Chapter 1: How Communication Affects Your Life

Communication: the process of sending and receiving messages to achieve understanding.

Breakdown in communication occurs when this process is interrupted or altered. Paper folding activity

How do we communicate? Verbal – communication through speaking and writing

Body language Gestures Even silence Nonverbal – communicating without words Body language Gestures Even silence

Between 80-90% of communication is nonverbal. Non-verbal Communication

Final type of communication is speech communication, or transmission of ideas through voice.

All communication has one of two characteristics Interpersonal Communication Talking with friends or a group Performing for an audience (such as giving a speech) Watching television Intrapersonal Communication Decision making Worry or anxiety Inner monologue

Interpersonal communication One-to-one communication – talking to one other person (Telephone) Group discussion – involves three or more people with a common purpose (study group)

Interpersonal communication cont’d Public communication – one person communicating with an audience Oral interpretation of literature – literature is read aloud to an audience.  Drama – uses both language and action to present a picture of human life to an audience

Interpersonal communication cont’d Mass communication – one or several senders communicate with a very large number of receivers.  Magazines, newspapers, television, radio  MC is different because the receiver can turn off the sender at will

Ethics in Communication Cite sources Do not promote lies/Take out of context Mitt Romney - "I like to fire people" How Mr. Romney's rivals used his words Allowing opposing POV to be heard Promote the truth as you see it What is the difference between truth and fact?

Importance of Communication To learn To make decisions – gov’t wouldn’t work, For pleasure – talking on the phone, talking to friends For your job – interview, accurate directions, salespeople. Go to pg. 15

Effective Communication Sincerity – believing what you say Knowledge – speakers should know enough about the subject to make listening worthwhile. Organization – have a purpose and a plan Listening – half of oral communication involves listening. You may learn more listening than speaking. “Flip-side” of good listening.

Effective Communication cont’d Confidence Language – word choice can aid or hinder the message getting across. Audience must understand speaker. Nonverbal Communication – “says” a great deal to audience. Goal Setting – effective speakers will be able to reach goals.