Lesson 1: Introduction to Purposive Communication

I. Learning Outcomes:
A. define communication;
B. explain the etymology, nature and process of communication;
C. differentiate the various types of communication
D. describe the functions and relationships of the eight essential
components of communication transaction and;
E. demonstrate the importance of having effective oral communication
skills.

II. Discussion and Key Takeaways

A. Communication

Communication is a process of expressing and exchanging information,

thoughts, ideas, and feelings. It helps to form relationships, allows cultures to
evolve, and encourages optimal understanding and remove barriers among
people; in short, communication is the thing that makes us human.
Communication provides students the opportunity to develop their
understanding and appreciation of the human communication process and to
enhance their oral and written communication practice. Communication
students develop an awareness of the importance of oral communication and
listening for success in their personal, civic, and professional lives; become
familiar with behavioural research in persuasion; understand how language is
used to create social change; develop competent delivery skills; assess the
quality of arguments; evaluate information found in research and public
discourse; and cultivate rhetorical sensitivity in order to better connect with
individuals and audiences.

Definition of Communication by Various Disciplines

1. It is the process of communication includes transmission of information,
ideas, attitudes and feelings from one person to another by the use of
symbols such as words, pictures, figures and graphs. (Seema Hassan,
2010)
2. It is derived from the Latin “COMMUNICARE” meaning “to share” and
from the French “COMMUNIS” which means “to make common”
(Alcalugo, 2003) to create in a receiver’s mind idea or image similar to
the one in mind of the sender. The primary goal of communication is
“to come up to a common understanding.”
3. It focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within
and across various contexts and is the discipline that studies all forms,
modes, media and consequences of communication through
humanistic, social scientific and aesthetic inquiry. (National
Communication Association)
4. It involves language which may be oral and written (graphic or printed)
or even gesture (hands, head or eyes in meaningful motion) languages
 distinguish man from lower animals. It is a species specific because
only human use language in communicating their ideas, thoughts and
attitudes.
5. Any act by which one person gives to or receives from another
person’s information about that person’s needs, desires, perceptions,
knowledge or affective states. Communication may be intentional or
unintentional, may involve conventional or unconventional signals, may
tale linguistics or non linguistics forms.

Nature of Communication
1. Communication is schematic- It begins with yourself, you begin with
what you have already stocked in your brain or with what you have
already known or understood about the subject matter of the
communicative act. Transmitted messages become understandable or
meaningful because of your background and knowledge about the
message.
2. Communication is an interpretative act- The only person who knows
the exact meaning of the message transmitted is the sender or speaker.
It was called interpretative act because the role of the receiver/ listener
is just to interpret, infer or guess the meaning of things appealing to his
sense of hearing.
3. Communication does not guarantee a direct/ automatic link
between two minds- This form of communication becomes meaningful
only to others when you initiate communication with them.
4. Communication is active, powerful and forceful- Messages have
varied effects on all participants in any communicative event. It
engages speakers and listeners in action of giving and receiving
information. Communication is powerful and forceful for it elicits
different meanings or reactions; these messages are prone to changes.
5. Communication is symbolic- Symbols, signs, words, sentences and
other concrete object that represent ideas that are intended to be
conveyed verbally.
6. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words,
actions (nonverbal), or both spoken words and nonverbal actions at the
same time.