ORAL COMMUNICATION IN CONTEXT

Grade 11
Mr. Lamberto P. Mallari II

NATURE AND ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION

Definitions, Tenets, Elements, Process & Models of
Communication

INTRODUCTION
Communication comes in various forms. From the simple nodding of your head, stretching of hands, raising
your eyebrows up to your daily conversations with your friends over the phone, constant exchange of text
messages, and regular browsing in social networking sites, these are but some examples of how humans
communicate their thoughts, feelings, ideas, and insights. These only signify that humans really engage in
communication.

When you exchange ideas with someone or you send information to others, you do it in two ways. You
either use words to say what you want to say or you express yourself through gestures and facial expressions. Since
then, people have the inherent need to communicate. Humans are social beings. They live to interact regularly with
others. In fact, their endurance is due to their ability to express themselves and connect to one another and the
world they live in. When you look back in the history of humankind, you will find that early man could not speak as
you do today. Records show that people have used various communication techniques such as the use of symbols,
gestures, sounds, drawings, and sign languages (Littlejohn, 2002 as cited in Amudavalli, n.d.). Words and
languages developed much later in human history. Over the years, communication has progressed tremendously.
Language developed side by side with technology. Now in the 21st century, we realize the power of communication
in building relationships and the community at large. Hence, we see the importance of communication.
Definitions and Nature of Communication
 Communication is derived from the Latin word communis, which means “to share,” that is to share ideas,
concepts, feelings, and emotions, among other shareable values.

 Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to another
within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures.

 It can be a face-to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a

class recitation, and many others.

 Communication is defined as a two-way process in the exchange of ideas, feelings, sentiments, or

information by two or more people.

 Communication is a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common

system of symbols & signs of behavior. - Webster’s Dictionary

 Communication as: a process through which individuals mutually exchange their ideas, values, thoughts,
feeling & actions with one or more people.

 Communication refers to the transmission of INFORMATION between a source and receiver using a
signaling system.

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KEY POINTS
 To communicate means to share ideas, concepts, feelings, and emotions with others.
 Communication includes symbols, gestures and nonverbal messages.
 Silence could be a language itself.
 COMMUNICATION;
 is a basic need of human beings.
 brings people across the world closer.
 helps in the exchange of thoughts and ideas.
 makes it easier for people to have a meaningful expression and understanding of
creativity, intelligence, ideas, and concepts in business, work and recreational situations.
  Communication is
everywhere

 Communication is around us
 Communication is continuous
 Man starts to communicate
even before he is born

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 Communication is complex

 Each person has his

own beliefs, opinions or
thoughts about a
certain idea

 Communication is predictable
 The message delivered was what we had in mind
 Communication is a multi-level activity
 Communication can take
place on various levels. It may
be communication with the self,
with two persons or a small
group, or with a large number
of people.

 Communication is a
sharing of meanings
 The interactants in
communication share their
understanding/interpretation of a message
given and received.
 You cannot not communicate
 No one can avoid communication.
 Messages, not meanings, are
communicated
 When a speaker
gives information, it
is message of the
information that is
transmitted, not the
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 meaning of the message.
 Communication is a process
 Communication cannot be the same at different
times in different situations.
Elements of Communication
1. Speaker/Sender/Source/Encoder
 The source of information or message.
 The sender starts the process. He draws from his mind, and then sends his thoughts to others. In this
context, the success of communication rests upon the sender. He picks up images and words, and the way
he sends his message with images or feelings can make the effort successful. The most important factor for
his success is his knowledge of the needs of the receiver.
 A sender is a person who encodes & sends the message to the expected receiver through an appropriate
channel.
 A sender is the source of the message that is generated to be delivered to the receiver after appropriate
stimulus from the referent.
 Senders convey messages by converting their thoughts into symbols or observable signals such as words.

2. Message
 The information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions.
 The message is the idea sent by the sender. The crafting of the message is vital. Take note that an incorrect
choice of words and expressions can turn the receiver hostile or make him lose interest. Thus, the sender
has to be really careful when sending a message.
 The message is the content of communication & may contain verbal, nonverbal or symbolic language.
 Perception & personal factors of the sender & receiver may sometimes distort this element & the intended
outcome of communication may not be achieved. For ex, the same message may be communicated or
perceived differently by two individuals.
 The ideas or thoughts that are transmitted from sender to receiver. They are the result of the interpretation
of symbols, when meaning is derived from observable signals.
 Schema - The culture and experience of the sender and receiver, it is also called to as the field of
experience or prior knowledge.

3. Channel or Medium
 The medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or nonverbal, in which the encoded
message is conveyed.
 It could be oral, written or nonverbal. Each kind of medium follows its own set of rules and regulations.
The sender has to shape the message according to the medium of communication. Prior to the composition
of the message, the medium or channel should be decided. Radio and television are examples of media.
 A channel is a medium through which a message is sent or received between two or more people.
 Several channels can be used to send or receive the message, i.e seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, &
tasting.
 While selecting channels of communication, several factors must be considered: availability of channel/s,
purpose, suitability, types of receivers, types of message, preference of sender & receivers, communication
skills of the sender, cost, etc.

Classification of channels of communication:

 Visual channel: Facial expression, body language, posture, gestures, pictures & written words, electronic
 mails, mass media, etc.
 Auditory channel: Spoken words, sounds, telephone or mobile communications, delivering audio content
(radio, voicemail), etc.
 Tactile channel: Touch sensations, therapeutic touch, etc.
 Gustatory channel: Taste sensations
 Olfactory channel: sense of smell

4. Receiver/Decoder/Listener/Recipient
 The recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message.
 The person or group who takes and gives meaning to the message. The receiver is also a communicator. In
this context, communication is successful only when the reaction of the receiver is that which the
communicator intended. Effective communication takes place with shared meaning and understanding.
 An individual or a group of individuals intended to receive, decode & interpret the message sent by the
sender/source of message.
 Also known as decoder.
 He is expected to have the ability & skills to receive, decode & interpret the message.

5. Feedback
 The reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver.
 Refers to the message transmitted by the receiver in response to the message of the speaker.
 The most important component of communication. Some experts believe that effective communication takes
place only if the receiver gives a feedback to the sender. The confusion in daily communication is often a
result of lack of feedback. Errors can be minimized or even completely done away if feedbacks are
constructive and positive.
 It is a return message sent by the receiver to the sender.
 It is most essential element of the communication process as it shows that the receiver has understood the
primary message sent by the sender & the communication process is now consider complete.
 A successful communication must be a two-way process where the sender sends the message & receives
feedback from the receiver.
 These feedbacks could be verbal & nonverbal.

6. Barriers
 The factors that affect the flow of communication.

7. Context
 The environment where communication takes place.

8. Encoding
 The process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker understands.

9. Decoding
 The process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver.

Process of Communication
Communicators consider stimuli and responses as essential to the communication process. Stimulus (plural:
stimuli) pertains to an initial force, agent or action that elicits a reaction from another being or living organism. On
the other hand, responses are the reactive actions from another being on the stimulus that reached him.

The communication cycle is not complete until the receiver correctly gets the message of the sender. The
process of communication involves what communication experts call the encoding, transmission, and decoding of a
message, ending in the feedback from the receiver to the sender.

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Models of Communication
Imagine your life and the world you live in without proper communication procedure. Would there be order
or chaos? Would there be understanding or misunderstanding?

Communication plays a crucial role in human life. It facilitates the sending and receiving of knowledge and
information. It allows people to develop various kinds of social relationships. It provides an avenue for people to
express their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and insights. Without it, societies will be restrained from developing and
progressing. With all the advancements in technology, communication nowadays has changed dramatically,
adapting to the 21st century way of life. Beginning from the ancient times when messages were written on tablets,
clays and barks of trees or conveyed by the heralds or emissaries for proclamations to an entire territory,
communication has drastically evolved to fastest means of sending messages through electronic gadgets and
computers. Video calling or conferences is another high technological innovation where distance is not quite a
problem anymore to foster mutual understanding.

The representations below will help you understand the basic elements of communication. See how the
elements operate and interact as communication progresses.

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COMMUNICATION MODELS UNDER LINEAR CATEGORY
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 COMMUNICATION MODELS UNDER INTERACTIVE CATEGORY

COMMUNICATION MODELS UNDER TRANSACTIONAL CATEGORY

QUIZ #1:
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Directions: Identify the true message or intent of the sender in the following situations.

_____1. Your friend tells you: "Oh I will see, and check my schedule," after you have invited him to a dinner.
a. He is busy and cannot join you for dinner.
b. He is very much willing to have dinner with you, but he is too busy at the moment.
c. He prefers to sleep instead of having dinner with you.

_____2-3. A classmate tells you: "I feel quite worried about going home myself."
(choose 2)
a. Your classmate is interested in you.
b. Your classmate is requesting your company without obliging you.
c. Your classmate simply means what was said, nothing more.

_____4-5. The teacher gives a quiz after her lecture. She wants to;
a. obey the principal's orders.
b. punish the students for not listening.
c. check if her lessons are understood.

_____6-7. Your mother tells you her rocking chair is damaged.

a. She wants her chair replaced, repaired, or thrown away.
b. She wants you to pity her.
c. She thinks you are insensitive that you do not even notice the disrepair.

_____8-9. "The steel tables and furnishing are exposed to the elements," the owner complains to the architect.
a. The owner is telling the architect he is incompetent.
b. The owner is subtly asking the architect to relocate the furnishings or to devise a solution to a
problem.
c. The owner does not like steel.

_____10. The statement "Can you please pass the salt?" is likely…
a. a question
b. a command
c. a request

QUIZ #2:
Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if otherwise.

_______1-2. Your stereo component or gadget is a channel of communication when you listen to music.
_______3-4. When you listen to a musical composition, the musical composition itself is the message.
_______5-6. Listening to music is a communication process.
_______7-8. The sound system is the sender of communication in a musical activity.
_______9-10. The listener in a musical experience is the receiver.

QUIZ #3:
Directions: Identify the elements in the process of communication involved in the given situation.

A PASTOR PREACHING ABOUT HIS RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS

_____1-2. Who is the sender?
a. a congregation or a faithful
b. a parish priest or a pastor
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c. a sacristan

_____3-4. What is the channel used?

a. a projector
b. a microphone with a sound system
c. a megaphone

_____5-6. What could be his message?

a. his personal life
b. his faith
c. his other commitments

_____7-8. Who could be the target of his preaching?

a. only those who believes in him
b. all who are in attendance in the congregation
c. only the members of the church

_____9-10. What are the possibilities about the impact of his preaching? (choose 2)
a. laughter among the faithful
b. improved understanding and adherence to their faith
c. greater number of faithful

QUIZ #4:
Directions: Read and analyze the following situations. Choose the letter of the best answer.

_____1-2. The loud speaker in the bus prevents you from talking to your friend. What will you do to communicate
with your friend?
a. Defer talking until a better time comes.
b. Request the bus conductor to lower the volume of the sound system.
c. Supplement your verbal talk with sign language.
d. All of the above for as long as practicable.

_____3-4. Your friend believes that a person he unconditionally trusts is innocent of wrongdoing. However, you
have a damning proof of his friend's involvement in a recent thievery incident. What is a good move to convince
your friend?
a. Tell your friend that like him, you used to trust this person. Then proceed to gradually present proofs.
b. Directly say that his friend is guilty.
c. Confront the guilty person in the presence of your friend.
d. Present the proofs to your friend and leave him with his judgment.

_____5-6. You would like to reach as many students to publicize your forthcoming beach party. What is the best
communication strategy if you only have one day to do it?
a. Post an announcement in the campus corner where students are sure to see your post.
b. Post the announcement and offer a prize for the first 10 submissions.
c. Announce the party in the school administration's public address system.
d. All of the above.

_____7-8. You intend to invite your teacher as guest speaker in your barangay induction. What information would
she need?
a. ages of the respondents
b. genders of the members of the audience
c. all of the above
d. none of the above

_____9-10. Why are controversial topics avoided in the dinner table?

a. People have strong ideas and opinions on key issues and may lose appetite if they hear anything contrary to
their opinions.
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b. People are pretty made up on their religious and political beliefs, and are not keen on changing their opinions.
c. all of the above
d. none of the above

ACTIVITY #1:
Directions: Answer the following questions:
1. What are the different communication models?
2. What sets communication models different from each other?
3. Why is feedback important in communication?
4. When is communication process successful?

ACTIVITY #2:
Directions: In the Venn diagram below, show the similarities and differences of the three communication models.

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