Chapter 1: How Communication Affects Your Life

Communication: the process of sending and receiving messages to

achieve understanding.

Breakdown in communication occurs when this process is interrupted or altered.

How do we communicate?

• Verbal – communication through speaking and writing

Nonverbal – communicating without words

•Body language•Gestures•Even silence

Between 80-90% of communication is nonverbal.

Non-verbal Communication

Final type of communication is speech communication, or transmission of ideas through voice.

All communication has one of two characteristics

• Interpersonal Communication– Talking with friends or a

group– Performing for an

audience (such as giving a speech)

– Watching television

• Intrapersonal Communication– Decision making– Worry or anxiety– Inner monologue

Interpersonal communication

• One-to-one communication – talking to one other person (Telephone)

• Group discussion – involves three or more people with a common purpose (study group)

Interpersonal communication cont’d• Public communication – one person

communicating with an audienceOral interpretation of literature – literature is read

aloud to an audience.

Drama – uses both language and action to present a picture of human life to an audience

Interpersonal communication cont’d• Mass communication – one or several senders

communicate with a very large number of receivers.• Magazines, newspapers, television, radio• MC is different because the receiver can turn off

the sender at will

Ethics in Communication

• Cite sources• Do not promote lies/Take out of context– Mitt Romney - "I like to fire people"– How Mr. Romney's rivals used his words

• Allowing opposing POV to be heard• Promote the truth as you see it– What is the difference between truth and fact?

Importance of Communication

• To learn• To make decisions – gov’t wouldn’t work, • For pleasure – talking on the phone, talking to

friends• For your job – interview, accurate directions,

salespeople. Go to pg. 15

Effective Communication

• Sincerity – believing what you say• Knowledge – speakers should know enough

about the subject to make listening worthwhile.• Organization – have a purpose and a plan• Listening – half of oral communication involves

listening. You may learn more listening than speaking. “Flip-side” of good listening.

Effective Communication cont’d

• Confidence • Language – word choice can aid or hinder the

message getting across. Audience must understand speaker.

• Nonverbal Communication – “says” a great deal to audience.

• Goal Setting – effective speakers will be able to reach goals.