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About Communication
1.1 Why we communicate
Communication touches many aspects of our lives, from our physical and other everyday needs to our experiences with
relationships, spirituality, and identity.
Communication Meets Physical Needs
helps us maintain physical and mental well-being
keeps us healthy
inherently social beings that when we are denied the opportunity for interaction, our mental and physical health suffer
research shows that people without strong social ties, such as close friendships and family ties are more likely to suffer
major ailments, including heart disease and high blood pressure and to die prematurely than people who have close and
satisfying relationships

Communication Fills Identity Needs

helps us decide who we are and who we want to be
ways we communicate with others – and the ways others communicate with us - play a major role in shaping how we
see ourselves
good communicators also have the ability to emphasize different aspects of their identities in different situations

Communication Meets Spiritual Needs

lets us share our beliefs and values with others
involves people’s beliefs about the meaning of life , which often include personal philosophies, an awe of nature, a
belief in higher purpose, and religious faith and practices
Communication Serves Instrumental Needs
helps us accomplish many day-to-day tasks
communicates to meet their practical, everyday needs
includes short-term tasks
longer-term goals
each behavior is valuable
many instrumental needs
satisfying instrumental needs
2 The Nature of Communication
2.1 Three Models of Human Communication
2.2 Six Characteristics of Communication
2.3 Dispelling Some Communication Myths
Three Models of Communication
Model- formal description of a process
1. Communication as Action
Source- the originator of a thought or idea
Encode- to put an idea into language or gesture
Message- verbal and nonverbal elements of communication to which people give meaning
Channel- pathway through which messages are conveyed
Decode-to interpret or give meaning to a message
Receiver-the party who interprets a message
Noise-anything that interferes with the encoding or decoding a message

2. Communication as Interaction
Feedback
verbal and nonverbal responses to a message
actively involved in creating your conversation
Context
physical or psychological environment in which communication occurs
environment you are in includes both the physical and psychological context
physical-physically interacting with each other
psychological context-involves factors that influence your state of mind
3. Communication as Transaction
maintains that both people in a conversation are simultaneously sources and receivers
conversation flows in both directions at the same time

Six Characteristics of Communication

1. Communication Relies on Multiple Channels
1.1 channel-rich content
communication context involving many channels at once
face to face conversations; see their expressions and gestures, hear their tone of voice, and feel them touch you
1.2 channel-lean context
communication context involving few channels at once
Example: text messaging, relies almost entirely on text, so we don’t experience person’s voice or gestures
sending or receiving texts or letters
2. Communication Passes Through Perceptual Filters
what one person says is not always exactly what the other person hears
filter incoming communication through our perceptions, experiences, biases, and beliefs
3. People Give Communication Its Meaning
When we write or speak, we choose our words deliberately so we can say what we mean.
A word is a symbol, or a representation of an idea, but the word itself isn’t the idea or the
meaning. The meaning of words – and many other forms of communication – comes from
the people and groups who use them.
4. Communication has Literal Meanings and Relational Implications
Content dimension- consists of literal information being communicated about the subject
of the message
Relational dimension- signals about the relationship in which a message is being
communicated ( more messages than literal content)
5. Communication Sends a Message, whether Intentional or Unintentional
Your behavior sends message with intention or without.
6. Communication is Governed by Rules
Rules tell us what behaviors are required, preferred, or prohibited in various social
contexts.
Explicit rule- someone has clearly articulated them
Implicit rule- rules that almost everyone in a certain social group knows and follows, even
though no one has formally articulated and expressed them

3 How We Communicate Personally

Characteristics of Interpersonal Communication
Communication that occurs between two people within the context of their relationship and that, as it evolves, helps
them to negotiate, and define their relationship.
1. Interpersonal Communication Occurs Between Two People
1.1 Intrapersonal communication
communication with oneself
talk to yourself
1.2 Mass communication
from one source to a large audience
communication is transmitted to large numbers of people
1.3 Small group communication-occurring within a small groups of three or more people as in a family, on a committee, or
in a support group
2. Interpersonal Communication Occurs Within a Relationship
share some sort of relationship
can be intimate, romantic
relationships with different people; relatives, close friends, classmates, acquaintances, co-workers
3. Interpersonal Communication Evolves Within Relationships
occurs overtime
not a one-shot deal but something that is continually evolving within a realtionship
4. Interpersonal Communication Negotiates and Defines Relationships
every relationship has its own identity
probably group them into friendship types; very close friends, casual friends, work friends, and school friends
Why Interpersonal Communication Matters
is pervasive
can improve our relationships
can improve our health
What Communicating Competently Involves
1. Communicating Effectively
how well your communication achieves its goals
2. Communicating Appropriately
besides being effective, competent communication should also be appropriate
means attending to the rules and expectations that apply in a social situation

Characteristics of Competent Communicators

1. Self-awareness
aware of their own behavior and its effects on others
self-monitoring
2. Adaptability
adapt to different situations
able to assess what is going to be appropriate and effective in a given context and then modify behavior accordingly
3. Empathy
ability to think and feel as others do
other oriented
understand other people’s thoughts and feelings
4. Cognitive Complexity
ability to understand a given situation in multiple ways
keeps you from jumping to the wrong conclusion and responding inappropriately
5. Ethics
a code of morality or a set of ideas about what is right
judging whether something is morally right or wrong

Communications
3 Basic Functions
a)to provide information
b)to persuade or argue
c)to entertain, honor and praise
To provide information
-give instructions
-provide facts
-clarify ideas
Nature of informative communications
Formal Situations Requiring Informative Communication
-public lecture
-status report
-briefing
-fireside chats
-chalk talk

EVALUATING MESSAGES AND/OR IMAGES

Language
• the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in
a structured and conventional way;
• is inevitable;
• as culture change, so does language.

Another unexpected change is the used of the “generic” he, his, him, and himself as only allowed
referents of a singular indefinite pronoun or unspecified person whose gender is unknown.
When this practice became controversial as being sexist in 20 th century, three options were
suggested for a singular gender-neutral pronoun.
First: To use he or she alternately.
Second: To have both he and she as he or she, his or her, him or her, himself or herself.
Third: To go against their traditional plural-only rule for they, then, their, and themselves and treat them as a
singular gender-neutral pronoun.

INCORRECT VERSUS CORRECT LANGUAGE USE

Prescriptivist – people who act down rules for correct language use, equate correctness to strict observance of
the rules of grammar
- educated members of society who have the power to sanction speakers for not following language rules.

The inability to speak what is acceptable as correct English has negative consequences. OKCupid, an online
dating site, concludes that after analyzing half a million messages it has received that correct language is
important in getting more replies.
OKCupid is implying that “Netspeak, bad grammar, and bad spelling give the reader of the message the
impression that the writer is “STUPID”

COMMUNICATION MODELS

Classical Model of Communication

-developed by Aristotle, one of the three pioneering Greek philosophers

Aristotle’s speaker-centered model development in the hands of Roman educator Quintillian

whose Institutio Oratoria was filled with advise of a good speaker-statesman

Aristotle’s model of proof

a)Logos-inheres in the content or message itself
b)Pathos-inheres in the audience
c)Ethos-inheres in the speaker
Linear Models
NON LINEAR MODELS
 LANGUAGE REGISTER
•A register is characterized by “differences in the type of language selected as appropriate to different types of
situation”
The term “register” refers to a particular varieties or styles of speaking and writing, which vary in their degrees
of formality depending on the topic (what), purpose (why), context (where), and audience (who).

Very Formal,frozen or static register

This register is “frozen” in time and content because it rarely or never changes.
Examples:
Poetry
•The Lord’s Prayer
•Laws
•Marriage vows
•Insurance Policy
•Leases
•Will
Formal or regulated register
This is the formal and impersonal language, which is one-way in nature and used in formal situations.
Examples:
Books
•News Reports
•Magazine or Journal Articles
•Business Letters
•Official speeches
•Sermons
Neutral, professional,or consultative register
•This is the normal style of speaking between communicators who use mutually accepted language that
conforms to formal societal standards.
Examples:
Communication between strangers
•Teacher and student
•Superior and subordinate
•Doctor and Patient
•Lawyer and Client
Informal, group or casual register
•This is the informal language between friends and peers, which uses slang, vulgarities, colloquialisms.
Examples:
•Conversations
•Chats and emails
•Blogs
•Tweets
•Personal Letters
Very informal,personal or intimate register
•This is the private, intimate language reserved for family members or intimate people.
Ex:
Interactions between husband and wife
•Boyfriend and girlfriend
•Siblings
•Parent and child

•Informal language helps you build friendships and develop strong relationships with people. It also allows
you to express your sense of humour effectively.

-Neutral language helps you deal with most everyday situations in a variety of different environments. It’s the
default style and will rarely be inappropriate.

Formal language helps you function effectively in certain situations and will be appropriate in many
professional, academic or official contexts. It’s useful for dealing with figures of authority.
COMMUNICATION GOALS
-To change behaviour
-To get action
-To give and give information
-To ensure understanding
-To persuade
 LINGUISTIC PREFERENCE AND NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS

LINGUISTIC PREFERENCE
•A preferred cultural way of interacting when communicating with other people.
•Provide hints about behavior, manners and thinking as a cultural group.

SPANIARDS AND ITALIANS

•Prefer eloquence and expressiveness to exactness.
•They tend to be flowery in their words.
ENGLISH
•Use understatement to avoid confrontation.
Asians
•Consider harmony an important virtue. To avoid confrontation, they often say “yes” to many things.
Latin America, Southern Europe and Japan
•Are not comfortable with ambiguity because they are conditioned to expect absolute truths.
Scandinavians
•Tend to be reserved; completely focused, dedicated listeners.
Germans
•Are logical in both manner and words

NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS
•Are expressive human attributes that impart feelings, attitudes, reactions and judgments.
•It is called “The Silent Language”

AUSTRALIA
•Popular American “thumbs up” sign is considered obscene.
• V-sign with the palm facing forward is considered as an insult.
FRANCE
•Your hands should be visible at all times even when seated at a table.
GERMANY
• It is impolite to put your hands in your pockets.
•Gum chewing in public is rude.
• Sit down only after you have been offered a seat.
• Use titles to show respect; be punctual.

HONG KONG
•Maintain a two arm’s-length distance with the person.
•Touching and patting are taboo
•When your seated, your feet should be facing the ground; the soles of your shoes should not be shown.

INDONESIA
•When you are in a private home or mosque, be sure to remove your shoes.
•Hugging and kissing in public is inappropriate.

JAPAN
•The bow is still the tradition in greetings.
•Exchanging business cards is important. When given one, handle it with care.
• Keep your shoes in a good condition
•Even if you are upset or displeasure, just smile to show self-control.
•Saving face is important to the Japanese.
•Japanese uses a smiley nods and polite noises as he listens only to encourage the speaker.
•When blowing your nose, do it discreetly.
• To Japanese, laughter can mean confusion rather than being funny.
•Americans “okay” sign means money.
•Remove your shoes at the front door.
•Chopsticks etiquette.

SAUDI ARABIA
•Expect greetings to be emotional.
•Two men hold each other’s hand in public to show respect.
• Use your right hand when reaching or offering something.
•When sitting, be sure the soles of your shoes face the ground.
SINGAPORE
•Gesture with your hand in conversation.
• Pointing with one or two fingers is rude.
•Avoid showing the soles of your shoes.
•Your feet should be use for walking—nothing else.

SOUTH KOREA
•When meeting someone, a slight bow is appropriate.
• It is good manners to stand when older person enters the room.
• Lowering your eyes to show respect to the elders.
•Loud laughter is rude.
•Nose blowing should be done in private.
•Remove your shoes when entering a temple or home.
•A hug or patting on the back is rude.
UNITED KINGDOM
•When meeting someone, respect space by maintaining a two arm’s length distance.
• Men should wait for British woman to extend her hand before shaking hands .
•“How do you do?” is more appropriate response when
•V-sign with the palm facing forward is considered as an insult.
•Your hands should be visible. Its rude to put your hand in your pocket.
Text or Message
-information conveyed in the communication process.
It comprises verbal and/or nonverbal content, which maybe spoken, written, or manual(for sign language).

Message refers to any recorded message such as writing, audio recording, and video recording that is physically
independent of its sender and receiver.
Text is an “assemblage of signs (such as words, images, sounds and/or gestures). Can be verbal and nonverbal
or both.
Medium used in a variety of ways such as speech, writing or print and broadcasting.
Mass Media (radio, television, newspaper, magazine, books, photographs, films, and records).
Media of interpersonal communication such as telephone, letter, fax, email, video-conferencing, computer
based chat systems.

To create the best and produce a quality text, you need to consider the text type, purpose, and audience
3 Aspects of Text

-Structure
to how information is organized.
Language
-information is expressed verbally and/or nonverbally. It can be very formal, formal, neutral, informal, or very
formal depends on the text type required.
Presentation of the text
covers the layout, format length, oral delivery(voice, body language, and timing).

Usual written text types such as essays, reports, researches, reviews or reactions, journals, business letter,
translation and blogs. In speaking such as oral reports, speeches, or interviews.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SPEECHES
 THE ART OF MAKING POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
PowerPoint presentation is commonly used by the lecturers and reporters for discussion.

Three thing that we need before starting making a PowerPoint presentation

1. Determine your goal
2. Convert your goal into one “big idea”
3. Consolidate your ideas into just three concept

FIVE DESIGN PRINCIPLE

-Outline first to control the number of slides and to provide balance
- Have only one message per slide to allow the audience to understand it more
- Pay attention to size
- Apply the principle of contrast
-Limit the number of objects/items per slide

By presenting your PowerPoint presentation to the audience, DO THE FOLLOWING;

1. Come prepared
2. Get the set-up right
3.Know your audience and adjust the content accordingly
4. Go easy on fonts
5. Go easy on logos
6. Go easy on colors
7. Make eye contact
8. Be kind to questioners
9. Be kind to the folks in the back
10. Design slides for distance
11. Cell phone off
12. Do not be crazy with the laser pointer
13. Do not cram too much on each slide
14. Do not read from your notes or slides
15. Do not spew jargon
16. Do not demean audience members
17. Do not turn your back
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL MUTICULTURAL COMMUNICATION AND FOR INNOVATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Multicultural refers to a society that contains several cultural or ethnic groups. People live alongside one
another, but each cultural group does not necessarily have engaging interactions with each other.

1.Simplify your message by using less- complex sentence structures and vocabulary
2. Avoid shouting to be understood
3. Define the meaning of critical technical words and acronyms
4. Avoid nonstandard abbreviations, such as “ U R “ for “ you are”
5. Be patient and try to follow the others communicators ideas and logic, which may be different from yours.
6. Ask him to repeat once, maybe twice or to say his ideas in a different manner ( if you do not understand him)
7. When you feel strong emotions about something said or done by someone who comes from a culturally
different background than you do, clarify their meanings and intentions before you express your emotions
8. Remain cool and composed, even when you have made a mistake that results in embarrassment for you or
when you feel embarrassed by others (in most cases, they did not mean to embarrass you)
9. If you cannot think of any positive interpretation of someone else’s actions or words, chances are you are
missing something. Clarify with the person or with someone who has experience in dealing with similar cultural
groups.
10. Adapt your space requirements to those of your counterparts whenever possible. You can judge someone’s
comfort zone by the distance to which they extend their hand when shaking hands.
11. When someone does or says something that seems weird and/or wrong, give him/her the benefit of the
doubt. Ask yourself: “How else could I interpret these words or actions?”
Tips for Innovative English Speakers
If you do not mind people suggesting words so that you can communicate more quickly, say so.
2. Try to participate in English discussion, especially brainstorming sessions, even if you feel uncomfortable.
3. If your school offers English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, take them even if your English is already
functional. Courses designed to help you modify your accent to make it more understandable by native English
speakers can be particularly beneficial.
4. Keep a dictatorial handy or google to make sure the words you use mean what you think they mean.
5. Ask a native English speaker for help with your documents, presentations and even sensitive e-mails or phone
calls, if necessary.
6. Before calling someone, think of what you want to say and look up any words that you are unsure of. If you
must leave a voice mail message, compose the message on paper, then read it into the phone.
7. Make sure you know and use appropriately the technical words that people in your field use. Find a native
English speaker who will take the time to discuss this with you; use sketches, diagrams and pictures to ensure
that you understand correctly. Use the terms repeatedly until they become second nature.
8. Do not attempt to use slang and idiomatic expressions until you are quite comfortable with the language.
Using these incorrectly or in the wrong situation can backfire.