FUNDAMENTALS OF
COMMUNICATION
LET’S WARM UP
1. Form groups of four to five members.
2. Create a two-minute group presentation that reflects your understanding of what
“communication” is about.
3. Be creative.
4. You have five minutes to prepare.
LET’S WARM UP
Debriefing Questions
1. Which groups effectively communicated their message? Give reasons why the presentation was effective.
2. Is effective communication important? Why? Why not?
SELF-AUDIT
PUT CHECK ON THE COLUMN THAT DETERMINES HOW OFTEN YOU PRACTICE WHAT THE STATEMENTS SAY.
| USUALLY | SOMETIMES | SELDOM | NEVER |
1. I communicate to convey my messages and express my ideas. | | | | |
2. I describe communication as a process. | | | | |
3. I understand that communication can be expressed in words and/or in actions. | | | | |
4. I can distinguish the features of the communication process. | | | | |
SELF-AUDIT
| USUALLY | SOMETIMES | SELDOM | NEVER |
5. I can differentiate the models of communication. | | | | |
6. I effectively convey a message both in words and actions. | | | | |
7. I can identify the elements of communication. | | | | |
8. I can explain the cause of communication breakdown. | | | | |
9. I use strategies to avoid communication breakdown. | | | | |
10. I know the functions of communication. | | | | |
TOTAL | | | | |
GRAND TOTAL | /30 | |||
SELF-AUDIT
LET’S WORK AND LEARN
THINK OF ONE FACT THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT COMMUNICATION AND SHARE IT WITH EVERYONE.
Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014).
There is a wide variety of contexts and situations in which communication can be manifested; it can be a face-to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a letter correspondence, a class recitation, and many others.
NATURE OF COMMUNICATION
1. Communication is a process.
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
3. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both
spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.
ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or process. These elements are the following:
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or nonverbal, in which the encoded message is conveyed
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver
8. Context – the environment where communication takes place
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication
MODELS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Shannon-Weaver Model
Known as the mother of all communication models, the Shannon-Weaver model (1949) depicts communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source (producer of message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals adapted for transmission); a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and a destination.
This model, however, has been criticized for missing one essential element in the communication process: feedback. Without feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understands the message or not.
2. Transaction Model
Unlike the Shannon-Weaver Model, which is a one-way process, the Transaction Model is a two_x0002_way process with the inclusion of feedback as one element.
Study the diagram below. It represents the Schramm Model.
Schramm (1954) modified the Shannon-Weaver Model. What has Schramm added to the Shannon-Weaver Model? Is the new model more comprehensive? Why do you think so? How is it different from or similar to the Transaction Model?
FUNCTIONS OF COMMUNICATION
Basically, there are five functions of communication. These are control, social interaction, motivation, emotional expression, and information dissemination.
1. Control – Communication functions to control behavior.
2. Social Interaction – Communication allows individuals to interact with others.
3. Motivation – Communication motivates or encourages people to live better.
4. Emotional expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings and emotions.
5. Information dissemination – Communication functions to convey information.
Identify the function of communication in each of the following situations. Write your answers on the space provided.
1. The teacher reads and discusses classroom policies to her students.
2. Ross greets Rachel; then, they start talking about their plans for the holidays.
3. Phoebe shares her insights on how to live peacefully despite a complicated life.
4. Monica shares her personal frustrations with Chandler.
5. The geometry teacher lectures about mathematical concepts.
6. Sheila delivers her valedictory speech.
7. The President delivers his last State of the Nation Address.
8. A television personality thanks the supportive moviegoers during an interview.
9. The city mayor presents her strategies to execute the plans in a public forum.
10. A tourist guide orients a group of tourists about a heritage site.
FEATURES OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION
1. Completeness
Complete communication is essential to the quality of the communication process in general. Hence, communication should include everything that the receiver needs to hear for him/her to respond, react, or evaluate properly.
2. Conciseness
Conciseness does not mean keeping the message short, but making it direct or straight to the point. Insignificant or redundant information should be eliminated from the communication that will be sent to the recipient.
3. Consideration
To be effective, the speaker should always consider relevant information about his/her receiver such as mood, background, race, preference, education, status, and needs, among others. By doing so, he/she can easily build rapport with the audience.
4. Concreteness
Effective communication happens when the message is concrete and supported by facts, figures, and real-life examples and situations. In this case, the receiver is more connected to the message conveyed.
5. Courtesy
The speaker shows courtesy in communication by respecting the culture, values, and beliefs of his/her receivers. Being courteous at all times creates a positive impact on the audience.
6. Clearness
Clearness in communication implies the use of simple and specific words to express ideas. It is also achieved when the speaker focuses only on a single objective in his/her speech so as not to confuse the audience.
7. Correctness
Correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience and increases the credibility and effectiveness of the message.
BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION
There are instances when miscommunication and misunderstanding occur because of certain barriers. To become an effective communicator, you should recognize these barriers that hinder the communication process. This will enable you to control the situation, reset conditions, and start anew. The table below presents some barriers to effective communication with corresponding solutions.
Note that these are only some of the barriers; many others may arise out of context, language, physical restrictions, and the like.
As a class, complete the semantic web below with a word or group of words relevant to communication. You can assign a representative to gather and/or consolidate the responses of the class.
VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Verbal Communication refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message. For effective and successful verbal communication, use words to express ideas which can be easily understood by the person you are talking to. Consider appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and vividness when engaging in this type of communication.
1. Appropriateness
The language that you use should be appropriate to the environment or occasion (i.e., whether formal or informal).
2. Brevity
Speakers who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are found to be more credible. Try to achieve brevity by being more direct with your words. Avoid fillers and insubstantial expressions which do not add to the message, such as “uh,” “you know,” “I guess,” and others.
3. Clarity
The meanings of words, feelings, or ideas may be interpreted differently by a listener; hence, it is essential for you to clearly state your message and express your ideas and feelings.
4. Ethics
Words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles, ethnicity, preferences, and status of the person or people you are talking to.
5. Vividness
Words that vividly or creatively describe things or feelings usually add color and spice to communication. Hence, you are encouraged to find ways to charm your audience through the use of vivid words.
Nonverbal communication refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey and represent meanings. All kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words are classified as nonverbal communication. Examples of nonverbal communication are stares, smiles, tone of voice, movements, manners of walking, standing and sitting, appearance, style of attire, attitude towards time and space, personality, gestures, and others.
Mastery of nonverbal communication is important for several reasons:
1. It enhances and emphasizes the message of your speech, thus making it more meaningful, truthful, and relevant.
2. It can communicate feelings, attitudes, and perceptions without you saying a word.
3. It can sustain the attention of listeners and keep them engaged in the speech.
4. It gives the audience a preview to the type of speaker you are.
5. It makes you appear more dynamic and animated in your delivery.
6. It serves as a channel to release tension and nervousness.
7. It helps make your speech more dramatic.
8. It can build a connection with listeners.
9. It makes you a credible speaker.
10. It helps you vary your speaking style and avoid a monotonous delivery.
Write T before each number if the statement is true and F if the statement is false.
1. Consider ethics in your speech at all times.
2. Effective use of nonverbal communication can strengthen your message.
3. How you communicate reflects who you are as a person.
4. One way to help you build credibility is through effective nonverbal communication.
5. There are certain words that are only appropriate at certain times and places.
6. To achieve clarity, we must speak the same language as our listeners.
7. The use of too many fillers can distract your listeners.
8. Verbal communication is better than nonverbal communication.
9. When you talk to others, you should not assume too quickly that they understand the message that you convey.
10. When you communicate, choose what you want to say and how you want to say it.
Group Activity. Your teacher will divide the class into three groups. This activity follows the format of a charades game, and the objective is to guess unknown words in the shortest time possible.
Your teacher will assign a category for each group. Assign a timekeeper in your group and prepare ten pieces of one-fourth-sized paper and a small empty box or pencil case. Think of words or phrases related to your category and write each word in a piece of paper. Fold each piece to hide the word.
Remember not to choose words that are very difficult to guess. Follow the guidelines below.
Each round of the activity proceeds as follows:
The score for each group is the total time that the group accumulated for all the rounds. The group with the shortest time wins.
Group Activity. With your group mates, discuss the following:
Make sure that each member gives his/her answer. Overall, you have ten minutes to exchange ideas. Afterwards, assign one person, preferably the shyest member in your group, to share with the class the highlights or the most important points of the discussion.
Individual Activity. Imagine that you are addressing a group of parents and teachers in an assembly on understanding your generation known as the “Millennial Generation.”
GOODBYE CLASS