Name

Nature and Elements of

Communication
Group 1

Please insert the letter in the blank that it correctly matches.

1) Sender____ a. information/idea
2) Receiver(s)____ b. person giving a speech
3) Message____ c. member of the audience yawning
4) Feedback____ d. audience
5) Communicating____ e. giving a speech

Please answer the following in complete sentences. Use the back if needed.

6) Identify at least two forms of communication.

7) What is the first thing the listener does after receiving the message?

8) What are the 3 models of communication?

9) What is miscommunication?

10)What is communication?
 Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person
to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014). There is a
wide variety of contexts and situations in which communication can be manifested; it can be a face-
to-face interaction, a phone conversation, a group discussion, a meeting or interview, a letter
correspondence, a class recitation, and many others.

Nature of Communication
1. Communication is a process.
2. Communication occurs between two or more people (the speaker and the receiver).
3. Communication can be expressed through written or spoken words, actions (nonverbal), or both
spoken words and nonverbal actions at the same time.

Elements of Communication
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or
process. These elements are the following:
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the
speaker understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or nonverbal, in
which the encoded message is conveyed
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver
8. Context – the environment where communication takes place
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication

Process of Communication Example

The speaker generates an idea.
The speaker encodes an idea or converts the idea
into words or actions.
The speaker transmits or sends out a message.
The receiver gets the message.
The receiver decodes or interprets the message
based on the context.
The receiver sends or provides feedback.
Daphne loves Rico, her suitor, as a friend.
She thinks of how to tell him using their native
language.
She tells him, “Rico, mahal kita bilang kaibigan.”
Rico hears what Daphne says.
He tries to analyze what she means based on the
content and their relationship, and he is
heartbroken.
He frowns and does not say something, because
he is in pain.

Models of Communication
1. Shannon-Weaver Model
Known as the mother of all communication models, the Shannon-Weaver model (1949) depicts
communication as a linear or one-way process consisting of five elements: a source (producer of
message); a transmitter (encoder of message into signals); a channel (signals adapted for
transmission); a receiver (decoder of message from the signal); and a destination.
This model, however, has been criticized for missing one essential element in the communication
process: feedback. Without feedback, the speaker will not know whether the receiver understands the
message or not.

2. Transaction Model
Unlike the Shannon-Weaver Model, which is a one-way process, the Transaction Model is a two-way
process with the inclusion of feedback as one element.

Elements of Communication
Communication is divided into elements which help us better understand its mechanics or process. These elements are the
following:
1. Speaker – the source of information or message
2. Message – the information, ideas, or thoughts conveyed by the speaker in words or in actions
3. Encoding – the process of converting the message into words, actions, or other forms that the speaker understands
4. Channel – the medium or the means, such as personal or non-personal, verbal or nonverbal, in which the encoded message is
conveyed
5. Decoding – the process of interpreting the encoded message of the speaker by the receiver
6. Receiver – the recipient of the message, or someone who decodes the message
7. Feedback – the reactions, responses, or information provided by the receiver
8. Context – the environment where communication takes place
9. Barrier – the factors that affect the flow of communication
1. SENDER/ENCODER
The sender also known as the encoder decides on the message to be sent, the best/most effective way that it can be sent. All of this is
done bearing the receiver in mind. In a word, it is his/her job to conceptualize.
The sender may want to ask him/herself questions like: What words will I use? Do I need signs or pictures?

2. MEDIUM
The medium is the immediate form which a message takes. For example, a message may be communicated in the form of a letter, in
the form of an email or face to face in the form of a speech.

3. CHANNEL
The channel is that which is responsible for the delivery of the chosen message form. For example post office, internet, radio.

4. RECEIVER
The receiver or the decoder is responsible for extracting/decoding meaning from the message. The receiver is also responsible for
providing feedback to the sender. In a word, it is his/her job to INTERPRET.

5. FEEDBACK
This is important as it determines whether or not the decoder grasped the intended meaning and whether communication was
successful.

6. CONTEXT
Communication does not take place in a vacuum. The context of any communication act is the environment surrounding it. This
includes, among other things, place, time, event, and attitudes of sender and receiver.

7. NOISE (also called interference)

This is any factor that inhibits the conveyance of a message. That is, anything that gets in the way of the message being accurately
received, interpreted and responded to. Noise may be internal or external.
The communication process is dynamic, continuous, irreversible, and contextual. It is not possible to participate in any element of the
process without acknowledging the existence and functioning of the other elements.
 Process of Communication
The speaker generates an idea.
The speaker encodes an idea or converts the idea into words or
actions.
The speaker transmits or sends out a message.
The receiver gets the message.
The receiver decodes or interprets the message based on the
context.
The receiver sends or provides feedback.
Example
Daphne loves Rico, her suitor, as a friend.
She thinks of how to tell him using their native language.
She tells him, “Rico, mahal kita bilang kaibigan.”
Rico hears what Daphne says.
He tries to analyze what she means based on the content and their
relationship, and he is heartbroken.
He frowns and does not say something, because he is in pain.