Communication
 Process of creating meaning though symbolic interaction
 Process of sending/receiving messages
 Verbal
 Nonverbal
Characteristics of Communication
 Cannot not communicate
 Irreversible
 Learned
 Process/Continuous
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One thing depends on other-Previous knowledge
Not individual act
 Symbolic-symbols & rules make communication possible
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Arbitrarily assigned
Interactive process where people exchange & interpret messages
with one another
1. Source or sender
2. Encoding-thoughts  messages
 Language, sentences, structure thoughts, ideas…
3. Message-content being communicated
4. Channel-medium of message
 Phone, television, air, computer
5. Receiver-recipient / target or intended audience
 processes messages through their frame of reference
 interpretation influenced by the receiver’s frame of reference
6. Decoding-interpretation (message- thoughts)
7. Feedback- response
Note* The following 2 can occur at any point during the
communication process.
Noise-interference or interruptions
 Internal
 External
Context- purpose, time and place, social, political and
economic atmosphere, physical setting, etc.
Communication Model
Communication as Transaction
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Communication also happens simultaneously.
Sender also receives message.
Receiver also sends message.
Communication is often described according to the number of people involved
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1-Dyadic Communication
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2-Small Group Communication
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3-Mass Communication
 between speaker & large audience of unknown people
 receivers not present
 mediated
 lacks instant feedback/interaction
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4-Public Speaking
 speaker delivers message with specific purpose
 audience present and important /very audience centered
 opportunity for feedback
 environment important
 1. Career benefits
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Corporations want skilled speakers:
 to adapt information,
 to be organized, and
 to keep listeners interested.
Communication: top skills ought by employers.
 2. Personal benefits
 Helps achieve personal goals (empowerment)
 Allows you to influence
 Allows you to share values-different perspectives introduced because of it
 Improves critical thinking and listening skills
 Shows confidence and conviction
 3. Educational benefits
 Oratory, rhetoric, public speaking-began in Greece (Aristotle,
Socrates)
 Sophists (travelling speech teachers) contributed to early form of
democracy by teaching citizens of Greece to claim ownership of
properties through public debates.
 Greek rhetoricians, such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle laid foundation
for public debates in the democratic process of government
 Ancient Egypt, China, India-public speaking viewed as important way to
persuade rulers of empires to engage in social change in order to
maintain stability and prosperity.
5 parts to the process of preparing a speech according
to ancient Greeks
Canons of Rhetoric
 1-Invention-adapting speech information to audience in order to make case
 2-Arrangement-organization of speech
 3-Style-use of language to express ideas
 4-Memory-practice of the speech for delivery
 5-Delivery-vocal and nonverbal behavior used during speaking
 15th Century –
Public speaking used mostly by clergy
 18th Century –
Public speaking used by American patriots to promote
independence
 19th Century –
Public speaking plays role in abolition and suffrage
movements
 21st Century –
Technology & media revolutionize how people communicate
Analyzing a Communication Event
 Consider a recent communication event from your lifeasking a friend for favor, trying to persuade your
employer that you were deserving of a raise, or
resolving a relationship conflict. Identify the seven
communication components within the event and
explain how they contributed to the success or failure
of the communication event. Be prepared to discuss
your thoughts and feelings in class.