Module 1

Created @August 28, 2023 11:01 PM

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Topic 1: The Communication Process

Basic Concepts in Communication: Background and Rationale

Audience → a group of people whose backgrounds, concerns, and interests

may shape
the way a message is received

Context → conditions that shape the contents of the message such as

significant period,
or the sender’s background and experiences

Purpose → a concrete set of objectives or reasons for addressing a specific

audience in a
given context

*a sender needs to consider the context and purpose in creating the message to be
sent to the audience to achieve an expected outcome or action.*

Types of Communication
1. Verbal communication → includes the use of symbols that have universal
meanings and can be classified as spoken or written.

a. Classifications:

i. Oral Communication → all spoken exchanges ( e.g. Questions,

Comments, Casual conversations, Voicemail, Conference calls,
Speeches)

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 ii. Written Communication → printed messages

b. Types of Verbal Communications

i. Emotive → pertains to word choice. Specific diction is used to evoke

emotion in the reader.
Word choice greatly effects how writing and speech is received. Different
words can be
used to cause different reactions in the audience. Any words that cause
an emotional
reaction are examples of emotive language.

ii. Evasive language → used when someone tries to avoid answering a

question or is
interrogated about a subject. By verbally sidestepping the issues and
concerns of a
problem, someone will have used evasive language that never directly
addresses the
questions.

iii. Jargons → special words or expressions that are used by a particular

profession or group
and are difficult for others to understand.

iv. Argot → the jargon or slang of a particular group or class.

v. Abstract language → the ability to gain meaning from things that are
not said, or from things that are said in a different way. There are many
ways to refer to "abstract
language:"inferential/figurative/implicit/non-literal language all include the
same higher
order thinking.

vi. Overly abstract → The use of equivocal words, relative words, slang,
jargon, and overly abstract language causes confusion and
misunderstanding. Some euphemisms are pretentious and confusing,
while equivocation can be interpreted as deliberately ambiguous.

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 2. Nonverbal communication → are perceived as “verbal” but there is a lack of
sound element attached to it.

a. Elements/Behaviors

i. Vocalics/Paralanguage – refers to the use of volume, tone, pitch, and

rate of speaking to give additional meaning or emphasis to what is
spoken

ii. Proxemics – refers to the use of space to convey an idea or image

iii. Chronemics – is an attitude of time which discloses information with

others about status and relationship with others. It is our self-concept.

iv. Artifacts – refer to the things a person owns, uses, wears, and even
discards convey message about such person.

v. Movement – is one’s posture, gesture, facial expression, and body

language

vi. Silence – conveys meanings to the spectators that can be seen in a

person who is quiet yet busy, a person who is contemplating, grieving,
not to be disturbed, or being in a difficult situation. In a conversation

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 between two individuals, a silent reply may signify the receiver does not
understand or may refuse to answer at all.

vii. Touch – in some cultures is a symbol of affection but may not be

allowed in certain communities.

viii. Clothes and personal appearance – provide a quick personal

surveillance of the person’s age, interest, personality, sex, attitude,
social standing, or religious affiliation.

ix. Symbols – are general graphical presentation so that people will be

guided accordingly such as traffic signs, mathematical problems,
medical, and other fields of specialty (Rasel, 2013)

b. Functions of Non-verbal Communication

Topic 2: Principles of Communication

Character is a differentiator

No one leadership style is preferred

There’s a greater need to imagine and advance a vision

People really are the greatest asset

Everyone is a leader

There’s a greater focus on self

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 Change is the norm

Employees everywhere have the same fundamental communication needs

More and better listening, individually and systematically

Communication system is better honed to manage overload and inefficiencies

Functions of communication
Informing and conveying the message to the reciever(s) through verbal and
nonverbal engagements

Persuading other people to agree with the ideas, opinions, and suggestions

Integrating divisions and departments by building a communication network to

achieve the goals and visions of the organization

Creating and establishing relationships within the group or outside the group

Helping in decision making within the family, friends, and members of the
organization when a crisis or important matters arise

Reducing misunderstanding and solving troubles among people

Topic 3: Communication Ethics

→ It takes place when behavior or a person or group is subjected by their morals
thereby affecting interpersonal, mass mediated, and digital communication.

→ There should be a balance in speaking and listening, validity of emotional appeal,

the level between praise and criticism.

→ The imbalance of communication results in unfavorable circumstances between

two parties and so honesty on both groups must be maintained.
→ Today’s realities require a consistent mindfulness for the ethical use of language
when preparing for such a deliberate form of communication like a speech or a
journalistic piece.

→ Practicing ethics in communication is anticipating and weighing the effects of

one’s message on an audience.

→ It is also using information that come from credible, verifiable and relevant
sources.

→ It is communicating with no intent to harm another; it is being careful, attentive,

and inclusive through word choice and tone.

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 → It is looking at differences as a way to understand each other and what matters to
us.

→ It never silences, and it welcomes disagreements as opportunities for knowing

others in a more respectful and thoughtful manner.

Ten (10) Basics of Ethical Communication (Lewis, 2015)

1. Seek to “elicit the best” in communications and interactions with other group
members.
2. Listen when others speak.

3. Speak non-judgmentally.

4. Speak from your own experience and perspective.

5. Seek to understand others.

6. Avoid speaking for others.

7. Manage your own personal boundaries.

8. Respect the personal boundaries of others.

9. Avoid interrupting and side conversations.

10. Make sure that everyone has time to speak.

Four(4) Key Ethical Ethical Principles

Principles of considerations in (Sygaco, 2018)
Ethical Communication The Golden Mean
Communication (Wakat, [Link].,
(Button, 2017) 2018) The Categorical
Imperative
Honesty Respect audience
Utilitarianism
Openness to other Consider the result
views of communication Justice and the Veil of
Ignorance
Commitment Value truth
Lying and
Consensus building Use information
Interpretation
correctly
Secrets, Disclosures,
Do not falsify
& Privacy
information
Whistleblowing

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 Leaks

What to Consider?
Aside from considering your purpose, audience, and context, identifying the
different language registers for spoken and written English is also essential in
effective communication.

Register refers to the style and degrees of formality that we use depending on
our communication contexts.

Formal register is more appropriate for professional writing and letters to a boss
or a stranger.

Informal register (also called casual or intimate) is conversational and

appropriate when writing to friends and people you know very well.

The neutral register is non-emotional and sticks to facts. It is most appropriate

for technical writing ([Link] [Link])

Credo for Ethical Communication (NCA, 1999)

→ “Ethical communication is fundamental to responsible thinking, decision-making,
and the development of relationships and communities within and across contexts,
cultures, channels, and media. Moreover, ethical communication enhances human
worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, personal integrity,
and respect for self and others. We believe that unethical communication threatens
the quality of all communication and consequently the well-being of individuals and
the society in which we live.”

4 ethical principles of communication (NCA, 1999)

Advocate truthfulness, accuracy, honesty, and reason as essential to the integrity
of communication

Freedom of expression, diversity of perspective, and tolerance of dissent to

achieve the informed and responsible decision-making fundamental to a civil
society

Condemn communication that degrades individuals and humanity through

distortion, intimidation, coercion, and violence, and through the expression of

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 intolerance and hatred

Accept responsibility for the short-and long-term consequences of our own

communication and expect the same of others

“Every time we communicate, we should consider the consequences of our actions.

If people were more responsible in their use of communication, there would be less
conflict in this world. Even though the four principles above are short and concise,
they are important, because they help us discern the difference between ethical and
unethical communicators” (Uychoco&Santos, 2018).

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