ORAL COMMUNICATION

Definition:
Oral communication is the process of verbally transmitting information and ideas from one
individual or group to another. Oral Communication skills include the mix of verbal,
interpersonal and physical strategies needed to interact confidently and effectively with a
range of audiences. A skilful communicator draws on a number of different means (e.g.,
graphical, visual, statistical, audio-visual and technological) to get the point across. Oral
communication can be either Formal or Informal. Examples of informal oral communication
include:

Face-to-face conversations
Telephone conversations
Discussions that take place at business meetings

More formal types of oral communication include:

Presentations at business meetings

Classroom lectures
Commencement speech given at a graduation ceremony

With advances in technology, new forms of oral communication continue to develop. Video
Phones and Video Conferences combine audio and video so that workers in distant locations
can both see and speak with each other. Other modern forms of oral communication include
Podcasts (audio clips that you can access on the Internet) and Voiceover Internet Protocol
(VoIP), which allows callers to communicate over the Internet and avoid telephone charges.
Skype is an example of VoIP

Advantages:
There are many situations in which it makes sense to choose oral over written
communication. Oral communication is more personal and less formal than written
communication. If time is limited and a business matter requires quick resolution, it may be
best to have a face-to-face or telephone conversation. There is also more flexibility in oral
communication; you can discuss different aspects of an issue and make decisions more
quickly than you can in writing. Oral communication can be especially effective in
addressing conflicts or problems. Talking things over is often the best way to settle
disagreements or misunderstandings. Finally, oral communication is a great way to promote
employee morale and maintain energy and enthusiasm within a team.

Disadvantages:
Despite the many benefits of oral communication, there are times when written
communication is more effective. For example, you may want to exchange important
information that needs to be documented using written communication. A lot of transactions
in the business world require some type of written record, and you will find that even strong
verbal skills are not a substitute for putting things in writing. Additionally, oral
communication tends to be less detailed and more subject to misunderstanding than written

communication. It's best to always think carefully about which method of communication
best fits your objective.

Importance of Oral communication:

Oral communication takes the form of a speech. Speech may be formal or informal. Informal
speech is made during the day-to-day life. For instance, parents speak to children and vice
versa; friends and relatives communicate, businessmen and customers communicate, teachers
and students communicate to each other in the learning process. Formal speech, on the other
hand, is made on occasions. It may be a social occasion like festival, political occasion like
electioneering or business meetings. Whatever may be the type, oral speech must be
delivered effectively. When it is ineffective the purpose is lost. The entire effort taken by the
speaker, to draft and deliver the speech becomes a colossal waste. A personnel manager has
to speak to his subordinates to get work done through them. A production manager has to
instruct his workers about executing his work. A finance manager has to explain the
prospects of investment to investors. A marketing manager has to speak to his customers for
promoting his products. A general manager has to communicate to all employees under
various circumstances. The chairman has to address the shareholders in a general body
meeting. The importance of speech depends on how effectively it is able to achieve the
objectives. Thus, speech or oral communication is a "Management Tool".
TEN COMMANDMENTS TO THE SPEAKER:
They are as follows:
1. Ensure good quality of speech.
2. Use soft and sweet words in speech.
3. Incorporate attractive messages in the speech.
4. Adopt powerful words that can bind the audience.
5. Select words that can win over the minds of people.
6. Make your speech impressive to listeners.
7. Enlighten the audience with correct and flawless message.
8. Make the speech sweet, cogent and interesting.
9. Deliver the speech with clarity of thought and without any flaw.
10. Ensure your speech disseminates knowledge and wisdom.

Types of Oral Communication Activities:

There are six broad types of oral communication activities that might be incorporated into
curricula in many fields of study. Most are conducive to either formal or informal
assignments. Some are realistically possible only in smaller classes or recitation sections,
while others are appropriate for large lectures as well.
On their own, any of them can help students learn course materials or ways of thinking
(speaking to learn). Incorporated more systematically into a broader curriculum or major,
they can together help move students to become more proficient speakers by the time they
graduate (learning to speak).

1. One-on-One Speaking (Student-Student or Student-Teacher): Can range from

moments punctuating a lecture, where students are asked to discuss or explain some question
or problem with the person next to them, to formal student conferences with their instructor.
2. Small-Group or Team-Based Oral Work: Smaller-scale settings for discussion,
deliberation, and problem solving. Appropriate for both large lectures and smaller classes and
allows levels of participation not possible in larger groups.
3. Full-Class Discussions (Teacher- or Student-Led): Typically less agonistic, argumentbased, and competitive than debate and deliberation but still dialogic in character. Often
times has the quality of creating an atmosphere of collective, out-loud thinking about some
question, idea, problem, text, event, or artifact. Like deliberation and debate, a good way to
encourage active learning.
4. In-Class Debates and Deliberations: A structured consideration of some issue from two
or more points of view. Debates typically involve participants who argue one side
throughout, while deliberation allows for movement by individuals within the process. Both
feature reason-giving argument. Can be applied to issues of many kinds, from disputed
scientific facts to theories, policy questions, the meaning of a text, or the quality of an artistic
production. Can range from two participants to a lecture hall.
5. Speeches and Presentations: Classically, the stand-up, podium speech delivered by an
individual from an outline or script. Also includes group presentations or impromptu
speaking. A strong element of monologue, but dialogue can be built in with question and
answer or discussion with the audience afterward.
6. Oral Examinations: Can take place in the instructors office, in small groups, or before a
whole class. Range from one oral question on an otherwise written exam to an oral defense of
a written answer or paper to an entirely oral quiz or examination. Difficult with very large
groups, but an excellent way to determine the depth and range of student knowledge and to
stimulate high levels of preparation.

Principles of effective oral communication:

Prepare
Leave plenty of time for researching the topic;
Take time to draft, and redraft;
Develop slides, or OHTs that support, rather than summarize the presentation; and
Narrow the topic so it is manageable in the given time.
Identify the audience
Find out who they will be;
Find out about their level of knowledge or experience in the topic area; and
Decide what you will have to do to convince or persuade them.
Structure the presentation so it
Flows logically;
Proceeds through an introduction, body and conclusion;
Hangs together, with transitions between ideas and sections;
Builds to a strong conclusion; and

Stays within the time limit.

Practice
In front of a mirror;
Into a tape recorder or onto a video; or
Before a group of family or friends.
Engage with the audience by
Using eye contact;
Establishing credibility;
Using simple words;
Emphasizing and repeating the main points;
Using signposts;
Varying tone and pace; and
Smiling.
Enhance your presentation with
Well-chosen and relevant slides or OHTs that are clear, easy to read and attractive to look at;
and Simple, uncluttered graphics.
Try to stay calm by
Rehearsing the presentation in advance;
Taking some deep breaths; and
Remembering that EVERYONE feels nervous in front of an audience.