PURPOSIVE

COMMUNICATION
Nature, Elements, and Functions of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
VERBAL
Nature: Verbal communication is the use of
spoken or written words to convey a message.
It is direct, explicit, and more structured than non-
verbal communication. It includes language, tone,
and voice modulation.
Elements: Language, tone and pitch, and speed and
clarity.
NON- VERBAL
Nature: Non-verbal communication encompasses
all forms of communication that do not involve
words. It's more about the subtleties and nuances of
interaction, including body language, facial
expressions, and even silence.
Elements: Facial expressions, body language, eye
contact, proximity and space, touch, and
paralanguage.

1. Language- the choice of words and
vocabulary. In multicultural contexts, this
may involve translation or code-switching
to accommodate different language
speakers.
2. Tone and Pitch- how something is said can
significantly affect the message's
interpretation.
3. Speed and Clarity- the pace of speech and
clear articulation can ensure the message is
understood as intended.
Functions: Informing, persuading, building Functions: Reinforcing verbal communication,
relationships, and expressing emotions.
1. Facial expressions- these are universal
indicators of emotions and feelings.
2. Body language- postures, gestures, and
movements can convey confidence,
openness or defensiveness.
3. Eye contact- indicates attention, interest, or
avoidance.
4. Proximity and space- personal space
varies culturally and indicate intimacy or
aggression.
5. Touch- can convey comfort, familiarity, or
dominance, but is highly culture-specific.
6. Paralanguage- includes elements like tone,
loudness, inflection, and pitch in speech.
conveying emotions and attitudes, managing
impressions, defining relationships, and regulating
interactions.

1. Informing- conveying information or 1. Reinforcing verbal communication- non-

knowledge. verbal cues can complement, emphasize, or
2. Persuading- influencing others to accept contradict what is said verbally.
certain view or action. 2. Conveying emotions and attitudes- often,
3. Building relationships- establishing how something is said is as important as
rapport and understanding through a what is said.
dialogue. 3. Managing impressions- non-verbal cues
4. Expressing emotions- sharing feelings and can be used to manage how others perceive
emotional states. us, often unconsciously.
4. Defining relationships- the nature of non-
verbal interactions can define the closeness,
hierarchy, or nature of a relationship.
5. Regulating interactions- non-verbal cues
often indicate when it’s another person’s to
speak or when a conversation is over.
Strategies for effective communication: Active listening, cultural education, and clarity and simplicity.

1. Active listening- encourage attentiveness and understanding.

2. Cultural education- advocates for learning and respecting cultural norms.

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
3. Clarity and simplicity- emphasize the importance of clear and straightforward communication.

DEFINING COMMUNICATION
Definition: Communication is a systemic process in which people interact with and through symbols to
create and interpret meanings.
FOUR KEY TERMS OF THE DEFINITION OF COMMUNICATION
The four key terms of the definition of communication are process, symbols, systems, and meanings.
PROCESS SYMBOLS
✓ Communication is a process, which means that it ✓ Communication is symbolic.
is ongoing and dynamic.
✓ We don’t have direct access to one another’s
✓ It’s hard to tell when communication starts and thoughts and feelings. Instead, we rely on symbols.
stops, because what happens before we talk with
someone may influence our interaction, and what ✓ Symbols are abstract, arbitrary, and ambiguous
occurs in a particular encounter may affect the representation of other things.
future.
✓ We might symbolize love by giving a ring, by
✓ Communication is a process which means it is saying “I love you,” or by closely embracing
always in motion, moving forward and changing someone. A promotion might be symbolized by a
continually. new title and a larger office and a raise.

✓ Human communication involves interaction with

and through symbols.

SYSTEMS MEANINGS
✓ Communication takes place within systems. ✓ Meanings are at the heart of communication.

✓ A system consists of interrelated parts that affect ✓ Meanings are the significance we bestow on
one another. phenomena, or what they signify to us.

✓ In family communication, each family member is ✓ Meanings are not inherent in experience itself.
part of the system. The physical environment and Instead, we use symbols to assign meanings to
the time of day also are elements of the system. The experience.
history of a system also affects communication.
✓ We ask others to be sounding boards so we can
✓ System are interdependent and continually clarify our thinking, figure out what things mean,
interact, a change in any part of the system changes enlarge our perspectives, check our perceptions, and
the entire system. label feelings to give them reality. In all these ways,
we actively construct
✓ System are not collections of random parts, but meaning by interacting with symbols.
organized wholes. For this reason, a system
operates as a totality of interacting elements. ✓ Communication has two levels of meaning, the
content level of meaning and the relationship level
of meaning;
✓ System are organized wholes, they are more than
simple combinations of parts. Systems include not
1. The content level of meaning- contains the
only their original parts but also changes in those
literal message. If a person knocks on your
original elements and new elements that are crated
door and asks, “May I come in?” the
as a result of interaction.

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
✓ System vary how open they are. Openness is the
extent to which a system affects and is affected by
outside factors and processes. The more open the
system, the more factors influence it.
✓ Systems strive for but cannot sustain equilibrium.
System seeks a state of equilibrium, or
homeostasis.
✓ No living system can sustain absolute balance or
equilibrium. Change is inevitable and continuous.
Sometimes, it’s abrupt at other times, it’s gradual.
Sometimes, influences outside a system prompt
change. In other cases, the system generates change
internally. To function and survive, members of the
system must continually adjust and change.
✓ Communication is also affected by the larger
systems within which it takes place. Therefore, to
interpret communication, we have to consider the
systems in which it takes place.
THE PROCESS OF COMMUNICATION MCQ’S
Source
1. Which of the following best defines the 'source'
in the communication process?
 The person or entity that receives the
message.
2. If a news reporter delivers a story on the local
news channel, how is the reporter participating in
the communication process?
 As a source, by generating and delivering
the news story.
3. In a communication scenario where the message
is not effectively reaching the intended audience,
which aspect should be analyzed first to address the
issue?
 The source's clarity and appropriateness
in creating the message.
4. In determining the impact of a journalist's article,
which aspect should be critically evaluated to
assess the 'source'?
GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
content-level meaning is that the person is
asking your permission to enter.
2. The relationship level of meaning -
expresses the relationship between
communicators. If the person is your
supervisor and speaks in an angry tone, you
might interpret the relationship-level
meaning as a signal that your supervisor is
not satisfied with your work and is going to
call you on the carpet. In many cases, the
relationship level of meaning is more
important than the content level because it
often expresses a desire to connect with
another person.
Feedback
21. What is 'feedback' in the communication
process?
 The receiver's reaction and/or response
to the message.
22. Why is feedback essential in the communication
process?
 It helps the source to assess and improve
the communication.
23. If a teacher adjusts their teaching method based
on student performance on quizzes and
assignments, what aspect of 'feedback' is being
utilized?
 The use of student performance to
enhance teaching strategies.
24. In a customer service scenario, how does
incorporating customer feedback into service
improvement relate to the 'feedback' component of
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
communication?
 The journalist's research depth and  It indicates the company's commitment
unbiased reporting. to addressing customer needs.

5. To promote better communication in a 25. When assessing the effectiveness of a team's

multinational company, what strategy could be project communication, which aspect of 'feedback'
devised focusing on the 'source' component to should be analyzed?
ensure messages are effectively conveyed across
diverse cultures?
 Training leaders in cultural sensitivity  The impact of feedback on the project's
and cross-cultural communication skills. progress and outcomes.
Message Environment

6. What is the definition of 'message' in the 26. What does 'environment' refer to in the
communication process? communication process?
 The content or information conveyed by  The place, feeling, mood, mindset, and
the source to the receiver. condition of both sender and receiver.

7. Why is the complexity of a message important in 27. Why is the 'environment' an important factor in
the communication process? the communication process?
 It influences how the receiver interprets  It influences how the message is created
and understands the message. and received.

8. If a teacher uses analogies to explain complex
scientific concepts, what aspect of the 'message' is
the teacher focusing on improving?
 The clarity and comprehensibility of the
content.
28. How does the environment affect the outcome
of a communication interaction?
 It impacts the perceptions, reactions, and
interactions of the participants.

9. In a marketing context, how does adjusting the 29. In evaluating the success of an event, which
language and imagery in an advertisement relate to aspect of the 'environment' should be critically
the 'message' component of communication? analyzed?
 It customizes the message to resonate
with the target audience.  The ambiance, setting, and physical
arrangements of the event.
10. In critiquing a political leader's speech, which
criterion is most directly related to evaluating the 30. When reviewing a negotiation's effectiveness,
'message' of the communication? which criterion is most directly related to evaluating
the 'environment' where the negotiation took place?
 The logical structure and argumentation  The physical setting, comfort, and
in the speech. privacy of the negotiation space.
Channel Context

11. What is the 'channel' in the communication 31. What does 'context' refer to in the
process? communication process?
 The medium or means through which the  The constructed reality of the sender that
message is conveyed. shapes how the message is packaged.

32. What is the primary purpose of context in the

12. Why is the choice of channel important in the communication process?

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
communication process?
 It influences the effectiveness and clarity
of the message received.
13. If a manager decides to hold a video conference
instead of sending an email for urgent team updates,
what aspect of the 'channel' is the manager
prioritizing?
 The need for immediate and direct
communication.
14. In a classroom setting, how does the choice
between a lecture and an interactive workshop
relate to the 'channel' component of
communication?
 It reflects the teacher's preference for
one-way or two-way communication.
35. When evaluating the effectiveness of a public
15. In assessing the communication strategy of a relations campaign, which aspect of 'context' should
customer service department, which aspect of the be analyzed?
'channel' should be critically analyzed?
 The variety of communication platforms
offered to customers.
Receiver
16. Who is the 'receiver' in the communication
process?
 The individual or entity that receives and
interprets the message.
17. What is expected of the receiver in the
communication process?
 To be influenced by the source/sender.
18. Why is the receiver's role crucial in the
communication process?
 The receiver's interpretation and
response shape the outcome of the
communication.
19. How does the receiver's background and context
influence the communication process?
 It shapes how the receiver interprets and
understands the message.
20. When evaluating the effectiveness of a team's
communication, which aspect of the 'receiver'
GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 To ensure the message is agreeable to the
target audience or the receiver.
33. How does the context affect the sender's
creation of the message?
 It impacts the choice of words, tone, and
style used by the sender.
34. If a politician tailors their speech to resonate
with a specific demographic, what aspect of
'context' is being utilized?
 The constructed reality and expectations
of the target audience.
 The alignment between the message and
the audience's values and beliefs.
Interference
36. What does 'interference' refer to in the
communication process?
 Barriers or difficulties that prevent
effective communication.
37. What types of factors can contribute to
interference in the communication process?
 Physical, psychological, cultural, social,
economic, and political factors.
38. How does interference affect the
communication process?
 It impacts the clarity, reception, and
understanding of the message.
39. If a team leader uses plain language and visual
aids to explain complex concepts to a diverse team,
what aspect of 'interference' is being addressed?
 The linguistic barriers among team
members.
40. When assessing the communication within a
team, which aspect of 'interference' should be
analyzed?
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
should be analyzed?  The barriers to communication such as
 The understanding and interpretation of cultural or language differences.
messages by team members.

Communication
 is a natural phenomenon.
 is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to another
within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures
 comes from the Latin communicare, meaning to share or to make ideas common.
 people’s need for self-expression leads to communicating their thoughts and feelings. Whether
we speak or not, we communicate with the other party.
 communication is inevitable, and it can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions,
or both spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.
 communication has progressed significantly, and it keeps on advancing as innovation in
technology and social media develops.
 communication happens anytime and anywhere. Hence, it becomes central to life and culture.
 it has become a key instrument to build and strengthen relationships between and among
people.
 for every instance of communication, there is an appropriate form of messaging. This success
relies on our ability to communicate effectively.

Components of Communication Process

Components of communication process are the source, message, channel, receiver, feedback,
environment, context, and interference.

1. Source- the sender thoughtfully creates the message. the source can be anyone, in mass
communication, they can be regarded as ‘influencers’, ‘gatekeepers’ or ‘agenda-setters.'

2. Message- the ideas or thoughts conveyed by the sender influence its target audience. this message
takes many forms - from simple to complex.

3. Channel- this is the medium or the means through which the message is conveyed. it is the
responsibility of, either or both the sender and the receiver, to choose the best channel for the
interaction.

4. Receiver- the receiver is the recipient or target of the message. He/She/They are expected to be
influenced by the source/sender.

5. Feedback- this is the reaction and/or response to the message by the receiver.

6. Environment- this is the place, the feeling, the mood, the mindset, and the condition of both sender
and receiver. It may involve the physical set-up of a location where communication takes place, space
and time occupied by both, including all their circumstances that could affect them.

7. Context- this involves the ‘constructed reality' of the sender which determines how the message is
packaged for the receiver to ensure such message is deemed agreeable to the target audience or the
receiver.

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
8. Interference- this is also known as barriers or difficulties that prevent effective communication to
take place. Barriers could be issues/states/nature of the sender and the receiver’s physical,
psychological, cultural, social, economic, and political character, their linguistic competencies, are
among the interferences that may affect their interaction.

Types of Communication

Communication is classified according to mode, context, and purpose and style.

1. According to Mode

a. Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication- effective communication calls for the blending of
verbal and nonverbal elements because one cannot be separated from the other. Verbal
communication uses words to interchange information with other people either in the form of
speech or writing. The message can be clearly understood and immediate feedback is possible.
On the contrary, nonverbal communication does not use words for communicating anything,
but some other modes such as body language, facial expressions, sign language, symbols,
among others.

b. Visual Communication- this uses visuals to convey information and message. Examples are
signs, symbols, imagery, maps, graphics, etc. Today, emojis, emoticons, giphs, and animations
are prevalent. How these visuals are interpreted is crucial in the communication process.

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
2. According to Context

a. Intrapersonal Communication- this is talking to oneself. It could also be labeled as inner

talk, inner monologue or dialogue. Self-talk can be advantageous as it enables you to practice
what you ought to say in times when you lack the motivation and confidence to speak.

b. Interpersonal Communication- this is when the interactive exchange between or among

people takes place.

c. Extended Communication- this involves the use of electronic media. Anyone can participate
despite the distance. Messages are transmitted quickly with the use of extended
communication.

d. Organizational Communication- the focus of this communication is on the role that

communication plays in organizational contexts. For an organization to be successful, a system
of communication should be put in place. A set of rules or standards for communication
protocol should be made clear so that interaction patterns are established.

e. Intercultural Communication- this is communication between or among people having

different linguistic, religious, ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds.

3. According to Purpose and Style

a. Formal Communication- also termed as official communication, it is a type of

communication in which the sender follows a pre-defined channel to transmit the information
to the receiver. This employs formal language delivered orally or in written form. Its main
objectives are to inform, persuade, and entertain.

b. Informal Communication- most commonly known as grapevine, this is a type of

communication in which the sender does not follow any pre-defined channels to transmit the
information. This does not employ formal language. It involves personal and ordinary
conversations.
The Modes of Communication

Communication modes refer to the channel through which one expresses his/her communicative intent.
This is the medium through which one conveys his/her thoughts and feelings. These can be
communicated through face-to-face interaction, video, audio, or text based.

 Face-to-face- this is the most preferred mode because it is highly effective. This is an informal
or casual conversation between two or more people. How to speak, what to speak, when to
speak, and to whom one is speaking are all important considerations in using this mode. One
advantage is that one can note visual cues through facial expressions, etc.

 Video- cameras are now used to communicate online. This is a significant alternative to in-
person meetings. Popular applications of this mode are Messenger, Facetime, Skype, and
Google Meet. While this is a convenient communication mode for individuals who need to
connect with one another or several persons despite the distance, the regional time differences

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER
 PURPOSIVE
COMMUNICATION
pose a challenge.

 Audio- only the speaker’s voice is heard. This is great for connecting several remote people at
once. However, this poses challenges especially in listening to people with different accents.
For instance, when listening to a native speaker of English, some cannot distinguish the sound.
Another obvious downside is not being able to see the body language or cues of the person you
are talking to.

 Text-based- it has a wider reach and can disseminate information to a bigger audience quickly.
This style of communication does not necessarily take place in real-time. Examples of text-
based communication are e-mails, chat, and forums.

GEC102-SECOND SEMESTER