MODULE 3: Communicative Styles

• Speech Style - A communicative style which portrays how a language is characterized in terms of degree of formality.
• Cummunicative Style - Refers to the individual's prefered style of communicating he thinks that is effective with others.
• Frozen style - this is known as the fixed speech.
• Frozen Style - Uses the complex grammatical sentence structure and vocabulary that are only known by experts in field.
• Frozen Style - Often used in respectful situations and formal ceremonies such as weddings, funeral, national pledges, school creeds, national anthem, and Miranda rights.
• Formal Style - In this communicative style, the speaker is expected to use formal words and expressions. It delivers in complete sentences with specific word usage.
• Formal Style - Usually used during business meetings, speeches, school lessons, job interviews, school application interviews and research papers.
• Intimate Style - Used in conversations between people who are very close and have known each other quite well since they have the maximum of shared background information.
• Intimate Style - Usually used in couple talking about their relationship goals, family sharing things about each other, and best friends sharing secrets, special moments and so on.
• Casual style - also known as "Informal Style"
• Casual Style - This communicative style is used in conversations between friends and people who have something to share and have shared background information.
• Casual Style - This is usually used in phone calls, everyday conversation with classmates or friends, chat, and text messages.
• Consultative style - is also known as the "unplanned speech"
• Consultative Style - This is used in semi-formal communication and is considered as the most operational among the other styles.
• Consultative Style - This style is usually used in group discussion, business meetings, trade, and asking someone who is more knowledgeable than you about certain matters such as Doctors, Lawyers, Pharmacists, and Teachers.
• What are the five types of speech styles?

  Frozen style, Formal style, Consultative style, Casual style, Intimate style
• What characterizes the frozen style of communication?


  • Also known as fixed speech
  • Rarely or never changes
  • Used in respectful situations or formal ceremonies
• What is another name for frozen style?

  Fixed speech
• What are the key features of formal style?


  • Uses formal words and expressions
  • Used in formal settings and is one-way in nature
  • Follows a commonly accepted format
  • Usually impersonal and formal
  • Most often seen in writing than in speaking
• How would you describe the nature of communication in formal style?


  It is one-way in nature and often impersonal
• What defines consultative style of communication?


  • Known as the Third Level of Language
  • Unplanned speech
  • Uses listener participation and feedback
  • Professional discourse
• What are the two defining features of consultative style?

  (a) Speaker supplies background information; (b) Listener participates continuously
• In what contexts is consultative style commonly used?


  • Communication between a superior and a subordinate
  • Doctor and patient
  • Lawyer and judge
  • Teacher and student
  • Counsellor and client
• What characterizes casual or informal style of communication?


  • Informal language used by peers and friends
  • Free and easy participation of both speaker and listener
  • Slang and vulgarities are normal
• What is a typical use of casual or informal style?


  Used in conversations between peers and friends
• What are some characteristics of casual language?


  It allows the use of slang, profanity, and unconventional English words
• What are examples of casual greetings?


  • "Hi"
  • "Hey"
  • "What’s up?"
  • "How is it going?"
  • "Nice to meet you, Mr./Mrs./Ms., Dr., Rev."
  • "Will you please excuse me for a moment?"
• What characterizes intimate style of communication?


  • Private communication
  • Used between people who are very close
  • Reserved for close family members or intimate people
• What is a key feature of intimate style regarding participation?


  There is free and easy participation of both the speaker and listener
• What are the characteristics of intimate style communication?


  • Economy of words
  • High incidence of significant nonverbal communication (gesture, facial expression, eye contact)