Speech 205

Notes: Chapters 1

What is communication?

• The process of sending and receiving messages to share meanings

• Involves 2 or more people• Share ideas feelings, and attitudes• May be spoken (oral) or written

Communication as process

• Process = moves forward from a beginning point

• Speakers and listeners interact over a period of time, working to understand each other

• Later interactions build on information communicated in previous interactions

Messages are…

• The way meaning is conveyed• Essential to communication process –

cannot communicate without a message• May be verbal – written or spoken• May be nonverbal – expressed without

words

Whose responsibility is it to communicate well?

• Shared between speaker and listener• Each is involved continuously (sorry, no

down time)• Send and receive messages

simultaneously (at the same time)

Meanings

• Communication is possible because of common meanings for words and nonverbal signals

• Meaning = interpretation

What problem with meaning arises in the following scenario?

After winning the second meet at 10:00 A.M., I heard that the track meet final for the district was at 2:00. The meet was actually at noon, and I had to forfeit because I had left for lunch. The director had said “In two” and I thought he said “At two.”

Meanings

• “Can you get my spare out of the boot?”

• “Can I go use the bubbler?” the student asked the teacher.

Meaning in context

• Meaning is affected by context – the situation in which the message occurs (8).

• We communicate differently depending on where we are and who is with us.

How does your communication change in these settings?

• At the dinner table with your family?• At the park with your friends?• On the internet?• In text messages?• At a religious service?• At school?

REMEMBER

• Definition of communication involves three main ideas–Speaking and listening happen at the

same time–Speakers and listeners must be aware

of both verbal and nonverbal messages–Effective communication occurs when

the speakers and listeners share common meanings

5 areas that require highly developed communication skills

• Family–Many difficulties stem from poor listening

habits

• Friendship• School• Work• Citizenship

4 types of communication

1. Interpersonal• One-on-one communication• A conversation

2. Group• Communicating as part of a group• All members are part of conversation

4 Types of Communication (continued)

3. Public• Speaking to an audience• One person communicates verbally –

others communicate non-verbally

4. Interpretive Communication• Bring literature to life for audience• Performance

Think about it

• Why is communication considered a process?• Why are common meanings important in

communication?• In what ways can good communication skills

help you in your job, in your family, in your community, and at school?

• Describe the four communication situations and provide and example of each

Try it out

• Small groups – Think of a situation in which people have problems communicating. Then, we’ll role play in class. Discuss these characters after the role-playing and explain how they could have communicated better.

• Example: A tired parent and a spoiled child misbehave in a supermarket / A student refuses to get in front of the class and speak

Try it out

• Provide your own meanings and definitions for the following words…– Happiness, war, education, honesty, stepmother,

brother, rich, breakfast, popular, extreme, swag

• Similarities and differences between meanings?• What happens to communication if your

meanings are not the same?