Foundational Communication Concepts

Effective Communication

The process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings so that the message is received, understood, and acted upon with intended clarity.

Sender

The initial phase where the communicator conceives a clear concept, purpose, or objective to share.

Encoding

Translating abstract thoughts orinternal ideas into structured language, symbols, gestures, or visual media.

Channel

Choosing the appropriate medium or platform to transmit the message.

Decoding

The receiver’s mental process of interpreting incoming symbols, words, and signals to reconstruct meaning.

Feedback

This is a process. The recipient’s response conveyed back to the sender, confirming mutual understanding or highlighting the need for clarification.

Noise

Any physical, psychological, cultural, or semantic interference that disrupts, alters, or distorts message clarity.

Double the delivery, guarantee the understanding

Tagline regarding the principle of redundancy.

Linguistic Barrier

Occurs when communication is hindered because the sender and receiver do not share the same language, dialect, or level of language proficiency

Semantic Barrier

Is a specific type of linguistic barrier where the obstacle stems from misunderstandings in the meaning of words, symbols, or phrases, even when both people speak the same language.

Psychological Barrier

Internal emotional or mental states such as stress, cognitive bias, anxiety, or defensiveness that obstruct clear processing.

Fields of Experience

The cumulative culture, background, values, and knowledge of a communicator overlap between sender and receiver is required for clear communication.

Aristotle’s Model

Linear model focusing on public speaking and rhetoric, centers on three persuasive appeals to influence an audience, Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Ethos

Establishes speaker credibility and authority

Pathos

Connects on an emotional level

Logos

Relies on logical reasoning an d facts

Clear

This characteristic focuses on a single, specific goal or message while using straightforward, easily understandable language.

Concise

This characteristic eliminating redundant phrasing, fluff, and unnecessary filler words without sacrificing key context or meaning.

Concrete

Supporting arguments with specific facts, tangible details, and real-world examples rather than vague assertions.

Correct

This characteristic emphasizes maintaining technical accuracy, precise grammar and spelling, correct terms, and audience-appropriate framing.

Coherent

This characteristic focuses on arranging ideas, points, and structural elements, in a logical, well-organized, and seamless sequence.

Complete

This characteristics include all essential background context, data, and actionable next steps required for full understanding.

Courteous

This characteristic uses en empathetic, respectful, polite, and constructive tone that considers the recipient’s perspective.

Berlo’s SMCR

This Model evaluates the psychological and sensory variables influencing sender and receiver.

Lasswell’s Model

Evaluates mass communication and outcomes through 5 direct questions.