How Far Do You Agree Cybercrime Is an Ever Increasing Danger
Communication Skills
Comms 1010
Unit 1: Introduction to communication
Communication can be defined as the sharing of meanings.
In fact, the word "communication" is derived from the Latin verb "communicare", which means: "be in connection with". "Communication" also belongs to the same family of words as "community".
In communication, there is a sharing of meanings among persons or other entities. Those meanings may be transmitted through: a linguistic form (through a structured language)
A symbolic form (e.g. the pictogram means ‘phone number’ irrespective of the language we are using).
Onomatopoeic words - they imitate the sound designated as in ‘the cuckoo’, the “cock-a doodle-do”).
1 Models of communication
Linear or Bull's Eye Model
It describes communication as a one-way flow between two actors (a sender and a receiver).
Circular Flow or Ping-pong Model
The circular flow or ping-pong model of communication describes a situation where there are series of interactions between senders and receivers. As the ping-pong metaphor suggests, the actors take turns to send messages to each other.
Harold Lasswell's Model
This simple easy-to-retain formula is also known as the 5W's. Each of those W's indicates an important aspect of every communication occurrence:
Who says? - the sender What? - the message /content / topics
To Whom? - the receiver
Through What channel? - medium /means /languages
With What effects? - modification /transformation of opinions, attitudes, behaviour, whether intended or not (effect on receiver)
You may as well add a sixth W:
Why? - functions / purposes (intentions of sender)
Message, Channel and Code
The Message
The message is the actual physical product that the source encodes. In oral communication, our speech is the message. In written communication, the words and sentences that are put on paper are the message.
The Channel
The channel refers to the physical way the message travels to the receiver. For example,
Comms 1010
Unit 1: Introduction to communication
Communication can be defined as the sharing of meanings.
In fact, the word "communication" is derived from the Latin verb "communicare", which means: "be in connection with". "Communication" also belongs to the same family of words as "community".
In communication, there is a sharing of meanings among persons or other entities. Those meanings may be transmitted through: a linguistic form (through a structured language)
A symbolic form (e.g. the pictogram means ‘phone number’ irrespective of the language we are using).
Onomatopoeic words - they imitate the sound designated as in ‘the cuckoo’, the “cock-a doodle-do”).
1 Models of communication
Linear or Bull's Eye Model
It describes communication as a one-way flow between two actors (a sender and a receiver).
Circular Flow or Ping-pong Model
The circular flow or ping-pong model of communication describes a situation where there are series of interactions between senders and receivers. As the ping-pong metaphor suggests, the actors take turns to send messages to each other.
Harold Lasswell's Model
This simple easy-to-retain formula is also known as the 5W's. Each of those W's indicates an important aspect of every communication occurrence:
Who says? - the sender What? - the message /content / topics
To Whom? - the receiver
Through What channel? - medium /means /languages
With What effects? - modification /transformation of opinions, attitudes, behaviour, whether intended or not (effect on receiver)
You may as well add a sixth W:
Why? - functions / purposes (intentions of sender)
Message, Channel and Code
The Message
The message is the actual physical product that the source encodes. In oral communication, our speech is the message. In written communication, the words and sentences that are put on paper are the message.
The Channel
The channel refers to the physical way the message travels to the receiver. For example,