Types of Communication

Read on to find out about the different types of communication...

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If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half
an hour, two days; if an hour, I am ready now. ~ Woodrow Wilson
Communication is a process that involves exchange of information, thoughts, ideas and
emotions. Communication is a process that involves a sender who encodes and sends the
message, which is then carried via the communication channel to the receiver where the receiver
decodes the message, processes the information and sends an appropriate reply via the same
communication channel.
Types of Communication
Communication can occur via various processes and methods and depending on the channel
used and the style of communication there can be various types of communication.
Types of Communication Based on Communication Channels
Based on the channels used for communicating, the process of communication can be broadly
classified as verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication
includes written and oral communication whereas the non-verbal communication includes body
language, facial expressions and visuals diagrams or pictures used for communication.

Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is further divided into written and oral communication. The oral
communication refers to the spoken words in the communication process. Oral
communication can either be face-to-face communication or a conversation over the
phone or on the voice chat over the Internet. Spoken conversations or dialogs are
influenced by voice modulation, pitch, volume and even the speed and clarity of
speaking. The other type of verbal communication is written communication. Written
communication can be either via snail mail, or email. The effectiveness of written
communication depends on the style of writing, vocabulary used, grammar, clarity and
precision of language.

Nonverbal Communication
Non-verbal communication includes the overall body language of the person who is
speaking, which will include the body posture, the hand gestures, and overall body
movements. The facial expressions also play a major role while communication since the
expressions on a persons face say a lot about his/her mood. On the other hand gestures
like a handshake, a smile or a hug can independently convey emotions. Non verbal
communication can also be in the form of pictorial representations, signboards, or even
photographs, sketches and paintings.

Types of Communication Based on Style and Purpose

Based on the style of communication, there can be two broad categories of communication,
which are formal and informal communication that have their own set of characteristic features.

Formal Communication
Formal communication includes all the instances where communication has to occur in a
set formal format. Typically this can include all sorts of business communication or
corporate communication. The style of communication in this form is very formal and
official. Official conferences, meetings and written memos and corporate letters are used
for communication. Formal communication can also occur between two strangers when
they meet for the first time. Hence formal communication is straightforward, official and
always precise and has a stringent and rigid tone to it.

Informal Communication
Informal communication includes instances of free unrestrained communication between
people who share a casual rapport with each other. Informal communication requires two
people to have a similar wavelength and hence occurs between friends and family.
Informal communication does not have any rigid rules and guidelines. Informal
conversations need not necessarily have boundaries of time, place or even subjects for
that matter since we all know that friendly chats with our loved ones can simply go on and
on.

Four Types of Communication

Communication is exchanging information in the form of messages, symbols, thoughts, signs and opinions.
There are many different types of communication, depending on the medium used for communication or the
way in which information is exchanged. Let us discuss the basic four types of communication.

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Communication of information, messages, opinions, speech and thoughts can be done via
different forms of modern communication media, like, e-mail, telephone and mobile. Some of the
basic ways of communication are by speaking, singing, sign language, body language, touch and
eye contact. These basic ways of communication are used to transfer information from one entity
to other. There are many different types of communication but they can be classified into four basic
types of communication. These four types of communication are as follows:
Verbal Communication
Verbal communication includes sounds, words, language and speaking. Language is said to have
originated from sounds and gestures. There are many languages spoken in the world. The bases
of language formation are: gender, class, profession, geographical area, age group and other
social elements. Speaking is an effective way of communicating and is again classified into two
types viz. interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Good verbal communication is an inseparable part of business communication. In a business, you
come across people from various ages, cultures and races. Fluent verbal communication is
essential to deal with people in business meetings. Also, in business communication selfconfidence plays a vital role which when clubbed with fluent communication skills can lead to
success.
Public speaking is another verbal communication in which you have to address a group of people.

Preparing for an effective speech before you start is important. In public speaking, the speech
must be prepared according to the type of audience you are going to face. The content of your
your speech should be authentic and you must have enough information on the topic you have
chosen for public speaking. All the main points in your speech must be highlighted and these
points should be delivered in the correct order. There are many public speaking techniques and
these techniques must be practiced for an effective speech.
Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication involves physical ways of communication, like, tone of the voice, touch,
smell and body motion. Creative and aesthetic non-verbal communication includes singing,
music, dancing and sculpturing. Symbols and sign language are also included in non-verbal
communication. Body language is a non-verbal way of communication. Body posture and
physical contact convey a lot of information. Body posture matters a lot when you are
communicating verbally to someone. Folded arms and crossed legs are some of the signals
conveyed by a body posture. Physical contact, like, shaking hands, pushing, patting and touching
expresses the feeling of intimacy. Facial expressions, gestures and eye contact are all different
ways of communication. Reading facial expressions can help you know a person better.
Written Communication
Written communication is writing the words which you want to communicate. Good written
communication is essential for business purposes. Written communication is practiced in many
different languages. E-mails, reports, articles and memos are some of the ways of using written
communication in business. The written communication can be edited and amended many times
before it is communicated to the second party to whom the communication is intended. This is
one of the main advantages of using writing as the major means of communication in business
activity. Written communication is used not only in business but also for informal communication
purposes. Mobile SMS is an example of informal written communication.
Visual communication
The last type of communication out of the four types of communication, is the visual
communication. Visual communication is visual display of information, like, topography,
photography, signs, symbols and designs. Television and video clips are the electronic form of
visual communication.

These are the four types of communication. The different types of communication media are
increasing day by day to ensure clarity and eliminate the ambiguity in communication.