Oral Communication Week 1 - Core Concepts

Origin and Meaning of Communication

  • Origin of the term: comes from the Latin word communicare meaning “to share”.
  • Core idea: the act of passing information from one location, person, or group to another.
  • Modalities: can be conveyed through Verbal and Non-Verbal means.

Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication

  • Verbal communication:
    • The act of communicating with others through language.
  • Non-verbal communication:
    • The communication of meaning through body language, gestures, constructed space, and other means.

Verbal vs. Non-Verbal Communication (Summary)

  • Verbal: language-based transmission of meaning.
  • Non-verbal: meaning conveyed through non-spoken cues (body language, posture, space, etc.).

Oral Communication

  • Definition: It is a method of exchanging language from one person to another.
  • Examples: Job interviews, debating, giving a speech, storytelling, etc.

The Process of Communication

  • Core components in the process:
    • Sender
    • Message
    • Receiver
    • Encoding
    • Decoding
    • Channel
    • Noise
    • Feedback
  • Brief definitions:
    • Sender: The source of information; the first party in a communication.
    • Receiver: The second party; the one who gets messages, comprehends them, and responds.
    • Channel: The route used to deliver the encoded message to the recipient. (Note: transcript spells this as Chanel.)
    • Message: The subject material the sender wants to communicate; may include facts, opinions, ideas, requests, suggestions, etc.
    • Decoding: The process by which the recipient converts the message into meaningful words.
    • Encoding: The process of giving form and meaning to the message; expressing the message in words, symbols, gestures, drawings, or other forms.
    • Feedback: Determines whether the message is clearly understood and whether the recipient takes appropriate action as intended by the sender.
    • Noise: Any element that interferes with communication; may or may not appear during communication.

The Elements of Communication

  • The core elements are: APPROACH, STYLE, DEVELOPMENT, TONE, CLARITY, CORRECTNESS.

APPROACH

  • Definition: Involves timing, medium, and other strategies.
  • Decision factors: How to approach a conversation should be informed by the speaker’s knowledge of the audience.
  • Example: A teacher opening a discussion with students when interaction is required.

DEVELOPMENT

  • Definition: A communication must contain or be supported by citations, references, or a basis.
  • Rationale: Ensures the interaction has a basis for credibility.
  • Example: A teacher giving an assignment or a movie review; students must share information and necessary details about the movie.

CLARITY

  • Primary purpose: To enable the recipient to comprehend the message.
  • Consequences of poor clarity: Misunderstandings and ambiguities.
  • Secondary purpose: Clarity helps avoid confusion and disagreement.

TONE

  • Definition: The tone used when speaking conveys and shapes the message.
  • Impact: A simple phrase like "I don't know" can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on delivery.
  • Business relevance: In professional settings, tone can influence how others perceive you and how willing they are to listen.

CORRECTNESS

  • Definition: The precision of ideas, calculations, and language.
  • Practical guideline: Use the right words, syntax, and message structure.
  • Outcome: Effective communication depends on correct language use and grammar.

Key Terms in the Process (Quick Reference)

  • Sender: Source of information; initiates the message.
  • Receiver: Person who receives, interprets, and responds.
  • Channel: Route of communication (e.g., spoken, written, digital).
  • Message: Content to be communicated (facts, opinions, requests, etc.).
  • Encoding: How the message is formed (words, symbols, gestures).
  • Decoding: How the recipient interprets the message.
  • Feedback: Response that indicates understanding and appropriate action.
  • Noise: Any interference that degrades the quality of the message.

Connections to Practice and Real-World Relevance

  • Everyday communication requires a balance of approach, development, clarity, tone, and correctness.
  • In educational settings, teachers model effective communication by:
    • Choosing appropriate approaches for the audience.
    • Providing clear development with references.
    • Maintaining clarity to minimize misunderstandings.
    • Using an appropriate tone for context.
    • Ensuring correctness in language and structure.

Quick Revision Prompts

  • What does "communicare" mean, and how does it relate to communication today?
  • List the components of the communication process and briefly state what each does.
  • How do channel and noise affect message reception?
  • Explain why clarity is essential and give an example of unclear vs. clear messaging.
  • How can tone influence reception of a message in a business context?
  • What constitutes correctness in communication, and why is it important for credibility?