General Education: Purposive Communication in English

Communication Basics

• Communication is the process of exchanging information between two or more persons to achieve mutual understanding.
• The Latin word for communication is "communicare", which means to impart, to transmit, to share or to convey.
• Aristotle is considered the Father of Communication.
• Alexander Graham Bell is the Father of Modern Communication.

Types of Communication

• Horizontal Communication: communication between people at the same level in an organization.
• Verbal Communication: communication using spoken and written words.
• Non-Verbal Communication: transfer of information through body language, facial expressions, gestures, and created space.
• Public Communication: practice of dispersing a message to the general populace or to a specific group using various tools and methods.
• Written Communication: exchange of information, ideas, or messages through written language.

Non-Verbal Communication

• Kinesics: study of physical actions.
• Haptics: study of touch.
• Proxemics: communication involving distance between people.

Communication Barriers

• Semantic Barrier: misunderstanding and interpretation of meaning.
• Physical Barrier: physical factors or elements that inhibit effective communication.
• Physiological Barriers: limitations of the human body and mind.

Communication Process

• Sender: the speaker, writer, or source of the message.
• Message: the idea or concept being sent.
• Channel: the medium to transmit the message.
• Receiver: the decoder or recipient of the message.
• Feedback: the recipient's understanding of the message.

Effective Communication Principles

• Clarity: the message must be clear and understandable.
• Informality: when formal communication is not effective, informal communication takes over.
• Completeness and Adequacy: the message must be complete and adequate to achieve the purpose.
• Attention and Style: the sender's style varies depending on the context.
• Coherence: the connection between the topic and the succeeding discussion is established.
• Timeliness and Urgency: communication should be done at the proper time, emphasizing impact and urgency.

Communication Models

• Linear Communication Model: a simple and one-way communication process.
• Interaction Model: a two-way communication process with feedback.
• Transactional Model: a dynamic and cooperative communication process.

Types of Speeches

• Impromptu: short message with little or no preparation.
• Extemporaneous: medium to long speeches that are carefully planned and rehearsed.
• Manuscript: short to medium and long speeches that are prepared and rehearsed.
• Memorized: short to medium and long speeches that are prepared, rehearsed, or planned.

Purposes of Communication

• Informative Communication: sharing information without being persuasive.
• Argumentative Communication: persuasive communication to convince the audience of a point of view.
• Persuasive Communication: influencing the beliefs or actions of others.
• Imaginative Communication: creating and sharing fictional messages.### Types of Signs
• Regulatory signs indicate authority and are official or legal prohibitions
• Infrastructural signs label things or direct maintenance of a building or infrastructure
• Commercial signs advertise or promote a product, event, or service in commerce
• Transgressive signs are put into place without authorization and may be removed by authorities

Business Correspondence

• New Business/Business letters are written communication containing professional content
• The Seven C's of Effective Communication:
  • Clear: be clear about the goal and purpose of your message
  • Concise: keep to the point and keep your message short and simple
  • Concrete: be clear, not fuzzy, and provide detail, but not too much
  • Correct: make sure your message is accurate and grammatically correct

Reading Techniques

• Skimming: grasping the gist or general idea of the text by reading the table of contents, paragraph headings, and abstract
• Scanning: locating specific pieces of information in the material by identifying key terms or expressions
• Detailed reading: critically reading the text, employing close reading of the entire text
• Revision reading: rapidly reading familiar material to confirm acquired knowledge and understanding

Register or Styles of Communication

• Frozen Style: used for formal prose writing or speech
• Formal Style: used in formal situations and maintains a distance between speaker and sender
• Consultative Style: used in business or discuss meetings
• Casual Style: used in informal situations and employs informal language

Other

• Memorandum: an official note constructed to inform employees about certain announcements or information
• Minutes/Minutes of Meeting: written records of a meeting's proceedings
• Inquiry Letter: a letter to request more information about a particular topic
• Resume: a letter highlighting one's qualifications for employment
• Newsletter: a periodically issued bulletin for members of a society, organization, or community
• National Artists in the Philippine Literature: a topic of significance in Philippine literature