Republic of the Philippines

Western Mindanao State University

College of Liberal Arts

CAS 101
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
Lesson#2

WMSU
Anie Delos Santos Palalon
Faculty

WESTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

Elements and Types of Communication
 
Introduction
Communication is generally defined as the exchange of thoughts,
ideas, concepts, and views between and among two or more people.
Communication happens when both interlocutors have their minds
analogous, meaning, both the sender and the recipient have the so
called “meeting of their minds.”
Communication is categorized according to types. The
manner on how messages are communicated to the
recipient/s are also investigated. It should not surprise you
to know that language is not limited to verbal manner.
Keating (1994) writes, Communication is powerful: It brings
companion to our side or scatters our rivals, reassures or
alerts children, and forges consensus or battle lines
between us. What she is saying is that, communication—
your ability to share your beliefs, ideas, and feelings—is at
the heart of all human contact. Whether people live in a city
in Zamboanga or Canada, in a village or barangay, they all
employ the same activity when they attempt to share their
thoughts and feelings with others. While the results when
sending messages may be different, the reasons people
communicate tend to be the same.
 Objectives
 
At the end of this lesson, you can:
1. Identify the types of communication in relation to communication mode, context, purpose
and style;
2. Differentiate verbal, non-verbal, and visual communication and their sub-forms in relation to
communication modes;
3. Explain the differences between formal and informal communication in relation to purpose
and style;
4. Evaluate the differences among intrapersonal, interpersonal, extended, organizational, and
intercultural communication in relation to communication context.
5. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different communication types in various
communication settings.
Topic Outline
Seven (7) Major Elements of Communication
Types of Communication according to MODE
Types of Communication according to CONTEXT
Types of Communication according to PURPOSE
 
ELEMENTS AND TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
 
 
Seven (7) Major Elements of Communication Process
Seven major elements of communication process are: (1) sender (2)
ideas (3) encoding (4) communication channel (5) receiver (6)
decoding and (7) feedback.
Communication may be defined as a process concerning exchange of
facts or ideas between persons holding different positions in an
organization to achieve mutual harmony. The communication process
is dynamic in nature rather than a static phenomenon.
Communication process as such must be considered a continuous and
dynamic inter-action, both affecting and being affected by many
variables.

(1) Sender:
The person who intends to convey the message with the intention of
passing information and ideas to others is known as sender or
communicator.
(2) Ideas:
This is the subject matter of the communication. This may be an
opinion, attitude, feelings, views, orders, or suggestions.
(3) Encoding:
Since the subject matter of communication is theoretical and intangible, its
further passing requires use of certain symbols such as words, actions or
pictures etc. Conversion of subject matter into these symbols is the process of
encoding.
(4) Communication Channel:
The person who is interested in communicating has to choose the channel for
sending the required information, ideas etc. This information is transmitted to the
receiver through certain channels which may be either formal or informal.
(5) Receiver:
Receiver is the person who receives the message or for whom the message is
meant for. It is the receiver who tries to understand the message in the best
possible manner in achieving the desired objectives.
(6) Decoding:
The person who receives the message or symbol from the communicator tries
to convert the same in such a way so that he may extract its meaning to his
complete understanding.
(7) Feedback:
Feedback is the process of ensuring that the receiver has received the
message and understood in the same sense as sender meant it.
 TYPES OF COMMUNICATION ACCORDING
TO MODE, CONTEXT, AND PURPOSE AND STYLE
 
Types of Communication according to Mode
 
A message may be conveyed via these types: verbal,
non-verbal, and visual. Though communication is often
thought of as verbal, the non-verbal mode is equally
essential as it enhances one’s message.
Effective communication calls for the blending of these
two types. Verbal communication makes use of words
tailored by the speaker to let the recipient decode the
message. Non-verbal communication makes use of
gestures, facial expressions, and body language to
reinforce the verbal cues. Visual communication, moreover,
is the type of communication that makes use of visuals or
images to convey information and/or messages. Some
examples include signs, symbols, imagery, maps, graphs,
charts, diagrams, pictograms and photos, and even various
forms of electronic communication like emojis and
emoticons.
Types of Communication according to Context
 
Context in communication is referred to as a composite of
people interacting with each other, Communication
according to context may include: (1) intrapersonal; (2)
interpersonal; (3) extended; (4) organizational; and (5)
intercultural.
Intrapersonal communication is labelled as inner talk,
inner monologue or talking to oneself. Psychologists call
this self-verbalization or self-statement. Moreover,
interpersonal communication may occur in dyads or small
groups, where it is meant to deepen one’s relationship with
others. However, if the objective is to achieve something at
the end of the conversation, it becomes transactional.
While the former is characterized by less seriousness and
formality, the latter is more formal and profound. In
addition, extended communication involves the use of
electronic media.
Extended communication encompasses tele,
audio, or phone conferencing, video conferencing,
Skype calls, and other technological means. Since
extended communication is public in nature,
speakers are expected to be prepared when they
speak, making their language more formal.
Organizational communication comprises the type of
communication among individuals working for the company
where hierarchical structure is apparent. It has a system of
communication put in place where standards of
communication protocols are made clear so that interaction
patterns are established. Formal structures allow
communication to take place via designated channels of
message flow between positions in the organization. Four
approaches may be used such as: (1) downward
communication, (2) upward communication, (3)
horizontal and (4) crosswise communication.
1. Downward communication occurs when information
and messages flow down through an organization's formal
chain of command or hierarchical structure. In other words,
messages and orders start at the upper levels of the
organizational hierarchy and move down toward the bottom
levels.
2. Upward communication is the process by which lower-
level company employees can directly communicate with
upper management to provide feedback, complaints or
suggestions regarding the day-to-day operations of the
company.
3. Horizontal communication, also called lateral communication, is the
practice of sharing information between employees, departments and
units within the same level of an organization. This type of
communication allows employees from different departments to work
together in a synchronized work environment..
4. Crosswise or Diagonal Communication: When information flows
between or among the persons at different level who have no direct
reporting relationship with each other, it is called diagonal or crosswise
communication. This type of communication takes place in case of
emergency.
Finally, the last but not least is intercultural
communication. As the term implies, it is communication
between or among people having different linguistic,
religious, ethnic, social, and professional backgrounds.
Types of Communication according to Purpose and Style
 
The types of communication according to purpose and
style are formal and informal. However, rather than
focusing on the transmission of message and message
flow, the focus here is on communication setting and the
mode of delivery.
Formal communication employs formal language
delivered orally or in written form. Lectures, public
speeches, research and project proposals, reports, and
business letters among others are all considered formal
situations and writings. On the contrary, informal
communication involves personal and ordinary
conversations with friends, family members, or
acquaintances about anything under the sun. The mode
may be oral as in face to face, ordinary or every talks, and
phone calls, or written in the case of e-mails, personal
notes, or text messages. The purpose is to simply socialize
and enhance relationships.
Synthesis

• There are various types of communication. These types can be

divided according to mode, context, purpose and style.
• Verbal and non-verbal codes should complement each other. With
visual communication, interpretation of signs and symbols is crucial
since people have different ways of interpreting them.
• In any organization, a system of communication should be put in
place. Transmission of message and message flow also play an
important role in effective organizational communication.
• Intercultural communication needs to be studied because people
have diverse backgrounds—linguistic, ethnic, religious,
professional, and others. It is then necessary to pay attention to
intercultural communication to avoid communication breakdown.
• Formal and informal communication have different uses depending
on the situation. Both types may be in oral or written mode.