LESSON 1

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
PREPARED FOR PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION BY:
BELLE C. MANLAPIG, FACULTY AUP LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT
 WHAT IS COMMUNICATION?

• Communication is defined as the exchange of thoughts, ideas,

concepts and views between or among two or more people.
• Context is the circumstance or environment in which
communication takes place. Such may include the physical or
actual setting, the value positions of a speaker/ listener and the
relevance or appropriateness of a message conveyed.
 EACH COMMUNICATION TYPE IS GOVERNED BY A PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCE.

• Factors surrounding the context of communication are:

1. Physical
2. Social
3. Cultural
4. Psychological
THREE CLASSIFICATIONS OF COMMUNICATION

• 1. communication mode
• 2. communication context
• 3. communication purpose and style
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO MODE
(EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION CALLS FOR BLENDING OF THESE MODES)

1. Verbal – spoken words

2. Non- Verbal- e.g. smile, hand shake, gestures
3. Visual- it is a type of communication that uses signs,
symbols, imagery, maps, charts, graphs, diagrams,
pictograms, photos, drawings or illustrations to convey
information.
 TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO CONTEXT

1. Intra- personal- talking to oneself ( self or inner talk,

monologue, inner dialogue, self verbalization, self-statement)
2. Interpersonal communication- is meant to establish or deepens
one’s relationship with others. It becomes transactional when
the objective is to achieve something at the end of
conversation.
3. Extended communication- involves the use of electronic media. (tele,
audio, phone conferencing, video conferencing, skype calls etc.)
4. Organizational communication- the focus is on the role that
communication plays in organizational contexts. For an organization to be
successful, a system of should be put in place. Set of rules (protocols) should
be clear and individuals must be equipped with oral & written communication
skills the organization expects.
 TWO TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

1. Formal- Formal structure allows communication to take place via designated

channels of message flow between positions in the organization.
2. Informal – Informal communication comes from unofficial channels of
message flow. Also known as ‘grapevine’ messages coming from different
levels of the organization are transmitted. This occurs due to the
dissatisfaction of some employees accompanied by uncertainty such as
unfavorable company rules.
FOUR APPROACHES OF FORMAL COMMUNICATION

1. Downward communication- the type that flows from upper to

lower positions, i.e. president to a manager to an ordinary staff
2. Upward communication- Conversely, message transmission is
bottom up ,i.e. subordinates send communication to their
superiors bearing their views or feedbacks on policies, issues
related to their jobs and the like.
3.Horizontal communication- is lateral in approach as it takes place
among people belonging to the same level but coming from different
departments or units to facilitate performance of tasks through proper
coordination
4. Crosswise communication- is diagonal in nature as employees from
different units working at various levels communicate with each other.
 ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE

• Each organization has its own culture. Based on its history and
development, an organization develops its own core values,
vision and mission statements, goals , and objectives.
• Organizational culture is of utmost significance since it will
dictate the kind of behavior that employees should possess as
well as the extent of commitment expected from them by the
organization.
 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

• It is communication between or among people having different linguistic,

religious, ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds.
• For instance, Australians consider eye contact as important in assessing the
sincerity of a person while for Indians, looking straight into the eyes of a
person while talking is inappropriate.
• It is important then not to be judgmental or to rush into interpretations as
cultures sometimes vary enormously.
 TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING TO
PURPOSE AND STYLE
1. Formal communication employs formal language delivered
orally or in written form. Lectures, public speeches, research and
project proposals, reports and business letter, among others are all
considered formal situations and writings.
• To inform, to entertain, and to persuade are the main objectives of
this type of communication.
• 2. Informal communication certainly does not employ formal language. It
involves personal and ordinary conversations with friends, relatives, or
acquaintances about anything. The mode may be oral as in face-to-face,
everyday talks and phone calls or written as in the case of e-mail messages,
personal notes, letters or text messages.
• The purpose is simply to socialize and enhance relationships.
 CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE INPUT
BY ANSWERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
• 1.  How can visual communication enhance the message conveyed by a speaker? Cite a particular situation when it
is best to employ visual communication.
• 2. How do you differentiate formal communication from informal communication in relation to purpose and style?
Provide situations to illustrate the differences.