Oral Expression

Oral expression is a linguistic skill that is used to elaborate a spoken discourse. It requires mastery of diction, vocabulary and pronunciation. It is the instrument that the human being has to express his ideas and thoughts to other people. For example:a conference, a debate or a dialogue.

Characteristics of oral expression

• It’s fluid.
• It has diction.
• It is active.
• The sender uses the volume. 
• The word is complemented by different elements of non-verbal communication.
• By expressing thoughts and ideas in an organized manner, it has coherence.
• The accentuation and harmony of the language give it rhythm.
• Contains a large vocabulary.
• It must be precise and clear. 
• You can express feelings. 

Elements of oral expression

In addition to the words pronounced by the interlocutor, non-verbal language elements are involved in oral expressions that are closely related to speech. Sometimes, these non-verbal elements can condition the interpretation of the message by the recipients. For example:

• The look The projection and the intention of the look transmit the desires, concerns, feelings, aversions or emotions of the interlocutor in relation to the subject or to the rest of the communication participants.    
• The gestures . Through the movements that he makes with his hands, the interlocutor emphasizes or highlights expressions or words that he considers relevant. 
• The posture . The way in which the interlocutor sits, his physical posture or the way he walks can convey the feelings and attitudes of the interlocutor with respect to the rest of the participants in the chat or about the topic being addressed. 
• The clothing . The way the sender is dressed can give clues about his personality. In addition, it can be a reason for rejection or acceptance for the recipients.   
• The facial expression . Facial gestures are tools that allow you to get to know the sender better, since they convey his emotional state, his level of interest, and his understanding of the subject he is talking about.
• The physical contact . The interaction that the interlocutor maintains with the rest of the people allows us to indicate the relationship they maintain with each other. For example, a hug, a kiss, a handshake.   

Levels

Depending on the communicative context, oral expression can occur at different levels:

• Interpersonal communication. It occurs between two or more people: the sender sends a message directly to the recipient(s). In this type of communication, interaction ( feedback ) occurs between the interlocutors, so the roles of sender and receiver are exchanged. 
• Intrapersonal communication . It occurs when a person talks to himself. It usually occurs when the person needs to make a decision or review certain knowledge.
• Mass or public communication . It occurs when the message that a person sends is received by a large audience, also called an “audience”. The public is characterized by its anonymity, heterogeneity and breadth. This communication is typical of the social media such as radio, television, internet, newspapers. Unlike interpersonal communication, there is no interaction between the sender and the receivers, but rather it is a one-way exchange.  

Examples of forms of oral expression

1. Dialogue . It is an informal conversation between two or more people. The participants present their ideas or comments alternately. 
2. speech . It is the exposition of a specific topic before a specific audience with the aim of convincing or moving them. The audience is limited to listening to the issuer. 
3. interview . It is a conversation between two or more people in which the interviewer asks questions and the interviewee answers them.
4. discussion . It is a dialogue or discussion between at least two people before an audience. Participants present their ideas, interests and opinions on one or more topics.
5. Conference . It is the exposition of a subject before an audience. According to the cases, the members of the audience can elaborate questions about the exposed. 
6. Assembly . It is a meeting in which the members of a group participate to decide common issues.
7. symposium . It is a meeting between experts or specialists in a subject that they present continuously and successively.  
8. meeting . It is the meeting between two or more people to talk about a matter that must be resolved. 
9. Forum . It is a meeting in which several people participate to discuss topics of common interest. Each participant exposes queries, ideas or opinions.   
10. board . It is similar to a forum but it has the participation of a moderator, who organizes the talk, and panelists who debate in front of an audience.