Types of communication

1. Nonverbal Communication
Definition
Nonverbal communication refers to any form of communication that is not transmitted through
spoken word.
It can include body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, passive communication
strategies, and even what you wear (which can send signals about your cleanliness, social class,
etc.).
We can communicate and receive a lot of important information through nonverbal cues. This is
why face-to-face communication (where you can see facial expressions, etc) leads to far less
confusion than text messages or other low context means of communication that lack contextual
cues.
Examples
 Facial expressions: Smiling, frowning, raising eyebrows, furrowing brow, rolling eyes,
etc.
 Gestures: Hand gestures, head nods, shrugging shoulders, pointing, etc.
 Posture: Standing tall, slouching, leaning forward or backward, crossing arms, etc.
 Eye contact: Direct eye contact, avoiding eye contact, staring, glancing, etc.
 Touch: Handshakes, hugs, pats on the back, etc.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths of Nonverbal
Communication Weaknesses of Nonverbal Communication

Can be misinterpreted or misunderstood

Can convey emotions and attitudes because it’s often implicit not explicit in
more effectively than words alone. style.

Can reinforce or contradict verbal Can be influenced by cultural or personal

communication, acting as an differences, leading to intercultural
augmentation to words. miscommunication.

Can communicate messages when

verbal communication is not
possible or appropriate, such as in Can be used to deceive or manipulate others
the deaf community. due to its often ambiguous nature.

Can enhance interpersonal Can create discomfort or awkwardness in

relationships and rapport. A person some situations if the person has poor
 Strengths of Nonverbal
Communication Weaknesses of Nonverbal Communication

whose nonverbal communication is nonverbal communication skills (such as

calm can calm others, for example. being twitchy).

Can be used to provide feedback to Can be unintentionally distracting,

others, such as when a speaker uses unprofessional, or bely a person’s true
nonverbal cues in their audience to intentions in formal settings, such as when a
tell if their audience is keeping up. person rolls their eyes in a meeting.

2. Verbal Communication
Definition
Verbal communication is any form of communication that occurs through spoken word. Its key
strength is that it tends to be perceived as a trusted and authentic form of communication.
For example, people often want to talk to or hear from a real human when making an expensive
purchase or big decision in their lives.
While face-to-face verbal communication also has the benefit of allowing for two-way dialogue
between interlocutors, in our current era, verbal communication can also be one-way, such as
through podcasts or videos.
Verbal communication tends to also have high-context elements to help with clarity of
messages, such as tone of voice, pitch, and urgency.
Verbal communication skills are often taught at school, and mastery of effective verbal (and
especially public) communication can be seen as a valuable skill in the workplace. Effective
verbal communication requires not only the ability to articulate one’s thoughts and ideas clearly
but also convey those thoughts with confidence in a variety of contexts.
Examples
 Conversations: Speaking with others in person, over the phone, or through video
conferencing.
 Presentations: Delivering speeches, lectures, video conferences, or other formal talks to
an audience.
 Written correspondence: Communicating through letters, emails, memos, text messages,
or other written forms of communication.
 Face-to-Face Interviews: Answering questions posed by a potential employer in a face-
to-face interview context.
  Video and Podcast: Video and podcast media generally also contain verbal
communication, such as a person telling a story or a recording of a conversation between
characters.
 Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths of Verbal
Communication Weaknesses of Verbal Communication

Can convey complex ideas and Can be misunderstood or misinterpreted,

emotions effectively through tone of especially in interactions between people of
voice, pitch, and urgency. different cultures.

When face-to-face, allows people to

receive immediate feedback and Tone, pitch, and volume of voice may
clarification from the person they are unintentionally change the message being
speaking with. delivered.

Can easily be tailored to the audience Can be influenced by linguistic differences

– for example, changing the even within one culture – for example,
complexity of language for younger different accents may obscure the quality of
people. the communication.

Can facilitate interpersonal

relationships and bonding as voice is Poor language proficiency and the presence
seen as the most authentic means of of speech impediments can prevent people
communication. from communication through this means.

Can be used to persuade or influence Ambient noise can easily obscure the
others message.

When used in daily communication, it is not

Is central to culture building. recorded and therefore prone to mis-
People’s language and accent are remembering (whereas written
central to their sense of self and communication can be re-visited for
sense of community. clarification).

3. Visual Communication
Definition
Visual communication means the transfer of information to a person in a format that can be
read or viewed.
Such formats include physical objects and models, charts, cards, tables, photos, videos,
drawings, and diagrams.
 According to Gophinatan (2022), “…visual communication is the transmission of
information and ideas using symbols and imagery” (p. 87).
It’s considered a sub-type of nonverbal communication.
Visual communication is a prevalent form of communication in the 21st Century. It’s a
preferred medium for advertising as well as for storytelling (e.g. film) and social media
entertainment.
Example
 Infographics: Presenting complex information, data, or knowledge in a visually
engaging and easy-to-understand format using charts, graphs, and illustrations.
 Slide Presentations: Conveying information, ideas, or concepts through a combination
of text, images, and design elements in a slideshow format, often during meetings or
conferences.
 Graphs and Charts: Visualizing data, trends, or comparisons through various graphical
representations such as bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, and flowcharts.
 Videos and Animations: Using moving images, graphics, and visual storytelling
techniques to convey a message or concept in an engaging and informative manner.
 Graphic Design and Branding: Employing design elements like logos, color schemes,
and typography to create a visual identity for a product, company, or organization,
which can be consistently applied across various media and platforms
 Strengths and Weaknesses
Weaknesses of Visual
Strengths of Visual Communication Communication

Quickly communicates complex information Can be difficult to interpret at times,

and relationships between ideas, such as such as graphs that require additional
with graphs explanation.

Captures attention especially when good May misrepresent or oversimplify

color combinations are used. complex concepts.

Can be time-consuming and costly to

Easier to understand than words alone. create for media producers.

Not ideal for conveying sensitive or

detailed messages that may require
Can evoke emotions and inspire action explicit written word.

Enhances comprehension, especially for Can be distracting or overwhelming

people who consider themselves visual if used incorrectly, such as when a
 Weaknesses of Visual
Strengths of Visual Communication Communication

learners. webpage is too cluttered

4. Written Communication
Definition
Written communication involves the use of words, sentences, and paragraphs encoded in text in
order to communicate.
Its primary benefit is that it is clearly and unambiguously recorded and saved, and can be
looked back upon at a later date to determine what exactly was said.
Prior to the advent of audiovisual recording devices, written text was the key format for
recording data. Today, it is still used for legal purposes, such as when we must sign and keep
legal documents.
Examples
 Emails and Letters: Exchanging information, ideas, or requests through written messages
in a formal or informal tone, sent electronically or through postal services.
 Reports and Documents: Compiling research, analysis, or project updates into structured
written formats to inform, persuade, or provide recommendations to an audience.
 Blog Posts and Articles: Sharing knowledge, opinions, or experiences on a specific topic
through written content published on websites, newspapers, or magazines.
 Books and eBooks: Conveying narratives, ideas, or educational content in a longer
written format, distributed in print or digitally for readers to consume and engage with.
 Academic Writing: This is used to present facts and evidence in the form of essays,
research papers, and other publications. Academic writing is often used in the fields of
higher education and research.
 Strengths and Weaknesses
Weaknesses of Written
Strengths of Written Communication Communication

Lack of emotion: Written messages

High accuracy: Written messages allow cannot convey nonverbal cues such as
for greater accuracy because they can be facial expressions or body language that
edited and proofread to ensure accuracy are essential for sharing the sender’s
before they are sent. feelings.

Clarity: Written statements can be Delay in communication: Written

crafted in a way that is easy to messages need to be sent and received,
 Weaknesses of Written
Strengths of Written Communication Communication

comprehend, making it useful for

conveying complex messages clearly which takes time, resulting in a delay in
and concisely. communication.

Efficiency: Written messages are more

efficient than other forms of Misinterpretations: Messages can be
communication, such as verbal misinterpreted or misunderstood,
communication, in terms of time and particularly when sarcasm and jokes are
cost savings. They are also more involved, as they lack the nonverbal cues
convenient to store and access when and facial expressions that help convey
needed. the sender’s intent.

5. Intrapersonal Communication
Definition
Intrapersonal communication is an individual’s own personal dialogue and reflection within
themselves (Liddicoat & Scarino, 2013).
It is a form of metacognition that’s beneficial for self-improvement and self-reflection. This
internal dialogue helps people to understand themselves better.
Control over our intrapersonal communication is important, however. For example, we need
to silence our inner voice when trying to sleep, or if it leads to excessive negative self-talk.
Example
 Self-Reflection: Engaging in an internal dialogue to assess one’s thoughts, emotions,
or actions in a specific situation or over time.
 Goal Setting: Identifying personal objectives and desired outcomes, along with
outlining a plan to achieve those targets through internal communication.
 Mental Rehearsals: Mentally practicing an upcoming task, speech, or performance in
one’s mind to improve preparedness and reduce anxiety.
 Mindfulness and Meditation: Focusing on the present moment, breathing, and internal
sensations to cultivate self-awareness, emotional regulation, and mental clarity.
 Daydreaming and Visualization: Using one’s imagination to explore scenarios,
potential outcomes, or aspirations as a form of internal dialogue and problem-solving.
 Strengths and Weaknesses
 Strengths of Intrapersonal Weaknesses of Intrapersonal
Communication Communication

Enhances self-awareness, allowing us

to understand ourselves at a deeper Can lead to overthinking which may be bad
level. for our mental health.

Facilitates personal growth and

development. Some reflection,
journaliing, or meditation daily will May reinforce negative thoughts and
help us to think through ways to emotions if we do not regulate and challenge
achieve personal development. our own thoughts.

Our inner thoughts lack external

perspectives, meaning they often lead us
down rabbit holes that are missing key
Allows for better decision- information that we would be able to gather
making than if we never self- if we engaged in some more interpersonal
reflected. interaction.

6. Interpersonal Communication
Definition
Interpersonal communication simply refers to communication between two or more
people. However, it is generally used to explain collaboration and group work.
The benefits of interpersonal communication include the development of strong
relationships, the ability to achieve more together than alone, improved understanding of
other peoples’ points of view, and the ability to resolve conflicts or disagreements.
Interpersonal skills are highly valuable in 21st Century workplaces. These are skills like
the ability to mediate, lead a group, follow when necessary, influence others, and find
common ground.
Examples of Interpersonal Communication
 Casual Conversations: Engaging in informal dialogue with friends, family, or
colleagues to share experiences, thoughts, and emotions.
 Active Listening: Demonstrating empathy and understanding by attentively
listening to another person’s ideas or concerns, and providing appropriate
responses or feedback.
 Conflict Resolution: Addressing disagreements or misunderstandings between
individuals by discussing the issues, identifying solutions, and finding common
ground.
  Group Discussions: Collaborating with multiple individuals to exchange ideas,
solve problems, or make decisions through open and respectful communication.
 Nonverbal Communication: Conveying meaning or expressing emotions through
body language, facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice, in conjunction with
verbal exchanges.
 Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths of Interpersonal Weaknesses of Interpersonal
Communication Communication

Because interpersonal communication is

Promotes understanding and empathy heavily influenced by cultural values (e.g.
because dialogue helps people to seek table manner taboos, social norms), it can
clarification and common ground. often end in conflict.

Is highly effective for problem- This communication can be hindered by

solving because multiple people power dynamics if there are people in the
coming together can help each other group who are overly assertive and don’t
get through cognitive blocks. respect others’ voices.

Unlike other forms of communication,

Intrapersonal communifcation tends interpersonal communication tends to be
to foster a sense of belonging because synchrnous, meaning you need to get
people spend a lot of time in close everyone together in the room at the same
personal contact. time.
According to the topic of communication: political, scientific, everyday, religious (fideistic),
philosophical, educational, pedagogical, upbringing, etc. Topics that are raised in
communication have an impact on its course.
4. According to the purpose of communication: business communication (follows a specific
subject or informational purpose); entertainment (spending time in communication)
12. By duration: permanent (predominant in teams and families); periodic (in the case of
multiple meetings, for example, with a doctor); short-term (communication with fellow
travelers in transport, in a queue); long-term (with friends, etc.).