INFORMATION SHEET 1.

1-1
METHODS OF COMMUNICATION
Learning Objectives:
        After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Define the Methods of Communication
 METHODS OF COMMUNICATION
1.    Verbal
 Verbal communication is the use of language to transfer information through speaking or sign
language. It is one of the most common types, often used during presentations, video conferences
and phone calls, meetings and one-on-one conversations. Verbal communication is important
because it is efficient. It can be helpful to support verbal communication with both nonverbal and
written communication.

 2.   Non-verbal
 Nonverbal Communication is the use of body language, gestures and facial expressions to convey
information to others. It can be used both intentionally and unintentionally. For example, you might
smile unintentionally when you hear a pleasing or enjoyable idea or piece of information. Nonverbal
communication is helpful when trying to understand others’ thoughts and feelings.
If they are displaying “closed” body language, such as crossed arms or hunched shoulders, they
might be feeling anxious, angry or nervous. If they are displaying “open” body language with both
feet on the floor and arms by their side or on the table, they are likely feeling positive and open to
information.
 
3.   Written
Written communication is the act of writing, typing or printing symbols like letters and numbers to
convey information. It is helpful because it provides a record of information for reference. Writing is
commonly used to share information through books, pamphlets, blogs, letters, memos and more.
Emails and chats are a common form of written communication in the workplace.
 
4.   Visual
Visual communication is the act of using photographs, art, drawings, sketches, charts and graphs to
convey information. Visuals are often used as an aid during presentations to provide helpful context
alongside written and/or verbal communication. Because people have different learning styles,
visual communication might be more helpful for some to consume ideas and information.

INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-2

ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR WRITTEN AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION METHODS
 
Learning Objectives:
        After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Discuss the Organization requirement for written and electronic communication methods
2. Explain the Effective verbal and non- verbal communication methods
3. Define Communication protocol
4. Define Communication strategies
 
 
Written communication includes emails, letters, memos, proposals, letters, training manuals,
policies and social media. Verbal communication includes face-to-face communication, both
individually and in groups, and multiple channels, the phone and teleconferencing tools. Immediate
feedback isn't necessary. The message is highly detailed or complex (meaning it may be read several
times to ensure comprehension). The recipient is temporarily out of reach. A permanent record of
the message is desirable.
INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-3
EFFECTIVE VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION METHODS
 
Effective verbal and non-verbal communication methods
 
Basic Verbal Communication Skills: Effective Speaking and Listening
 
Effective involves three main areas: the words you choose, how you say them, and how you
reinforce them with other non-verbal communication.
 
All these affect the transmission of your message, and how it is received and understood by your
audience. It is worth considering your choice of words carefully. You will probably need to use
different words in different situations, even when discussing the same subject. For example, what
you say to a close colleague will be very different from how you present a subject at a major
conference. How you speak includes your tone of voice and pace. Like non-verbal communication
more generally, these send important messages to your audience, for example, about your level of
interest and commitment, or whether you are nervous about their reaction.
 
Basic Verbal Communication Skills: Effective Face to face
Communication by sending as well as receiving wordless messages is a part of nonverbal
communication. Such messages are a vital part of any communication and generally provide
reinforcement to verbal communication. However, they can also convey their own feelings and
thoughts.

INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-4

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL
 
Communication Protocol
A communication protocol is a system of rules that allow two or more entities of a communications
system to transmit information via any kind of variation of a physical quantity. The protocol defines
the rules, syntax, semantic and synchronization of communication and possible error recovery
methods.
Protocols may be implemented by hardware, software, or a combination of both Communicating
systems use well-defined formats for exchanging various messages. Each message has an exact
meaning intended to elicit a response from a range of possible responses pre-determined for that
particular situation. The specified behavior is typically independent of how it is to be implemented.

Types of Protocol:
 1.   Transmission Control Protocol (TCP): TCP is a popular communication protocol which is used
for communicating over a network. It divides any message into series of packets that are sent from
source to destination and there it gets reassembled at the destination.
2.   Internet Protocol (IP): IP is designed explicitly as addressing protocol. It is mostly used with TCP.
The IP addresses in packets help in routing them through different nodes in a network until it
reaches the destination system. TCP/IP is the most popular protocol connecting the networks.
3.   User Datagram Protocol (UDP): UDP is a substitute communication protocol to Transmission
Control Protocol implemented primarily for creating loss-tolerating and low-latency linking between
different applications.
4.   Post office Protocol (POP): POP3 is designed for receiving incoming E-mails.
5.   Simple mail transport Protocol (SMTP): SMTP is designed to send and distribute outgoing E-
Mail.
6.   File Transfer Protocol (FTP): FTP allows users to transfer files from one machine to another.
Types of files may include program files, multimedia files, text files, and documents, etc.
7.   Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP): HTTP is designed for transferring a hypertext among two
or more systems. HTML tags are used for creating links. These links may be in any form like text or
images. HTTP is designed on Client-server principles which allow a client system for establishing a
connection with the server machine for making a request. The server acknowledges the request
initiated by the client and responds accordingly.
8.   Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS): HTTPS is abbreviated as Hyper Text Transfer
Protocol Secure is a standard protocol to secure the communication among two computers one
using the browser and other fetching data from web server. HTTP is used for transferring data
between the client browser (request) and the web server (response) in the hypertext format, same
in case of HTTPS except that the transferring of data is done in an encrypted format. So, it can be
said that https thwart hackers from interpretation or modification of data throughout the transfer
of packets.
9.   Telnet: Telnet is a set of rules designed for connecting one system with another. The connecting
process here is termed as remote login. The system which requests for connection is the local
computer, and the system which accepts the connection is the remote computer.
10.  Gopher: Gopher is a collection of rules implemented for searching, retrieving as well as
displaying documents from isolated sites. Gopher also works on the client/server principle.

INFORMATION SHEET 1.1-5

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
 
Communication Strategies
Communication strategies are strategies that learners use to overcome these problems in order to
convey their intended meaning. Strategies used may include paraphrasing, substitution, coining
new words, switching to the first language, and asking for clarification. These strategies, with the
exception of switching languages, are also used by native speakers.
Verbal communication strategies can be broken down into the two categories of written and oral
communication. Written strategies consist of avenues such as e-mail, text, and chat. Examples that
fall into the oral category are phone calls, video chats, and face-to-face conversation.
Nonverbal communication strategies consist of mostly visual cues, such as body language, facial
expressions, physical distance between communicators, or the tone of your voice. These cues are
typically not intended. However, it is important to realize the message you are sending. Otherwise,
you may be saying one thing, yet the receiver is hearing another.
Visual communication strategies can be seen through signs, webpages, and illustrations. These
strategies are used in the workplace to draw attention and provide documentation. Human
resources are required to post certain visuals throughout the workplace to comply with safety laws.