Forms of Communication

• Technical Communication


  • A Shopkeeper/sales agent is helping you in deciding and buying a product
  • Correct, accurate, clear, appropriate and to the point
  • Language has to be lucid, smooth and easy to understand
  • Information should solve the problem
  • Information should, also, be brief and arranged sequentially to find relevant information
• Levels of communication


  • Extrapersonal
  • Intrapersonal
  • Interpersonal
  • Mass
  • Organizational
• Basis of means, kinds, manners, forms

  • Verbal- Oral and Written
  • Non-verbal - Kinesics, Proxemics, Oculesics, Chronemics, Artefacts, Haptics, Olfactics, Chromatics and silence
• Basis of Flow


  • Vertical
  • Horizontal
  • Diagonal
• Extrapersonal Communication


  Communication between human beings and nonhuman entities
• Intrapersonal Communication


  Communication that takes place within an individual
• Without an internal dialogue, one cannot proceed to the further levels of communication—interpersonal and organizational
• Interpersonal Communication


  • Communication at this level refers to the sharing of information among people
  • Interpersonal communication differs from other forms of communication in that there are few participants involved, they are in close physical proximity to each other, many sensory channels are used, and feedback is immediate
  • The roles of the sender and receiver keep alternating
• Interpersonal communication can be formal or informal
• Most interpersonal communication situations depend on a variety of factors, such as the psychology of the two parties involved, the relationship between them, the circumstance in which the communication takes place, the surrounding environment, and finally the cultural context
• Organizational Communication


  • Communication in an organization takes place at different hierarchical levels. It is extremely necessary for the sustenance of any organization
  • With a proper networking system, communication in an organization is possible even without direct contact between employees
• Types of Organizational Communication

  • Internal-operational
  • External-operational
  • Personal
• Mass Communication


  • Mass communication is meant for large audiences and requires a medium to transmit information
  • The audience is heterogeneous and anonymous, and thus the approach is impersonal
  • This type of communication is more persuasive in nature than any other form, and requires utmost care on the part of the sender while encoding the message
• Characteristics of Mass Communication

  • Large reach
  • Impersonality
  • Presence of a gatekeeper (mediator)
• Formal Communication


  Communication that follows the official hierarchy and is required to do one's job
• Informal Communication


  Information of various kinds flowing through informal channels
• Directions of Formal Communication

  • Vertical
  • Horizontal
  • Diagonal
• Upward Communication


  Communication from bottom to top – when reports or findings are sent to superiors
• Downward Communication


  When managers inform, instruct, advise, or request their subordinates, the communication flows in a downward pattern
• Horizontal/Lateral Communication


  Takes place among peer groups or hierarchically equivalent employees at the same level
• Diagonal Communication


  Diagonal communication or cross-wise communication flows in all directions and across the various functions and levels in an organization
• Diagonal communication is a deviation from the normal chain of communication but it expedites action
• Verbal Communication


  Messages conveyed with the help of words, either orally or in writing
• Oral Communication


  It refers to speaking with the help of words. Proper pronunciation and tone is the key to effective oral communication
• Written Communication


  Messages when conveyed with the help of written words. It requires command over the language, correct construction of sentences, appropriate use of words, logical sequence of points, etc.
• Non-verbal Communication


  • Kinesics- Body language
  • Proxemics- the distance
  • Oculesics- technical term for eye contact
  • Chronemics- the utilization of time
  • Artefacts- memento, remembrance
  • Haptics- different touches
  • Olfactics-sense of smell
  • Chromatics-use of colour
  • silence
• Feedback given to a student by a teacher about his/her performance in the assignment
• Proposals prepared for submission to the boss
• Communication between managers of various units regarding setting the production target for the next three months
• General Manager issuing instructions to subordinates
• A subordinate informing the manager about a work-related problem
• Announcement of change of the Eid holiday
• Letter from the CEO
• Chats, conversations, informal talks and the like
• Counselling and training
• Salesman briefing the Sales Manager about the sales of the month