Course Material: Purposive Communication 6

Content and Discussion

Communication Process

The communication is a dynamic process that begins with the

conceptualizing of ideas by the sender who then transmits the
message through a channel to the receiver, who in turn gives the
feedback in the form of some message or signal within the given time
frame. Thus, there are Seven major elements of communication
process:
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 7

Sender: The sender or the communicator is the person who initiates the
conversation and has conceptualized the idea that he intends to convey it
to others.

Encoding: The sender begins with the encoding process wherein he uses
certain words or non-verbal methods such as symbols, signs, body
gestures, etc. to translate the information into a message. The sender’s
knowledge, skills, perception, background, competencies, etc. has a great
impact on the success of the message.

Message: Once the encoding is finished, the sender gets the message that
he intends to convey. The message can be written, oral, symbolic or non-
verbal such as body gestures, silence, sighs, sounds, etc. or any other signal
that triggers the response of a receiver.

Communication Channel: The Sender chooses the medium through

which he wants to convey his message to the recipient. It must be
selected carefully in order to make the message effective and
correctly interpreted by the recipient.

Receiver: The receiver is the person for whom the message is

intended or targeted.

Decoding: Here, the receiver interprets the sender’s message and

tries to understand it in the best possible manner.
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 8

Feedback: The Feedback is the final step of the process that ensures
the receiver has received the message and interpreted it correctly as
it was intended by the sender

Note: The Noise shows the barriers in communications. There are

chances when the message sent by the sender is not received by
the recipient.

A model is a representation of a real-world phenomenon

applied in different forms and is represented graphically. There
are three general types of communication models in which all
other communication models are mostly categorized.

Linear model of communication is

a simple one-way communication
model. The message flows in a
straight line from sender to the
receiver. There is no concept of
feedback. The only task that a
receiver does here is to receive the
message.
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 9

In transactional model, senders

and receivers both are known as
communicators and both play
equally important role in
communication. Transactional
model relates communication with
social reality, cultural up-bringing
and relational context
(relationships). Non-verbal
feedback like gestures, body
language, is also considered as
feedback in this model.

Interactive model or convergence

model is similar to transactional
model as they are both two way
communication model. But,
interactive model is mostly used for
new media like internet. Here,
people can respond to any mass
communications like videos, news,
etc. People can exchange their
views and ideas.

Click here to learn more about Communication Models.

 Course Material: Purposive Communication 10

Principles of Communication
You need to follow certain principles to be an effective communicator. In this way, you could be able to
communicate with others with no sweat! Below are some of the principles that you need to remember when
dealing with other people.

1. Principle of Clarity:
The idea or message to be communicated should be clearly spelled out. It should be worded in
such a way that the receiver understands the same thing which the sender wants to convey. There
should be no ambiguity in the message

2. Principle of Attention:
In order to make communication effective, the receiver’s attention should be drawn towards the
message. People are different in behavior, attention, emotions etc. so they may respond differently to
the message.

3. Principle of Feedback:
The principle of feedback is very important to make the communication effective. There should
be a feedback information from the recipient to know whether he has understood the message in the
same sense in which the sender has meant it.

4. Principle of Informality:
Formal communication is generally used for transmitting messages and other information.
Sometimes formal communication may not achieve the desired results, informal communication may
prove effective in such situations.

5. Principle of Consistency:
This principle states that communication should always be consistent with the policies, plans,
programs, and objectives of the organization and not in conflict with them.

6. Principle of Timeliness:
This principle states that communication should be done at proper time so that it helps in
implementing plans. Any delay in communication may not serve any purpose rather decisions become of
historical importance only.

7. Principle of Adequacy:
The information communicated should be adequate and complete in all respects. Inadequate
information may delay action and create confusion. Inadequate information also affects efficiency of
the receiver. So adequate information is essential for taking proper decisions and making action plans.
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 11

Ten Basics of Ethical Communication

1. Seek to “elicit the best” in communications and interactions with other

group members.
2. Listen when others speak.
3. Speak non-judgmentally.
4. Speak from your own experience and perspective, expressing your own
thoughts, needs, and feelings.
5. Seek to understand others (rather than to be “right” or “more ethical
than thou”).
6. Avoid speaking for others, for example by characterizing what others
have said without checking your understanding, or by universalizing your
opinions, beliefs, values, and conclusions, assuming everyone shares
them.
7. Manage your own personal boundaries: share only what you are
comfortable sharing.
8. Respect the personal boundaries of others.
9. Avoid interrupting and side conversations.
10.Make sure that everyone has time to speak, that all members have
relatively equal “air time” if they want it.
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 17

➢SUMMARY
The communication is a dynamic The three (3) general type of
process that begins with the communication models are
conceptualizing of ideas by the lineal model, transactional
sender who then transmits the model, interactive or
message through a channel to the convergence model.
receiver, who in turn gives the
feedback in the form of some The principles of communication
message or signal within the given are principles of clarity, attention,
time frame. feedback, informality, consistency,
timeliness, and adequacy.
The seven major elements of
communication process are sender,
encoding, message, channel, In interacting with other
receiver, decoding, feedback. people, we need to
follow ethical
The Noise shows the barriers in
communications. There are communication to be
chances when the message sent by able to understand and
the sender is not received by the
be understood.
recipient.

A model is a representation of a real-

world phenomenon applied in different
forms and is represented graphically.
 Course Material: Purposive Communication 18

➢KEY TERMS

Communication process Decoding interactive or Principle of timeliness

convergence model
Sender Feedback Principle of clarity Principle of adequacy
Encoding Noise Principle of attention ethical
communication
Message Model Principle of feedback
Channel lineal model Principle of
informality
receiver transactional Principle of
model consistency

References
Anderson, P. V. (2018) Technical Communication: a reader-centered approach, 9th ed.

Pascual, J. C. , et.al (2016) Purposive Communication

Sebastian, E. L. (2017) English Communication 2

Abulencia, E. F. (2014) Fundamentals of Business Communication

Krizan, A.C. et.al., (2014) Business Communication: theories and best practices 7th ed.

no author (2013) Principles of Business Communication

Hennings, D. G. (2000) Communication in action: teaching literature-based language arts 7th ed.

McCrum, R. , Cran, W. and MacNeil, R. (1986) The story of English, 1st American ed.

Madrunio (2018). Purposive Communication: using English in Multilingual Contexts

ANSWERS TO EXERCISE
The Communication Process Test Answers: 1. C 2. G 3. A 4. D 5. E 6. B 7. F 8. H
Are you a good communicator? If you answered True in all the questions, you’re
definitely a good communicator!
Assessment activities answers vary
Reflection
Question