Adapting your speech to the audience

Adapting to your audience

Communication changes as our needs, situation, and audience changes. Let's practice communicating to family, friends, and professionally.

Using slang, inside jokes, emojis, and sarcasm are fine for interacting with certain family members and most friends, but it can be bad form in a professional setting.

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Formal vs. Informal Speech

Greeting: Howdy, How do, What up, How's it goin', Yo, What's new, Sup.

Saying Goodbye: Later, See yah, Have a good one, Be careful, love yah.

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​Some examples of informal speech might be:

Goodbye.
Have a wonderful day.
I look forward to our next meeting.

​Saying Goodbye:

Good morning.
How are you today?

It's nice to see you again.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

​Greeting:

Formal speech:

Let's practice with some examples. Choose the saying that matches the situation the best.

Multiple Select

Howdy! How are ya'll?

• Family

• Friends

• Professional

Multiple Choice

Greeting an older family member (grandparent, great uncle or aunt)

• Good morning. How are you today?

• Yo! What up gramps!

• Hey.

• Glad you get to see me.

Multiple Choice

Asking for help from a store clerk:

• Excuse me, could you please help me?

• Could you PLEASE HELP me? I've been waiting for ten minutes!

• Sup ? You got the 411 on the produce. I'm gonna get my veg on.

• Uh, you look like you work here. Could you, like, help me or whatever?

Multiple Choice

Emailing a teacher:

• Dear Ms. Loving, could please grade my assignment when you get a chance?

• Hey! When are you gonna grade my work?

• I turned that work in. Why isn't it graded?

• I submitted my work like 2 seconds ago. Why don't I see a grade?

Multiple Choice

Showing excitement at work:

• That's fire!

• That is off the chain!

• That's so awesome! I love it!

• Shut up! No way!

Match

Match the following by choosing the speech that matches the situation and audience:

• Professional

• Family & Friends

• Friends

I would like to request a personal day.

I love you.

Yeah right. Whatever!

• I would like to request a personal day.

• I love you.

• Yeah right. Whatever!

Multiple Choice

You sent an email to your colleague three days ago, but they haven't responded. How would ask them about it?

• I sent a request days ago!

• Would you care to check your email, please?

• Why didn't you answer my email?

• Didn't you see my email the other day?

Multiple Choice

You just met your boss for the first time. You learned his name is Jim Moore. How would you address him?

• Hey Jimbo!

• Hello, Mr. Moore.

• Hi, Jim.

• Hello, James.