BCS1U2L1 ORAL COMMUNICATION(Definition, Features, Advantages, Limitations, Conversation and

Conversation Control)

1. What is Oral Communication and/or Face to face Communication?

Face-to-face communication and oral communication are two terms that are often used
interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings.
Face-to-face communication is any form of communication between two or more people
who are in the same physical space. This can include talking, listening, gesturing, and using
facial expressions. Face-to-face communication is the most natural and effective way for
humans to communicate, as it allows us to use all of our senses to interpret and understand
each other.
Oral communication is a more specific term that refers to the act of speaking and listening.
Oral communication can take place face-to-face, but it can also be done over the phone,
through video conferencing, or even in a written format, such as a speech or presentation.
In short, face-to-face communication is a broader term that encompasses all forms of
communication between two or more people who are in the same physical space, while oral
communication is a more specific term that refers to the act of speaking and listening.
Here are some examples of face-to-face communication:
 Having a conversation with a friend
 Giving a presentation to a class
 Conducting a job interview
 Meeting with a client
 Arguing with a spouse
Here are some examples of oral communication:
 Giving a speech
 Recording a podcast
 Making a phone call
 Participating in a video conference
 Reading a poem aloud

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2. Features/Principles of Successful Oral Communication

(Brevity, Clarity, Choose Precise Words, Avoid Cliches, Proper Sequences, Avoid Jargons,
Avoid Verbosity, Use Correct Prepositions, Use Adverbs and Adjectives when Required,
Follow 7 Cs of Communication)
Brevity
When speaking, it is important to be brief and to the point. Avoid using unnecessary words
and phrases. Get to your main point quickly and efficiently.
Clarity
Be clear and concise in your communication. Avoid using jargon or technical language that
your audience may not understand. Speak in a clear and audible voice, and make eye
contact with your listeners.
Choosing precise words
Choose your words carefully. Use words that are specific and accurate. Avoid using vague or
ambiguous language.
Avoiding clichés
Clichés are overused expressions that have lost their impact. Avoid using clichés in your
speech. Instead, use fresh and original language.
Proper sequences
Organize your thoughts in a logical sequence. This will help your audience to follow your
train of thought and to understand your message.
Avoiding jargons
Jargon is specialized language that is used by a particular group of people. Avoid using
jargon in your speech, unless you are sure that your audience will understand it.
Avoiding verbosity
Verbosity is the use of too many words. Avoid using unnecessary words and phrases.
Instead, be concise and to the point.
Use correct prepositions
Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun and another
word in the sentence. Use prepositions correctly to avoid any confusion.
Use adverbs and adjectives when required
Adverbs and adjectives can be used to add detail and interest to your speech. However, use
them sparingly to avoid making your speech sound cluttered.
Adhere to 7 Cs of Communication
The 7 Cs of communication are:
  Completeness: Provide all of the necessary information.
 Conciseness: Get to your point quickly and efficiently.
 Clarity: Use clear and simple language.
 Correctness: Use proper grammar and spelling.
 Courtesy: Be polite and respectful.
 Concreteness: Use specific and concrete examples.
 Consideration: Be mindful of your audience's needs and interests.
By following these principles, you can improve your oral communication skills and become a
more effective communicator.
Here are some additional tips for successful oral communication:
 Be prepared. Know what you want to say before you start speaking.
 Be confident. Speak in a clear and confident voice.
 Be engaging. Make eye contact with your listeners and use gestures and facial
expressions to keep them engaged.
 Be responsive. Pay attention to your audience's feedback and adjust your speech
accordingly.
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3. What are the Advantages of Oral Communication?

Advantages of Oral Communication

 Better communication: Oral communication can be more effective than written
communication for certain tasks, such as conveying complex ideas or building
rapport with others. This is because oral communication allows for immediate
feedback and clarification.
 Suitable to discussion: Oral communication is ideal for discussion, as it allows for
back-and-forth interaction and the sharing of different perspectives. This can lead to
better decision-making and problem-solving.
 Easiness: Oral communication is often easier than written communication, especially
for informal conversations. This is because we do not have to worry about
grammar, spelling, or punctuation.
 Direct & straight: Oral communication can be more direct and straight-forward than
written communication. This is because we can use tone of voice, body
language, and facial expressions to convey our meaning more effectively.
 Informal: Oral communication can be more informal than written
communication. This can be beneficial in certain situations, such as when building
relationships or creating a more relaxed atmosphere.
 No cost: Oral communication is a free form of communication. We do not need to
spend money on postage, printing, or other materials to communicate orally.
 Widely used: Oral communication is the most widely used form of communication in
the world. We use it for everything from casual conversations to formal
presentations.
  Word of mouth: Oral communication can be very effective for spreading information
and ideas. Word-of-mouth is often more credible than other forms of
communication, as it comes from people we know and trust.
 Facial expression: Facial expressions can be a powerful tool for communicating
emotions and conveying meaning. Oral communication allows us to use facial
expressions to enhance our message and connect with our audience on a deeper
level.
Overall, oral communication has a number of advantages over other forms of
communication. It can be more effective, suitable for discussion, easier, direct, informal,
free, widely used, and powerful.

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4. Limitations of Oral Communication

Oral communication has a number of limitations, including:

 Poor retention: It can be difficult for listeners to retain all of the information that is
presented orally. This is especially true for complex or lengthy messages.
 No record: Oral communication does not create a permanent record. This can be
problematic if there is a need to refer back to the conversation or message at a later
date.
 Misunderstandings: Oral communication can be susceptible to
misunderstandings. This is because the speaker and listener may have different
interpretations of the message.
 Noise: External noise can interfere with oral communication. This can make it
difficult for the listener to hear and understand the speaker.
 Personal biases: The speaker's personal biases can influence the message that is
communicated. This can lead to the listener receiving a distorted or incomplete
message.
 Lack of nonverbal cues: Oral communication relies heavily on nonverbal cues, such
as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. These cues can be lost or
misinterpreted in certain situations, such as when communicating over the phone or
video conferencing.
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5. What is Conversation?
Conversation is a two-way form of communication between two or more people. It involves
the exchange of ideas, information, and opinions. Conversations can be formal or informal,
and they can take place in person, over the phone, or through written communication.

6. Why are Conversations Important?

Conversations are important for a number of reasons. They allow us to:

 Build relationships: Conversations help us to get to know each other better and to
build rapport.
 Share information: Conversations allow us to share information with others and to
learn from them.
 Resolve conflicts: Conversations can be used to resolve conflicts and to reach
agreements.
 Make decisions: Conversations can be used to brainstorm ideas and to make
decisions together.
 Create new ideas: Conversations can help us to generate new ideas and to see things
from different perspectives.

7. What is Conversation Control?

Conversation control is the ability to manage the flow of a conversation and direct
it towards a desired outcome. According to Charles J Margerison , “ Conversation
Control does not mean that you can control someone’s conversation What it
means that with practice you can control your own conversation, and in time be
able to influence others, and encourage them to respond in a positive and relevant
way.”

8. What are some Conversation control techniques?

(a) Questioning
Asking questions is one of the most effective ways to control a conversation. It
allows you to gather information, steer the conversation in the direction you want it
to go, and keep the other person engaged.
Here are some tips for using questioning to control a conversation:
 Ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions require more than a yes or no
answer and encourage the other person to talk more. This can be helpful for
gathering information and building rapport.
 Ask clarifying questions. Clarifying questions help to ensure that you understand the
other person's position and that they understand yours.
 Ask probing questions. Probing questions go deeper into a topic and can be used to
challenge the other person's thinking or to get them to reveal more information.
(b) Compliments
Compliments can be used to build rapport, put the other person at ease, and make
them more receptive to your message.
Here are some tips for using compliments to control a conversation:
 Be sincere. Make sure your compliments are genuine and heartfelt.
 Be specific. Compliment the other person on something specific that you admire
about them.
 Be timely. Deliver your compliments in a timely manner. For example, you could
compliment someone on their new haircut or on their presentation.
(“c) Eye contact
Eye contact is another important tool for conversation control. It shows the other
person that you are paying attention to them and that you are interested in what
they have to say.
Here are some tips for using eye contact to control a conversation:
 Make eye contact when you are speaking and when you are listening.
 Hold eye contact for a few seconds at a time, but don't stare.
 Avoid breaking eye contact too often.
(d) Pauses
Pauses can be used to create emphasis, give the other person time to think, and
signal the end of a thought.
Here are some tips for using pauses to control a conversation:
 Pause before and after important points.
 Pause before asking a question.
 Pause before responding to the other person.

(e)Active listening
Active listening involves paying attention to what the other person is saying, asking
clarifying questions, and summarizing key points. It shows the other person that you
are interested in what they have to say and that you value their input.
Here are some tips for using active listening to control a conversation:
 Pay attention to the other person's body language and facial expressions.
 Ask clarifying questions to ensure that you understand the other person's position.
 Summarize key points to show the other person that you have been listening and
that you understand their position.
 (f) Body language
Body language can be used to signal to the other person that you are in control of
the conversation. For example, making eye contact, nodding your head, and using a
confident tone of voice can all communicate that you are listening and that you are
interested in what the other person has to say.
Here are some tips for using body language to control a conversation:
 Make eye contact with the other person when you are speaking and when you are
listening.
 Nod your head to show that you are listening and that you agree with what the
other person is saying.
 Use a confident tone of voice.
 Stand up straight and maintain good posture.
(g) Silence
Silence can be a powerful tool for conversation control. When you pause for a
moment before responding, it gives the other person time to think about what they
want to say next. This can be helpful for defusing tension, giving yourself time to
think, and making the other person feel more comfortable.
Here are some tips for using silence to control a conversation:
 Pause for a moment before responding to the other person.
 Use silence to signal that you are waiting for the other person to finish speaking.
 Use silence to emphasize a point.