Forms of Communication

Strong communication skills are essential for advancement in your career. Almost all jobs require you
to communicate with others, whether to make sales, work on internal projects as a team or complete
other tasks. Discussed below are the four different types of communication skills and how to use them
effectively in your professional life.
Verbal communication
a. Verbal refers to the utilization of words to express ourselves in front of other people.
b. Thus it is an inclusion of both spoken and written communication.
c. The verbal part of communication refers to the words that we choose, and how they are
heard and interpreted.
d. It is indeed crucial to learn that good oral communication cannot be fully ignored from
non-oral communication in the form of our body language, tone of the sound, and
expressions of the face.
e. Speaking with clarity, being silent and focused, being well behaved, and following some
of the general rules of behavior altogether will help in the process of oral or verbal
communication.
f. In many personal meetings between people, the starting time of conversation is very
important because the first impression has an impact on further success and future
communication.
g. Listening actively is also a crucial skill. But, when we communicate, we are likely to
spend much more energy on what we are going to say than what we are going to listen
to other people.
Thus, the verbal form may be oral or written
1. Written Communication
a. This kind of communication involves any kind of exchange of information in the written
form. For example, emails, texts, letters, reports, SMS, documents, handbooks, posters,
flyers, etc.
2. Oral Communication
a. This is the communication which employs the spoken word, either direct or indirect as a
communication channel.
b. This verbal communication could be made on a channel that passes information in only
one form i.e. sound.
c. You could converse either face to face, or over the phone, or via voice notes or chat
rooms, etc.
d. It all comes under the oral communication. This form of communication is an effective
form.
Oral Communication - Meaning, Advantages and Limitations
a. Oral communication implies communication through mouth.
b. It includes individuals conversing with each other, be it direct conversation or telephonic
conversation.
c. Speeches, presentations, discussions are all forms of oral communication. Oral
communication is generally recommended when the communication matter is of
temporary kind or where a direct interaction is required.
d. Face to face communication (meetings, lectures, conferences, interviews, etc.) is
significant so as to build a rapport and trust.
Advantages of Oral Communication i.
a. There is high level of understanding and transparency in oral communication as it is
interpersonal.
b. There is no element of rigidity in oral communication. There is flexibility for allowing
changes in the decisions previously taken.
c. The feedback is spontaneous in case of oral communication. Thus, decisions can be
made quickly without any delay.
d. Oral communication is not only time saving, but it also saves upon money and efforts.
e. Oral communication is best in case of problem resolution. The conflicts, disputes and
many issues/differences can be put to an end by talking them over.
f. Oral communication is an essential for teamwork and group energy.
g. Oral communication promotes a receptive and encouraging morale among
 organizational employees.
h. Oral communication can be best used to transfer private and confidential
information/matter.
Disadvantages/Limitations of Oral Communication
a. Relying only on oral communication may not be sufficient as business communication is
formal and very organized.
b. Oral communication is less authentic than written communication as they are informal
and not as organized as written communication.
c. Oral communication is time-saving as far as daily interactions are concerned, but in case
of meetings, long speeches consume lot of time and are unproductive at times.
d. Oral communications are not easy to maintain and thus they are unsteady.
e. There may be misunderstandings as the information is not complete and may lack
essentials.
f. It requires attentiveness and great receptivity on part of the receivers/audience.
g. Oral communication (such as speeches) is not frequently used as legal records except in
investigation work.
Written Communication - Meaning, Advantages and Disadvantages
a. Written communication has great significance in today’s business world. It is an
innovative activity of the mind.
b. Effective written communication is essential for preparing worthy promotional materials
for business development.
c. Speech came before writing. But writing is more unique and formal than speech.
Effective writing involves careful choice of words, their organization in correct order in
sentences formation as well as cohesive composition of sentences.
d. Also, writing is more valid and reliable than speech. But while speech is spontaneous,
writing causes delay and takes time as feedback is not immediate.
Advantages of Written Communication
a. Written communication helps in laying down apparent principles, policies and rules for
running of an organization.
 b. It is a permanent means of communication. Thus, it is useful where record maintenance
is required.
c. It assists in proper delegation of responsibilities. While in case of oral communication, it
is impossible to fix and delegate responsibilities on the grounds of speech as it can be
taken back by the speaker or he may refuse to acknowledge.
d. Written communication is more precise and explicit.
e. Effective written communication develops and enhances an organization’s image.
f. It provides ready records and references.
g. Legal defenses can depend upon written communication as it provides valid records.
Disadvantages of Written Communication
a. Written communication does not save upon the costs. It costs huge in terms of
stationery and the manpower employed in writing/typing and delivering letters.
b. Also, if the receivers of the written message are separated by distance and if they need
to clear their doubts, the response is not spontaneous.
c. Written communication is time-consuming as the feedback is not immediate. The
encoding and sending of message takes time.
d. Effective written communication requires great skills and competencies in language and
vocabulary use. Poor writing skills and quality have a negative impact on organization’s
reputation.

e. Too much paper work and e-mails burden is involved.

Difference between verbal and written communication

1. Verbal or Oral Communication comparatively faster than Written Communication where

one can get immediate feedback.

2. In Verbal Communication literacy of the person is not essential. On the other hand, in
Written Communication the person must be literate.

3. Written Communication is reliable and preserves proper records. On the other hand,
Verbal or Oral Communication is proofless.
 4. In Verbal Communication misinterpretation of the message is possible, whereas in
Written Communication there are no possibilities of misinterpretation.

5. Verbal Communication is faster than Written Communication.

6. Verbal Communication is spontaneous. We can’t erase what we uttered once. On the

other hand, in Written Communication we can edit and recheck the message before
delivery.

Conclusion

Communication is the most essential thing to survive in this social environment. It brings people
together and closer to each other. Verbal Communication and Written Communication are
effective for improving human relationships. The goal of verbal and written Communication is to
convey information. Both play a significant role in our lives.

We use verbal communication in personal conversations as it is less time-consuming and easy

to express our feelings and moods. However, written communication is used in business and
official matters as it is the more trustworthy mode of communication.