Angie and Jessica are listening to Josh

describe his last outdoor adventure. As

they listen to him, they think…

“Josh can really tell a story well!”

“He doesn’t just use words when he

speaks; he uses his face and body to
tell the story.”

“I would like to be able to entertain

others like that.”

How well do you communicate? How

can you learn to communicate better?

In this chapter, you will

read about…
 The Model of Communication
 The three parts of messages
 The five types of communication
 The importance of communication in society

You are constantly exposed to words. You hear them, write them, read
them, and speak them. For example, you read an e-mail on your computer. You
read it, and you send a response. A friend shouts your name from across the
street. You begin a conversation together. If you are like other people your age,
you probably watch and listen to many hours of radio, television, and internet
every day.
The words from these and other sources of information form messages.
Messages are ideas, feelings, thoughts and statements sent from one person

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and received by another person. The process of sending and receiving
messages is called communication.

THE ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION

Since your earliest days of
grade school, you have studied
written communication; that is,
communication that uses words on
paper to convey a message.
However, communication is more
than words. A smile can
communicate. A frown can
communicate. The wave of a hand
or a wink of the eye can
communicate. A mutter, a gasp, a
sigh, or a scream can communicate.
Words, actions, and sounds are the
basis of oral communication – the
use of spoken words, gestures,
facial expressions, and vocal
changes to send messages.

The Four Parts of Communication

Pam and Debbie are internet “pen pals.” Even though they live on opposite
ends of the country, they exchange e-mails on a regular basis. Although Pam
and Debbie have never met face-to-face, they have been writing off and on for
five years. Recently, they began video conferencing together. Now, they can talk
like they would in person.
This situation has all four elements of communication. Here is a model that
shows how communication works:

SENDER MESSAGE RECEIVER

(Pam) (What Pam said) (Debbie)

FEEDBACK
(Debbie’s
response)

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 This diagram is called the Model of Communication. It is the pattern that all
communication, no matter what type, follows. The sender wants someone to
understand his or her message. The message is, of course, what is sent or said.
The receiver is the person that answers the message through some form of
feedback. The feedback is receiver’s response to the message. In this most
basic form, communication rotates in a pattern like a circle. Communication
continues in this way until either the sender or the receiver decides to stop.

The Three Parts of Messages

When we communicate with
other people, we send messages.
These messages are made up of three
parts. The first of these three parts is
called the verbal message. These
messages are the actual words a
sender uses. They can be single words
like yes or stop, or they can be many
words strung together into sentences.
If a sender used words to describe a
green wooden house, a receiver would
picture a green wooden house, not a
red brick house. Specific words set
limits to what is received. The words
that make up the verbal message
communicate only the dictionary
meaning of words – nothing more.
The second part of a message is the vocal message. These messages
are voiced sounds and emotional tones. They include cries, whistles, screams,
grunts, and so on, but they also include the emotion behind how a message was
said. The human voice can do many things. It can speed up, slow down, or add
emphasis. Vocal messages add additional meaning to words – beyond the
dictionary meaning of words. For example, the sentence “Who’s at the door?”
can be said in many different ways, each one with its own emotional meaning. It
might suggest concern, happiness, excitement, or surprise. It all depends on how
the words were said.
The third and final part of a message is the nonverbal message. These
messages have no words or sounds; they are messages sent by our bodies. This
part of the message is made up of facial expressions and body movements.

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Nonverbal messages can tell a receiver many things. They show a receiver how
frustrated you are by shaking your fists. They can show with a wink that you are
joking. They can show with tears that you are sad or with smiles that you are
happy. Most of the information we gather from others is taken from the nonverbal
part of a message.
During a conversation, both the sender and the receiver may send all three
parts of the message back and forth. Understanding these different parts of the
message is very important. When you understand how these parts work together
to create the whole meaning of a message, you become a better speaker.

THE FIVE TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

Communication always involves a speaker and an audience. That audience
can be many people, one person, or even just yourself. The audience determines
what type of communication is taking place.
The first type of communication is called
intrapersonal communication. This is
communication with yourself. Many people talk to
themselves, and this conversation with yourself
can happen in a couple of different ways. It might
be out loud – some people find that voicing their
problems aloud can clear things up or make them
feel better. Most often, however, intrapersonal
communication is made up of personal, unvoiced
thoughts. An example of this type of
communication would be keeping a journal.
The second type is called interpersonal
communication. This is communication on a
one-to-one basis. You are talking with one other
person. This may take place on the phone, over e-
mail, by texting, or face-to-face. No matter what
form the communication takes, it will always be
between you and one other person. An example
of this type of communication would be calling a
friend on your cell phone.

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 The third type of communication is called
group communication. This is when three or
more people are exchanging messages. People
in a group often share the same purpose or goal.
The group may have a leader who directs
discussion, but everyone in the group talks. The
purpose of such communication is usually to
solve a problem. The group often sets a time limit
on the discussion. An example of this type of
communication would be a conversation between
four or five friends over lunch.

The fourth type is called public

communication. This involves one speaker
presenting a message to large group of listeners.
The listeners do not send messages at all; their job
is to watch and take in information. This is most
often called public speaking. An example of this
type of communication would be a teacher leading
a class.

The fifth and final type of communication is

called mass communication. The type involves
one or more people communicating with a world
audience. The senders and receivers are NOT
together when mass communication occurs. Also,
this type of communication almost always
involves the use of some kind of technology, such
as the internet, television, radio, or print media.
An example of this type of communication would
be listening to a reporter on the evening news.

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNICATION

Written communication certainly plays an important role in our everyday
lives. Newspapers, books, magazines, and websites are all examples of written
communication. Some forms of oral communication even depend on written

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 communication. For example, actors usually
learn their parts by reading scripts. Also, the
topics of many day-to-day conversations are
often things that the participants have read.
Oral communication can be just as
important, though. Talking is a quick,
immediate, and effective way to
communicate. In many situations, talking is
more effective than writing.

● Talking is faster. In the same time it would take you to read a page,
you can say the ideas out loud and get a response.
● Talking takes less concentration. Often you can do other things
while you are having a conversation.
● Talking can be more meaningful. You can use your voice and your
emotion to add extra meaning to your words.
● Talking is more immediate. You can deal with problems right at the
moment. You don’t need to wait for a written response to take action.
● Talking is more convenient. You don’t need any special materials
like a pencil, paper, or computer.

You probably make the decision whether to write or speak several times a
day. For example, you decide to speak each time you pick up your cell phone to
call a friend instead of writing an e-mail. Usually the decision is a simple one; you
know by instinct whether to use written or oral communication. In any case, it is
important to be sure that the message you send is clear.

Reasons to Study Speech

Why should you learn to give
speeches? Why is such a process
important to everyone? The following are
some reasons that other students across
America have given. Maybe you will find
that you agree with some of these
reasons.

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● “Even though I have good ideas, I’m scared to speak out in public. I would like
to feel confident enough to speak without being afraid.”
● “Every time I want to say something in class I get tongue-tied. I’d like to be able
to say things right the first time without mixing up words.”
● “Sometimes I think people judge me on how I talk. I want people to see me as
a friendly person, but I think they only see me as shy. I’d like to change this
image people have of me.”
● “I think really interesting people speak well. I see famous people speaking very
well on TV. I’d like to be able to talk like they do.”
● “I like to read stories out loud to my brothers and sisters. I’d like to be able to
do it in an exciting way so they would enjoy it more.”
● “I have trouble arguing without getting angry. I would like to be able to say what
I think without getting mad at people.”

These are all natural wants and desires, and you probably share some of
them in common with these students. This is where learning how to speak well
can help you. In general, learning to give a speech well can help you:

1.) Understand how communication takes place.

2.) Know more about yourself and how to communicate well with others.
3.) Understand better what people are really saying to you.
4.) Feel comfortable in social situations.
5.) Gain listening and speaking skills that will serve you well in the future.

Communication in the Workplace

Speaking and listening consume much of each day of
your life. Therefore, it is not surprising that good speaking
skills are needed in most jobs. The following is a list of jobs
that require good communication skills. Of course, some
jobs require more than others, but they all require a certain
degree of skill.

SALES Whether you’re selling a product, a service, or

your own talents, you must depend on your own speaking
ability. Customers will want information about what you are
selling. Customers will need to feel your confidence and
enthusiasm. The better you speak, the more they will like
you. Your conversational skills will determine your success.

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 CUSTOMER SERVICE Many companies
have customer service or human resource
departments. If you work in one of these
departments, you will have to answer
questions. Sometimes you will have to deal
with problems and angry customers. Listening
carefully and speaking calmly are the most
important skills in these kinds of jobs.

HEALTH, WELFARE, AND COUNSELING

These fields include nurses, doctors,
firemen, policemen, welfare and childcare
workers, and guidance counselors. These
people work with the public every day. If you
choose to work in one of these professions,
your ability to communicate well is of the
upmost importance. You will have to listen
well to understand people’s problems. Then,
you will have to be able to communicate
information to these people effectively.

RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONS The main goal

of most religious leaders is to help people. If you
enter this field, your words will be very important.
Often, you will have to say just the right words that
will bring hope to people in times of trouble. Also,
you can expect to give public speeches on a
regular basis.

CONSTRUCTION WORKERS People working

at construction sites must be able to ask questions
that are clear and to the point. They must be
certain that they are carrying out instructions
properly. Also, they must be able to communicate
effectively with a variety of people, including
architects, engineers, plumbers, and electricians.

MASS COMMUNICATION The people involved with radio and television

usually have had formal speech education and considerable experience. Their

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ability to speak clearly and effectively is directly linked to how well they do their
jobs. No one would listen to a news reporter, for example, that was poorly
spoken. No one would listen to a DJ that stuttered and mixed up words. In
professions like these, you will have to speak clearly and concisely while you are
working. Seldom is there any extra time when producing a show.

EDUCATION When you think of

education, you probably think of the teachers
in your school. Education, however, includes
much more. It includes all of people working
in schools from kindergarten all the way up to
college professors. It also includes the people
who run training sessions for employees and
those who work in adult education. No matter
what the age group, you will have to be a
good speaker. You will constantly have to
find easy ways to explain difficult concepts.
You will have to be able to listen to students
to find out whether they are learning, as well.

POLITICS, GOVERNMENT, AND LAW As a part of any level of government,

you will be speaking to the people you govern. You might be a student council
officer addressing the student body, or you might be a state representative
addressing the legislature. Discussing and debating ideas will be necessary in
any case. Public speaking will be an almost daily part of the job. You will need to
be a good speaker.

TRANSPORTATION WORKERS Bus drivers, train conductors, porters, airline

representatives, flight attendants, taxi drivers, and ticket sellers are all examples
of transportation workers. These people must communicate not only with the
general public, but also with other employees as well. The skills of effective
communication play an important part in their everyday lives at work.

These are just some of the professions that require good listening and
speaking skills. As you can imagine, there are many more. As you think of a
career you might like to pursue in the future, you will no doubt realize that
communication will be part of that profession. In almost any case, formal speech
education can give you an advantage over the competition.

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