NATURE and ELEMENTS

of COMMUNICATION
ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT
Prepared by: MS.SOFIA D. TUMAMBING
DEFINITION OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is derived from Latin “commūnicāre”
meaning “to share”.
According to McCornack,2014, Communication is a
process of sharing and conveying messages or information
from one person to another within and across channels,
contexts, media and cultures.
Communication is a two-way process of reaching mutual
understanding, in which participants not only exchange
information but also create and share meaning within and
across channels, contexts, media and cultures.
Nature and Process of Communication
Variety of Context and Situations in which Communication can
be manifested: Face-to-Face Interaction, Phone Conversation,
Group Discussion, Meeting or Interview, Letter
Correspondence, Class Recitation

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 oe
spoken words, actions (non-verbal) 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
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions
or other forms that the speaker understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal,
verbal or non-verbal in which the encoded message is conveyed
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 communication takes place
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication
Process of Communication

The speaker generates an idea.

The speaker encodes an idea or converts the idea

into words or actions

The speaker transmits or sends out a message

The receiver gets the message.

The receiver decodes or interprets the message

based on the context.

The receiver sends or provides feedback

Models of Communication
1. SHANNON-WEAVER MODEL
- the mother of all communication models (1949)
depicts communication as a linear or one-way process
consisting of five elements: a source (producer of
message); a transmitter (encoder of message into
signals); a channel (signals adapted for transmission); a
receiver ( decoder of message from the signal); and a
destination.
The model was criticized for missing one essential
element in communication process: feedback, the
speaker will not know whether the receiver understands
the message or not.
2. TRANSACTION MODEL
- is a two-way process with the inclusion of feedback
as one element. The 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.
3. SCHRAMM MODEL
- the model (1954) was modified Shannon-Weaver
model.
FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
A. VERBAL COMMUNICATION
- refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a
message. For an effective and successful communication, use
words to express ideas which can be easily understood by the
person you are talking. Consider the following:
1. Appropriateness - the language that you use should be
appropriate to the environment or occasion ( formal or
informal)
2. Brevity – be more direct with your words, avoid fillers and
insubstantial expressions which do not add message such as
“uh”, “you know”, “I guess” and the like. Use precise and
powerful words to be more credible.
3. Clarity – the meaning of words, feelings, or ideas may be
interpreted differently by a listener; hence, it is essential
for you to clearly state message and express your ideas and
feelings
4. Ethics - words should be carefully chosen in
consideration of the gender, roles, ethnicity, preferences,
and status of peole you are talking to.
5. Vividness – words that vividly or creatively describe things
or feelings usually add color and spice to communication.
Encouraged to find ways to charm your audience through the
use of vivid words.
B. Nonverbal Communication
- refers to an interaction where behaviour is used to convey and
represent meanings. All kinds of human responses that are not
expressed in words are classified as nonverbal communication.
Examples: stares, miles, tone of voice, movements, manners of walking,
standing and sitting, appearance, style of attire, attitude towards time
and space, personality, gestures and others.
Importance: enhances and emphasis message of speech; communicate
feelings, attitudes and perceptions; sustain attention of listeners; gives
audience preview to the type of speaker; appear more dynamic and
animated; serves as channel to release tension and nervousness; helps
make speech more dramatic; build connection with listeners; makes
credible speaker and helps vary your speaking style and avoid monotonous
delivery.
Functions of Communication
The Five Functions of Communication are:
1. CONTROL – function to control behaviour
2. SOCIAL INTERACTION – allows individual to interact with
others
3. MOTIVATION – motivates or encourages people to live
better
4. EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION – facilitates people’s expression
of their feelings and emotions
5. INFORMATION DISSEMINATION – functions to convey
information
Features of an Effective Communication
List of the 7 Cs of Effective Communication according to Prof.
Broom, Cutlip, and Center(2012) and widely used in public
relations and advertising.
1. COMPLETENESS
- essential to the quality of the communication process in
general. Communication should include everything that the
receiver needs to hear for him/her to respond, react or
evaluate properly.
2. CONCISENESS
- does not mean keeping the message short, but making it
direct or straight to the point. Insignificant or redundant
information should be eliminated from the communication that
will be sent to the recipient.
3. CONSIDERATION
- 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
- effective communication happens when the message is
concrete and supported by facts, figures and real-life examples and
situations. The receiver is more connected to the message
conveyed.
5. COURTESY
- shown by respecting the culture, values and beliefs of his/her
receivers. Being courteous at all times creates a positive impact on
the audience.
6. CLEARNESS
- implies the 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
- in grammar eliminates negative impact on the
audience and increases the credibility and effectiveness of
the message.
COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN
-when message or feedback is not
received by concerned party.

NOISE
- is a technical term used to refer
to all possible barriers to effective
communication and occur in the
communication process from time to time.
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Definition:
- Pertains to communication among people from different
nationalities (Gudykunst, 2003).
- Communication that is influenced by different ethnicities,
religions and sexual orientations.
- Is the sending and receiving of messages across languages
and cultures.
 Happens when individuals interact, negotiate and create meanings
while bringing in their varied cultural backgrounds (Ting-
Toomey,1999)
 Takes place when people draw from their cultural identify to
understand values, prejudices, language, attitudes and
relationships (Gudykunst & Kim, 2003)
DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL of INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY
Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS)
- offers a structure that explores how people experience cultural differences.
Six Stages ( according to Bennett and Bennett, 2004):
Stage1: DENIAL – the individual does not recognize cultural differences
Stage 2: DEFENSE – the individual starts to recognize cultural differences and is
intimidated by them, resulting in either a superior view on own culture or an
unjustified high regard for the new one.
Stage 3: MINIMIZATION – although individuals see cultural differences, they bank
more on the university of ideas rather than on cultural differences.
Stage 4: ACCEPTANCE – the individual begins to appreciate important cultural
differences in behaviours and eventually in values.
Stage 5: ADAPTATION – the individual is very open to world views when accepting
new perspective.
Stage 6: INTEGRATION – individuals start to go beyond their own cultures and see
themselves and their actions based on multifarious cultural viewpoints.
END OF DISCUSSION