If you are new to studying communication, this question might appear difficult to answer. But you need not worry, you will be surprised how easy it is to answer it. Most of you who were present during our first two meetings, already have some sort of understanding of the question at hand. However, if you haven’t fully grasped the idea of this basic nature of communication, this material might be of great help.
Before we delve into explaining, please note of the following elements of communication, to wit:
- Sender. The sender is the one who constructs and sends the message.
- Message. The information that the sender sends is called the message.
- Channel. Channel refers to the passageway of the information. Your five senses are considered as channels.
- Receiver. The receiver is the recipient of the sender’s message. He is the one who interprets the information transferred.
- Feedback*. If you noticed the asterisk, it signifies that feedback is optional. The receiver might or nor not give a response to the sender. The response, whether verbal (words) or non-verbal (actions), is considered feedback.
In order for communication to occur, it should go through several steps. These steps are:
- Encoding. The sender constructs the message he will be transmitting. What words should I be saying? How am I going to act? Memorizing a text is also considered an encoding, hand signaling too.
- Channel selection. In what manner should I be relaying my message? Is it thru text? Is it by speaking? Is it by writing? Or should I just make eye movements?
- Receiving and Decoding. This step is where the receiver receives and interprets the message. What does the sender mean?
- Giving Feedback. This is the stage where the receiver decides what to do with the information received. How do I react to the message? Should I reply? Should I cry? Should I laugh? Should I be angry?
Communication is a process because it goes through with the above steps. Every time you communicate, these steps are followed.
