Active Voice- indicates the subject of the verb is active or
the subject is the doer. (Subject + Verb + Object)
Example: The dog jumped onto the boy.
Passive Voice- The subject and object flip flops. The
subject becomes the passive recipient of the action.
(Object + Verb + Subject)
Example: The boy was being jumped on by the dog.
Opinion- is defined as a view, judgement, or appraisal
drawn from facts. It is usually a concept or impression
based on factual evidence.
Assertion- It has no proof. is a declaration or expression
of strong belief towards a particular topic. Often, it is
without proof or any support.
3 Types of Assertion
 Basic Assertion- is a statement used directly to
express a writer’s opinion or belief. It is a
straightforward statement. 1st part is the basic
assertion. 2nd part the evidence that supports
your basic assertion.
 Emphatic Assertion- when a speaker or writer
expresses recognition of a piece of information.
It is followed by a statement that conveys the
speaker’s own beliefs. 1st part expresses the
recognition of the writer to the text being read.
2nd part states the support or viewpoint on the
text.
 Language Assertion- used to express the
preference of the writer. The purpose is to
suggest and convey the writer’s opinion about a
text. It uses the pronoun “I”. 1st part the main
context of the information the writer is referring
to. 2nd part the influence or effect of the
information to the writer. 3rd part use the
pronoun “I” which contain the recommendation
or solution.
Claim- it is the main topic of an argument where the
speaker tries to assert on his or her beliefs, ideas or
actions.
Claim of fact- a claim whether something is true or
untrue but there must always be potential for
controversy, conflict and change. Can be objectively
proven. Question: Can I still investigate through research
or interviews?
Claim of Policy- it is a claim that urges that an action be
taken or discontinued in specific policies. This type of
statement usually makes use of the merits of a course of
action to take. Question: What should be done? Clue
word: Should
Claim of Value- gives judgement about morality, beauty,
merit, or wisdom. This claim compares and contrasts.
Question: Is it good or bad? Clue word: Than
Multimodal- It is a combination of the prefix multi-
meaning “many” and modal-an adjective form of the
“mode”. Mode means a way of things. Basically,
multimodal pertains to use of several different modes of
activity.
Multimodal text- Multimodal texts can be delivered in
various media or technologies. It can be live, paper or
digital electronic.
5 Semiotic Systems/Multimodal Elements
 Audio/Aural- one that depends almost
exclusively on sound.
Audio refers to:
a. Voice - can be electronic, own voice, or natural
speech
b. Music - may be selected or composed music
c. Sound Effects - can also be selected or created
sounds
 Gestural- the gestural mode refers to the way
movement is interpreted. Facial expressions,
hand gestures, body language, and interaction
between people are all gestural modes.
Gestural includes:
1. Behavioral - refers to gestures
2. Senses - used in creating atmosphere
3. Body Control - positioning and movement
4. Emotion - used to show feelings
5. Kinesics - body movements to communicate.
 Visual- the visual mode refers to the images and
characters that people see.
Visual includes the following:
a. Color - used to express mood, emotion and
cultural significance
b. Perspective - conveys depth and dimension
c. Vectors - refer to directional lines and focus
attention
d. Foreground – giving power by positioning
e. Background - creating the setting or the scene
 Linguistic (or Alphabetic)- the linguistic mode
refers to written or spoken words. The mode
includes word choice, the delivery of written or
spoken text, the organization of words into
sentences and paragraphs, and the development
and coherence of words and ideas.
Linguistic includes:
a. Vocabulary- words to convey a message
b. Metaphor - technological figurative language
such as recycle bin, desktop, and window
c. Structure - the organization of presentation
d. Various modes - refer to auditory, print, video,
graphics and animation
 Spatial- the spatial mode, as the name implies,
refers to the arrangement of elements in space.
It involves the organization of items and the
physical closeness between people and
objects.
Spatial pertains to:
Ecosystem - interaction of all components
Geographical - layout and landscape
Architectural - construction, composition and
organization
Manuscript and Impromptu

WAYS OF CONTROLLING
SPEAKER APPREHENSION
1. Recognize that speaker apprehension--fear of public
speaking-is normal and widespread.
2. Recognize that apprehension is not necessarily
detrimental; it can energize you. Realize that no one can
see the way you feel at the start of your speech. You need
not be nervous about being nervous. Just control
yourself sufficiently to appear before your audience and
your tensions can be dissipated after you start to speak.
3. Plan an introduction that will rclax you as well as your
listeners. Have your first sentence down cold but don't
memorize your speech.
4. Remember the main ideas and realize that if you are
focusing on creating understanding with your audience,
you will find the exact wording when you are actually
speaking. This will allow you to speak in a conversational
style.
5. Just before coming up to speak, take three or four
deep breaths and clench your fists firmly.
6. Pause for two to five seconds before speaking. Look at
your audience in a responsive manner and wait for all of
them to give you their attention. Your responsiveness
invites reciprocation.
7.Concentrate on communicating your meaning and
engaging in a dialogue with the audience.
8. Use body,gesture, facial expression, and purposeful
movement. Realize that purposeful physical movement
helps ease nervousness.
9. Speak to individuals in the audience that are receptive
to your message. Pick out one person on the right side,
then in the middle, and then one on the left side and
speak to that one person only. Look for new faces in your
audience but talk only to one person at a time. Their
nods, smiles, frowns, and so on will help you to get the
feedback you need to adapt your message to them and
to reinforce a sincere desire to communicate or give you
their attention. Your responsiveness invites
reciprocation.
10.Have your conclusion “down cold.” This way you can
always be sure to have a strong and emphatic ending. Do
not end with “Thank you” or “That's all.”
11.Pause and stand in place two to five seconds after you
have finished speaking. This shows the audience that you
have enjoyed the exchange and feel poised and
confident enough to not have to run back to your seat.
12. Know that with practice you develop the courage and
ability to speak in public; it gets better and easier over
time and with experience.
TECHNIQUES:
A. Use of Your Body
Body Language is the process of non-verbal
communication through conscious and unconscious
gestures and movements. Always remember that your
body language conveys your conviction and confidence
about your ideas.
1. Rid Yourself of Distracting Mannerisms.
Eliminate vocal and visual impediments. Some common
faults of
inexperienced or ineffective speakers are:
* Gripping or leaning on the lectern * Finger tapping
* Lip biting or licking * Toying with a pen or
jewelry
* Frowning * Adjusting hair or clothing
* Swaying * Chewing gum
* Head wagging * Moving back and forth
2. Build Self-confidence through Preparation. (Yourself)
As a speaker, nothing influences your mental attitude
more than the knowledge that you are thoroughly
prepared. This knowledge leads to self- confidence,
which is a vital ingredient of effective public speaking.
How many of you have ever experienced a situation in
which you had not prepared well for a presentation?
How did you come across? On the other hand, think of
those presentations that did go well. These are the ones
for which you were properly prepared.
3. Let Your Body Mirror Your Feelings/Use Your
Everyday Speaking Situations.
Whenever you speak to people, make an extra effort to
notice how you speak. Observe, too, whether the facial
expressions of your listeners indicate they do or do not
understand what you are saying. Plan everything
including your gestures and walking patterns. To
become an effective speaker, it is essential that you
share your true feelings with your audience. Your
audience wants to know how you feel about your
subject. If you want to convince others, you must
convey your convictions. Speak from the heart and to
the soul.
B. Facial Expressions
A speaker realizes that appropriate facial expressions
are an important part of effective communication. In
fact, facial expressions are often the key determinant of
the meaning behind the message. People watch a
speaker’s face during a presentation. When you speak,
your face -more clearly than any other part of your body
- communicates to others your attitudes, feelings, and
emotions.
C. Modulation
Voice modulation is one of the most powerful weapons
that you can have in your arsenal while delivering a
speech. Not only does it reflect confidence but it also
helps in convincing your audience about your beliefs or
ideas. This is the power that voice modulation
commands over people! Therefore, to become a master
public speaker one must learn the art of voice
modulation.
TIPS:
1. The pitch: While delivering a speech, the pitch of your
voice plays an important part. Try to lower your voice
slightly because due to microphones shrill voices can
cause a bit of annoyance.
2. Speak slowly: Another thing to be kept in mind is to
speak slowly while delivering a speech! Speaking slowly
helps get your point across to your audience. So
remember to speak slowly and clearly.
3. Stress on certain words: To add a bit of impact in your
speech, it’s advised to stress on certain powerful words.
You can even vary the intensity of your voice to add a
powerful impact to your speech and grab the attention
of your audience.

D. Your Appearance Matters

Multiple studies show that appearance influences
everything from employment to social status. Whether
we like to admit it or not, ours is a culture obsessed
with appearance. Communicator attractiveness
influences how an audience perceives the credibility of
the speaker. Certainly a speaker who appears unkempt
gives the impression to the audience that he/she
doesn’t really care, and that’s not the first impression
that you want to send to your listeners.