Nature and Process of Communication

Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a process.
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
3. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or
both spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.

Elements of Communication
1. Speaker
- The source of information or message.
2. Message
- The information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
- Messages can be information related to different subjects, concepts, or individuals
that are being transmitted by the senders to the receivers.
3. Encoding
- The process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the
speaker understands.
- The process of turning thoughts into communication.
4. Channel
- When the speaker is done with processing ideas into communication, the speaker
then uses a medium in order for the message to be transmitted to the receiver. This
medium is also called “channel.” “The channel is the way in which a message or
messages travel between source and receiver.” (McLean, 2005). Spoken channels
include face-to-face conversations, speeches, phone conversations and voicemail
messages, radio, public address systems, and Skype. Written channels include letters,
memorandums, purchase orders, invoices, newspaper and magazine articles, blogs,
email, text messages, tweets, and so forth.
5. Decoding
- The process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver.
6. Receiver
- The recipient of the message or someone who decodes the message.
7. Feedback
- The reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver.
8. Context
- The environment where the communication takes place.
 9. Barrier
- The factors that affect/interfere the flow of communication

Process of Communication
The sender initiates the communication. The sender encodes the idea by selecting words,
symbols, or gestures with which to compose a message. The message is the outcome of the
encoding, which takes the form of verbal, nonverbal, or written language. The message is sent
through a medium or channel, which is the carrier of the communication. The medium can be a
face-to-face conversation, telephone call, e-mail, or written report. The receiver to whom the
message is sent decodes the received message into meaningful information. Barrier is anything
that distorts the message. Finally, feedback occurs when the receiver responds to the sender's
message and returns the message to the sender. Feedback allows the sender to determine
whether the message has been received and understood.
 Barriers to Communication

There are instances when miscommunication and misunderstanding occur because of certain
barriers.
a. Noise
b. Emotional Barrier
c. Use of Jargon
d. Lack of Confidence

Models of Communication

1. Shannon-Weaver
2. Transactional
3. Schramm Model

1. Shannon-Weaver Model
- The mother of all models of communication.
- Consists of five elements:
source (producer of message)
 transmitter (encoder of message into signals)
channel (signals adapted for transmission)
receiver (decoder of message from the signal)
destination
- This model does not include a feedback.

2. Transaction Model
- This is a two-way communication process.
- This model includes a feedback and content.
- This is an interactive model for it includes collaborative exchange of messages between
communicators with the aim of understanding each other. It also shows that a barrier, such
as noise, may interfere with the flow of communication.

3. Schramm Model
- Schramm (1954) modified the Shannon-Weaver Model.
7 Cs of Effective Communication

1. Completeness
- communication should include everything that the receiver needs to hear for him/her to
respond, react, or evaluate properly.
2. Conciseness
- Making the message direct or straight to the point.
3. Consideration
- To be effective, the speaker should always consider relevant information about his/her
receiver such as mood, background, race, preference, education, status, and needs, among
others. By doing so, he/she can easily build rapport with the audience.
4. Concreteness
- Holds a message that is concrete and supported by facts, figures, and real-life examples and
situations.
5. Courtesy
- Communicating with respect to the culture, values, and beliefs of his/her receivers. Being
courteous at all times creates a positive impact on the audience.
6. Clearness
- use of simple and specific words to express ideas. It is also achieved when the speaker
focuses only on a single objective in his/her speech so as not to confuse the audience.
7. Correctness
- Correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience and increases the
credibility and effectiveness of the message.