Barriers of Communication & Oral Communication Activities

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms related to communication barriers, types of noises, oral communication activities, evaluation criteria, and speech contexts.

Physical Barriers

Obstacles to communication caused by natural or environmental conditions.

Psychological Barriers

Mental obstacles arising from a speaker’s social or personal issues.

Cultural Barriers

Communication problems rooted in differing values, beliefs, and traditions.

Linguistic Barriers

Conflicts stemming from the denotative and connotative meanings of words, often culture-dependent.

External Noises

Sight, sound, or other stimuli that distract from the intended message; a form of physical barrier.

Internal Noises

Thoughts and feelings that interfere with understanding; associated with psychological and cultural barriers.

Semantic Noises

Words or phrases that carry unintended meanings for listeners; linked to linguistic barriers.

Oral Communication

The process of conveying information or ideas by word of mouth, both verbal and non-verbal.

Informal Oral Communication

Casual spoken exchanges such as telephone calls and face-to-face conversations.

Formal Oral Communication

Structured speaking situations like business meetings or commencement speeches.

One-on-one Speaking

Brief, focused interaction between two individuals, e.g., paired discussion during a lecture.

Small Group or Team-Based Oral Work

Discussion or problem solving in groups of three to about twelve participants.

Full Class Discussion

Whole-class dialogic exploration of a question, idea, or problem.

In-class Debates

Structured arguments where participants advocate one side throughout.

Deliberation

Structured discussion allowing participants to move among positions during consideration of an issue.

Speeches and Presentations

Prepared or impromptu remarks delivered by an individual or group from an outline or script.

Oral Examinations

Question-and-answer assessments conducted orally to gauge depth and range of knowledge.

Central Message

The main point, thesis, or take-away of a presentation; should be clear and memorable.

Delivery Techniques

Use of posture, gestures, eye contact, and voice to enhance a presentation.

Language (Criterion)

Appropriate, clear, grammatical, and bias-free vocabulary and sentence structure supporting a presentation.

Organization (Speech)

Logical grouping and sequencing of ideas, including introduction, body, and conclusion.

Supporting Materials

Explanations, examples, statistics, analogies, quotations, etc., that bolster main ideas.

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication that occurs within oneself.

Dyad

A communication context involving exactly two people.

Small Group Communication

Interaction among three to about twelve individuals.

Interpersonal Communication

Exchange of messages between two or more people; can be formal, informal, intimate, or casual.

Public Communication

Delivery of a message to a large audience in a single venue.

Mass Communication

Transmission of messages through media channels to large, dispersed audiences.