Nature and Elements of Communication

Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person to
another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures. There is a variety of contexts and
situations in which communication can be manifested; it can be a face-to-face interaction, a phone

conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a class recitation and many others.

Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a process
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver)
3. Communication can be expressed through words (verbal), actions (nonverbal), or both at the same time
Elements of Communication
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or process.
These elements are the following.
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message – the information, ideas or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker
understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or non-verbal, in which
the encoded message is conveyed
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver
8. Environment – is the atmosphere, physical and psychological where you send the message
9. Context – the environment where communication takes place
10. Barrier/Interference – the factor that affect the flow of communication
Models of Communication
Shannon-Weaver Model
 Known as the mother of all communication models, the Shannon-Weaver model (1949) depicts
communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source (producer of
message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals adapted for transmission);
a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and a destination
This model, however, has been criticized for missing on essential element in the communication
process: feedback. Without feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understands the
message or not.
 Transaction Model
Unlike the Shannon-Weaver model, which is a one-way process, the transaction model is a two-way
process with the inclusion of feedback as one element. It recognizes that each of us is a sender-receiver,
not merely a sender or a receiver.

Constructivist Model
Focus on the negotiated meaning, or common ground, when trying to describe communication (Cronen
& Pearce, 1982).

Functions of Communication
Basically, there are five functions of communication. These are:
1. Control – Communication functions to control behavior
2. Social Interactions – Communication allows individuals to interact with others
3. Motivation – Communication motivates or encourages people to live better
4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings and
emotions
5. Information Expression- Communication functions to convey information

Features of an Effective Communication

In their pioneer book Effective Public Relations, Professors Broom, Cutlip, and Center (2012) list the 7 Cs
of Effective Communication. This list is widely used today, especially in public relations and advertising.
1. Completeness – complete communication is essential to the quality of the communication process in
general. Hence, communication should include everything that the receiver needs to hear
for him/her to respond, react, or evaluate properly
2. Conciseness – conciseness does not mean keeping the message short, but making it direct or straight to
the point. Insignificant or redundant information should be eliminated from the
communication that will be sent to the recipient.

3. Consideration – to be effective, the speaker should always consider relevant information his/her
receiver such as mood, background, race, preference, education, status, needs, among others. By
doing so, he/she can easily build rapport with the audience
4. Concreteness – effective communication happens when the message is concrete and supported by
facts, figures and real-life examples and situations. In this case, the receiver is more
connected to the message is conveyed.
5. Courtesy – the speaker shows courtesy in communication by respecting culture, values, and beliefs of
his/her receivers. Being courteous all the time creates a positive impact on the audience
6. Clearness – clearness in communication implies the use of simple and specific words to express
ideas. It is also achieved when the speaker focuses on a single objective in his/her speech so as not to
confuse the audience.
7. Correctness – correctness in grammar eliminates negative impact on the audience and increases
the credibility and effectiveness of the message

Barriers to Communication

Verbal Communication and Nonverbal Communication

Verbal Communication refers to an interaction in which words are used to relay a message. For
effective and successful verbal communication, use words to express ideas which can be easily
understood by the person you are talking to. Consider appropriateness, brevity, clarity, ethics, and
vividness when engaging in this kind of communication.
1. Appropriateness
The language that you use should be appropriate to the environment or occasion (i.e., whether
formal or informal
2. Brevity
Speaker who often use simple yet precise and powerful words are found to be more credible.
Try to achieve brevity by being more direct with your words. Avoid fillers and insubstantial
expressions which do not add to the message, such as “uh”, “you know”, “I guess”, and others.
3. Clarity
The meanings of words, feelings, or ideas may be interpreted differently by a listener, hence,
it is essential for you to clearly state your message and express your ideas and feelings.
4. Ethics
Words should be carefully chosen in consideration of the gender, roles, ethnicity, preferences,
and status of the person or people you are talking to.
5. Vividness
Words that vividly or creatively describe things or feelings usually add color and spice o
communication; hence, you are encouraged to find ways to charm your audience through the use of
vivid words.

Nonverbal communication refers to an interaction where behavior is used to convey or represent

meanings. All kinds of human responses that are not expressed in words are classified as nonverbal
communication. Examples f nonverbal communication are stares, smiles, tone of voice, movements,
manners of walking, standing and sitting, appearance, style of attire, attitude towards punctuality and
space, personality, and others.
Mastery of nonverbal communication is important for several reasons
1. It enhances and emphasizes the message of your speech, thus making it more meaningful, truthful, and
relevant.
2. It can communicate feelings, attitudes, and perceptions without you saying a word.
3. It can sustain the attention of listeners and keep them engaged in the speech.
4. It gives the audience a preview to the type of speaker you are.
5. It makes you appear more dynamic and animated in your delivery.
6. It serves as a channel to release tension and nervousness.
7. It helps to make your speech more dramatic.
8. It can build a connection with the listeners.
9. It makes you a credible speaker.
10. It helps you vary your speaking style and avoid a monotonous delivery.