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1.2: Communication 101

  • Page ID
    147102
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    LearninLearmng Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    1. Explain the definition of Communication.
    2. Identify the purposes of Communication.
    3. Understand the need for a Communication class.

    You’re in COM 1010! We will spend the next several weeks together to become better communicators on a variety of levels, develop public speaking skills, and deliver dynamic presentations. You will learn that communicating and speaking in public are skills that need to be learned and refined. Simply knowing how to talk does not mean that you can do it well, nor does it mean that you can effectively speak in public.

    Do you wonder why you need to take a course in communication? The answer is that it will help you become more effective in communicating, both orally and in writing, and teach you to properly develop and deliver a public presentation.

    This course is designed to help you with communicating better in every facet of your life, whether it is at work, at home, in school, or in public. A large portion of this course concentrates on public speaking, which means that you will choose a topic, develop it through research, and present it to the class all this while controlling your nerves


    Yes! We all get nervous and that is normal. You will not be graded on whether you are nervous or not; rather, you will be graded on how well you manage your anxiety. It is okay to be nervous, but you must not let your nerves get the best of you during your speech. Relax! Practice helps build your confidence, and confidence minimizes nervousness. Having said all that, let us roll up our sleeves and get to work.

    Communication is a multifaceted topic that can be seen as having five dimensions: intrapersonal (communicating with oneself), interpersonal (communicating with others), public (communicating with an audience), and mass (communication transmitted through electronic and print media to widespread audiences) and social media (communicating through electronic platforms). 

    Communication Defined

    Communication is about messages.  It is a complex process through which we express, interpret, and coordinate messages with others.  We do so to create shared meaning, to meet social goals, to manage personal identity, and to carry out our relationships.  (Verderber, 2017).  

    Characteristics of Communication 

    Communication has a purpose.  When we communicate we have a purpose for doing so.  

    Communication is:

    Relational - The relationship you have with others as to the manner in which you will speak with them.  You communicate with your parents them one way, but communicate your friends differently.  

    Irreversible -  Once you put it out there, it is out there.  You cannot take messages back.  It is always wise to think before you speak. 

    Situational - It is expected that different situations you find yourself in would cause you to communicate differently.  The environment in which you are in often dictates how you will communicate.

    Can be learned - Communication is a skill that can be learned.  For starters, you are taking this class to increase your communication competence.

    There is no ideal way to communicate - Communicate who you are.  Communicate how you please.  There are many ways to communicate, so communicate in the manner you feel is best. 

    Key Takeaways 

    • Communication is a part of our daily lives
    • Communication is about messages
    • Communication several characteristics 
    • Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Public, Mass Communication and Social Media are the five dimensions of communication.

    Exercises

    1. Provide an example when you used 3 of the communication Characteristics.  Explain how that effected the overall conversation.
    2. Which dimension of communication makes you feel best when communicating?  Explain why?

    References 

    1. Verderber, K., Sellnow, D., Verderber, R. (2017).  Communicate, (15th ed.). United States: Cengage Learning.


    1.2: Communication 101 is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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