Running head: THE FIVE CONTEXTS OF COMMUNICATION 1

The Five Contexts of Communication

Abdullah Makhdum

University of the People

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Written Assignment Unit 1 of Business English (ENGL 1103)

Describe, in your own words the five contexts of communication described in Chapter 1 of

the textbook?

1) Intrapersonal communication; is the act of self-talk or internal use of thinking during a

communication while you are engaged in listening to the source’s message, but you don’t have

focus upon it. (McLean, 2010).

2) Interpersonal communication is a type of communication in which two or more

peoples involve in order to exchange information, feelings, meaning, and/or sharing a concern.

This context of communication occurs through both verbal and non-verbal messages which are

being conveyed face-to face. The language used is verbal and the voice tone, facial expressions,

gestures, and body language are non-verbal messages. (SkillsYouNeed, 2016).

3) Group Communication is a type of communication in which small group of people are

involved in a conversation. Generally in group communication three to eight people are

involved. (McLean, 2010).

4) Public communication happens when one person speaks to a group of people in the

public. Public communication can be done either through speaking in public or writing message

to be read by a small or large group. (McLean, 2010).

5) Mass communication is a type of communication in which message is conveyed or

imparted on a large scale to a large number of people. For instance, sending email to a large

number of group, or using TV commercials to convey your message to the audience. (McLean,

2010).
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Describe at least one example of each that you have used or witnessed recently or that has

been researched online?

1) I have a personal experience in Intrapersonal communication; that is, few weeks ago

an internal vacancy/position has been announced in the organization in which I am working for.

My indirect manager has encouraged me to send application for the announced position in order

to promote from my current position in the organization, but while talking with the manager of

our office a voice within me told that “If my direct supervisor doesn’t agree with this application

so applying for the position will be meaningless”, because agreement of current/direct supervisor

is must for applying to another positions with the organization. Hence my intrapersonal

communication was negative in this regard.

2) I have recently witnessed the interpersonal communication in India. Few days ago

while I was waiting for the metro to go somewhere so at that time I have seen a couple in the

public where they were hugging each another, whispering to each another and they were

involved in sharing their feelings with each another through face-to-face communication.

3) Oftentimes I have been involved in group communication because our supervisor

holds regular meetings on monthly basis in order to share the project related issues such as

achievements, challenges, problems, and other issues by the project staff or our colleagues.

4) During the last month, there was an event of gathering farmers for linking one region’s

farmers with another region’s farmers under the title of Farmers’ Field School Linkage. To be on

point, at the mentioned event our supervisor has had public communication because he spoke to

the farmers/audience in order to explain the purpose and objectives of the gathering and linking

the farmers with each other.

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5) Almost oftentimes we witness with the mass communication context because we

always watch local or national TV commercials or receiving a bundle of emails. Sometimes

these emails are scam or are junk emails.

Describe which context appealed to you the most. Describe which context appealed to you

the least.

The interpersonal and group communication contexts appeal me the most because as a married

person I share and exchange some type of feelings with my wife/life partner, and as I work with

my colleagues together so through the group communication context I find the chances of

sharing information and work related issues.

The public communication context appeals me the least because I couldn’t find a chance to be a

public speaker or communicator through which I could share information, thoughts, feelings, and

other issues. To be honest, I don’t have adequate confidence to speak in the public so this is the

main challenge for me.

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References

McLean, S. (2010). Business Communication for Success. The Saylor Foundation. Retrieved
from:

http://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/131881/mod_page/content/11/ENGL1103Textboo

kBusComForSuccess.pdf

Skills You Need (2016). Interpersonal Communication Skills. Skills You Need. Retrieved from:

http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ips/interpersonal-communication.html