Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
Division of Cebu Province
SAMBOAN SECONDARY DISTRICT
Poblacion, Samboan, Cebu

SELF-LEARNING HOME TASK (SLHT)

Subject: ORAL COMMUNICATION Grade:11 Level ________ Quarter: 2 Week: 5-6

Name: __________________________ Section: ________ Date: ________

School: Samboan National High School District: Samboan

I. MELC: Uses principles of effective speech writing focusing on:

a. Audience Profile
b. Logical Organization
c. Duration of Interaction
d. Word Choice
e. Grammatical Correctness

Competency Code: EN11/12OC-IIcj-25 & EN11/12OC-IIcj-25.1-12OC-IIcj-25.5

II. Objectives:
A. identify the principles of speech writing;
B. use principles of effective speech writing focusing on audience; and
C. foster healthy relationship between the speaker and audience through using polite
words.

A. Readings/Discussions

PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE SPEECH WRITING

A. AUDIENCE ANALYSIS 

It entails looking into the profile of your target audience.  This is done so you can
tailor-fit your speech content and delivery to your audience.
The profile includes the following information:
Ø  Demography (age range, male-female ratio, educational background and affiliations or degree
program taken, nationality, economic status, academic or corporate designations)
Ø  Situation (time, venue, occasion, and size)
Ø  Psychology (values, beliefs, attitudes, preferences, cultural and racial ideologies, and needs)
Audience Analysis: Who (Demographics)
What is their occupation?
Is this a business meeting? Do most of the people in your audience have the same occupation,
or are they at least in the same industry? If so, then you can reach them by using industry buzz
words and inside jokes that only those within the industry will understand. Look deep into
your shared experiences and find the humor!

How much education do they have?

What is your audience’s educational level? You should adapt for your audience by adjusting
your language. If you will be speaking to a less-educated crowd, then you will want to avoid
using “fifty-cent” words when “ten-cent” words would do just as nicely. If you start speaking
above their level, you not only risk them not understanding what in God’s name you’re talking
about – you risk alienating your audience. No one likes a show-off, and if they get the
impression that you are a know-it-all, they might tune you out.
Conversely, if you will be addressing a highly educated audience, feel free to let the fifty-cent
words fly! Again, if you don’t address them on their level you face the risk of audience
members growing bored with you, assuming that you don’t know what you’re talking about –
and ultimately shutting you out.

Which groups do they belong to?

Does your audience belong to a specific group? Examples of groups would be organizations
like political parties, college students, sports fans, moms, single people – the possibilities are
endless. If your audience is made up of a specific target group, do some research. Go to a
meeting or speak with some of the group members prior to drafting your speech.
If you give yourself a chance to see your subject through the eyes of the group you’ll be
addressing, you will have a better sense of how to relate to them. How does your topic interest
or affect these particular people? Ask that question and write your speech in a way that
engages them – and you’ll be on your way to a memorable event for both you and your
audience.

Which cultures and languages do they identify with?

Is the group you’re talking to a part of a particular culture or speak a foreign language? If so,
be careful to not use certain slang or figures of speech that they may not understand. Also, be
careful that you don’t include something that could possibly offend an audience from a
different culture.

What is their age and gender?

Age and gender are very important in your audience analysis because both of these categories
greatly influence the audience’s life experience. For instance, a group of female high school
students will not understand the realities of war like a group of older males who may have
served in Vietnam.

Audience Analysis: What (Psychological Makeup)

What do they know about the subject?

Is your audience made up of academic or business people that are very familiar with your
subject? If so, you are adding to the information they already know. It would be safe to assume
a certain level of understanding already exists, and you can tailor your “jumping off” point to
what the majority of the audience already knows. In this situation, you are providing them
with what they want to know. Feel free to use specialized terminology.
However, if your speech is to educate the uninformed, you are providing them with what
they need to know. It would be safe to say that you are attempting to give them a solid grasp of
the basics within your subject matter. In this scenario, you can present the material in more of
a “baby steps” format. Walk them through it, and if they are truly interested in the subject,
they will hang on your every word.

What do they know about you?

Is your audience made up of your peers? Friends? Business associates who you have frequent
contact with? If so, you can be a lot more informal with them. They know you. You already
have a relationship. In fact, they may have come to see you as much as to hear your speech! So
indulge the familiarity and you will all probably have a good time.

What are their attitudes and values?

Does this particular audience share a particular set of attitudes or values? What problems are
they going through right now? Being sensitive to these attitudes and values will avoid
alienating your audience. You don’t want to be telling bar jokes at a religious conference.

What do they have strong opinions about?

Opinions are like little landmines hidden within your audience. Step too hard on one, and
“BOOM!” So look out for opinions. They are like belly buttons, everybody’s got one.
However, if you are speaking to an audience that shares a strong opinion about something
(political parties immediately come to mind) be sure to tread lightly with anything that may
challenge something that you know they feel strongly about.

Audience Analysis: Where and When (Physical Setting)

How large is your audience?

Is this an intimate setting or a large conference? It is much easier to be informal and

personable with a small group. Obviously, you have to tweak what you say if you’ll be
speaking in front of thousands. Even the volume and cadence of your speech will be affected –
so keep that in mind while drafting your speech.

What is the occasion?

Is this a fun occasion or a funeral? The reason for the event warrants greatly varied tones in
your speech.

Is the event voluntary or mandatory?

Did your audience come to your speech of their own volition, or were they forced to show up?
You’re going to have to dig deep to endear yourself to an audience that was required to attend.
You need to pull out your best jokes and engaging stories to keep those guys from falling
asleep. However, an audience that is attending your speech of their own accord will be
significantly more receptive to your message – so you may not have to work as hard (if you
don’t want to).

When is your speech?

Is your speech early in the morning or late at night? Both pose more of a challenge to keep
your audience awake than a speech performed in the middle of the day.

What is the room like?

The atmosphere of the area you are speaking in is also very important in the tone of your
speech. If you are indoors in a dimly lit room with no windows, there will be a much more
somber feeling to the room. You will need to brighten it up.

However, if you are speaking in the great outdoors and it is a gorgeous day, you don’t have to
worry about brightening up the mood. Mother Nature has done that for you. Your only job
may be to just cut the speech a little shorter so your audience can go out and play in the
sunshine.

B. LOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Good organization is the key to effective communication because it helps make your ideas
accessible to your audience.

Why Does Organization Matter?

William Carlos Williams once said that a poem is a “machine made of words. ” A sad poem is
a machine that manufactures melancholy; a funny poem is a machine that produces laughs.
Poetry doesn’t have a monopoly on this quality–a well-crafted speech can also be a machine
made of words. Skillfully constructed language has a powerful effect on its audience, and
speechwriters should strive to harness that power. How should a public speaker go about
building a “machine made of words”? It’s all in the organization. Machines only work when
their component parts are assembled properly.

When you are organizing your main points, ask yourself a few questions. What is your
ultimate goal? Are you trying to inform the audience, persuade the audience, amuse the
audience, or enrage the audience? Think about the experience you want to create for your
listeners–how you want them to feel when you begin speaking, and how you want them to feel
when you make your final statement. When you have a clear vision in mind, return to the
“Ordering Main Points” segment and choose a model that fits your purpose.

For example, let’s say you are preparing a speech to solicit money for political dissidents in
Cebu, and you want to motivate your listeners by shocking them. If shock is the desired effect,
it would be ineffective to spend ten minutes pontificating generally about the virtues of free
speech without mentioning the specific abuse that the fundraiser addresses. It would be more
effective to open with the story of an abused dissident who could benefit from the fundraiser’s
efforts–a story that would show the audience how high the stakes are, and how donations
could help.
C. DURATION

Learn your time limit and calculate your word count. The average person speaks at
somewhere between 125 and 150 words per minute. It’s almost always better to speak more
slowly than too quickly. Thus, if you’re speaking for 20 minutes, you want a total word count
of somewhere between 2,500 and 3,000 words. 
Be brief. If you’re asked to speak for 60 minutes, make it 45 or 50. If the goal is 20, make it
18. If the target is five, aim for 3.5. In the history of the world, no one ever complained about a
speech that was too short. Your audience will love you for this.

D. Choice of Words
Have you ever seen a speaker addressing audience? How do they grab the attention of the
audience? What they mostly care about? A speaker grabs the attention of the general masses by
their engaging choice of word.

A speaker, in general, is most careful about the word choice. What will happen if they do not pay
attention to the word choice? An improper word choice leads to a certain misunderstanding. The
worst situation would be that the audience starts to revolt.

Word Choice
A word is the simplest part of any language. While communicating or delivering any ideas or
thoughts, one must use a proper word. Word choice is a person’s choice or selection of words.
There are many factors which determine or compel a person for a word choice. A word choice is
an important part of any communication.
It is a manner in which something is expressed in words. The choice of words is the style of
expression. A person, in general, chooses words to which he feels comfortable, confident, and
simple enough for a general audience to understand.

Importance of Word Choice

A person must develop the habit of using correct words. While speaking or writing, one must use
the most appropriate word. One must learn the importance of correct word choice. Some of them
are

 If a person is using an incorrect word, the message delivered is not meant.

  Incorrect word choice leads to the misunderstanding among the audience.

 It sometimes makes a situation awkward and unclear.

 Sometimes, an incorrect word makes no sense.

 Correct word choice increases the impact on one’s mind.

 It reveals the attitude and personality of a person.

Ways of Improving the Choices of Words

There are many words available to express one’s emotions. A speaker or a writer thus feels the
trick of using the correct word amongst the given one. There are many ways in which a person
can choose a word more appropriately. Some of them are

 Focus on the tone of diction or communication.

 Pick words that match with the tone.

 Use a dictionary or thesaurus for finding synonyms and antonyms.

 Focus on the age-group of the audience.

 Improve your vocabulary.

 Learn some metaphors.

 Learn the meaning of the words as much as you can.

 Use new words in sentences for practice.

 Differentiate between parts of speech. Learn the difference between the words used
as a noun, adverbs, verbs or adjective.

 Avoid redundancies.

 Avoid awkward, vague and unclear word.

 Do not use the word only because others are using it.

 Replace general words with more specific ones.

 Learn to use a single word in different situations to give different meanings.

 Use bias-free language or word.

 Use politically correct words.

 Try to use words clearly and only when needed.

 Try to simplify your content or writing before delivering.

 Use proper diction.

 Avoid slang.

 Avoid jargon.

 Practice a lot.
Solved Example on Word Choice

Problem: Substitute correct words for the following

1. Regardless of the fact

2. Concerning the matter of

3. Due to the fact that

4. At that point in time

5. In the process of

6. During the course of

7. I came to the realization that

8. In the event that

Solution:

1. Regardless of the fact – Although

2. Concerning the matter of – About

3. Due to the fact that – Because

4. At that point in time – Then

5. In the process of – During, while

6. During the course of – During

7. I came to the realization that – I realized that

8. In the event that – If

D. GRAMMATICAL CORRECTNESS

Once you've written a document, it is vital that you check to see that you have corrected any
grammatical errors. There are four areas to check before you publish:

 Spelling
 Punctuation
 Grammar
 Style

Correct Spelling
Misspelling words can lead to confusion among readers and, potentially, misinterpretation of
your message.
If you're writing a technical document, you probably already know how to spell well. So when
proofreading your work, focus on ensuring that some of the most commonly misspelled words
are spelled correctly. Some of the most commonly misspelled words are 'accommodate',
'acknowledgment', 'commitment', 'consensus', and 'dependent'.
Another problem is a heavy reliance on spell check. Though it can alert you to a word that is
misspelled, spell check can not tell you if you've used the correct word. For example, if you
write 'If boys weren't so weird, than I mite except they're requests for a date', your spell check
may not indicate that any of the words are misspelled, even though four are, based on the
context of the sentence. It is important to carefully check over commonly confused words,
such as 'to' and 'too', 'their' and 'they're', and 'except' and 'accept', to ensure that you've used the
word you intended.

Correct Punctuation
Commas follow specific rules; we shouldn't insert a comma every time there is a pause in your
sentence. Below are three common comma rules to check for in your writing:

 Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. For example, 'I like apples,
oranges, and bananas.' There are three items listed - apples, oranges, and bananas - so
there must be a comma to separate the items.
 Use a comma to separate two complete sentences if there is a conjunction between the
sentences. Many people use a comma between two sentences instead of a period. The
only time you can use a comma to separate two sentences is if the word 'for', 'and',
'nor', 'but', 'or', 'yet', or 'so' come between those two sentences. For example, 'I like
apples, but I don't like bananas'. Since the conjunction 'but' separates the two complete
sentences, I put a comma before the word 'but'. Writing 'I like apples, I don't like
bananas' is incorrect because the comma should be replaced with a period.
 Use a comma to set off extra information. If there is additional information that can be
taken out of the sentence and the sentence still makes sense, then commas should be
placed before and after the extra information. For example, 'I eat bananas, which are
high in potassium, as a mid-morning snack every day'. The phrase 'which are high in
potassium' is extra information about the banana, so I must add a comma before and
after the information.

Another punctuation mark to check for correctness is the apostrophe. Apostrophes are used to

show possession. They shouldn't be placed in words that are meant to be plural. For example,
the sentence 'Apostrophe's can be confusing' should not contain an apostrophe because we
were using the word in the plural sense instead of a possessive noun.
Also, there is a big difference between 'The dog's teeth sank into my leg' and 'The dogs' teeth
sank into my leg'. One implies a single dog bite, while the other implies many dogs were
biting! Check to make sure that when you're referring to one item showing possession, the
apostrophe comes before the 's'. If you're referring to two or more, the apostrophe comes after
the 's', and if the item isn't possessive, there shouldn't be an apostrophe in the word.

Correct Grammar
In addition to punctuation errors, grammatical mistakes, such as having fragments and run-
ons, subject-verb agreement errors, or misplaced modifiers, can also lead to confusion among
your readers.
For a sentence to be complete, it must have a subject, verb, and complete thought. Make sure
that every sentence states a complete idea.
In sentences, the subject must agree with the verb in number. This means if you have a plural
subject, you have to have a plural verb; if you have a singular subject, you must have a
singular verb. For example, 'Kids, on Halloween night, screams trick or treat' is incorrect. The
subject, 'kids', is plural, while the verb, 'screams', is singular. To fix this sentence, we must
change 'screams' to 'scream' so that both the subject and the verb are plural.

B. Exercises
Exercise 1

Task: Please rate yourself according to your previous knowledge about the topic.

Usually Sometimes Never Seldom

I am familiar with the principles
of speech writing.
I understand the speech writing
process.
I can differentiate the stages or
processes of speech writing.
I plan my speech effectively by
following the speech writing
process.
I conduct audience analysis before
preparing a speech.
I determine the purpose of my
speech.
I choose a speech topic that
interests me and my audience.
I maximize the use of outlines to
make my ideas coherent.
I rehearse my speech prior to
delivery.
I edit my speech to improve the
message and the delivery.
TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL

Legend:
Usually-5
Sometimes-4
Seldom-3
Never -1

After the students know their score of the previous activity, they are now asked to answer the
following individually.

Write T if the statement is true; write F if it is false.

1. An outline determines whether your supporting ideas match your main idea or not.
2. Any speech should include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
3. In the introduction, you explain the importance of your topic by giving examples.
4. Knowing the audience and the occasion is crucial in writing a speech.
5. Rehearsing is a major requirement.
6. Speech writing is a recursive process.
7. The approach that you will use in your introduction can determine the success of your
speech.
8. The primary objective of speech writing is getting the right or appropriate topic.
9. The purpose of the speech will help you identify ideas that will support your main idea or
message.
10. Word choice is one consideration in writing a speech.

Exercise 2
 Task: Critic the following speech.

Speech Title: May Fifteen Edited/Revised Version Speech Editing

Principle
May 15 of this year, I woke up with a happy
heart. I thought to myself, “when I reach 50
years old, 60 or beyond, I will look back to this
day and smile.” Then, I paid attention to my
college graduation picture, framed on a 4x6
decorative wood edging emblazoned with
beautiful memories. I reached for it, and held it
closely, and uttered, “10 years, and I think you
did a pretty good job!” I slowly put it back to
the side table, off to my working station across
my sliding window to fulfill one in my daily
routine: journal writing. Then, I started: Dear
journal, “In my 10 years as a member of the
noblest profession in the universe, I have
encountered several influential, inspiring and
fabulous people. So, today, as a tribute, I’m
going to write about them, starting off with my
top three favorites”. To begin with, I did not
like my first pick. She was someone who would
always, always disagree with my ideas and
decisions. I remember one time while I asked
her to sign my college admission papers, she
was infuriated because of my choice because I
ticked Mass Communications as my priority. It
was a very long battle of verbal argument. As
expected, I did not win. Another, I came home
from school sharing I would want to extract the
tooth of my lab partner without an anesthesia
because he’s irresponsible and ridiculous.
Instead of letting me vent and giving me a back
rub, she defended the behavior of my lab
partner saying, “He must have a bad day. You
have to understand.” Precisely, she’s a devil’s
advocate.
C. Assessment/Application/Outputs (Please refer to DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2020)

Supposedly you will become a speaker in your community on the next meeting, conduct
an audience analysis in your community/purok. Use the template in gathering data of your
audience. (50 points)

The students are then asked to prepare a speech following the format provided.

Following the speech writing process, prepare/plan a speech to be delivered in class. As you
go along, make sure to fill in the details in the columns with the ideas you have decided on.
Use the sheet below.
A. General Audience Analysis Age Range

Male-Female Ratio

Educational Background
 Educational Institution

Place of Residence (city, province, town)

Marital Status Economic Status (Household

income above 30,000 or below 30,000)
Language Spoken

Religious Affiliations/beliefs

B. Identify your general and specific purpose. Use the sheet below.

General Purpose
Specific Purpose

C. Identify your topic. Use any strategy learned from this lesson. Use the sheet
below.

General Purpose
Specific Purpose
Topic

D. Narrow down your topic. Use any strategy learned from this lesson. Use the
sheet below.

General Purpose
Specific Purpose
Topic
Specific (Narrowed down) Topic

E. Decide how you will gather data. Will you be visiting your library, browsing the web,
observing, or conducting an interview or survey? Once you have decided, gather all necessary
and relevant information.

F. Identify the speech pattern you will use. Will it be biographical, categorical/topical, causal,
chronological, comparison/contrast, or problem-solution? Use the sheet below.

General Purpose
Specific Purpose
Topic
Specific (Narroweddown) Topic
Speech Pattern

G. Prepare an outline for your speech using any of the formats discussed. Use the sheet below.

General Purpose

Specific Purpose
 Topic

Specific (Narroweddown) Topic

Speech Pattern

D.Suggested Enrichment/Reinforcement Activity/ies

Task: Students must prepare a speech with the topic: “My Hero”

You will choose one person (any famous personality) you consider to be your
role model and make a speech about it.

Rubric for speech writing:

Principles of Speech Writing 5 4 3 2 1

Consideration of audience
profile
Logical organization of details.
The speech is just enough for an
allotted time
Words are carefully analyzed
and used
Grammar is correctly used.

Legend:
5– To a very great extent;

4 – To a great extent;

3– To some extent;

2 – To a little extent;

1 – Not at all

References:

Oral Communication in Context for Senior High School Learner’s Material, pp. 62-63
https://magoosh.com/pro-writing/speech-writing-audience-analysis/
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-communications/chapter/principles-of-
organization/
https://archivesbyashe.blogspot.com/2019/04/oral-communication-lesson-with-quiz.html
https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-communication-and-ethics/essential-of-good-
english/choice-of-words/
https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/98-170.html
https://www.publicationcoach.com/ten-ways-to-write-a-better-speech/#:~:text=The
%20average%20person%20speaks%20at,Be%20careful!
https://study.com/academy/lesson/grammatical-contextual-correctness-in-technical-
communication.html

Prepared by:

MIRISH B. FERNANDEZ
Teacher 1

Edited by:

MILDRED H. CABALUNA
SHS English Coordinator

Reviewed by:

BERNARDITA F. ARIAS
Principal 1