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The act of communicating involves giving and receiving information orally or in writing, as well as visually (via infographics, maps, and charts), as well as by signs, gestures, and actions. Communication is described as “the development and exchange of meaning” in its most basic form.
In his 1992 book “Communication as Culture,” media critic and theorist James Carey proposed that we create our reality by the sharing of it with others. He characterized communication as “a symbolic process through which reality is formed, preserved, repaired, and modified.”
All species of life on Earth have developed means of exchanging feelings and ideas. But humans are different from other animals because they can use language and words to convey specific meanings.
Communication Elements
Every communication has a sender, a receiver, a message, and meanings that are interpreted by each party. The recipient responds to the message’s sender both during and after transmission. Feedback cues can be expressed verbally or nonverbally, for example, by nodding in agreement, glancing away and sighing, or making a variety of other gestures.
The context of the message, the setting in which it is transmitted, and the potential for interference during transmission or reception are additional factors.
If the recipient can see the sender, they can judge the sender’s behavioral indicators, which can range from confidence to anxiety, professionalism to flippancy, in addition to the message’s content. The sender’s emphasis and emotional expression can be understood by the recipient if they can hear the sender.
Writing as Rhetorical Communication
The fact that we have been utilizing writing as a form of communication for more than 5,000 years is another element that sets us apart from our animal counterparts. Ironically, the first essay, which was on good speaking, is said to have originated in Egypt and dates to about 3,000 B.C., but it wasn’t until much later that the general populace was regarded as being literate.
However, as James C. McCroskey points out in “An Introduction to Rhetorical Communication,” works like these “are important because they represent the historical truth that interest in rhetorical communication is approximately 5,000 years old.” McCroskey asserts that the majority of old writings were actually written as guidelines for efficient communication, underlining the importance of the subject for early societies.
This dependence has increased over time since the introduction of the Internet. Whether it takes the form of a text, Facebook post, tweet, or instant chat, written communication is currently the most common and favored method of communication.
In “Democracy and Its Discontents,” Daniel Boorstin claims that the expansion of what we refer to as “communication” methods and forms has been the most significant change in human consciousness during the past century, particularly in American consciousness. This is particularly relevant now given the growth of social media, email, and texting as means of communication with people around the world. Being misunderstood is now simpler than ever because to the expansion of communication avenues.
If the communication consists just of written words, the sender must be certain that the message is clear and cannot be misunderstood (such as a text or email). Using emoticons to help communicate the intended message and context in formal communication is not regarded as professional. For example, emails often come out as cold or sharp without the sender intending so.
Before you speak or click “Send,”
Before putting together your message, whether it will be presented verbally, in writing, over the phone, in front of an audience, or in person, take into account the audience who will be receiving your information, the context, and your means of delivering it. Which strategy will be the most effective? What steps must you take to ensure good communication? What are you attempting to keep from saying?
If the material needs to be conveyed in a professional setting and is important, prepare beforehand by practicing, creating slides and graphics, and dressing appropriately so that your appearance or temperament don’t distract from your message. If you’re writing a letter, it’s a good idea to proofread it, make sure the recipient’s name is spelled correctly, and read the message aloud to check for dropped words or strange phrasing before sending.
