Communication: Process, Features and Values

Communication: Process, Features and Values

• Communication is a continuous, systematic process where individuals interact using symbols, creating and interpreting meanings.
• It is always in motion, involves interconnected elements, includes verbal and nonverbal cues, and its significance is determined by our perception.
• Communication has various levels:
  • Content Level: the literal message conveyed.
  • Relationship Level: how the relationship between communicators impacts the meaning.
• Values of Communication:
  • Personal Identity and Health: Communication influences physical and emotional well-being. It's crucial for effective healthcare.
  • Relationship Values: Communication is the primary way we connect with others and sustains relationships, solves problems, and facilitates daily interactions.
  • Professional Values: Effective communication is linked to professional success.
  • Cultural Values: Communication is essential for expressing and evaluating ideas in a democracy. Effective civic participation requires good communication skills.

Communication Models: Linear, Interactive, and Transactional

• Linear Model: One-way process where information flows from sender to receiver.
• Interactive Model: Sender and receiver engage in two-way exchange, with feedback and shared experiences influencing communication.
• Transactional Model: Communication is simultaneous sending and receiving of messages, evolving over time, and vulnerable to interference. It occurs within complex systems.

Public Speaking: Building Connections and Delivering Effectively

• Public speaking is an extended conversation considering:
  • Others' perspectives
  • Situational adaptation
  • Clear expression of ideas
  • Organization of content
• Public speaking process involves:
  • Choosing and Refining the Topic: Select a relevant and appropriate topic.
  • Defining General and Specific Purposes: Inform, persuade, or entertain the audience.
  • Specific Purpose: A behavioral objective with a measurable outcome.
  • Thesis Statement: A clear and concise statement summarizing the speech's main point.

Audience Analysis: Demographics and Situation

• Demographic Analysis: Identifies general characteristics shared by a group of listeners.
  • Used for adaptation, building connections, avoiding stereotypes, making inferences, and determining credibility.
• Situational Analysis: Discovers what listeners already know and believe about the topic, speaker, and occasion.

Research and Using Evidence: Gathering and Supporting Claims

• Primary Research: Interviews for gathering information, checking accuracy, and understanding perspectives.
  • Surveys: Useful for investigating knowledge and attitudes when published research is limited.
• Secondary Research: Online research (search engines, verifying sources) and library research (databases, reference works, peer-reviewed sources).
• Evidence: Material used to support claims, enhancing clarity, persuasiveness, and speaker credibility.
  • Statistics: Numbers summarizing data or demonstrating relationships. Use sparingly, round off numbers, choose timely statistics, and make them engaging.

Visual Aids: Enhancing Presentations

• Visual aids reinforce ideas and present information:
  • Charts
  • Graphs
  • Photographs
  • Slides
  • Physical Objects
• Visual aids should be:
  • Large and clear
  • Simple and uncluttered
  • Safe and non-distracting
  • Avoid visual overload

Organizing Speeches: Structure and Delivery

• Organizing speeches: More explicit organization is required compared to written communication.
  • Greater redundancy and simpler sentence structures are used.
• Outline: A clear and concise structure for the speech including:
  • Main headings for introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Subpoints and supporting material for each main point.
• Organizing the Body:
  • Temporal Pattern: Chronological relationships.
  • Spatial Pattern: Physical relationships.
  • Topical Pattern: Categories, classes, or areas of discussion.
  • Star Pattern: Flexible arrangement of topics.
  • Comparative Pattern: Compares two or more objects, people, situations, or events.

Introduction and Conclusion Design

• Introduction:
  • Captures audience attention
  • Presents a clear thesis statement
  • Builds speaker credibility
  • Previews the body
• Conclusion:
  • Concisly summarizes content
  • Provides a memorable final thought

Communication Apprehension: Causes and Styles of Delivery

• Communication Apprehension: Anxiety associated with communication.
  • Chronic Apprehension: Persistent anxiety across situations.
  • Situational Apprehension: Anxiety specific to particular situations.
• Causes of Apprehension:
  • Unfamiliar audience
  • Unfamiliar situation
  • Being in the spotlight
  • Being evaluated
  • Past failures
• Styles of Delivery:
  • Impromptu: Minimal preparation, organizing ideas as you speak.
  • Extemporaneous: Delivered with an outline or note cards.
  • Manuscript: Delivered with a printed speech or teleprompter.
  • Memorized: Committed to memory.

Informative Speaking: Enhancing Knowledge and Understanding

• Informative Speech: A presentation aimed at increasing listeners' knowledge, comprehension, or abilities.
  • Informative vs. Persuasive: Informative speeches focus on objective information; persuasive speeches advocate for specific viewpoints.
• Key elements of informative speaking:
  • Provide a clear thesis statement.
  • Connect with audience values.
  • Motivate listeners to want information.
  • Build credibility with the audience.

Explore the dynamic nature of communication through this quiz. Learn about its various levels, such as content and relationship, and discover how communication influences personal identity, health, and professional success. Test your understanding of the core features and values that shape our interactions.