COMPONENTS OF COMMUNICATION

Communication is a process of sending and receiving messages (verbal/non-verbal).

Effective Communication: When a message receives desired reaction/response form the
receiver
Hence, Communication is a two-way process. It is a dialogue not a monologue.
SIX COMPONENTS/FACTORS/ELEMENTS/CHAINS OF COMMUNICATION
1. CONTEXT
2. SENDER-ENCODER (SOURCE)
3. MESSAGE (IDEATION)
4. MEDIUM/CHANNEL
5. RECEIVER-DECODER
6. FEEDBACK/RESPONSE/REACTION
1. CONTEXT
Every message (oral/written) begins with a context.
Context includes Circumstances, situation, & setting within which communication takes place.
Context is what people expect from each other.
Difference between content and context: Contents is what you say; context is what gives
meaning to your message.
Take responsibility not only for what you say, but also for how people hear you.
Message is a freight train; context is switching railroad tracks to right or left.
THREE ASPECTS OF CONTEXT
i. CONVENTIONS (of country, culture, organization)
ii. EXTERNAL STIMULI
iii. INTERNAL STIMULI
i. CONVENTIONS
Conventions are social norms, traditions and outlook.
STIMULI: What urges you to send a message.
ii. EXTERNAL STIMULI (prompts to send a message)
Source of prompt: letter, memo, E-mail, fax, telephone call, meeting, casual conversation)
Response to the prompt: Oral-Written
iii. INTERNAL STIMULI
Sender’s attitude, opinions, emotions, past experiences, likes, dislikes, education, job status,
experiences in the world
All these affect the choice of words.
2. SENDER-ENCODER (SOURCE)
If message is written, sender is writer.
If message is oral, sender is speaker.
Use of Codes: words, visuals, pictures
3. MESSAGE/IDEATION
Idea or message that has a physical form.
Verbal Symbols: (Written-Spoken)
Non-Verbal Symbols (Unspoken)
Decide what exactly your message is and what content is to include.
Consider your context and who/what the receiver is.
How the receiver will interpret it.
How it may affect your relationship.
4. MEDIUM/CHANNEL
Medium: Oral/Written
Channel: Letter, E-mail, telephone call, fax
They depend on the contextual factors and the nature of message.
Relationship between sender and receiver affects the medium and channel
Medium and channel depend on:
 Urgency of message
 Importance of message
 Number of receivers
 Amount of information
Written Medium: for long, technical and formal messages
Oral Medium: for urgent, personal and immediate feedback
5. RECEIVER-DECODER
Message receiver is the decoder (reader-listener)
The receiver interprets the message according to his context, external and internal stimuli.
6. FEEDBACK
Receiver’s reaction/response
May be positive or negative
It can be an action such as silence (ineffective communication)