Nature and Elements of Communication
Nature and Elements of Communication
Nature and Elements of Communication
Definition of Communication
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to define communication and differentiate verbal from nonverbal
communication.
How do you communicate? What is the difference between verbal and nonverbal communication?
Communication
Communication is the transmission of ideas and emotions between or among persons with the use of verbal and
nonverbal cues.
The word communication comes from the Latin word communis, which means "common." To be common means to
come together or to share something in common together. Communication helps people to adapt to or survive in the
place they live in.
Verbal Communication
Verbal communication, also called spoken communication, is the process or act of conveying one's thoughts or
ideas using speech. Sounds and language are used for relaying the message that one needs others to know.
Examples:
telephone conversations
job interviews
Explanation:
Telephone conversations and job interviews entail verbal communication, as the participants would have to speak to
each other in order to get their message across.
Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication refers to the use of wordless cues in order to convey a message. These cues include
facial expressions, hand gestures, body language, and the tone, pitch, and volume of voice. Even when one is using
words, there is also nonverbal communication involved.
Examples:
shaking your head
smiling
Explanation:
Shaking your head gives someone the impression that you disagree with something, while smiling conveys that you
are pleased, happy, or amused about something.
Tips
Know what your purpose is so that you can effectively send your message verbally, through gestures, or
using a mix of both.
Be a good listener because communication is not one-way. In order for you to respond properly to the
person you are communicating with, you should first be able to listen to and understand the person's
message.
Objective
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain the process of communication.
Communication
Communication is a structured two-way process essential to transmission of information and expression of ideas
among individuals. It comes in two forms, namely, verbal and nonverbal communication.
Verbal communication mainly uses words, whereas nonverbal communication involves facial expressions,
gestures, body language, and the volume, tone, and pitch of the speaker's voice.
Human beings communicate in two types of settings. Daily conversations such as chats and friendly greetings
happen in informal settings. On the other hand, formal settings are those in which communication involves a
specific purpose and requires controlled and deliberate effort. Communication done in formal settings includes
interviews, debates, and seminars.
Example:
Cathy: Good morning! Do you remember our lesson last Friday?
Jane: Oh, I could not remember anything about it. Let us check our notebooks.
Cathy: I see. I have my notebook in my bag.
Explanation:
The stimulus in the conversation is Cathy's intention to ask Jane about the lesson last Friday. Cathy translates this
stimulus into words. She starts with a greeting and asks an open-ended question. Jane receives the message and
recognizes the stimulus of the conversation. Jane remembers the stimulus, understands the ideas, and provides
feedback that she does not remember anything. Then she suggests opening their notebooks. Cathy agrees with
Jane regarding her suggestion. If Jane gives feedback, the conversation will continue.
Key Points
The process of communication consists of the sender, receiver,
message, and interpretation. Feedback continues the cycle of the conversation.
Recognizing the importance of good communication helps in creating better relationships among people.
Objective
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to identify the different communication models and their features.
What are the various communication models and how do they differ from one another?
Communication
Communication is characterized as a two-way process of transmitting information. This involves certain elements,
such as the sender, the message, and the receiver, among others.