Oral Communication in Context - Grade 11

STUDENT’S NAME: ________________________ GRADE/SECTION: _____________

TEACHER: _______________________________ DATE SUBMITTED: ____________

MODELS OF COMMUNICATION

I. LEARNING SKILLS
A. Most Essential Learning Competency
The learner Differentiates the various models of communication
(EN11/12OC-Ia-3).
B. Objective/s
At the end of the lesson, the students should have:
1. explained each model;
2. compared and contrasted the models of communication from different
theorists/proponents;
3. enumerated reasons for studying the models; and
4. come up with their own model of communication.

II. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT

Aristotle’s Model of Communication
By this time, we should all be aware of what communication is, its process,
functions, and nature. However, just like any other processes, variations exist. These
variations in processes are where models are born. It should be noted nevertheless that
the process may have different labels, but the concept is just the same.

In this lesson, let us discuss the oldest model of communication, which was
proposed by Aristotle before 300 B.C. It derived its name from its proponent; hence,
Aristotle’s Model of Communication.

While exploring the human nature scientifically, Aristotle developed a linear model
of communication for oral communication known as Aristotle’s Model of Communication.
Aristotle found the importance of audience role in communication chain in his
communication model. This model is more focused on public speaking than interpersonal
communication. This is considered as the first model of communication.

Unlike the other models of communication, Aristotle’s model is formed with five (5)
elements: speaker, speech, occasion, audience, and effect.

Aristotle’s model is speaker-centered since the audience remains passive. The

audience’s role therefore is mere receiver of the speech. They are also influenced or
persuaded by the speech. The speaker should then be prepared beforehand by analyzing
the audience and the situation (occasion) to where the speech will be delivered to achieve
the purpose (effect).

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 In other words, this model is one-way, that is, from speaker to receiver. There is
no room for feedback. This is mostly applicable in public speaking such as campaigns,
State of the Nation Address (SONA), and in television and radio commercials.

SPEAKER SPEECH AUDIENCE EFFECT

OCCASSION

Figure 1. Aristotle’s Model of Communication

Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication

In 1948 Claude Elwood Shannon wrote an article “A Mathematical Theory of
Communication” in Bell System Technical Journal with Warren Weaver.1 Shannon was
an American mathematician, Electronic engineer and Weaver was an American scientist.2

This model is specially designed to develop the effective communication between

sender and receiver. Also they find factor affecting the communication process called
“Noise”. At first the model was developed to improve the Technical communication. Later
it’s widely applied in the field of Communication. The Mathematical theory later came to
be known as Shannon Weaver model of communication or “mother of all models.” This
model is more technological than other linear models.

This model has five elements:

1. source
2. transmitter
3. channel
4. receiver
5. destination

The source is where the message originates. It is responsible for producing a

message. Messages in communication are sent in a form of sound waves or signals. This
is the job of the transmitter. It converts the message into signals to be transmitted or sent
through cables or other machines.

Once the message has already been converted, it will pass through a channel, the
medium used to send a message.

Since a message has been initiated, converted into a signal, and sent through a
medium, it will now reach its destination. But before that, the converted message should
be decoded first. This is the job of the receiver. It is the one that translates the message,
in a form of a signal or sound wave, into a form that can be understood by the destination
or recipient of the message.

1
Businesstopia. 2018. Shannon and Weaver Model Of Communication. January 6.
Accessed June 20, 2020. https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/shannon-and-weaver-
model-communication.
2
communicationtheory.org. n.d. Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication. Accessed June
20, 2020. https://www.communicationtheory.org/shannon-and-weaver-model-of-communication/.

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 The receiving end in this communication model is called destination. It receives
the decoded message from the source.

We have to bear in mind, however, that not all communication is successful. There
are times when there is what we call communication failure. There are a lot of factors we
can attribute to it. One is noise. In this particular model of communication, noise refers
only to physical disturbance that distorts the sending of message. One example is weak
network connection.

Figure 2. Shannon-Weaver's Model of Communication (Photo Credit: www.communicationtheory.org)

Transactional Model of Communication

In our first lesson on the models of communication, we found out that Aristotle’s
model is speaker-centered. There is no opportunity for the audience to provide feedback
because they remain passive in the communication process. The audience serves as
mere receiver of speech from the speaker. Hence, this model is one-way. Also, Shannon-
Weaver’s model was criticized for not having an element to know whether the destination
understood the message sent by the source, which makes this model one-way as well.
This element is feedback. Moreover, in those two models, the surrounding where the
communication takes place is not considered or does not play a crucial role in the process.

This model that we are going to discuss gives importance to other missing
elements in the two models. This is called Transactional Model of Communication.

Transactional model of communication is the exchange of messages between

communicators where each take turns to send or receive messages.3 It describes
communication as a process in which communicators generate social realities within
social, relational, and cultural contexts. This model includes participants who are
simultaneously senders and receivers and accounts for how communication constructs
our realities, relationships, and communities.4

3
businesstopia, "Transactional Model of Communication," in Businesstopia, January 6, 2018.
Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/transactional-
model-communication.
4
Barnlund, D. C. “A Transactional Model of Communication,” in Foundations of Communication
Theory, eds. Kenneth K. Sereno and C. David Mortensen (New York, NY: Harper and Row,
1970), 83–92. Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from www.open.lib.umn.edu
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 This model, unlike the first two that we discussed, considers two other important
elements that affect the communication process: context and feedback.

Figure 3 Types of Contextual Influences (Photo Credit: www.open.lib.umn.edu)

It is believed that a successful communication can be achieved by considering not

only the communicators themselves but also external influences in a communication
encounter. These are called contextual influences. The types are social context, cultural
context, and relational context.

The rules or norms in a society that influence the communication process are what
we call social context. This also includes those values, laws, and other restrictions of a
society to communicate within a specific limit.5 Examples of these are ways to greet, thank,
or apologize to a person.

Cultural context includes various aspects of identities such as race, gender,

nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, and ability.6 If people communicating are
within the same cultural context, they will have better communication, unlike those that do
not belong in the same context. This is where conflict arises, especially when one views
his race, nationality, or ethnicity as dominant than the other’s.

Lastly, based on our experience, would you agree with me if I say that we talk
differently with someone we have known for a long period of time than with a stranger or
someone we just met? This is what we call relational context, which refers to the
relationship between the sender and the receiver(s) of a message (e.g. father-son, friend-
friend, etc.).7

I do hope that you already understood what context is all about and how it affects
and contributes to the communication process. Now, let us discuss another important
additional element in Transactional Model which is not present in the Aristotle and
Shannon-Weaver Models of Communication. This is called feedback.

5
businesstopia, "Transactional Model of Communication," in Businesstopia, January 6, 2018.
Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/transactional-
model-communication.
6
Barnlund, D. C. “A Transactional Model of Communication,” in Foundations of Communication
Theory, eds. Kenneth K. Sereno and C. David Mortensen (New York, NY: Harper and Row,
1970), 83–92. Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from www.open.lib.umn.edu
7
Lee McGaan. “The Six Kinds of Context,” Retrieved on June 30, 2020 from
www.department.monm.edu
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 Receivers are not just passive absorbers of messages; they receive the message
and respond to them. This response of a receiver to sender’s message is called
feedback.8 This feedback could be verbal like questions or comments, or non-verbal like
smiles, nods, etc. Feedback helps us to know whether the message sent is understood;
thus, there is success in communication, otherwise it would result in failure.

Below is an illustration of how communication takes place in Transactional Model.

Figure 4. The Transactional Model of Communication (Photo Credit: https://i1.wp.com/www.doncrawley.com/wp-

content/uploads/2019/01/transactional-model_r2.png?fit=3997%2C2249&ssl=1)

As seen in the illustration, the communicator’s field of experience, which also

includes context affects how each of them sends a message and receives a feedback. It
can also be noted that it’s not a one-way process, as exhibited by the arrows used. As
Communicator A encodes a message, to be decoded by Communicator B, a feedback is
sent back, and vice versa. Moreover, noise and channel/s are also important elements in
this type of model.

III. ACTIVITIES
Practice Tasks

Activity 1. Wordsearch Puzzle

Look for examples for each element in the puzzle below. Encircle your answers
and write them in the table below. The first item is done for you.

8
Prachi Juneja. Feedback Communication. Retrieved on July 2, 2020 from
https://www.managementstudyguide.com/communication_barriers.htm
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 ELEMENTS EXAMPLES FOUND IN THE PUZZLE
Source Newscaster

Channel

Destination

Noise

Activity 2.
Think of a previous conversation you had with a friend, a relative, or a partner.
Analyze and illustrate it by using the any of the models of communication. You may refer
to different figures given as your reference. Do not forget to label each element.

Activity 3.
By using a graphic organizer, compare and contrast the three Models of
Communication that we discussed. You may use a Venn Diagram or a table.

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Assessment
If you were to make your own model of communication, what would you call it?
Illustrate it and label each part. You may also provide an explanation of your own model.
Be guided by the following rubrics:

Creativity of the Model 50%

Presence of the Elements 30%
Overall Appeal 20%

IV. ANSWER KEY

Answers may vary

VII. REFERENCES

Barnlund, D. C. (1970). A Transactional Model of Communication. Retrieved June 30,

2020, from Foundations of Communication Theory: www.open.lib.umn.edu

Businesstopia. (2018, January 6). Shannon and Weaver Model Of Communication.

Retrieved June 20, 2020, from
https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/shannon-and-weaver-model-
communication

Businesstopia. (2018, January 6). Transactional Model of Communication. Retrieved

June 30, 2020, from https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/transactional-
model-communication.

communicationtheory.org. (n.d.). Shannon and Weaver Model of Communication.

Retrieved June 20, 2020, from https://www.communicationtheory.org/shannon-
and-weaver-model-of-communication/

McGaan, L. (2020, June 30). The Six Kinds of Context. Retrieved from
www.department.monm.edu:
https://department.monm.edu/cata/saved_files/Handouts/CONTEXTS.FSC.html

Prachi, J. (n.d.). Feedback Communication. Retrieved July 2, 2020, from

https://www.managementstudyguide.com/communication_barriers.htm

Prepared by:

EMIL R. ASEJO, Teacher II

Legazpi City National High School
SDO Legazpi City

Quality Assured by:

KRISMELLEH CASSANDRA LORENZITA B. MILLARE, Teacher II
Legazpi City National High School
SDO Legazpi City

NIDA D. BERNALDEZ CLAUDIA MARILOU S.

English QA Team Head MARPURI
SDO Legazpi City EPS-English
SDO Iriga City

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