Unit 1

Nature and Elements of Communication

Definition of Communication
 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. The
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

Process of Communication Example

The speaker generates an idea Daphne loves Rico, her suitor, as a friend.

The speaker encodes an idea or converts the idea She thinks of how to tell him using their native
into words or actions. language.

The speaker transmits or sends out a message. She tells him, “Rico, mahal kita bilang kaibigan.”

The receiver gets the message. Rico hears what Daphne says.

The receiver decodes or interprets the message
based on the context.
The receiver sends or provides feedback.
He tries to analyze what she means based on the
content and their relationship, and he is
heartbroken.
He frowns and does not say something because
he is in pain.
 Models of Communication

1. Aristotle’s Model
 Aristotle focused on the Speaker and the Message but considered Setting as important part of
his model.
 Three settings: 1) Legal Setting- meant the courts where ordinary people defended themselves
(there were no lawyers then). 2) Deliberative Setting- meant the political assemblies, the
highest of which is the Roman Senate. 3) Ceremonial Setting- meant the celebrations held
when they won a war, lost a leader and welcomed a visiting leader.

Sender Speech Audience Effect

Occasion

2. Shannon-Weaver Model

 gave the concept of “noise”; based from the experience of having interfered by “noise” from the
telephone switchboard back in the 1940’s.
 assert that the message sent by the source(speaker) is not necessarily the message received by
the destination (listener) due to intervention of “noise”.

Information Transmitter Receiver Destination

Source (encoder) Channel (decoder)
Signal Received
Signal
Message Message

Noise Source

3. Transaction Model
4. Schramm Model
 Schramm asserts that communication can only take place if there is an overlap between the Field
of Experience
of the Speaker and the Field of Experience of the Listener.
 Field experience is everything that makes a person unique-everything he/she has ever learned,
watched, seen, heard, read and studied.

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.

Communication Breakdown

 Miscommunication or Communication breakdown can lead to a total cessation of interaction. It

is the result of the lack of awareness of the dimensions of communication.

FOUR PAIRS OF DIMENSIONS

Non-verbal 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 movements, manners
of walking, standing and sitting, appearance, style of attire, attitude towards time and space,
personality, gestures, and other.

1. Verbal/Nonverbal Dimensions- encompass the use of language, the words chosen and the
gestures/facial expressions
Nonverbal Communication encompasses:
1. Paralanguage- how something is said
2. Language of flowers- use of flowers based from their meaning
3. Language of colors-use of colors based from their meaning
4. Chronemics- use time based on position or power
5. Proxemics- use of space to show importance
6. Haptics- use of touch to express what cannot be said
7. Language of Gestures- a) emphasizing; b) regulating; c) illustrating; d) emblems
8. Facial expression- configuration of eyes, eyebrows, lips, cheeks, nose and forehead
9. Posture and personal appearance- the way one carries and dresses oneself

2. Oral/Written Dimensions-spoken communication and the transcription of thoughts and ideas

3. Formal/Informal Dimensions-highlighted traditional and conventional communication; deals
with appropriateness
4. Intentional/Unintentional Dimensions- the purpose of the message
Note: For every dimension comes difference in culture, social attitude, mores, norms, sex and religion.
Non-verbal 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 movements, manners
of walking, standing and sitting, appearance, style of attire, attitude towards time and space, personality,
gestures, and other.

Nonverbal Communication encompasses:

10. Paralanguage- how something is said (tone of voice)
11. Language of flowers- use of flowers based from their meaning (funeral, valentines)
12. Language of colors-use of colors based from their meaning (red, blue, white)
13. Chronemics- use time based on position or power( bell school, alarm clock
14. Proxemics- use of space to show importance (
15. Haptics- use of touch to express what cannot be said
16. Language of Gestures- a) emphasizing; b) regulating; c) illustrating; d) emblems
17. Facial expression- configuration of eyes, eyebrows, lips, cheeks, nose and forehead
18. Posture and personal appearance- the way one carries and dresses oneself

Mastery of nonverbal communication is important for several reasons:

1. It enhances message of your speech
2. It can communicate feelings and attitudes without saying a word.
3. It can sustain listener’s attention and engage them.
4. It previews what type of speaker you are.
5. It makes you appear more dynamic and animated.
6. It serves as a means to release tension.
7. It makes your speech more dramatic.
8. It builds connection with your listeners
9. It makes you a credible speaker.
10. It helps you vary speaking style.