Teaching Guide: Tenets of Communication

Overview

TOPIC/LESSON NAME

The Tenets of Communication

CONTENT STANDARDS

The learner recognizes the different principles of communication.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The learner demonstrates effective use of the different tenets in various speech situations.

LEARNING COMPETENCIES

    • The learner identifies and explains the different tenets of communication.
    • The learner applies the different tenets in actual speech situations.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

The learner identifies, explains and applies the principles of communication in various speech contexts.

TIME ALLOTMENT

8 Hours

During the lesson, the learners will:

  1. Introduction: Identify the fundamental purposes of communication.
  2. Motivation: Define tenet based on a synonym shown using a graphic organizer.
  3. Instruction/Delivery: Discusses the different tenets of communication and relate it to real-life experiences.
  4. Practice: Perform a skit based on a given scenario applying the principles of communication.
  5. Enrichment: Identify what principle of communication is achieved in the video shown.
  6. Evaluation: Writes a one-page essay on how to be an effective communicator with due respect to the tenets of communication.

Materials

Projector, laptop, and speakers.

Resources

Fernandez, Ana Marie O., and Suarez, E. Elizabeth L. (2016). SpeaC: Speak and Listen in Context. 927 Quezon Avenue, 1104 Quezon City, Philippines: The Phoenix Publishing House Inc.

Peña, A.R. and Anudin, A. (2016). Oral communication. 1253 G. Araneta Avenue, Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc. Sipacio, P.J. and Balgos, A.R. (2016). Oral Communication in Context for Senior High School. C&E Publishing, Inc.

Introduction

The teacher will ask the students what they think the basic purposes of communication.

Possible Answers

  • To express ideas and feelings, needs, and wants.
  • To explain one’s knowledge, opinions, beliefs, and other significant ideas.
  • To relate with other people.

Other Purposes

  • To persuade others.
  • To entertain others with your wit and/or humor.
  • To appreciate the present moment and experience.

Motivation

The teacher will solicit from students the synonyms of the word tenet using a graphic organizer.

Definitions

  • Principle – a law or fact of nature that explains how something works or why something happens
  • Doctrine – a set of ideas or beliefs that are taught or believed to be true.
  • Belief – a feeling of being sure that someone or something exists or that something is true.
  • Dogma – a belief or set of beliefs that is accepted by the members of a group without being questioned or doubted.

The teacher will provide examples of the abovementioned concepts.

The teacher will have a lecture about the tenets of communication.

Definitions of tenet

  • Tenet is a principle, belief, or doctrine generally held to be true (Merriam – Webster Dictionary).
  • Tenet is any opinion, principle, doctrine, dogma, etc., especially one held as true by members of a profession, group, or movement (Dictionary.com)

Differences between speech, language, and communication.

  • Speech refers to the actual words or sounds that are coming from your mouth.
  • Language is the grammar, meaning, and ability to use the words you have.
  • Communication encompasses both language and speech. It is the ability to share thoughts and experiences in a meaningful way while taking in, processing, and responding to the person you are talking with.

The Ten tenets of Communication by Rich Maggiani

  1. Honest – Honesty builds rapport with the audience.
  2. Clear – Clarity enables your audience to get your message as you intended.
  3. Accurate – Get your facts straight.
  4. Comprehensive – Communication must provide all the necessary information in sufficient detail.
  5. Accessible – Make use of different methods and channels to which your audience have access with.
  6. Concise – Write simply. Convey a lot of information economically. Excise unnecessary phrases. Replace wordiness with short words. Eliminate tangential information. Use simple grammatical forms. 
  7. Correct – A correct document complies with the basic rules of writing.
  8. Timely – Your reader must be able to understand and act as quickly as possible on the information.
  9. Well-designed – Professional-looking, well-designed documents engender positive impressions and get noticed.
  10. Builds Goodwill – Strive to create a positive reaction; make that personal connection with your words.
  1. The students will be grouped into six (6).
  2. Each group will be given a tenet of communication proposed by any of the discussed authors and apply it in a skit.
  3. The students will choose any scenario they can think of using or applying the principles of communication.
  4. They will be graded based on the following criteria:
    • Accuracy/Relativity – 30%
    • Mastery – 20%
    • Role Portrayal – 20 %
    • Creativity – 15%
    • Impact – 15%
  1. The teacher will present short video clips showing the different tenets of communication.
  2. The students will guess what tenet of communication being depicted in the video.
  3. Every answer must come with an explanation as to why such video is under such tenet.
  1. The assessment will be group and individual assessment at the same time.
  2. The teacher will ask any student of each group to discuss what they have presented and he/she must point out the specific tenet of communication their group puts an emphasis to.
  3. The answer of the students will be graded according to the rubrics below.
    • Knowledge Base         –    40 points
    • Presentation Skills        –    30 points
    • Critical Thinking           –    30 points