Oral Communication Class Notes

Listening Exercise

  • "Draw Me a Bug" exercise: Teacher dictates bug description twice.

  • No questions or clarifications allowed during the exercise.

Learning Goal

  • Explain the functions, nature, and process of communication.

Definition of Communication

  • Communication: Process of sharing messages/information between people across channels, contexts, media, and culture (McCornack, 2014).

Nature of Communication

  • Communication is a process.

  • Occurs between two or more people.

  • Expressed through oral/spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both.

Elements of Communication

  • Speaker/Source: Knowledgeable, good communication skills, knows audience.

  • Message: Verbal or nonverbal.

  • Channel: Medium, five senses, voice, technology.

  • Receiver: Attentive, free of judgments/bias, asks questions, provides feedback.

  • Feedback: Question, answer, or reaction indicating comprehension.

Process of Communication

  • Speaker generates an idea.

  • Speaker encodes the idea into words/actions.

  • Speaker transmits the message.

  • Receiver gets the message.

  • Receiver decodes/interprets the message based on context.

  • Receiver provides feedback.

Functions of Communication

  • Control/Regulation: Manage behavior of others.

  • Social Interaction: Connect with others.

  • Motivation: Encourage others to improve.

  • Information: Share and gain information.

  • Emotional Expression: Express feelings.