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ING105Effective CommunicationLECTURE 2: WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

2How to Define Communication?

The word ‘communication’ comes from the Latin word communicare which literally means ‘to share or impart’, meaning ‘make known’.

It is often defined as ‘a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior’.

Communication is an essential part of our lives. We communicate every day with different people at different times, in diff. ways.

We communicate with ourselves in our thoughts. We  also communicate with  our family, friends, people at work, and le people we meet socially or professionally.

3A (Very) Brief History of Communication

Greek Philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BCE) Aristotle’s Speaker-Centered Model His definition of rhetoric is one of the earliestdefinitions of communication. Rhetoric ‘may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the availablemeans of persuasion’. The way you speak needs to be effectivebecause you want to persuade other people.

4Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Designed for public speaking/oration Speaker at the center of the communication process Speaker prepares a message for an intended audience Message is intended to have an effect on the listener/audience Listener is seen to be passive and ready to be affected by the

speaker's message Dominant view in the next two millenia. However, there is more to it!

Speaker Message Listener

5A (More) Complex Model of Communication in the 20th Century

The components of communication are more than meets the eye!

The communication process involves elements such as source, message, encoding, channel, receiver etc... But what do we mean?

6Source / Speaker

The source of communication is the speaker. The source simply conveys a message or passes information. In order to be a good source, you need to be clear about the message you are sending.

Oftentimes, what is being said is not always what is being heard. To prevent this from happening, the source could do the following:

State one idea at a time Express your ideas in a simple way Explain when appropriate Repeat if necessary Encourage feedback

7Message

The message is simply the thought, idea or information the source wants to communicate to the receiver. The message is usually verbal but it may also be non-verbal.

Without the message, there is NO need for communication. To reduce potential problems, the speaker should:

Speak clearly Use appropriate vocal tone and volume Use correct terminology Be relevant to the receiver, not a distraction. The message needs to

be inclusive and informative

8Encoding

The process of taking your message and transferring it into a form that can be sent and correctly understood by the receiver / listener.

Encoding means that the intended idea, thought, or purpose gets embedded in some code such as a word, a sign or both; and they make the message.

Encoding is generally done by the sender of the message. Sender is therefore the encoder of the message.

Know your audience: to encode a message properly, you need to know who your audience is.

9Channel

The channel is the method that you use to convey your message. There are different types of channel.

Channels include verbal means such as face-to-face conversations, phone calls and videoconferencing, and written forms like letters, reports, presentations, e-mails and tweets.

Each channel has its own advantages and drawbacks. It would be difficult to give complex information like a technical report on the phone.

The type of communication, whether it is formal and informal, is an important aspect in choosing the most appropriate channel for communicating effectively.

10Decoding

Decoding happens when the listener receive the message that the speaker sent to them.

In order to successfully decode a message you need to have the ability to read and understand, listen actively and ask clarifying questions.

If the receiver/listener cannot decode the message the speaker sent, it is necessary to find other ways to resend it or help them understand it by giving clarifying information.

11Receiver / Feedback

The receiver is the person who the message is sent/directed to. It is important to realize that each person that receives the

message will listen to it through their own individual expectations, opinions and perspectives.

Feedback is a good way to understand whether your communication is successful or not. You could ask the receiver questions to see if they have understood you.

You could also read their body language to ensure understanding. Feedback may be verbal, nonverbal or written. Also, it may be

positive or negative.

12Context

The context is the situation in which you are communicating. It involves the environment that you and your audience are in!

Your communication process differs according to the context you are in. You communicate with your professor in a way different from the way you communicate with your friends

The context helps you determine the tone and style of your communication.

13Class Activity

A sample of communication process Source Message Encoding Channel Decoding Receiver Feedback Context

14 turn!

Using the components of communication that you just have learned, create an instance of communication. Show who is the source, what is the message and what is the channel etc…!

15End of Communication!!!