Speech

Elements of Communication

Senders and Receivers

• The person who sends a message is called the sender. • The person who receives a message

is called the receiver.

Messages

• Messages are the ideas and feelings that make up the content of communication.

Verbal and Nonverbal Symbols

• Verbal symbols are words.• Nonverbal symbols (such as gestures,

tone of voice, and facial expressions) send messages without words.

Channels

• Channels are the sound waves, light waves, and sense of touch by which messages are sent.

Developing the Communication Process

• Finding ideas• Adapting to your audience

• Encoding and Decoding Information• Interpreting Feedback• Dealing with Interference

Feedback

• Feedback consists of the verbal and nonverbal responses to messages.

Encoding and Decoding

Encoding is the process of turning ideas and feelings into verbal and nonverbal symbols.

Ex. If you want salt on your tomatoes, you would ask the person next to you to pass the saltshaker. You don’t stop and think “How can I get someone to move the salt closer to me?” You automatically encode your needs into words.

Encoding and Decoding

Decoding is finding the meaning of verbal and nonverbal symbols. It is usually instantaneous.

Ex. If you just left chemistry, you may decide to ask Sylvia to pass you the sodium chloride. She would say, “What?” Then she would decode to figure out that you meant salt. (Being in the lunchroom instead of the chemistry lab would cause the confusion.)

Dealing with Interference

Interference is anything that gets in the way of clear communication. There are three common types of interference in formal and informal situations:

* Physical noise* Psychological noise* Semantic noise

Physical Noise

Physical noise consists of any sound that prevents a person from being heard. It interferes with a speaker’s ability to send messages and with an audience’s ability to receive them.

Psychological Noise

The thoughts and feelings that distract people from listening to what is said are called psychological noise. Psychological noise interferes with the audience’s concentration and ability to hear a speaker’s presentation.

Semantic Noise

The interference caused by words that trigger strong negative feelings against the speaker or the content of the speech is called semantic noise.

Dealing with Interference Activity

Read the following situations and identify the type of interference represented. Decide how you would deal with the interference if you were the speaker.

Situation 1:

You and a friend are discussing a problem. Three people at the other side of the room begin to talk so loudly that you cannot concentrate on what your friend is saying.

Situation 2:

You are leading a group discussion. One of your group members is staring out the window and another is doodling.

Situation 3:

You are giving a report to your history class. The lights are making a very loud buzzing noise.

Situation 4:

You are acting in a play. Suddenly a storm strikes, and thunder drowns out your words.

Situation 5:

You are giving a speech to an audience of city council members. You mention the recreation center’s “stupid, boring weekend dances,” and a buzz goes up from the audience.

Finding Ideas

1. Examine your own experience2. Look at the lives of the people around

you3. Watch TV shows or movies4. Read newspaper or magazine articles

Adapting to your audience

Individual Characteristics:

You look at a person’s personality, interests, and aspirations.

This will allow you to see how a person will respond to certain information.

Adapting to your audience

Cultural Characteristics:

You look at things such as age, religion, and national and ethnic background.

Adapting to your audience

Sociological characteristics:

You look at elements such as their affiliations, their educational backgrounds, and their occupations.

How to be an effective communicator

1. Care about your communication success.2. Know the subject you are discussing.3. Be organized.4. Use language well.5. Use effective nonverbal signals.6. Listen carefully.

*Activity*

Take the next ten minutes to prepare a short message. After ten minutes you will deliver the same message to five different people. Between each delivery you will take note of the feedback you received from each person and how it differed from person to person.