Cape Communication Studies Specimen 2003 Sample Answer

Communication Studies

Module 3: Specimen 2003.

It is often regarded that rural farmers may not be taking the necessary precautionary actions when using harmful chemicals on their farms. Therefore, in light of that fact, it is significant to conduct a presentation on the precautions the need to take when using harmful chemicals on their farms. In the presentation, communicative challenges will be considered, language variety, vocabulary and register will be considered and organisational strategies, visual and other aids will be employed.

An initial communicative challenge that may be present in addressing the audience of rural farmers is an unwillingness to adopt and embrace change. The rural farmers may have old and traditional practices that they may already be accustomed to. They may not want to shift or change the chemicals being used and the way they use them as they may prefer to use the ones they originally used and the ways they originally used them. The challenge here would be to convince the rural farmers to take the most precautions when using the chemicals on their farms or to use safer more environmentally friendly chemicals.

Additionally, another communicative challenge is to not seem too educated and complex to the rural farmers. The message should not be conveyed fully in Standard English because it would imply a condescending tone and it may distance the farmers from the message. Also technical terms should be avoided because they may not be able to understand what is being said. Everyday terms should be used especially when speaking about the chemicals. Therefore, the challenge is to make the farmers comfortable and ensuring that they understand what is being said while conveying the message in an appropriate tone.

Furthermore, a third communicative challenge is that the farmers may lack interest in the presentation and as a result they may become bored. The presentation must be short, concise and interesting to seek...