Notes on Purposive Communication: Language, Types, 21st Century Perspectives, Work Communication, Reporting, Public Speaking, Inquiries
Language and Its Nature
Everyday use of language as the main instrument of communication.
Language as a dynamic, living system involved in expressing ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc.
Key constructs of language (linguistics):
Grammar (rules)
Phonology (sound system)
Lexicon (vocabulary)
Language as a method of human communication, spoken or written, using words in a structured and conventional way.
Humans vs animals: only humans use a full system of sounds, rules, and vocabulary.
Language acquisition: how people grow up and learn the language of their community (mother tongue/first language).
Language learning: acquiring additional languages (second languages) through formal or informal learning.
Language contact: learning other languages through interaction with other language speakers, leading to cross-language understanding.
Language change: a natural, ongoing process as people exercise agency over language; language is always dynamic.
Examples of language variation across cultures (pre-discussion activity):
Aeroplane vs. Airplane; Colonise vs. Colonize; Enrolment vs. Enrollment; Honour vs. Honor; Defence vs. Defense.
Summary of the language construct:
Language consists of (a) grammar, (b) phonology, and (c) lexicon.
Acquisition: growing up in a language community.
First languages (mother tongues) vs. second languages; language learning; language contact; language change.
Lesson 1: Language and Its Nature (Continued Context and Expectations)
What to expect: explain linguists’ views on language and its nature; identify essential constructs; fill out a biodata form and create a language biography.
Pre-discussion focus on spelling variations (illustrative examples):
Aeroplane vs. Airplane
Colonise vs. Colonize
Enrolment vs. Enrollment
Honour vs. Honor
Lesson outline highlight: when people come together, they talk; language reflects shared grammar, sounds, and vocabulary; humans have agency over language; language varies across cultures.
Language Biography and Biodata
Concretizing activity: fill Language Biodata Form to identify languages spoken, first/second languages, acquisition methods, and language skills.
Follow-up task: write a paragraph telling your language story (My Language Biography).
LESSON 2: Communication and its Types
Define communication as the process of sharing information and meaning between senders and receivers.
Key framework: communication is classified by mode, context, and purpose/style.
Mode types:
Verbal communication
Non-verbal communication (gestures, facial expressions, etc.)
Visual communication (signs, symbols, maps, graphs, diagrams, emojis, etc.)
Context types:
Intrapersonal (talking to oneself)
Interpersonal (between two or more people; can be dyads or small groups; can be interpersonal or transactional depending on objectives)
Extended communication (electronic media: TV, radio, video conferencing, Internet, etc.)
Organizational communication (within an organization; coordinate tasks and relationships)
Intercultural communication (between people from different linguistic/cultural backgrounds; sensitive to differences)
Purpose and style types:
Formal communication (formal language; lectures, reports, business letters; inform, entertain, persuade as main objectives)
Informal communication (casual language; socializing; e-mails, notes, texts)
Visuals: importance in presentations; visuals aid recall and engagement but require careful design to avoid misrepresentation.
Intercultural examples: eye contact norms differ (e.g., Australians vs. Indians); Filipino English lexical innovations (e.g., thrice, batchmates, CR, solons, barangay captain) and pronunciation differences (e.g., hard /th/ often realized as /d/ in Philippine English).
Context-specific notes on communication modes:
Verbal and non-verbal should complement one another.
Visuals support message clarity but must be contextually appropriate (audience, topic, medium).
Summary: Types of Communication by Mode, Context, and Style
Modes: Verbal, Non-verbal, Visual (all should complement each other).
Contexts: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Extended, Organizational, Intercultural.
Purposes/Styles: Formal vs Informal.
Key takeaways: Always contextualize signs and signs; consider audience, culture, and medium to avoid miscommunication.
What to Expect? Additional Activities and Assessments
Assessments and enrichment questions to reinforce comprehension of language and communication types.
Concreting tasks include evaluating mission/vision statements and core values of an institution (example SKSU).
Introspection prompts to reflect on language strengths, weaknesses, and cultural awareness.
21st Century Communication Overview (Five Organized Lessons)
This chapter focuses on standards for modern communication: processes, ethics, globalization, multicultural communication, language varieties/registers, and media literacy.
The five lessons: look at communication processes, ethics, globalization, multicultural/local/global communication, and media literacy evaluations of texts and images.
Lesson 1: Communication Process, Principles and Ethics
The communication process components:
Source (sender) – crafts the message
Message – the meaning shared
Encoding – transferring the message into signals
Channel – the medium of transmission
Decoding – interpreting the message
Receiver – audience of the message
Feedback – confirmation of understanding (written, spoken, or acted)
Environment – place, mood, and context of interaction
Context – shared expectations and signals
Interference – barriers to effective communication (psychological, physical, linguistic/cultural, mechanical)
Interference types:
Psychological barriers (biases, prior experiences)
Physical barriers (noise, weather, health, technology issues)
Linguistic and cultural barriers (language differences, cultural interpretations)
Mechanical barriers (device failures, connectivity issues)
The Nine Principles of Effective Communication (Michael Osborn, 2009):
principles: Clarity, Concreteness, Courtesy, Correctness, Consideration, Creativity, Conciseness, Cultural Sensitivity, Captivating
Ethical considerations in communication (Barrot & Sipacio, 2018):
Uphold integrity (truthfulness and accuracy)
Respect diversity and privacy
Observe freedom of expression while considering audience
Promote access to communication (opportunity to express views)
Be open-minded and reconcile differing opinions
Develop accountability (take responsibility for actions)
Summary: Communication is a structured process with defined steps and ethical considerations to ensure clear, respectful, and effective exchange.
Lesson 2: Communication and Globalization
Globalization definition: increased global interaction and integration among people, companies, governments, supported by technology and international trade.
Cultural barriers in global communication: cultural relativism, lack of knowledge of others’ culture, discrimination/harassment, language differences.
Strategies to be an effective global communicator (Krizan, 2014):
Review communication principles
Analyze the message as received
Be open to other cultures
Learn about cultures and apply what is learned
Consider language needs
Summary: Globalization expands the reach of communication but requires sensitivity to cultural and linguistic differences to achieve harmonious connections.
Lesson 3: Local and Global Communication in Multicultural Settings
Intercultural competence is essential for harmonious living amid cultural differences.
Forms of intercultural interaction (Jandt, 2017):
Interracial communication (between races)
Interethnic communication (between ethnic origins)
International communication (between representatives from different nations)
Intercultural communication (between co-cultures or groups within a culture)
Communication styles across cultures (Gamble & Gamble, 2006/2008): high-context vs. low-context communication
Guidelines to improve intercultural communication competence (Gamble & Gamble, 2008):
Review principles, analyze the message recipient, be open to other cultures, learn about cultures and apply, consider language needs
Summary: Emphasizes respecting differences, avoiding biases, and building skills for navigating multicultural settings.
Lesson 4: Varieties and Registers of Spoken and Written Language
Language variation across three dimensions: field, tenor, and mode (Mahboob & Dutcher, 2014).
Local vs global domains (four local domains; four global domains): local everyday written/oral, local specialized written/oral; global everyday written/oral; global specialized written/oral.
Local usage examples include neighborhood posters, local shops, and community discourse; global usage covers international journals, conferences, and cross-border communication.
Registers: language forms appropriate to social context; everyday vs academic (spoken vs written) modes.
Summary: Choice of register and variety depends on audience, purpose, and context; misalignment can cause miscommunication.
Lesson 5: Evaluating Messages and/or Images of Different Texts
Media literacy framework (Center for Media Literacy, 2005):
Key Concepts of Media Literacy
Texts are constructed; media embed values and worldviews; interpretation is subjective; media have commercial/ideological/political interests; texts use a language with its own rules.
The five key concepts (in summary):
Texts are constructed
Embedded values and points of view
Interpretations vary by individual
Media serve specific interests
Creative language and techniques shape messages
Summary: Media literacy enables critical access, analysis, evaluation, creation, and action across all forms of media.
Assessment/Activities: personal-world-text connections to advertisements; evaluating how texts/images convey culture; creating multimodal ads.
What to Expect? Practical Applications Across Lessons
Apply communication principles to real-world scenarios: analyzing mission/vision statements, evaluating organizational culture, and exploring intercultural dynamics.
INTROSPECTING prompts to reflect on personal communication styles and attitudes toward culture.
Chapter: Communication for Work Purposes
Overview: workplace communication is critical for morale, productivity, and trust; formal and informal channels influence effectiveness.
Areas covered: Teaching and Business Trade; correspondence for employment; internal company communication.
SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats):
Internal factors: strengths/weaknesses within the organization or individual;
External factors: opportunities/threats from the external environment.
Example: SWOT matrix for a coffee shop, illustrating internal strengths/weaknesses and external opportunities/threats.
How to conduct SWOT:
Define objective
Analyze internal and external factors
Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
Application: personal SWOT analyses for career planning; group exercises for business planning (e.g., a hypothetical coffee shop).
Writing Business and Technical Reports
Purpose of reports: compile information for decision-making; present findings clearly; distinguish between information and argument.
Report types:
Informational reports: present data and status without analysis or recommendations
Analytical reports: present results with analysis and conclusions
Recommendation reports: propose a course of action
Experimental and case-study-based reports
Feasibility and literature review reports
Report formats and content:
Formal reports require detailed information, objective tone, and structured organization.
Informal reports: memos, routine updates, and internal communications.
Major parts of a formal report: Cover Page, Title Page, Table of Contents, List of Illustrations, Executive Summary, Main Body/Findings/Discussions, Conclusions, Recommendations, References, Appendices.
Characteristics: objective language, scannable structure, numbered headings, concise paragraphs, supporting graphics, possible abstract or executive summary, references or appendices.
Parts of a report in depth:
Title Page: report title in all caps; recipient details; authors; date; absence of page numbers on title page
Table of Contents: page numbers for headings; dot leaders to page numbers; parallel grammar in headings
Executive Summary: concise overview of recommendations and conclusions (no detailed content)
Introduction/Background: context, problem, scope, and limitations
Methods: procedures and data sources; sample size; how data was collected
Findings: results with analysis; benchmarking; alignment with methodology
Conclusions: interpretation of findings; limitations; relation to the initial problem
Recommendations: proposed actions
References/Bibliography and Appendices: supporting sources and supplementary materials
Informal reports and examples: progress reports, sales activity reports, personnel evaluations, financial reports, feasibility studies, literature reviews, and credit reports.
Important writing conventions: avoid bias, maintain formal tone for formal reports; adjust tone depending on audience and purpose for informal reports.
Public Speaking and Presentations
Public speaking as a process of delivering information, influence, or entertainment to an audience.
Modes of delivery:
Manuscript: read a fully scripted text (precise word choice; may hamper naturalness and eye contact)
Memorized: deliver from memory (good for short pieces; risks forgetting lines)
Extemporaneous: prepared outline; speaks with structure but with some spontaneity; common in teaching
Impromptu: spur-of-the-moment; minimal preparation; can reveal quick thinking but may lack organization
Criteria for evaluating speech delivery (rubrics for read/extemporaneous/spontaneous approaches): eye contact, content development, language use, vocal clarity, and overall delivery quality.
Overcoming public speaking anxiety:
Quotes illustrating attitudes toward public speaking (e.g., Brian Tracy, Jerry Seinfeld, Dale Carnegie, Mark Twain).
Emphasis on preparation, practice, and mindset; public speaking as a valuable professional skill.
Practical guidance: structure, eye contact, vocal variety, and appropriate nonverbal cues enhance effectiveness.
Making Inquiries: Letters, Interviews, and Information Exchange
Inquiry and interviewing: inquiry letters and interviews are two pathways to obtain information; each has distinct advantages.
Inquiry letter components: heading/letterhead, inside address, salutation, body, closing, signature; format options include pure block, semi-block, and modified block.
Emails in inquiries: emails are faster; generally less formal than letters; appropriate tone depends on audience; in academia, maintain formality; avoid casual slang and emoticons in professional contexts.
Interviewing: real-time interaction; schedule appointments; prepare questions; be punctual; dress appropriately; follow up and validate notes; allow time for answers; thank the interviewee.
Interview structure: opening (rapport), body (questions), conclusion (thanks and future meeting).
Topics covered in inquiries: information gathering about products, internships, scholarships, job vacancies; the need to specify what information is needed and how it will be used.
Role of technology: emails and other digital channels complement traditional letters and phone interviews; choose the most responsive mode depending on immediacy and specificity.
Chapter: Communication for Work Purposes (Chapter IV) – Practical Applications
Focus on communication within teaching and business contexts; maintaining open lines of communication to support morale and productivity.
SWOT in business planning: extend personal and organizational planning by analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
SWOT practical example: analyze a coffee shop’s internal and external factors; derive strategic insights and potential actions.
Using SWOT for career planning: identify personal strengths and opportunities to leverage; mitigate weaknesses and threats.
Chapter: Chapter 5 – Reports: Writing for Business and Technology
Detailed breakdown of formal report components and their purposes.
Emphasis on objective, data-driven content; avoid opinionated language unless supported by data.
Clear, concise writing with structured headings and subheadings; use of visuals (tables, graphs) to convey information efficiently.
Key Takeaways Across Chapters
Language is a dynamic system formed by grammar, phonology, and lexicon; acquisition, learning, contact, and change shape how language evolves within communities.
Communication is classified by mode, context, and purpose/style; effective communication blends verbal, non-verbal, and visual codes while considering audience and cultural context.
21st century communication emphasizes process ethics, globalization, multicultural competence, language registers, and media literacy to analyze and create messages responsibly.
Work-related communication relies on clear information sharing and strategic planning, often using tools like SWOT and formal reports to guide decisions.
Public speaking, inquiries, and interviews are essential communicative competencies; choosing appropriate delivery modes and maintaining ethical standards are crucial for effectiveness.
References (Selected from the Transcript)
Madrunio, M., & Martin, I. (2018). Purposive Communication: Using English in Multilingual Contexts. C & E Publishing.
Gamble, T.K., & Gamble, M. (2006). Communication Works. McGraw Hill.
Jandt, F. E. (2017). An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. Sage Publications.
Osborn, M., Osborn, S., & Osborn, R. (2014). Public Speaking: Finding Your Voice. Pearson.
Center for Media Literacy (2005). Five Key Questions of Media Literacy.
Krizan, A., et al. (2014). Business Communication Theories and Best Practices. Cenage Learning Asia.
Wakat, G., Caroy, A., et al. (2018). Purposive Communication. Lorimar Publishing Inc.
Introspective/Concluding Activities
Reflect on personal communication strengths and areas for improvement in real-world contexts.
Apply the concepts of registers and contexts to plan a presentation, write a letter of inquiry, or prepare an inquiry interview scenario.