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Four Types of Communication

Communication is the process of exchanging information in the form of messages, symbols,
thoughts, signs, and opinions. There are mainly four types of communication, which are used
in varying ways depending on the medium used or the way in which information is
exchanged.
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It would be extremely hard to imagine a world without some form of interpersonal

interaction. This interaction or act of sharing information is known as communication.

Some of the basic ways by which we communicate with one another is through speech, sign
language, body language, touch, and eye contact.

These means of communication are used for transferring information from one entity to the
other, and always involve a sender and receiver. The cycle of communication is said to be
complete only when the receiver has understood the sender's message and intent.

Communication of information, messages, opinions, and thoughts can be done with the aid
of dierent communicative aids such as books, Internet, smartphones etc.

There are mainly four types of communication which are used in various ways to convey the
nal message to the receiver.

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VerbalCommunication

Verbal communication include sounds, words, language, and speech. Speaking is an

eective way of communicating and helps in expressing our emotions in words. This form
of communication is further classied into four types, which are:

1. Intrapersonal Communication
This form of communication is extremely private and restricted to ourselves. It includes
the silent conversations we have with ourselves, wherein we juggle roles between the
sender and receiver who are processing our thoughts and actions. This process of
communication when analyzed can either be conveyed verbally to someone or stay
conned as thoughts.

2. Interpersonal Communication
This form of communication takes place between two individuals and is thus a one-on-one
conversation. Here, the two individuals involved will swap their roles of sender and
receiver in order to communicate in a clearer manner.

3. Small Group Communication

This type of communication can take place only when there are more than two people
involved. Here the number of people will be small enough to allow each participant to
interact and converse with the rest. Press conferences, board meetings, and team
meetings are examples of group communication. Unless a specic issue is being discussed,
small group discussions can become chaotic and dicult to interpret by everybody. This
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lag in understanding information completely can result in miscommunication.

4. Public Communication
This type of communication takes place when one individual addresses a large gathering
of people. Election campaigns and public speeches are example of this type of
communication. In such cases, there is usually a single sender of information and several
receivers who are being addressed.

NonverbalCommunication

Nonverbal communication manages to convey the sender's message without having to

use words.

This form of communication supersedes all other forms because of its usage and
eectiveness. Nonverbal communication involves the use of physical ways of
communication, such as tone of the voice, touch, and expressions.

Symbols and sign language are also included in nonverbal communication. Body
posture and language convey a lot of nonverbal messages when communicating verbally
with someone.

Folded arms and crossed legs are some of the defensive nonverbal signals conveyed by
people. Shaking hands, patting and touching, express feelings of intimacy. Facial

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expressions, gestures and eye contact are all dierent ways of communication. Creative
and aesthetic nonverbal forms of communication include music, dancing and sculpturing.

WrittenCommunication

Written communication is the medium through which the message of the sender is
conveyed with the help of written words.

Letters, personal journals, e-mails, reports, articles, and memos are some forms of
written communication.

Unlike other forms of communication, written messages can be edited and rectied
before it is communicated to the receiver. Thereby, making written communication an
indispensable part of informal and formal communication.

This form of communication encapsulates features of visual communication as well,

especially when the messages are conveyed through electronic devices such as laptops,
phones, and visual presentations that involve the use of text or words.

VisualCommunication

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This form of communication involves the visual display of information, wherein the
message is understood or expressed with the help of visual aids. For example, topography,
photography, signs, symbols, maps, colors, posters, banners and designs help the viewer
understand the message visually.

Movies and plays, television shows and video clips are all electronic form of visual
communication.

Visual communication also involves the transfer of information in the form of text,
which is received through an electronic medium such as a computer, phone, etc.

Icons and emoticons are a form of visual communication. When these icons are used in
a public place, phone or computer, they instruct the user about their meaning and usage.

The greatest example of visual communication is the World Wide Web which
communicates with the masses, using a combination of text, design, links, images, and
color. All of these visual features require us to view the screen in order to understand the
message being conveyed.

Media communication is developing at a meteoric rate in order to ensure clarity and to

eliminate any ambiguity. The aforementioned four types of communication have played a

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vital role and continue to do so, in bridging the gap between people, commerce, education,
health care, and entertainment.

Aarti R Last Updated: August 6, 2016

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