Republic of the Philippines

Province of Cotabato
Municipality of Makilala
MAKILALA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION SYSTEM DEPARTMENT

Bachelor of Science in Information System

Course Number : Engl 1 Instructor : Marlene Oasay

Course Title : Purposive Mobile Number : 09204011624

Communication
Credit Units : 3 Units Email Address : [email protected]
Module No. : 2
Duration : 1 week Messenger : Mist Marlene Oasay

TOPIC(S): Types of Communication According to Mode, Context, and Purpose and Style

I. LEARNING OUTCOME(S):
a. Identify the types of communication in the relation to communication mode, context, and purpose and style.
b. Differentiate verbal, non-verbal, and visual communication and their sub-forms.
c. Explain the difference between formal and informal communication.

II. READ and LEARN

What is COMMUNICATON?
Depending on what is being considered, communication as a term takes on different contexts resulting in
the people having different views on the communication types. Since communication is generally defined as the
exchange of thoughts, ideas, concepts, and views between or among two or more people, various contexts
comes into play. Contexts is the circumstance or environment in which communication takes place. Such
circumstances may include the physical or actual setting, the value positions of the speaker/listener, and the
relevance or appropriateness of a messenger conveyed. It focuses on the certain communication processes
and even groupings f people that constitute a communication situation.

Different contexts can impacts one’s communication. Each communication is governed by particular
circumstances. Thus, it is essential to pay attention to the interplay of factors surrounding the context of
communication which maybe cultural, physical and cultural, social, and physical, cultural, social, and
psychological in nature. Communication may be classified according to: (1) Communication mode, (2) context,
and (3) purpose and style.

Types of Communication According to Mode

A message maybe conveyed in these types: verbal-non-verbal and visual. Though communication is often
thought of as verbal, the non-verbal mode is equally essential as it is enhances one’s message.

1. VERBAL-NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Effective Communication calls for the blending of this two types. One cannot be separated from the other.
For instance, door-to-door salesperson who demonstrate product knowledge can only be effective if they know how
to properly punctuate on what they say with proper gesture and facial expression. Their communication with the
customer begins upon greeting him/her with a welcoming smile then assessing customer needs and answering
customer queries enhance by a gesture and a friendly, happy, and pleasant disposition. It is only through this mode
that the salespeople with excellent communication skills can provide the best information needed, thereby
convincing the client to patronize their products.

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 When you were in Senior High School, you were trained to blend verbal and non-verbal modes of
communication. In fact, when meeting people for the first time, as what you may have experienced many times, the
initial meeting when you during the first few minutes is significant as it leaves a lasting impressions on your
listeners. You show interest in meeting these people by acknowledging their presence through amiable, congenial,
disposition, and a smiling face. Rather than just speaking, it is to use the non-verbal code through a handshake, an
approving facial expression, and a kind disposition or character.

Verbal communication- use of work

Non- verbal communication- without the use of words
Forms of Non-verbal communication
1. Facial expression – universal form of non-verbal communication. ( e.g. happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, fear,
disgust)
2. Hand gesture – different meaning across culture. (e.g. wave, point, thumbs up, using hands when speaking
animatedly)
3. Eye contact – important in maintaining flow of communication. Meaning may vary across culture. (e.g. eye gaze,
rolling of eyes, eye-to-eye contact)
4. Touch/Haptics – (e.g. handshake, tap on shoulder, hug, pat on head, grip)
5. Paralanguage - refers to factors of speech such as accent, pitch, range, volume, or articulation. Change in tone of
voice changes the meaning of the message. (e.g. crying, whining, yelling, vocal, characterization and sarcasm)
6. Space/Proxemics – different culture, different tolerance for physical distance. Communication intimacy, affection,
aggression, dominance
7. Body language/Posture – the way you move or carry yourself communicates something. (e.g. posture, stance,
subtle movements)

2. VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Visual communication is the type of communication that uses visuals to convey information and/or messages.
Some examples are signs, symbols, imagery, maps, graphs, charts, diagrams, pictographs, photos, and drawings or
illustrations, and even various forms of electronic communication symbols, or images are the emojis, emoticon, and
animation among others to convey the writer’s emotions or clarify the intent of the message sender. These are achieved
through digital mode or text.
How these symbols are interpreted is very crucial in visual communication. These are some instances when visual
communication is classified under non-verbal communication. Whatever the classification is, note that this type has now
become pervasive in communication. It is then important that the receiver of the message is able to decode the meaning
correctly by contextualizing the information received.

Visual communication now occupies an important place in any work environment. For instance, during
presentations, instructors, managers, doctors, lawyers, legislators, and the like use visuals to transfer data into digestible
information. Very likely, they will have greater success in catching the attention of the audience, making the latter easily
recall information. What makes visual communication even more advantageous is that it makes use of the technology that
provides apps (applications), videos, and images that rely less on the printed word making presentations more interesting.
This leaves a powerful effects on the audience and prospective clients. Speakers/presenters should, however, be mindful of
the content of their presentation since wrong and irrelevant information may lead to miscommunication or communication
breakdown, thereby defeating the very purpose for the use of visuals. Likewise, they should pay attention to graphic
elements such as position, color, size, shape, and orientation as all these play an important role in the preparation of slides.
Audience size should be considered as well when preparing slide presentations or other forms of visuals.

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Types of Communication According to Context

In this sub-section, context in communication is referred to as a composite of people interacting with each other.
Communication may also be classified according to context: (1) intrapersonal; (2) interpersonal; (3) extended: (4)
organizational communication; (5) intercultural communication.

1. INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
The Latin prefix intra- means within or inside. Intrapersonal communication then means talking to oneself. Some
label it as self or inner talk, inner monologue, or inner dialogue. Psychologists calls it with other names such as self-
verbalization or self-statement.
Do you find it normal to talk to yourself? Some say it is some say it’s not. The gauge, however, rest on the
frequency of the occurrence and how you handle such. For instance, if you find yourself talking to yourself, there is really no
need for you to answer back. You talk to yourself because you think that there is the need to boost your confidence when
you are nervous to speak in front of an audience, apprise, yourself that you performed a good job, or console yourself that
you did the task poorly. Moreover, engaging in inner speech such as fantasizing, or daydreaming is not as bad as long as
you are able to distinguish it from reality.
Self-talk can be advantageous as it can be enable you to practice what you ought to say in times when you lack the
motivation and confidence to speak. One magic statement that you can try is “I can do it!” Saying this is over and over again
will give you positive reinforcement that you can do anything courageously and that is not impossible to do so. Furthermore,
as you respond to life’s challenges, you may also find yourself verbalizing you thoughts and feelings. It is then important
that as you introspect, you are able to improve on your decisions in life and likewise enhance your self-worth as a person.

2. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
As opposed to, intra, the Latin prefix inter- means between, among and together. An interactive exchange takes
place as interpersonal communication. However, as it occurs a transaction does not necessarily take place since it can only
be simple interaction such as greetings, getting to know a person, or ordinary conversations that happen between or among
interactions. This may occur in dyads (two person) or small groups (3-8 persons), also known as group communication.
A communication situation is interpersonal if it is meant to establish or deepen one’s relationship with others.
However, if the objective is to achieve something at the end of the conversation, it becomes transactional. While the former
is characterized by less seriousness and formality, the latter is more formal and profound. Whereas interpersonal talks are
meant for maintaining social relationship, transactional talks aim to accomplish or resolve something at the end of the
conversation.

3. EXTENDED COMMUNICATION
Extended communication involves the use of electronic media. Unlike before when it only called the use of
television and radio, nowadays, the description of extended communication may be expanded as to include tele, audio, or
phone conferencing; video conferencing; Skype calls; and other technological means. For example, linked by a
telecommunication system, people who are far apart, or are far from the venue, can participate in a meeting or a
conference. In an e-conference like this, participants may not be physically present but are still able to track down the
lectures and participate, actively because of the mass articulation and dissemination of information, allowing speakers to
reach a wider group of listeners. Since extended communication is a public in nature, speakers are expected to be prepared
when they speak, making their language more formal.
With the use of electronic media, messages are transmitted quickly. For instance, with the use of Internet, recorded
videos may be transmitted in seconds/minutes and may be viewed by a greater number of people. With extended
communication, your own thinking, behavior, and attitude may be influenced by other people and you may be persuaded to
take the views you hear. It is important then that you weigh what you hear and assess them against those beliefs that you
hold onto, so you do not get easily swayed by other people’s convictions.

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 4. ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
With this type, the focus is on the role that the communication plays in organizational contexts. Organizations
comprise individuals who work for the company. When you graduate, you become a professional, either working for a
company or putting up your own. Whichever, you should know that each organization has expectations that you as a
communication professional should meet or you as the owner may establish.
For an organization may be successful, a system of communication should be put in a place. A set of rules or
standards for communication protocol should be made clear so that interaction patterns are established. On the part of the
individual, you should be equipped with the needed oral and written communication skills that the organization expects you
to possess.
There are two types of organizational structure: (1) formal and (2) informal. Formal structure allows communication
to take place via designated channels of message flow between positions in the organization. This may make use of four
approaches: (1) downward communication, (2) upward communication, (3) horizontal communication, and (4) crosswise
communication. As the term implies, downward communication is the type that flows from upper to lower positions, i.e.,
president to manager or supervisor, a manager to an ordinary staff. The flow of communication is top-down or from a
supervisor to a subordinate, usually asking certain individuals to perform a certain task. Conversely, message transmission
in upward communication is bottom-up in which subordinates send communication to their superiors/bosses bearing their
views/feedback on organizational policies, issues related to their jobs, and the like. Horizontal communication is lateral in
approach as it takes place among people belonging to the same level but coming from different departments or units to
facilitate performance of tasks through proper coordination. Crosswise approach is diagonal in nature as employees from
different units or departments working at various levels communicate with each other. Each of these communication
approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages. Note that these structures are usually presented in the company’s
organizational charts and policy manuals.

Informal communication, on the other hand, comes from unofficial channels of message flow . Also known as
‘grapevine’, messages coming from the different levels of the organizations are transmitted. This occurs due to the
dissatisfaction of some employees accompanied by uncertainty, such as superiors playing favorites and unfavorable or
unaccepted company rules and regulations. Some employees even resort to baseless gossips and rumors which they
spread like wildfire. Tracing the origin of rumor is almost next to impossible. In fact, when some people are confronted, they
impute the blame to others so they can get out of the mess quickly.
Each organization has its own culture. This is referred to as ‘organizational culture’. Based on its history and
development an organization develops its own core values, vision and mission statements, goals, and objectives.
Organizational culture is of utmost significance since it will dictate the kind of behavior that employees should possess as
well as extent of commitment expected from them by the organization. If at the outset, you think you cannot adapt to the
organization’s culture, better look for another job or workplace where you will be happy and in harmony with your superiors
and colleagues.

5. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Another type of communication is intercultural communication. As the term implies, it is communication between or
among people having different linguistic, religious, ethic, social, and professional backgrounds. Even gender difference
affects communication. Individuals having different orientations communicate and interpret messages differently. This
particularly happens with non-verbal communication. For instance, Australians consider eye contact as important in
assessing the sincerity of a person while for Indians, looking straight into the eye of a person while talking is inappropriate.
This does not, however, mean that they are dishonest or insincere. Moreover, Indians interpret waving of hands from side to
side as no or go away while it means hello among Westerners. For Filipinos, twitching of lips mean refers to something or
someone. When someone asks: “Where is my book?” instead of responding: “There it is,” the response may be twitching or
puckering lips. When seen by people from the other cultures, such facial expression may be taken to mean as “seduction.”
It is important then not to be judgmental or to rush into interpretations as cultures sometimes vary enormously.
Similarly, linguistics difference are of the essence. With the advent of World Englishes, different cultures develop
different lexicon peculiar only to speech community. In the Philippines, a local variety of English called Philippine English
has been developed which has introduced lexical innovation, not found or used in other varieties such as thrice,

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batchmates, CR (comfort rooms, solons, barangay captain, and high blood. Even in terms of pronunciation, words, are
pronounced differently by Filipinos, which, to some, are considered erroneous. For instance, these supposedly pronounced
with a hard /th/ is pronounced instead with a /d/ by the average Filipinos since hard /th/ is not part of the Filipino phonology.
Types of Communication According to Purpose and Style
Finally, communication may be classified according to purpose and style. Earlier, formal and Informal
communication have been discussed in relation to organization communication. Similarly, the types of communication in
relation to purpose and style are formal and informal. However, rather than focusing on the transmission of message and
message flow, the focus here is on the communication setting and the mode of delivery. Formal communication employs
formal language delivered orally or in written form. Lectures, public talks/speeches, research and project proposals, reports,
and business letters, among others are all considered formal situations and writings. Note that while lectures are speeches
are delivered orally, the texts have been thought out carefully and written well before they are delivered. To inform, to
entertain, and to persuade are the main objectives of this type of communication.
On the other hand, informal communication certainly does not employ formal language. It involves personal and
ordinary conversations with friends, family members, or acquaintances about anything under the sun. The mode may be
oral as in face to face, ordinary or everyday talks and phone calls, or written as in case of e-mail messages, personal notes,
letters, or text messages. The purpose is simply to socialize and enhance relationships.

III. TEST YOURSELF

Name: ________________________________________________ Score: ____________________
Year and Section: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________

Activity 1
Identify the communication type based on mode, context, or purpose and style. Choose your answer from the given
choices inside the box. Write ONLY the LETTER of your answer on the space provided before each number.

a. Verbal b. non-verbal c. visual d. intrapersonal e. intercultural

f. Formal g. interpersonal h. extended i. organizational j. informal

________1. It is a type of communication that involves day-to-day ordinary conversation in which the sole purpose is only to
enhance relationships.
________2. Waving of hand, hugging, and smiling are examples of what type of communication?
________3. Cris, a Bisaya-speaking Filipino, has a chatmate named Carissa, an English-speaking American. Their
interaction is under what type of communication?
________4. What type of communication uses words to express someone’s thoughts and ideas?
________5. It is a type of communication that uses email, video conferencing, skype calls, and any technological means.
________6. Downward, Upward, Horizontal, and Crosswise communication belong to what context of and transactional.
________7. It is a communication that takes place between two or more people. It can be classified as interpersonal and
transactional.
________8. Juvy is daydreaming and thinking about what she should do for her future. This is an example of what context
of communication?
________9. Symbols, graphics, emojis, or memes are examples of what mode of communication?
________10. Researches, project proposals, and business letters are examples of what type of communication?

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Activity 2.

Using your OWN words to answer the following questions. Explain your answer using 3-4 sentences only.

Rubrics: Content -3pts

Organization of Ideas -1pt
Grammar -1pt

1. What are the differences between verbal, non-verbal, and visual communication?

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the differences between formal and informal communication?

________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

IV. REFFERENCES

a. TEXTBOOKS RESOURCES

o Madrunio, M. R., & Martin, I. P. (2018). Purposive Communication: Using English in Multillingual
Contexts. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
o Uychoco, M. T., & Santos, M. L. (2018). Communication for Society: Purposive Communication.
Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

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