ICOF COLLEGES SEMINARIES UNIVERSITY

COMPULSORY COURSES AND EXAMINATIONS

NAME : NAMAKAU ANANG’ANGA

LECTURER : MADAM KATANEKWA PASCALINA

NRC : 369122/82/1

COURSE TITTLE : COMMUNICATION SKILLS

COURSE CODE :DSRW 104

DUE DATE : 15TH MAY 2023

QUESTION : There are many types of communication and it is complex in nature.

Using clear examples, discuss types of communication.
This assignment focuses its attention on discussing the various types of communication, setting
out clear examples of each one of them. Communication is the successful transferring or sharing
of information, ideas, or feelings between two or more people, from one place to another, using a
medium such as speaking or writing.

It is the imparting or exchanging of information by speaking, writing, or using some other

medium is called communication. Communication is also a process by which information is
transferred or exchanged between people through a common system of symbols, signs, or
behaviour. It is obvious that when communication takes place among individuals belonging to
various categories and backgrounds, they put into operation various types of communication.

However, in order for communication to be effective, it comprises three key components which
are sender, a message, and a receiver. These three components employ several steps to make
communication successful. The sender generates and encodes the information, ideas, or
emotions, i. e. the message. The message is then put into a medium for transmission to the
intended person or group. The receiver decodes the transmitted message and gives feedback
accordingly.

Only proper and accurate discharge of these mentioned steps can make the entire process of
communication successful and effective. Disturbances like a slight misunderstanding of the
message on the part of the receiver or distortion in the medium will lead to unsuccessful
communication. Furthermore, there are many types of communication.

The types of communication are classified into two categories, first form of communication is
based on the communication channels and another form is based on the style and purpose.
Communication channels are referred to as the medium, means, manner and methods through
which communication takes place between individuals. The senders of information need to
ensure that they make selection of the suitable channels of communication, so the information
gets conveyed to the individuals satisfactorily. Another form of communication is based on style
and purpose. The individuals put into operation, various types of communication, taking into
account the traits of style and purpose.
Furthermore, the communications based on the channels are non-verbal and verbal. Verbal can
be oral and written. Oral communication can take place among the individuals face-to-face or
when they are located at a distance. On the other hand, the communication types based on style
and purpose can be formal and informal (Types of Communication, 2020). The other types of
communication are grapevine communication, feedback communication, visual communication
and active listening.

Types of communication are categorized into two and these are formal and informal
communications. The formal type of communication is also known as official communication.
This type of communication is conducted through the pre-determined channel. This lies within
one’s profession, the individuals need to communicate with number of individuals. These include
employers, supervisors, colleagues, clients etc.

Formal communication forms the core of the professional lives of the individuals. In the
effective implementation of this type of communication, there are various factors, which need to
be taken into account. These include, purpose of communication, following the well-defined
structure of knowing one’s audience, keeping the tone open and professional, taking into
consideration the time limit and thanking the audience for listening. For example when the
individuals are giving presentations or speeches, they need to thank their audience for listening.
Formal types of communication lead to adequate performance of job duties. Therefore, it is
important for the individuals to be aware of this type of communication in order to improve their
professionalism and achieve organizational goals.

The other type is oral communication that takes place face-to-face, it is regarded as most
common and recognized type of communication. When people are communicating with each
other face-to-face, they aim that through words, they are able to express directly to others. This
communication can be formal as well as informal. The individuals communicate face-to-face
within the organizations with other members and outside the organizations. It takes place with
family members, friends, relatives, community members etc. In face-to-face oral communication,
there are various factors, which need to be taken into account. These include, maintaining eye
contact, keep the tone and expressions decent, they need to suit the message that needs to be
conveyed, one should not depict any negative feelings such as, anger and frustration and develop
confidence. When the individuals are delivering lectures, speeches and presentations, they need
to be confident and not depict any kind of vulnerability and apprehensiveness. Oral
communication can also take place among the individuals in an appropriate manner when they
are located at a distance. In communicating orally with people who are located at a distance,
there are number of methods and technologies, which are utilized. These include, mobile phones,
VOIP, video-conferencing etc.

Written communication is also one of the effective ways of communicating. It is the type of
communication that takes place in a written form. The common forms of written communication
are letters, notices, emails, messages, advertisements and so forth. When the information is
lengthy and comprise of images, pictures, charts, graphs, statistical data and so forth, then it
cannot be imparted orally to the individuals. In such cases, written communication is regarded as
one of the indispensable ways of imparting information.

Non-verbal communication is a passive form of communication where information, thoughts,

and feelings are conveyed through gestures, body language, and tone of voice, facial expressions,
signals, and symbols. It is wordless communication which mainly aids verbal communication by
giving clues and additional information. The five roles of non-verbal communication are,
repetition, contradiction, substitution, complementing and accenting (Nonverbal
Communication, 2019).

Grapevine is the type of communication regarded as the form of informal communication. It

takes place both in the internal as well as external informal channels, which lead to effective
functioning and benefit of various institutions. Through the grapevine, information flows in
different directions, establishing connections between various aspects of the organization. This
type of communication is governed by social and personal relationships, rather than any
recognized rules and formalities. Grapevine operates in internal and external informal channels.
Through this form of communication, the individuals pass rumors, opinions and suspicions that
generally do not move through formal channels.

Another type of communication is called feedback communication. For example when the
individuals who are in leadership positions in educational institutions and various forms of
organizations put into operation various types of assessment methods to evaluate the
performance of their members. After evaluating the performance, they provide them feedback in
terms of their performance. Hence, the communication that takes place is termed as feedback
communication. The main objective of feedback communication is to make provision of support
and assistance to the individuals to overcome the limitations and bring about improvements.

Visual communication is also the type of communication that is common in the daily lives of the
individuals. The main area through which visual communication takes place is through
televisions, radios, social networking and so forth. When the individuals are watching television
or listening to radio programs, then also they are engaged in a form of communication. In some
cases, they are not only utilizing these for leisure and recreational purposes, but they are also
augmenting their knowledge and understanding in terms of various aspects. When the
individuals are communicating with others, then in most cases, their objective is to enhance their
knowledge and understanding. Therefore, through some television shows and radio programs as
well, the individuals are able to augment their knowledge and understanding.

Active listening is regarded as one of the types of communication that is of utmost significance.
It is regarded as the type of communication and it is also an important characteristic that needs to
be put into operation in order to make the communication processes effective and meaningful.
When the individuals are implementing this form of communication, they are able to benefit in
number of ways. These include, acquiring an efficient understanding of the concepts, providing
solutions to problems that one experiences in the implementation of job duties, clarifying doubts,
augmenting awareness, and able to achieve the desired goals. In addition, when one actively
listens to others, they are able to create amiable terms and relationships with them and generate
the feelings of pleasure and contentment.

The understanding of the types of communication enables the individuals to develop

communication skills. The types of communication are, the formal types of communication,
informal types of communication, oral communication (face-to-face), oral communication
(distance), written communication, non-verbal type of communication, grapevine
communication, feedback communication, visual communication and active listening.
 Rrfference
Five Types of Communication. (2018). Drexel University. Retrieved September 14, 2020

from drexel.edu

Grapevine Communication: Definition, Types, Grapevine in Business Communication.

(2017). Retrieved September 14, 2020 from iedunote.com

Nonverbal Communication. (2019). Retrieved September 14, 2020 from helpguide.org

Sign Language. (2020). Retrieved September 14, 2020 from Britannica.com

Types of Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020 from toppr.com

Types of Communication. (2020). Retrieved September 13, 2020 from educba.com

Unit: 1 Communication – Introduction, Meaning & Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved September

13, 2020 from uou.ac.in