Oral Communication
Speech
Acts
Learning Targets
01 02 03
I can identify the I can identify the I can appreciate
three types of different types of the importance of
speech acts in oral illocutionary acts using appropriate
communication. in conversations. illocutionary acts
Introduction
In this lesson, we will
explore the power of
utterances in
communication.
Word of the Day
intended -refers to the purpose or
goal behind a speaker's statement.
Speech Acts
any of the acts that may be performed by a
speaker in making an utterance, as stating,
asking, requesting, advising, warning, or
persuading, considered in terms of the content
of the message, the intention of the speaker,
and the effect on the listener..
Locutionary Act The actual
utterance or
statement
The literal meaning
of the utterance.
"I am upset."
What is said
illocutionary act The intended meaning
the most significant type
behind the statement
The intention of the
speaker.
going beyond just the
literal words
What is
"I am upset."
intended,purpose,goal
The effect the
Perlocutionary Act
statement has on the
listener
What happens because
of what you said
When a mother heard her child say, "I am upset,"
she held the child and gave assurance.
In the above example, the child's utterance
"I am upset." caused her mother to act, even though the child
didn't ask for reassurance.
Words and actions
are powerful
enough to appease
the heart or incite a
war.
This quotation was taken from the
work of Rosa Maria Aguado.
Guided Practice by pair
Line Locutionary Illocutionary Perlocutionary
an act of ordering the
The inflammartion hearer to go to an the hearer goes to an
“You have eye
of the eye is ophthalmologist to have ophthalmologist or
inflammation an eye examination or
visible treats the eye
to treat the eye
The speaker may be
simply conveys indirectly suggesting or The listener might respond by
requesting that closing the window, turning on
"It's cold in information about
someone close a the heater, or offering the
here." the cold
window or turn on the speaker a blanket (or might
temperature. heater (an implicit ignore the statement).
request).
Guided Practice by pair
Line Locutionary Illocutionary Perlocutionary
1. “I can’t believe
you did that”
2. “Would you
mind helping me
with this”?
3. “I am sorry for
being late”
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Assertives Commissives
Directives Expressives
Declarations
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Assertives
commit the speaker to the truth of the
expressed proposition. Examples include stating,
claiming, reporting, or describing something.
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Directives
attempts by the speaker to get the listener to do
something. This includes commands, requests,
suggestions, or advice.
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Commissives
speaker commits themselves to a future course
of action. They express the speaker's intention
or willingness to do something. Like promise,
threat, vow.
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Expressives
express the speaker’s emotional state or reaction
to a situation. Examples include apologizing,
congratulating, or thanking.
TYPES OF ILLOCUTIONARY ACTS
Declarations
These bring about a change in the external
world by the very act of speaking. Examples
include declaring someone married, pronouncing
someone guilty, or resigning from a position.
How to distinguish ...
describe or express information
about the world as the speaker
Assertives sees it. They do not change
reality; they simply represent it.
the speaker's statement changes
Declarations or modifies a reality because they
have the authority or power to do
so in the given context.
How to distinguish ...
describe or express
Assertives information
describe or express
Expressives EMOTIONS
Let’s Analyze
Setting: At the school cafeteria.
Emily: "I really wish someone would bring me lunch today."
Jake: "Yeah, I hear you. Lunch can be tough when you’re busy."
Emily: "It’s just that I forgot my lunch at home."
Jake: "Oh, that happens! I hope you find something to eat."
Emily: "Well, I guess I’ll just wait for the next lunch break."
(Later, Emily is disappointed because she didn’t get any lunch.)
Activity.Mystery Illocutionary Act
1.We will split the class into 5 groups.
2.Each group will receive a different illocutionary act, which they must keep
a secret.
3. Based on the illocutionary act assigned to them, each group will create a
two-line dialogue.
4.Groups will perform their dialogue for the rest of the class.
5.The other groups will listen and then guess the illocutionary act
being used in the dialogue. They must justify their guesses to the class.
6.Points will be awarded for correct guesses, and the group with the most
points at the end will be declared the winner!
Process Questions:
1.What did you think when you got your mystery illocutionary act?
How did you come up with your dialogue?
2.When guessing the illocutionary acts in your classmates’ dialogues,
what hints helped you figure them out?
3.Why is it important to understand the intentions behind what people
say in conversations? How can this change our responses?
4.Can you think of a time when you misunderstood someone because
you didn’t recognize their illocutionary act? What happened, and how
did you resolve it?
Thank You!
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