someone validates your positive face, you feel good about yourself, your skills, or your status.

Positive Politeness Strategies

you use language that

emphasizes shared goals, friendship, and mutual liking. You use compliments, show interest, and

use inclusive language (like “We should try…” instead of “You need to…”).

o The goal is to make the professor feel respected and valued as an educator, rather than insulted or

dismissed.

Negative Face

The desire to carry out tasks smoothly without being unnecessarily disrupted, forced, or

treated rudely.

is physical and structural. It has nothing to do with being “mean” or negative;

rather, it refers to the “negative space” or boundaries around a person. It is the desire to remain

unhindered and free to make your own choice

Negative Politeness Strategies

you use language that

minimizes the imposition. You apologize for interrupting, you use hedges (like “sort of,”

“perhaps,” “if it’s not too much trouble”), and you always give them an exit option.

o The goal is to respect the professor’s limited time, boundaries, and autonomy, rather than acting

entitled to their immediate attention.

The Setting

physical office space, a crowded hallway, or a classroom.

• The physical space dictates the privacy level and the attention span of the person you are talking

to.

The topic

An emotionally sensitive matter (like a grade dispute) vs. a routine administrative process

(like requesting a transcript).

• The nature of what you are discussing determines how much emotional armor – or politeness

cushioning – you need to build into your sentences.

The Institutional Relationship

Recognizing the asymmetric power balance inherent in Student-to-

Instructor or Student-to-Dean dynamics.

• This is the most critical vector on a campus. In a professional environment, relationships are

rarely perfectly equal, and academia runs on a strict hierarchical ladder.

A — ACKNOWLEDGE AND ADDRESS

Begin with an explicit, formal greeting, utilize the person's

correct honorific, and verbally acknowledge their schedule. This validates their professional position and

protects their positive face (Brown & Levinson, 1987).

I — ISSUE PRESENTATION (OBJECTIVE DATA)

State your concern focusing strictly on non-

emotional facts, timelines, verifiable documentation, or system data. Avoid accusatory pronouns ("You

made a mistake") or emotional venting ("This is unfair and causing me stress"). Framing an issue

objectively reduces institutional friction and centers the conversation on problem-solving (O’Brien-

Melford & Gador, 2025).

R — RESOLUTION REQUEST

Conclude the conversation by inviting collaboration. Avoid making

demands or ultimatums. Instead, use an open-ended inquiry that respects the official's decision-making

authority.

Speaking

is the ability to communicate with others in real time by sharing ideas, asking questions,

and responding appropriately. It can also be considered as the process of producing meaningful

utterances using correct pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and intonation. Thus, it is the skill

of being able to express thoughts smoothly and clearly in different situations such as discussions,

presentations, and everyday conversations.

REPRODUCTIVE SPEAKING

● Speaking that reproduces previously

learned materials such as repeating,

reciting, retelling from notes or text, or

giving back information in essentially the

same form as it was learned.

● involves tasks where the language,

structure, or content is already fixed, and

the student's primary focus is on mastering

delivery mechanics (articulation, pacing,

pitch, and posture)

manuscript poetry text based retelling

CREATIVE SPEAKING

● Speaking that creates something new such

as improvising dialogues, role-plays,

storytelling with original details,

expressing personal opinions with original

ideas, or using language to communicate

new meanings not previously practiced.

● creative speaking requires students to

generate their own meanings, organize

original thoughts on the fly, and adapt their

language dynamically to a specific

audience or purpose

extempo impromptu town hall debate

speech delivery

is the way a speaker uses their

voice, body, and preparation style to communicate a message to an audience. It is not about what

you say, but how you say it, acting as the bridge that transforms written or conceptual thoughts

into a live, spoken experience.

Manuscript Reading

classified as absolute textual dependence, where the speech is read

word-for-word from a written document or teleprompter. This method is used in high-

stakes professional settings where legal precision, political diplomacy, or exact timing is

mandatory.

Examples:

a. Government or corporate spokesperson reading official statements to the media to

ensure no off-script remarks spark political or legal controversies

b. Reading complex data findings or clinical trial results at medical conferences where

absolute terminology accuracy is required

memorized speech

classified by total mental recall, where the speech is written out

beforehand and committed completely to memory before presentation. This method is used

in professional scenarios where the speaker needs to maintain continuous, intense eye

contact and connection without any physical notes.

Examples:

a. Delivering dramatic monologues or commercial copy during industry casting calls

b. Leading VIP corporate guests through a facility or exhibit while keeping eyes on the

crowd rather than a script

c. Frontline sales representatives delivering a highly vetted, legally approved product

pitch to a prospective client

impromptu speech

classified by total spontaneity, where the speech is delivered with

zero advanced preparation, usually in response to an immediate request. This occurs when

professionals are called upon to speak instantly, testing their ability to organize thoughts

quickly under pressure.

Examples:

a. Answering unexpected, highly specific questions from investors or upper management

immediately following a formal presentation

b. Introducing oneself and explaining your business value proposition to a potential client

you unexpectedly bumped into at a conference

c. A person being approached by a reporter outside a courthouse or corporate

headquarters for an immediate comment on breaking news

extemporaneous speech

Classified by structured flexibility, where the speech is

carefully planned and rehearsed but delivered using only a brief outline or cue cards. The

gold standard for everyday business communication, this method balances thorough

preparation with a natural, conversational tone.

Examples:

a. An agency presenting a marketing strategy to a new client, relying on a visual outline

but leaving room to read the room and adjust the flow

b. A university professor teaching a class using a syllabus outline, allowing them to

explain complex concepts dynamically

c. A manager giving a 10-minute overview of company updates using talking points

before opening the floor to employee

purpose

is the driving objective or the specific outcome a speaker intends to achieve with their audience. It

dictates the tone, structure, and content of the entire message. Learning to identify and align with

this purpose is crucial because it transforms a speech from a random collection of words into a

strategic tool that respects the audience’s time and fulfills their expectations.

informative Speech

aim to educate the audience about a specific topic. The goal here is

strictly to teach, explain, or enlighten the audience on a specific topic without trying to

change their minds. These speeches often include data, statistics, and examples to support

the information presented.

Objective: focus on facts and information rather than opinions

Structure: typically follows a clear organizational pattern, such as chronological, topical,

or spatial

Audience Engagement: use of visuals, handouts, or demonstrations to enhance

understanding

Examples

a. A museum curator's presentation explaining the history, materials, and cultural

significance of King Tut’s tomb artifacts

b. A tech company’s product documentation lead giving a presentation to employees on

how a newly implemented cloud server network operates

c. A weather forecaster's broadcast explaining the meteorological science behind how a

Category 5 hurricane forms

persuasive speech

designed to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or

take a specific action. The speaker uses emotional appeals, logical arguments, and

credibility to influence the audience’s beliefs, behaviors, or spur them to take a specific

action.

Objective: aim to persuade rather than inform

Structure: often follows a problem-solution format or a claim-evidence-rebuttal structure

Audience Engagement: use of rhetorical questions, anecdotes, and passionate delivery to

connect with the audience emotionally.

Examples

a. A defense attorney’s closing argument trying to convince a jury that there is reasonable

doubt and that the defendant is innocent

b. A politician’s campaign speech arguing why local citizens should vote for them and

their proposed tax reform bill in an upcoming election

c. An environmental activist’s address at a city council meeting advocating for a

mandatory city-wide composting program

special occasion speech

delivered during significant events or ceremonies. These

speeches celebrate, honor, or commemorate a person, group, or event. The tone can vary

from formal to informal, depending on the occasion. These are deeply tied to the context

of a specific ritual, celebration, milestone, or social event.

Objective: to celebrate or honor a specific event or individual

Structure: Often includes personal anecdotes, humor, and emotional appeals

Audience Engagement: Use of storytelling and personal connections to resonate with the

audience

Examples:

a. The Best Man’s toast at a wedding reception celebrating the newlyweds with personal

anecdotes

b. A eulogy delivered by a family member at a funeral service honoring the life and legacy

of a grandparent.

c. A retiring CEO’s farewell address to their employees at a company dinner, reflecting

on their 30-year career

demonstrative speech

aim to teach the audience how to do something by demonstrating the process. These speeches combine verbal explanations with visual aids or live demonstrations to enhance understanding.

Objective: to instruct the audience on a specific task or process

Structure: Typically follows a step-by-step format

Audience Engagement: Use of props, visual aids, and hands-on demonstrations to keep

the audience engaged

Examples

a. A chef’s live cooking demonstration at a food festival showing the audience exactly

how to hand-roll and cut fresh pasta dough

b. A CPR instructor’s training session using a medical mannequin to demonstrate the

proper hand placement and rhythm for chest compressions

c. A makeup artist’s masterclass demonstrating how to apply a seamless "no-makeup"

look on a live model

motivational speech

designed to inspire and uplift the audience. The speaker aims to encourage listeners to take action, overcome challenges, or pursue their goals. These speeches often draw on personal experiences and powerful storytelling to tap into emotional drivers, boost morale, and inspire people to overcome obstacles or strive for excellence.

Objective: To inspire and motivate the audience

Structure: Often includes a strong opening, personal stories, and a call to action

Audience Engagement: Use of powerful language, emotional appeals, and relatable

anecdotes to connect with the audience

Examples

a. Steve Jobs’ famous 2005 Stanford Commencement Address, urging graduates to "Stay

hungry, stay foolish" and pursue their passions despite setbacks

b. A fitness influencer’s seminar sharing their personal journey of overcoming a severe

injury to inspire attendees to take control of their health

c. A football coach’s locker room speech at halftime, firing up a losing team to make a

dramatic comeback in the second half