Speaking with Style

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

When you give a speech, such as Jacinda did above, you use a way of speaking called formal speech.

The purpose of giving a presentation like this is to inform, entertain, or persuade an audience. We use formal speech on these occasions because we want to make a good impression on those who will evaluate our efforts.

• What other kinds of speech are there?

Frozen Speech

It might surprise you to know that there's a type of speech that is even more formal than formal speech. This type is called frozen speech.

Frozen speech is not the way the characters in the movie Frozen speak. It's called frozen because it remains unchanged. It's used in ceremonies, prayers, oaths, pledges, etc.

The Pledge of Allegiance is an example of frozen speech. Although you have probably said it often, take a moment to listen closely to it in the video below.

• How is it different from other forms of speech?

The pledge of Allegiance from Miss Liberty:

• The pledge has a fixed wording that is always repeated, but what else did you notice?

The Pledge of Allegiance:

• has a slower pace
• clearly and distinctly enunciates (pronounces) each word
• pauses in specific places: "I pledge allegiance (pause) to the flag (pause)..."

Professional Speech

Professional speech falls between casual and formal ways of speaking. It's used between students and teachers, bosses and employees, doctors and patients, etc.

This kind of speech is more relaxed and friendly than formal speech, but it is still a bit more respectful and distant than casual or intimate speech.

For example, we usually don't use slang, as we would with friends, or use a nickname like we might with a close friend, brother, or sister.

Listen in on a conversation between a teacher and her students in the video below. Notice how the teacher is friendly, but still professional, when she speaks to her class.

17 Teachers You'll Meet in Every School by JianHao Tan:

Casual Speech

When we're speaking with peers, classmates, and friends, we use much more casual language. We may not speak as distinctly as we would in professional or formal speech.

For example, we might say, "I'm gonna..." instead of "I'm going to..." We're more likely to use slang, too, such as saying, "What's up, dude?" instead of "How are you?"

Intimate Speech

When they're alone, close friends and family members speak to each other differently from how they speak in public.

For example, a mom may say, "I love you, sweetie-pie!" at home, but she probably would not say it exactly like that in public!

Now that you know the different types of speech, you're ready to match examples of speech to different situations in the Got It? section!