TYPES OF SPEECH CONTEXT
1. INTRAPERSONAL – This refers to communication that centers on one person where the speaker
acts both as the sender and the receiver of message. “The message is made up of your thoughts and
feelings. The channel is your brain, which processes what you are thinking and feeling. There is feedback
in the sense that as you talk to yourself, you discard certain ideas and replace them with others.”
(Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 16)
Examples:
• You spent the night thinking and analyzing why a student from the other class talked to you on the
way home and you decided it probably meant nothing.
• You felt happy while thinking about how your teacher appreciated you for submitting your project
before the due date and you reflected on why this was so.
2. INTERPERSONAL – This refers to communication between and among people and establishes
personal relationship between and among them. Solomon and Thesis (2013) state that “the inter part of
the word highlights how interpersonal communication connects people… when you engage in
interpersonal communication, you and another person become linked together… The personal part
means that your unique qualities as a person matter during interpersonal communication…
Types of Interpersonal Context
1. DYAD COMMUNICATION – communication that occurs between two people
Example:
• You offered feedback on the speech performance of your classmate.
• You provided comfort to a friend who was feeling down.
Small Group – This refers to communication that involves at least three but not more than twelve
people engaging in a face-to-face interaction to achieve a desired goal. In this type of communication, all
participants can freely share ideas in a loose and open discussion.
Example:
• You are participating in an organizational meeting which aims to address the concerns of your fellow
students.
• You are having a discussion with your group mates on how to finish the assigned tasks.
3. PUBLIC – This type refers to communication that requires you to deliver or send the message before
or in front of a group. The message can be driven by informational or persuasive purposes. “In public
communication, unlike in interpersonal and small group, the channels are more exaggerated. The voice
is louder and the gestures are more expansive because the audience is bigger. The speaker might use
additional visual channels such as slides or a Power Point presentation.” (Hybels & Weaver, 2012, p 19)
Example:
• You deliver a graduation speech to your batch.
• You participate in a declamation, oratorical, or debate contest watched by a number of people.
4. MASS COMMUNICATION – This refers to communication that takes place through television, radio,
newspapers, magazines, books, billboards, internet, and other types of media.
Example:
• You are a student journalist articulating your stand on current issues through the school’s newspaper.
TYPES OF SPEECH STYLE
The context dictates and affects the way people communicate, which results in various speech styles.
According to Joos (1968), there are five speech styles. These are (1) intimate, (2) casual, (3) consultative,
(4) formal, and (5) frozen. Each style dictates what appropriate language or vocabulary should be used
or observed.
1. INTIMATE – This style is private, which occurs between or among close family members or
individuals. The language used in this style may not be shared in public.
2. CASUAL – This style is common among peers and friends. Jargon, slang, or the vernacular language
are used.
3. CONSULTATIVE – This style is the standard one. Professional or mutually acceptable language is a
must in this style. Examples of situations are communication between teachers and students, employers
and employees, doctor and patient, judge and lawyer, or President and his/her constituents.
4. FORMAL – This style is used in formal settings. Unlike the consultative style, this is one-way.
Examples are sermons by priests and ministers, State of the Nation Address of the President, formal
speeches, or pronouncements by judges.
5. FROZEN – This style is “frozen” in time and remains unchanged. It mostly occurs in ceremonies.
Common examples are the Preamble to the Constitution, Lord’s Prayer, and Allegiance to country or
flag.