The Basics of Communication

Reina R. Miranda, Ph. D

Communication
 Communication
• Communication is a process of sharing and
conveying messages or information from one person
to another within and across channels, contexts,
media, and cultures (Mc Cornack, 2014). There is a
wide variety of contexts and situations in which
communication can be manifested; it can be a face-
to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group
discussion, a meeting or an interview, a letter
correspondence, a class recitation, and many
others.
 Communication
• Communication is a complex process.
• Know your audience
• Determine your purpose
• Identify your topic
• Expect objections
• Establish credibility with your target audience
• Present information clearly and objectively
• Develop a practical, useful way to seek for feedback
 Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a process.
 Nature and Elements of
Communication
• 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
• Communication is divided into elements which help us better
understand its mechanics or process. These elements are the
following:
• 1. Speaker – the source of information or message
• 2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the
speaker in words or in actions
 Elements of Communication
• 3. Encoding – the process of transferring the message
• 4. Channel – the means to deliver a message such as face-to-
face, conversations, telephone calls, e-mails, and memos, among
others
• 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 situation or environment where communication
takes place
• 9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication
 Levels of Communication
• Level 1 Intrapersonal Communication
A communication with yourself whether you are talking to yourself aloud or in the
privacy of your brain.
Level 2 Interpersonal Communication
A dyadic communication which involves two groups of people who share the
roles of sender and receiver.

Level 3 Small Group Discussion

It builds on the foundation of interpersonal communication skills and
interpersonal relationship often develop between dyads of group members.
Level 4 Public/Mass Communication
It is a one-to-many communication, where one person delivers his remarks to
that remaining members called the audience.
 Models of Communication
• The Shannon-Weaver Model also referred to as the Transmission or
Standard View Model, has three main parts : SENDER, CHANNEL, and
RECEIVER.
• Originally designed to mirror radio and telephone technologies, the
model presents the SENDER as the part of the telephone a person
speaks into, the CHANNEL as the telephone itself,
• While the RECEIVER as the part of the telephone where one hears the
other person speaking.
• The static and sometimes the absence of signal are considered NOISE.
Thus, the source produces a message, which adapts them for
transmission to the receiver. Upon received, the receiver DECODES the
signal for the destination.
• This summarizes the view of communication as means of sending and
receiving information.
SHANNON-WEAVER’S MODEL OF
COMMUNICATION
 SHANNON-WEAVER’S MODEL OF
COMMUNICATION
• Known as the mother of all communication models.
• The Shannon-Weaver model (1949) depicts communication
as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements:
1. a source (producer of message);
2. a transmitter (encoder of message into signals);
3. a channel (signals adapted for transmission);
4. a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and
5. a destination.
• This model, however, has been criticized for missing one
essential element in the communication process: feedback.
 Schramm Model
• It emphasizes that communication is circular rather than
linear.
• The message is effectively sent when the receiver correctly
decodes what the source or sender encodes.
• Both the source and the receiver have more or less a
common language, interpretation of symbols or visual or
non-verbal cues, experience or culture, expressions or
signs used in encoding and decoding the message in order
to reach understanding.
Schramm Model
 Transactional Model
• This model is more interactive. There is a
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.
Transactional Model
 Aristotle’s Model of
Communication
• -consists of three basic elements
1. The Speaker
2. The Subject
3. The Listener
 Principles of Communication
• Transactional
• Inevitable
• Goal-oriented
• Complex
• Relational
• Has various levels
• Can be learned
• Guided by culture
 Communication Ethics
• Uphold integrity.
• Respect diversity of perspective and privacy
• Observe freedom of expression effectively.
• Promote access to communication.
• Be open-minded.
• Develop your sense of accountability.
 Guidelines for Effective
Communication
• Be clear with your purpose.
• Support your messages with facts.
• Be concise.
• Provide specific information in your feedback.
• Adjust to the needs, interests, values, and
beliefs of your audience.
• Observe communication ethics.
• Be your natural self and appear very confident.
 Activity
Directions: Observe your other classes. Find out how communication takes place. Write
a one-page narrative report on your observations focusing on the following questions:
a. What is the context of communication?
b. Who is/are the source/s?
c. What is the message?
d. What is the channel?
e. Who is/are the receivers?
f. Did the sender-receiver decode the message effectively?
g. What can you say about the feedback from the sender-receiver?
h. What are the barriers?
i. How did the sender-receiver address the barriers?
j. Is the communication one-way or two-way? Why do you say so?
k. Are the communicators ethical? Why do you say so? What are the
considerations?
l. Overall, what can you say about the communication process that took place
between/among the communicators? Why do you say so?
Use the following format: MSWord, short
bond paper, Times New Roman, font size
12, 1.5 spacing, and 1-inch margin on all
sides.
Submit your work in the Google classroom.