COMMUNICATION

CONTEXTS

Dr. Henry G. Magat

General Education Department
National university-Baliwag
In communication, context refers to the
circumstances of the situation in which
communication is taking place.

There are several types of communication

contexts, including interpersonal, intrapersonal,
group, public, and mass communication.
A. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Interpersonal communication refers to

communication between two persons.
A. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

1. Two-person or Dyadic Communication

 Basic unit of communication
 Includes everyday exchanges of “hi
and hellos”
 Enhances phatic communication
(communicating with others to ensure
mutual well-being)
A. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

2. Interview
 Considered a special form of dyadic
communication
 Aims to accomplish a specific
purpose.
Guidelines before the interview:

1. Know your interviewee’s position, accomplishments,

and interests before meeting him/her.
2. Know the topic on which the interview is to be
conducted.
3. Make an appointment by letter, by phone, or
personally.
4. Arrange the time and place convenient to the
interviewee.
5. Prepare questions that are thought-provoking and
timely.
6. Avoid yes-no questions
7. Avoid embarrassing questions.
Things to observe during the interview

1. Be on time for the interview.

2. Introduce yourself and pronounce the
interviewee’s name correctly.
3. Be courteous and pleasant when asking
questions.
4. Never argue with the interviewee.
5. Take down notes or record the interview.
6. Thank the interviewee and extend him your
goodwill.
B. SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

It is defined as “face to face communication

among a small group of people who share
a common purpose or goal, feel and sense
of belonging to a group, and exert
influence upon one another.”
Characteristics of an Informal group
Discussion
 The topic for discussion is usually general
knowledge.
 Participants are usually not required to
prepare for the discussion.
 The exchange of ideas leads to a plan of
action or decision.
Types of Small Group Discussion

1. Idea-generation Group. A process used in

brainstorming.

2. Personal Growth Groups. These groups

aim to help others cope with particular
problems or change certain aspects of one’s
personality or behavior.
 Encounter Group
 Assertiveness Training Group
 Consciousness Raising group
a. Encounter Group – tries to facilitate
personal growth and ability to deal
effectively with other people.
b. Assertiveness Training Group – aims to
increase the willingness of its members to
act more assertively for their rights in a
variety of situations.
c. Consciousness Raising Group – helps
people cope with the problems of society.
C. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

Public communication is referred to as

public speaking, is relatively formal,
usually planned in advance, and occurs in
public places.
D. PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Public discussion, also known as formal

group discussion, differs from small
group or decision-making group in a
fundamental way.
Formats of Public/Group Discussion

 Symposium
 Panel Discussion

 Forum

 Colloquium

 Round Table
1. Symposium
A symposium is generally defined as a meeting
organized so that experts in a given field can meet,
present papers, and discuss issues and trends or make
recommendations for a certain course of action.
Symposium
 A group of four to six speakers present prepared
speeches on a chosen topic in prearranged order.
 The purpose is to present a variety of views in the
form of short speeches or reports for the benefit of the
audience.
Symposium

 The moderator performs the following:

a. Introduces the panel
b. Provides history of the issues at hand
c. Presents each speaker in turn
d. Monitors time
e. Ends the meeting with a brief summary
of the issue.
f. No direct participation between speaker
and audience.
2. Panel Discussion
Panel discussions at conferences are a useful way to
trigger an exchange of viewpoints among experts, either
with prepared statements or in response to questions
from the audience. Because they are involved in on-the-
spot interaction, it is more difficult to prepare than
presentations.
Panel Discussion
 The panel consists of 3 to 7 authoritative speakers,
carrying on a purposeful discussion on a specific topic
for the benefit of the audience.
 The panel members are experts or well- informed
people who share their points of view about a
common question.
Panel Discussion
 The moderator does the following functions:
a. Introduces the panel and the problem
b. Keeps the discussion flowing
c. Controls equal and fair time allotment
d. No direct participation between speaker and
audience
3. Forum
A forum is a place, situation, or group in which
people exchange ideas and discuss issues, especially
important public issues. A public discussion that
involves full audience participation
Forum
 The leader has the task to stimulate the group to
ensure that everyone who wishes to speak has an
opportunity to talk.
 Encourages as many people as possible to speak by
making sure each individual presentation is brief.
4. Colloquium
Refers to an informal meeting or seminar which is
usually of an academic nature where different
scholars/lecturers/specialist deliver lectures on different
topics at each meeting.

Each presenter will then entertain questions based on

their delivery. The meeting is of a dual nature where the
speech is followed by a Q and A session.
Colloquium

 The format involves a panel of experts who are

questioned by a panel of questioners.
 The purpose is to inform an audience through the use
of planned questions designed to get unprepared
responses from the participants.
 The moderator does the following:
a. Introduces the speaker and the panel of
questioners.
b. Regulates rotation and time
c. Summarizes and sometimes clarifies
5. Round Table
The Round Table discussions are an opportunity for
participants to get together in an informal session to
examine issues.

The facilitator needs to be well versed on the topic and

engage the group member in the discussion.
Round Table
 The group consists of 4 to 6 members.
 The purpose is to promote equality of feelings,
maximize participation of all members.
 The group discusses problems and solutions for the
purpose of making good discussion or sharing of
information.
5. MASS COMMUNICATION

Mass Communication involves message through print

or electronic media.
The message is intended for masses or individuals.
The audience is relatively large, heterogeneous, and
unknown to the source.
The context is the most formal and most expensive of
the four categories.
Now, let’s start communicating!

Bird’s Nest Stadium, Olympic Village, Beijing, China