Chapter 1. Foundations of Human Communication

MACHS
COMM100
Chapter # 1
Communication Skills
Prepared by Dr. Rita El Hajj
• Outcomes
• Warm-up
• Definition of
Chapter 1: communication
• Verbal & Non-Verbal
Foundations of Communication
Human • Communication Process
Communication • Communication Principles
• Communication in Context
• Assignment
• Vocabulary
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
• Define communication and explain why it is an important

course of study
• Identify human communication in its two forms
• Identify and describe parts of communication process
• List and explain fundamental principles of effective
communication
• Identify and describe five types of communication
contexts
Warm-Up
How many ways can people communicate?
• How do you like to communicate?
Why?
• Is communication important? Why
• Are some people better
communicators than others?
Discussion
Questions
What is Communication?
Definition:
Communication has been defined as the act of

giving, receiving or exchanging information,
ideas, feelings and opinions so that the
“message” is completely understood.
“Communication is a skill that you can learn. It's like
riding a bicycle or typing.” Brian Tracy
Discussion Question:
How can you develop your communication skills?
Forms of Communication
There are two forms of communication: Verbal and Non-verbal.
• Verbal communication is a form of
communication in which you use words to
exchange information with other people either in
the form of speaking or writing.
• Non-verbal communication does not use

words for communicating, but some other modes
are used such as body language and facial
expressions.
Communication is …
Communication Process
Did you get my message ? This simple sentence
summarizes the process of communication.
Communication takes place when a message is sent and

received.
What are the
Components of
Communication?
1. Sender
2. Encoding
3. Messages
4. Channel
5. Receiver
6. Decoding
7. Feedback
8. Noise
 Communicators (Sender/Receiver)
People involved in verbal/nonverbal exchange
– Sender: the person who has something to pass on to another

individual.
– Receiver: the one to whom the message is directed.
 Message
Message implies something that the sender wants to communicate, to

the receiver. What is the goal of the message?
Without a message, no communication is possible.
• Encoding - person encodes thought into words or actions

• Decoding - other communicators receive words or actions and
decode them
The more effective you are at encoding, the more likely others
will be at decoding message correctly.
Verbal – the actual words communicated (words are
symbols) – written, spoken
Nonverbal – how you say it (voice, body language)
Which do you think is more believable – verbal or
 Channel
- The ways by which the message is communicated.

- Every communication situation necessitates appropriate
channel choice.
Discussion Questions:
 What are examples of different types of channels of communication?
 The “break-up” scenario - discuss why certain
channels are better for certain situations.
 Feedback
The message or response sent from the listener back to the

speaker. It can be verbal or non-verbal. It can be positive or
negative.
The process of communication can never be completed, if the

response of the receiver is missing.
Pair work:
Students will work in pairs to ask and give four types of feedback
(verbal and non-verbal)
 Noise
Anything that interrupts communication.
The Communication Process
Group Discussion
Explain the different components of the communication process
using the below picture as guidance:
Principles to Effective
Communication
1. Understand yourself
2. Understand your
audience
3. Listen actively
4. Simplify your message
5. Use body language
Principle One:
Understand Yourself
Understanding who you are and what your natural tendencies are the
first step to being an effective communicator.
- Do you tend to be chatty, or do you like to listen?

- Are you assertive? Are you direct?
- Do you choose your words carefully? Do you tend to unintentionally
offend or miscommunicate with others?
- Do you tend to overreact, or do you tend to stay calm?
Another part of understanding yourself is to be clear about your values
and goals.
Principle Two:
Understand your Audience
As important as it is to understand yourself, it is also
important to understand your audience and their natural
tendencies, motivations, goals, challenges, and opportunities.
- Does your audience want to be heard, or get things done?

- How much time does your audience have? Is your audience
patient?
- Are you interacting with a competitor, collaborator, or superior
party?
Principle Three:
Listen Actively
It is not enough to listen. You also want to make sure that others feel
heard. To that end, it is not enough to use your ears.
Active listening that helps people feel heard involves eye contact,
nodding, appropriate and timely responses, and overall high
engagement.
Principle Four:
Simplify Your Message
In communication less is more. The fewer words you use, the
more silence people have and the more time they can reflect and
digest the information you have provided them.
Simple, concise messages that can be delivered quickly and

powerfully usually have the highest impact, especially when you
address an audience that is overworked or overwhelmed with
information.
Principle Five:
Use Body Language
The ability to understand and to interpret body language can

help you to pick up on unspoken issues, problems or negative
feelings that other people might have. You can also use it in a
positive way to add strength to your verbal messages.
Communication in Context
Communication contexts include:
1- Intrapersonal Communication
2- Interpersonal Communication
3- Group Communication
4 - Public Communication
5. Mass Communication
1. Intrapersonal Communication
Intrapersonal communication involves one person; it
is often called “self-talk.”
You mentally review or rehearse conversations or
experiences (internal dialog).
Why is it important to be able to talk to yourself?
2. Interpersonal
Communication
Interpersonal communication is the process by which two

people share information, feelings, and meaning through both
verbal and non-verbal messages.
List five examples of
interpersonal communication.
3. Group Communication
Group communication is when the number of people
increases to 3-20 members
• Members share sense of belonging and common reasons for
getting together
• Members work together to accomplish task and/or relationship
goals
List five examples of group communication
4. Public Communication
Public communication is when a communicator
informs, persuades, and/or entertains group of people
• Organized and prepared messages for audience
Discussion Questions:
• List four examples of public communication
• Recall a time when you gave a speech in front of a group.

- How did you feel?
- What was your experience?
- What did you learn from your experience?
- If given a second opportunity, how would you
approach the group differently?
5. Mass Communication
Mass communication involves sending a single
message to a group. It allows us to communicate
our message to a large number of people.
Why are you studying
communication?
What is communication?
Review
of What are the key components of
communication process?
Chapter
One List fundamental principles to
effective communication.
Identify five types of

communication contexts.
Assignment – Role Play
Your father is a very strict and traditional
person. He does not agree with your decision to
study medicine in the United Kingdom.
How can you convince him to allow you to study

in the UK?
Ask yourself these questions:
• What is the best time and place to speak to your father?

– Is there a member of your family who can help you?
• Who is the sender and the receiver?
• What is your message (purpose of the communication)?
– How can you convince your father to allow you to go?
• What communication barriers you will have to manage?
• What non-verbal messages must you be aware of?
Vocabulary
EMGL 100-1 R&W and L&S ENGL 100-2 R&W and L&S
• skill • connect / connection
• relationship • clear
• communicate • influence
• describe • appearance
• feelings • improve
• understand • persuade
• inform
• trust
• success
• understand
• common
• improve
• increase
• goal
• encourage

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MACHS

• Define communication and explain why it is an important

Communication has been defined as the act of

• Non-verbal communication does not use

Communication takes place when a message is sent and

– Sender: the person who has something to pass on to another

Message implies something that the sender wants to communicate, to

• Encoding - person encodes thought into words or actions

- The ways by which the message is communicated.

The message or response sent from the listener back to the

The process of communication can never be completed, if the

- Do you tend to be chatty, or do you like to listen?

- Does your audience want to be heard, or get things done?

Simple, concise messages that can be delivered quickly and

The ability to understand and to interpret body language can

Interpersonal communication is the process by which two

• List four examples of public communication

• Recall a time when you gave a speech in front of a group.

Identify five types of

How can you convince him to allow you to study

• What is the best time and place to speak to your father?

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