Oral communication test

Sure—here are short, to-the-point definitions:

Characteristics of language

  • Symbolic: Uses words to represent ideas or things.

  • Arbitrary: Word meanings are based on agreement, not natural connection.

  • Rule-governed: Follows grammar and structure rules.

  • Multi-meaning: Words can have different meanings depending on context.

  • Context-dependent: Meaning changes based on situation or culture.

  • Ambiguous: Can be unclear or interpreted in different ways.

Why people use language

  • Identity: To show who they are.

  • Connection: To build relationships with others.

  • Separation: To distinguish themselves or groups.

  • Influence: To persuade or motivate action.

  • Entertainment: To joke, tell stories, or amuse.

Common uses/abuses

  • Humor: Language used to entertain.

  • Euphemism: Softer way of saying something harsh.

  • Slang: Informal group-specific language.

  • Profanity: Offensive or taboo language.

  • Defamation: False statements that harm reputation.

  • Hate speech: Language that attacks or dehumanizes groups.

Using language effectively

  • Facts vs opinion: Separate what is true from what you think.

  • Civil tone: Be respectful in conversation.

  • Audience awareness: Speak appropriately for who you’re talking to.

  • Ownership: Use “I” statements to take responsibility.

  • Clarity: Be clear and specific.

Here are short, clear definitions:

How people communicate nonverbally

Nonverbal communication is sending meaning without words. It includes:

  • Facial expressions: Showing emotion through the face.

  • Eye behavior: Using eye contact or gaze to communicate.

  • Gestures/body movement: Using hands and posture to express meaning.

  • Touch (haptics): Communicating through physical contact.

  • Voice (vocalics): Tone, pitch, volume, and speaking style.

  • Smell (olfactics): Scent influencing perception or message.

  • Space (proxemics): Use of personal distance and territory.

  • Appearance: Clothing and physical presentation.

  • Time (chronemics): How time is used or valued.

  • Artifacts: Objects that communicate identity (jewelry, phones, etc.).

How culture and gender influence nonverbal behavior

  • Culture: Shapes gestures, eye contact, touch, space, time use, and emotional expression.

  • Gender: Influences how emotions are shown, how much space is used, and how much eye contact or touch is considered normal.

How to improve nonverbal communication

  • Awareness: Notice nonverbal messages around you.

  • Interpretation: Learn what different nonverbal cues mean.

  • Practice: Improve your own facial expressions, posture, and gestures.

  • Mediated settings: Pay attention to nonverbal cues in texts, video calls, and online communication.

Here are short, clear definitions:

What it means to listen effectively

Effective listening is when you hear, understand, remember, interpret, evaluate, and respond to what someone says.

Why effective listening is challenging

Listening is hard because of barriers such as:

  • Noise: External sounds that distract you.

  • Pseudolistening: Pretending to listen.

  • Selective attention: Only hearing parts you want.

  • Information overload: Too much information at once.

  • Glazing over: Losing focus or attention.

  • Rebuttal tendency: Planning your response instead of listening.

  • Closed-mindedness: Refusing to consider other views.

  • Interrupting: Talking over others.

How to improve listening skills

  • Informational listening: Focus on facts, avoid assumptions, and don’t look for confirmation bias.

  • Critical listening: Question information, check credibility, and think about likelihood/probability.

  • Empathic listening: Listen without judging, recognize feelings, and show support through words and body language.

Here are short, clear definitions:

Why social relationships matter

Humans have a need to belong, which drives us to form and maintain relationships. These relationships provide emotional support, resources, and better health, while lack of connection can lead to loneliness.

Characteristics of friendships

Friendships are:

  • Voluntary: Chosen, not assigned

  • Platonic: Usually not romantic

  • Peer-based: Often with similar-status individuals

  • Rule-governed: Based on shared expectations

  • Gender-influenced: Can differ in how they are formed and maintained

Managing workplace relationships

Work relationships require:

  • Separating social interactions from job tasks

  • Being aware of power differences (boss, coworker, employee)

  • Keeping communication professional and respectful

  • Understanding boundaries with coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, and clients

Here are short, clear definitions:

What makes relationships intimate

Intimate relationships involve:

  • Deep commitment: Strong dedication to each other

  • Interdependence: Relying on each other emotionally or practically

  • Ongoing investment: Time, effort, and energy put into the relationship

  • Dialectical tensions: Managing opposing needs (like independence vs. closeness)

How romantic relationships form, maintain, and end

Formation stages:

  • Initiating: First impressions and contact

  • Experimenting: Getting to know each other

  • Intensifying: Closer emotional connection

  • Integrating: Lives become more shared

  • Bonding: Formal commitment (e.g., marriage)

Maintenance:

  • Managing conflict

  • Respecting privacy

  • Sharing emotions

  • Supporting each other’s goals and tasks

Ending stages:

  • Differentiating: Growing apart

  • Circumscribing: Reducing communication

  • Stagnating: Relationship becomes stuck

  • Avoiding: Limited interaction

  • Terminating: Official breakup

What makes a family & how families communicate

A family is defined by:

  • Genetic ties (biological connection)

  • Legal ties (marriage, adoption)

  • Role behaviors (acting like family members)

Family communication happens through:

  • Roles: Expected behaviors in the family

  • Rituals: Traditions and routines

  • Stories: Shared family history

  • Secrets: Private information shared within the family

What are small groups and what do they do?

Small groups are 3–20 people working together to achieve goals such as:

  • Completing tasks or projects

  • Giving advice or making decisions

  • Creating ideas or art

  • Providing support or services

  • Building social connections

  • Competing or performing

  • Learning new skills

Why and how people join small groups

People join groups because they:

  • Have a need to belong

  • Want protection or support

  • Want to improve skills or performance

  • Are pressured or encouraged to join

After joining, people go through socialization stages where they learn group rules, roles, and expectations.

How to communicate better in a small group

You can improve group communication by:

  • Helping new members adjust (positive socialization)

  • Contributing to a positive and respectful environment

  • Encouraging cooperation and participation

  • Building group cohesion (team unity and trust)

Why people plan speeches

People give speeches to:

  • Inform: share knowledge or facts

  • Persuade: influence beliefs or actions

  • Entertain: amuse the audience

  • Introduce: present a person to others

  • Honor: recognize a person, place, or event

How to choose a good speech topic

  • Brainstorm possible ideas

  • Pick something you know and care about

  • Consider what your audience is interested in

  • Make sure it fits the occasion and setting

Where to find supporting information

  • Internet: online articles and databases

  • Library: books and academic sources

  • Personal observation: your own experiences

  • Interviews: asking experts or others

  • Questionnaires: collecting survey data

Important elements of any speech

A strong speech includes:

  • Purpose statement: what the speech is trying to achieve

  • Thesis statement: main idea of the speech

  • Introduction: grabs attention and introduces topic

  • Body: main points and supporting details

  • Conclusion: summarizes and closes

  • Transitions: connect ideas smoothly

Why formal outlines and speaking notes are useful

  • Formal outline: organizes ideas in a clear, logical order

  • Speaking notes: help you remember key points while speaking
    Together, they help keep your speech organized, clear, and on track

What evidence should you use to support claims

Use evidence that is:

  • Credible: comes from trustworthy sources

  • Objective: based on facts, not opinion

  • Current: up-to-date information

Also, always avoid plagiarism by properly using and crediting sources.

Most common forms of speech delivery

  • Impromptu: Speaking with little or no preparation

  • Extemporaneous: Planned and practiced, but not memorized word-for-word

  • Manuscript: Reading a fully written speech

  • Memorized: Saying a speech entirely from memory

How to manage public speaking anxiety

  • Recognize that anxiety is normal

  • Reframe nervous energy as excitement

  • Prepare and practice well

  • Use a positive mindset and confidence-building thoughts

  • Focus on the message, not yourself

How to deliver a speech effectively

  • Use strong eye contact and natural facial expressions

  • Maintain good posture and confident body language

  • Use purposeful gestures

  • Control your voice: rate, volume, pitch, clarity, fluency

  • Choose a presentation style that suits your audience and setting

  • Stay engaging and clear rather than rushed or monotone

Methods used to inform

In an informative speech, you can:

  • Define: explain what something means

  • Describe: give details about something

  • Explain: show how or why something happens

  • Demonstrate: show how to do something

How to frame an informative speech

  • Start by connecting yourself to the topic

  • Then show how the topic is relevant to your audience

Strategies to improve informative speaking

  • Create information hunger (make the audience want to learn more)

  • Keep the speech well organized

  • Make it easy to follow and understand

  • Involve the audience to keep them engaged

  • Communicate in an ethical and honest way

What does it mean to persuade?

Persuasion is trying to influence others to change or adopt a belief, opinion, or behavior using:

  • Ethos: credibility or trust

  • Pathos: emotions

  • Logos: logic and reasoning

How to craft a persuasive message

  • Facts: argue what is true or false

  • Values: argue what is right or important

  • Policies: argue what should be done

  • Organize ideas clearly and strongly

  • Avoid logical fallacies (weak or false reasoning)

How to improve persuasive speaking skills

  • Adapt your message to your audience

  • Build rapport (connection and trust)

  • Establish strong credibility (ethos)

  • Use clear reasoning and emotional support when appropriate

How organizational culture shapes communication

Organizational culture is shown through:

  • Structure: how the organization is organized (hierarchy, roles)

  • Rituals/rites: traditions and routines in the workplace

  • Rules/roles: expected behaviors and job responsibilities

  • Stories: shared history and examples about the organization

It also shapes how communication happens:

  • Formal communication (meetings, emails, reports)

  • Informal communication (conversations, relationships, gossip)

  • Both inside the organization and with outside audiences

Common communication challenges in organizations

  • Globalization: working across cultures and countries

  • Technology: miscommunication through digital tools

  • Workplace romance: blurred professional boundaries

  • Sexual harassment: inappropriate or harmful communication

  • Work/life conflict: balancing job and personal life

How to improve organizational communication skills

  • Use communication technology effectively (emails, apps, video calls)

  • Be adaptable to diversity (culture, background, perspectives)

  • Avoid burnout by managing workload and stress

  • Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally

Types of media messages & how we choose them

Media messages include:

  • Print: newspapers, magazines, books

  • Sound: radio, podcasts, music

  • Images: photos, ads, videos

  • Electronic/social media: TV, websites, apps, social platforms

People choose media based on personal needs and interests (selective use/gratification).

How media messages affect society

Media can influence:

  • Economic behavior: what people buy and spend money on

  • Politics: shaping opinions and voting

  • Health/wellness: health beliefs and habits

  • Social agendas: what issues people care about

  • Worldview: can distort or shape how we see reality

How to improve media literacy

  • Be aware of media messages and how they are designed

  • Watch for bias and manipulation

  • Think critically about what you consume

  • Become a media activist (question and challenge media messages)

Communication issues in patient–caregiver relationships

Patients and caregivers focus on:

  • Information: clear explanations about health and treatment

  • Certainty: reducing confusion or uncertainty

  • Confidentiality: keeping personal health information private

  • Privacy: respecting personal space and boundaries

  • Efficiency: clear, timely communication

  • Empathy: understanding and emotional support

  • Cooperation: working together for care

How social support affects health

  • Positive effect: helps reduce stress and improves coping, which protects physical and mental health

  • Negative effect: can increase stress if support is unwanted, overwhelming, or inappropriate

How media messages affect well-being

  • Negative influence: can promote unhealthy behaviors (poor diet, risky habits, unrealistic standards)

  • Positive influence: health campaigns can encourage healthy choices and awareness (exercise, prevention, education)