) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Various Strategies
to Avoid
Communication
Breakdown
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Communication breakdown
may at times be inevitable but as
a sensible speaker or sender of
the message, we could avoid this.
Understanding the concept of
communication breakdown and its
causes, will help us realize that
failure in communication may be
avoided through certain strategies
that we could adapt.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 5 Ways to Avoid Communication
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Breakdown
by Ronnie Peterson
Communication breakdown can cause issues
or problems at home, school, and community.
There are so many barriers to communication
like, physiological, psychological, cultural,
and linguistics. Sometimes some
communication barriers are too difficult to
solve and this will lead to slowing the
progress and efficiency. Here are the possible
strategies to avoid communication
breakdown:
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 1. Have Clarity of thought before
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
speaking.
Arrange your thoughts before
verbalizing them this can help you
communicate much more clearly and
succinctly. It's a better idea to say
something like, "I've got a few ideas
here. Let me go through them one at a
time. We can treat each one on its own
merit."
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 2. Learn to Listen
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Not understanding those who you are

trying to communicate with will lead to a
conversation fraught with
misunderstandings. Don’t be afraid to
ask them to repeat or explain further in
polite manner once you don’t
understand the point.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 3. Take Care of your Body
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Language and Tone

Keep your emotions in check, try to

maintain eye contact, and adopt a
relaxed tone when conversing with
others.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 4. Build up your confidence by
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

asking for feedback and observing

others
Focus on improving your skills by
practicing in front of those who you
may feel more comfortable with. You
can also ask those whose advice you
value to give you feedback and
critique your communication style
after a discussion.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 5.Communicate Face to Face on
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

the important issues.

Having that face to face dialogue

means you can convey your point
more clearly, with your body language
as well as your tone of voice.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
1. What were the 5 ways on how to avoid
communication breakdown mentioned in
the article?
___________________________________________

2. How can communication breakdown be

avoided?
___________________________________________
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
A smooth and successful
communication transaction may result
if we follow the strategies to avoid
communication breakdown.
Communication becomes successful if
and only if our communication goal is
achieved, that is, an understanding is
reached and a relationship is built or
maintained.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Strategies to
Avoid
Communication
Breakdown
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Keep Focused
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

One way of being focused is to

put in mind the purpose
communication. As a speaker
identify your purpose for
speaking and as a listener find
the speaker’s purpose thru
his/her verbal and non-verbal
cues.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Speak Intelligibly
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Speaking intelligibly or clearly

means using the appropriate
speaking volume, pitch rate,
proper enunciation, stress, and
acceptable pronunciation. We
speak in order to be understood.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Listen with your Ears
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

and Eyes

Pay attention to verbal and

non-verbal message. Effective
communication depends on
what people say and how
they say it.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Minimize Distractions
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Look for a place where you can

minimize distractions or noise like
closed area, empty room, or quiet
places. Lessening the cause for
confusion means giving more room to
focus and concentrate.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Be Specific

Use simple and concise words

as much as possible in delivering
a message. Being specific means
being particular and direct to the
point.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) 
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Do not Jump to
Conclusions

Before you give your comments

and judgement, be sure that you
have listened attentively to the
speaker. Conclusions should be
drawn after a thorough analysis of
point given or information
received.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Tips on How to Avoid Communication
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Breakdown

Broom, Cutlip and Center (2012) listed

the 7C’s of Effective Communication in
their book Effective Public Relations. These
are:

(1)Completeness, (2)Conciseness,
(3)Consideration, (4)Concreteness,
(5)Courtesy, (6)Clearness, and
(7)Correctness.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
 Completeness

It is important to whole communication

process. The speaker should include
everything that the receiver needs to
hear, respond, react, or evaluate properly.
S/he should be able to convey all
pertinent details so listener or audience
will be able to grasp the intended
message.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
 Conciseness

The message should be direct

or straight to the point and should
be expressed in the least possible
number of words. Irrelevant
information should not be
included.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Consideration
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

In order to be effective, the

speaker should give high regard
and courtesy to audience’s
background information such as
his/her culture, education, religion,
status, mood, feelings, and needs.
This will result in building rapport or
connection with the audience.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
 Concreteness

Effective communication is
backed up by facts, figures, and
real-life examples or situations.
This will make the receiver to
understand the message better.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )  Courtesy
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

The speaker can show respect to his/her

receivers through understanding their
culture, values, and beliefs. The speaker can
show respect to the listeners by
demonstrating an understanding of their
beliefs, values, and culture. This implies
good choice of words and language and a
consideration of the audience’s perspectives
and feelings on the part of the sender.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
 Clearness

It implies the use of simple and

specific words to express ideas.
When the speaker focuses on
specific ideas, it will not confuse the
audience.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
 Correctness

Avoiding mistakes in grammar

helps to boost the credibility and
effectiveness of the message, and at
the same time it eliminates negative
impact on the audience.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
Breakdowns in communication may arise
because of several factors. But these
factors may be avoided if we follow
strategies put forward by experts in the
field. Communication is a transaction that
we do every day. By following the 7 Cs of
communication espoused by Broom, Cutlip
and Center (2012), we may achieve
understanding in communicating with others
and avoid confusion and misinterpretations.
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Helpful
Expressions to
Avoid
Communication
Breakdown
 Strategies to Avoid Communication
Helpful Expressions
Breakdown

“Really”
“Uhmm”
Use helpful expressions to gain time to think “Uh-huh”
“Anyway”
“Tell me more…”

“Sounds good”
Give positive remarks or comments
“I see what you mean”

“Can you please what you said?” “What did you say
Ask for repetition again?”
“What did you mean, when you say that…”

“So, are you saying that…”

Check for understanding
“So, what is your understanding of this?”
 ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )
) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

Thank
Kristelle Marie G. Dais

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