In general, speech acts are acts of communication

(Bach 1979). Yule (1996) defines speech acts as an action performed by t

he use of utterances to communicate. To communicate is to express a certain
attitude, and the type of speech act being performed corresponds to the type of
attitude being expressed.
According to Searle (1979) in Yule (1996: 53.55), the five general function
s performed by speech act are:
a. Declarations are those kinds of speech acts that change the world via
utterance.
It means that the speaker must have a specific institutional role, in specifi
c contexts, to show declarations exactly.
b. Representatives are those kinds of speech acts that state what the spe
aker believes to be the case or not. In using a representatives, the speak
er makes words fit in the world (of believe). i.e.
stating, suggesting, boasting, complaining, claming, and reporting.
c. Expressives are those kinds of speech acts that state what the speaker
feels (express psychological states and can be statement of pleasure, pain,
likes, dislikes, joy, or sorrow. The speaker uses an expressive to make fit t
he world (of feeling). i. e. thanking, congratulating, pardoning, blaming, pr
aising, condoling etc.
d. Directives are those kinds of speech acts that speakers use to get som
eone else to do something (express what the speakers want). The speaker
s attempts to make the world fit via the hearer.
i. e. commanding, requesting, advising, recommending, and ordering.
e. Commissives are those kinds of speech acts that speakers use to com
mit themselves to some future action (express what the speaker intends). i
. e. vowing, offering, threating, promising.
The people communicate to each other must consider with the function o
f speech act, it can be seen from explanation above.
When people make communication with the other, the conversations refers
to the expressives and the directives functions ,
meanwhile, the others functions are irrelevant.

To develop the idea, every speech event constitutes a speech act. Speech
act consists of three separate acts: an act of saying something, an act of
doing something, and an act of affecting something. In Principles of Prag
matics, the terminologies from Austin, the kinds of speech acts are Locuti
onary act, Illocutionary act, and Perlocutionary act (Leech, 1983: 199).
Locutionary act is the act of simply uttering a sentence from a language;
it is description of what the speaker says (Leech, 1983: 199). Illocutionary
act is the act in which the speaker intends to do something by producing
an utterance. Illocutionary acts would include stating, promising, thanking,
congratulating, apologizing, threatening, predicting, ordering, and requesting
(Leech 1983:199). For example, if a girl says to her friend, Take my bag!
the illocutionary act is the act of ordering. Illocutionary acts,
unlike locutionary acts, are very hard to understand.
Perlocutionary act is the act done by the hearer affected by what the spe
aker has said. Perlocutionary acts would include effects such as: get the h
earer to think about, bring the hearer to learn that, get the hearer to do,
persuading, embarrassing, intimidating, boring, irritating, or inspiring the he
arer (Leech 1983:199). For the example if the father utters this sentence t
o his school-age son, Youd better do your homework, in that utterance t
he
perlocutionary act might be one of irritating, especially if this speech act i
s a daily occurrence.

Basic Assertion
Simple expression of standing up for personal rights, beliefs, feelings or
opinions.
Example: When being interrupted, "Excuse me, I'd like to finish what I'm saying."
Empathic Assertion
Recognition of other person's situation or feelings followed by another statement
standing up for speaker's rights.
Example: "I know you are feeling angry and frustrated while you wait for a
response. But, the best I can do is give you a ballpark estimate of how long It will
take."
Escalating Assertion
Start with a "minimal" assertive response... Other fails to respond... Gradually
escalate the assertion?--increasingly firm without being aggressive.
Example: From the first example, "I know what you have to say is important but I
really want to finish what I was saying." "I really want to finish before you begin
to speak."
Confrontive Assertion
Describe what was to be done... Describe what actually occurred... Express what
you want.t.
Example: "I told you to complete the forms by November 15, and you agreed to
do so. Now it is January 15 and you are telling me that you forgot the forms but
you still expect to complete our business on time. What is it that you want me to
do?"
I-Language Assertion
Description of behavior: "When you __________ ,"
How it affects you life: "It affects __________ ,"
Describe your feelings: "and I feel __________ ;"
Describe your desire: "Therefore, I would like __________ ."
Example: "When you shout the effect is I am unable to work with you and I feel
angry. Therefore, I would like for you to stop shouting and tell me what you
want."
Positive Assertion
Expressing positive feelings about yourself or someone else.
Examples: "I'm glad you came back to see me." "I did a good job working with
that upset student."
Repeated Assertion
Sometimes called "Broken Record." Opposite of escalation. Simple, calm,
repetition--saying what you want over and over again, rote repetition.
Example: "You said you would complete this form and there is missing
information."...A sarcastic reply... "The form has not been completed." ...Another
comment... "I have to have this form completed."
Fogging Assertion
Acknowledging possibility of truth to what other person is saying--agreeing in
concept but not necessarily in fact. t.
Example: "I know these rules may appear to make no sense, but they are the
procedures I must use."

assertive : speech acts that commit a speaker to the truth of the expressed proposition,
e.g. reciting a creed
directives : speech acts that are to cause the hearer to take a particular action, e.g. requests,
commands and advice

commissives : speech acts that commit a speaker to some future action, e.g. promises and oaths

expressives : speech acts that express the speakers attitudes and emotions towards the
proposition, e.g. congratulations, excuses and thanks

declarations : speech acts that change the reality in accord with the proposition of the declaration,
e.g. baptisms, pronouncing someone guilty or pronouncing someone husband and wife

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.