Effective Communication: Key Concepts and Contexts

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from the lecture notes on effective communication in classroom and workplace contexts.

Effective communication

The process of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings in a way that is clearly understood by both the sender and the receiver.

Audience

The person or group the message is intended for; affects the tone, formality, and language used.

Context

The environment or setting in which communication happens, including participants, physical setting, psychological environment, and cultural backdrop.

Temporal context

Timing of a message; when something is said or done; timing can change how people feel about the message.

Social-psychological context

How people feel and who they are to each other when they communicate; includes emotions, relationships, status, and social norms.

Cultural context

Beliefs, values, customs, language, and behaviors shared by a group that influence how messages are sent, received, and understood.

Social context

Who you’re talking to and your role in the situation; what is acceptable in different social situations.

Historical context

The time period, events, social conditions, and culture surrounding a message; helps explain why something was said or written.

Physical context

Where the communication happens and the environment (location, seating, noise, lighting, privacy).

Relational context

Who you are to each other and how past interactions affect current communication (trust, familiarity, comfort).

Functional context

The purpose or goal behind the communication (inform, persuade, entertain, express feelings, solve a problem).

Situational context

The specific situation or event surrounding a communication act (reason, urgency, tone required).

Environmental context

The larger surroundings that affect communication (physical setting, norms, weather, technology access).

Tone

The attitude or emotion behind the words; how you feel about what you’re saying.

Language

The choice and order of words and punctuation used to convey meaning.

Formal language

Used in school or work; polite, professional; full sentences; no slang; examples provided.

Informal language

Used with friends or casual settings; relaxed tone; includes slang and contractions.

Word choice

How specific words reveal intent; polite or emotional language vs. strong/emotional terms.

Non-verbal cues

Supports or contradicts spoken words; includes tone, facial expressions, and body language.

Structure of the message

Organization: greeting/opening, body, and closing; reveals intent and tone.

Main point

The main idea or central claim of a text or message.

Supporting details

Facts or examples that explain or back up the main idea.

Intent

What the speaker or writer really wants to communicate or achieve.

Purpose

The reason for writing or speaking; how audience and purpose guide the message.

Audience considerations

What the audience is like, what they know or don’t know, biases, interests, and what evidence might affect their view.

Spoken texts

Conversations, speeches, interviews, and other oral forms of communication.

Written texts

Stories, letters, essays, articles, and other text-based forms.

Multimodal texts

Texts that combine modes (images, sound, video, text, movement) like memes, vlogs, infographics, or TikToks.

Extracting main points

The process of identifying the main idea and the supporting details in a message.

Clarity

The quality of being easy to understand; helps with summarizing, note-taking, and effective communication.