SIMPLIFIED

INTRODUCTION TO
COMMUNICATION SKILLS

COURSE GUIDE

Compiled & Prepared by Alex Simpande

2023
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
Communication Skills .......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Definition and Functions of Communication .............................................................................. 4
Learning Objectives: ................................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Purpose of Communication Skills ............................................................................................... 6
Learning Objectives: ..................................................................................................................... 6
1.3 The Communication Process....................................................................................................... 8
Learning Objectives: ..................................................................................................................... 8
1.4 Elements of Communication .................................................................................................. 11
Learning Objectives: ............................................................................................................... 11
 Communication Skillsi

1.1 Definition and Functions of Communication

Learning Objectives:

1. Define communication
2. State the functions of communication

Introduction
The word communication has its origin in the Latin word 'communis' that means 'to
make common'. Communication facilitates sharing of common experiences with others.
It involves sharing of an idea, thought, feeling or information with others, which includes
thinking, dreaming, speaking, arguing and so on. Thus the scope of communication is
very wide. All this makes communication a complex process. To understand the
concept of communication, let us examine the various definitions of communication as
given by different scholars.

Definitions of Communication
Different scholars have defined communication in various ways. Some of them describe
it as 'the transfer of meaning', 'transmission of stimuli', 'one mind affecting other' or
'sharing of experiences on the basis of commonness'. Communication has also been
defined as a scientific study which involves the art of communication so that skilled
communication can be produced.

Communication is not a static act but a dynamic process, which is continuous in nature
and vital for teaching and learning. It involves the usage of a channel. This channel
could be signs, symbols or verbal/written language. For communication to be complete
and effective it has to achieve the desired objectives as intended by the communicator.
For example, in a classroom situation, the teacher has to make special efforts to convey
the message to the learners. S/he has to clearly define the objectives of the lesson and
the message has to be conveyed with the help of appropriate oral and written signs,
symbols and body language. Only when the meaning has been understood by the
learners and in the same way as intended by the teacher, we can say that the
communication has been successful. Thus, communication can be defined as a process
of sharing or exchange of ideas, information, knowledge, attitudes or feelings among
two or more persons through certain signs and symbols leading to a desired response
as intended by the communicator. Even our behaviour can communicate messages. For
instance warmth towards someone or indifference can be conveyed even without
speech or written messages just through gestures, facial expressions and body
language.
The following definition will be used for purposes of this course. Communication is a
systemic process in which people interact with and through symbols to create and
interpret meaning (Wood, 2004).

Definition of communication skills

Communication skills are skills, abilities and tools that enable individuals to send and
receive messages effectively. Tools/skills refers to listening, reading, speaking and
writing. The word ‘effectively’ in the definition means to interpret and get the desired
feedback as intended by the sender. For communication to be effective, there must be
well defined objectives.

Functions of Communication
There are four major functions of communication. These are control, motivation,
emotional expression, and information sharing/education. Other functions are sub types
of the major ones and they include socialisation, entertainment, persuasion, and
preservation of culture.

Reflection
What is your definition of communication?
1.2 Purpose of Communication Skills
Learning Objectives:

1. State the place and purpose of communication skills in science and engineering.
2. Explain the reasons why scientists and engineers should study communication.

Introduction
Communication skills are particularly important to engineers and scientists because of
the need to share new findings, technologies and products, etc. For example, without a
common understanding of the specific skills, competences and standards that
engineers and scientists should have, collaboration would be impossible as there would
be chaos. .

The purpose and value of communication skills

1. Social and Ethical reasons
Human beings live in communities and larger societies and there are many possibilities
for miscommunication. Knowing the social expectations of any communication act is a
necessary requirement for harmonious living. This also prevents careless disregard for
social rules regarding communication. Socities have defined what is wrong and what is
wrong. It is within these bounds and constraints that communication takes place be it at
home, work, church, sports ground or even with yourself. Further, our world is
interactive so communication has become diverse due to commerce which cuts across
geographical, occupational, cultural and linguistic boundaries. Ethical technical
communication helps to mediate conflicts that may arise.

2. Legal Considerations
Failure to appreciate the ethical dimensions of technical communication can have
serious human and legal consequences. For example, products usually come with
documentation in the form of manuals. These manuals provide instructions on how to
use the produce, how to assemble or disassemble, trouble shoot, etc. There is always
the danger of accidents in the home or workplace through these products. Technical
documents help to alleviate possible flare ups between consumer and producer.
However, where this cannot happen, there are legal implications for both manufacturer
and consumer. The value of communication lies in its ability to provide clear
interpretation of messages contained in documentation.

3. The Frequency of technical communication. Communication varies place to place,

and from job to job. The workplace is characterised by meetings with all manner of
conversing and writing. Communication is unavoidable and individuals cannot keep up
with its frequency. Therefore, its value in getting things done is important.

4. The Collaborative nature of technical communication: Collaboration takes place

across geographical areas and involves planning, writing, meeting, negotiating,
designing, and decision-making, and making proposals. There is a great of interaction
among people of diverse backgrounds.

5. The Computerization of technical communication: Technical communication has been

made easier and at the same time complex because of the computer. Production of
complex documents with embedded and editable pictures, graphs, spread sheets,
mathematical expressions, charts etc. is now the most valuable way to disseminate
information.

6. The international nature of technical communication: As the world moves towards a

single global economy called ‘the information age’, good writing skills are necessary for
the internationalised world. The job of communication is to facilitate this process.

So, communication skills are important because, according to research, they rank
above any other type of skill. The critical skills are technical writing, public speaking,
working with individuals, working with groups and talking with people (Huckin & Olsen,
1991: 4). In professional settings, writing ability is considered in promotion decisions.

Reflection
Consider your chosen field of study here at CBU, at what point will you need technical
writing skills? Be specific.
1.3 The Communication Process
Learning Objectives:

1. define communication and explain the different communication models

2. apply communication models to understand real life communication
3. apply any model of your choice to solve a communication problem

Introduction
A model is a graphic representation designed to explain the way a variable works. It is a
pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings
of an object, system, or concept”.

Models
The Greek philosopher Aristotle looked at communication from the rhetorical
perspective i.e. speaking to the masses to influence them and thus persuade them.
Aristotle constructed a model with the following elements: Speaker-Speech-Audience-
Effect in which the basic function of communication was to persuade the other party.
This is accepted by many as the first model of communication.

Twentieth century - many more models came up. In the latter part of the century, the
concept of communication changed due to the advent of various mass communication
media such as newspapers, radio, and television. During the First and Second World
Wars, communication was also used for propaganda and it was perceived as a magic
bullet that transferred ideas and knowledge automatically from one mind to another.
However, this was later found to be a very simplistic model which showed
communication as a linear one-way flow of communication. Sociologists, political
scientists and psychologists who joined the debate around this time argued that
communication was a complex process which was dynamic and two-way in nature.

The Lasswell Model (1948). One of the early models of communication was developed
by the political scientist Harold D. Lasswell who looked at communication in the form of
a question: Who, Says What, In Which Channel, To Whom, With What Effect
 Source: https://www.elcomblus.com/linear-models-of-communication/

Shannon and Weaver Model (1949). This model of Claude Shannon and Warren
Weaver has been considered as one of the most important models of communication
and it has led to the development of many other models. It is referred to as the
transmission model of communication as it involves signal transmission for
communication.

Charles Osgood (1954). In his model, he showed communication, as a dynamic process

in which there is an interactive relationship between the source and the receiver of the
message (M). An individual engaged in the communication process sends as well as
receives messages and as such encodes, decodes and interprets messages through a
number of feedback mechanisms. Osgood stressed the social nature of communication.
This model was found to be more applicable in interpersonal communication in which
the source and receiver were physically present. For example when a teacher teaches,
the learners interact by raising queries, answering questions, etc. The role of
interpretation of the message has also been highlighted in this model for decoding a
message.

Source: https://studymasscommunication.wordpress.com/2019/09/08/the-osgood-schramm-model/

Schramm Model (1954). Wilbur Schramm, a well-known communication expert did not
make a sharp distinction between technical and non-technical communication. But
drawing upon the ideas of Shannon and Osgoods, Schramm proceeded from a simple
human communication model to a more complicated one. His first model has a lot of
similarity with Shannon and Weaver Model. In the second model, Schramm visualized
the process of communication as a process of sharing of experience and commonality
of experience of those communicating. It introduced the concept of shared orientation
between sender and receiver. The circles in this model indicate the accumulated
experience of two individuals engaged in communication. The source can encode and
the destination can decode in terms of the experience.

In summary, models of communication are classified as Linear, Interactional, and

Transactional. West and Turner (2007) state that models highlight the different parts of the
communication process.

Reflection
Choose one model above and apply it to the teaching/learning environment in the classroom.
Does the model effectively explain what happens in a classroom? Explain.

Further reading:
https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/evolutionhumancommunication/chapter/chapter-1
1.4 Elements of Communication
Learning Objectives:

1. identify the elements of communication

2. explain each element with reference to its position in the communication process
3. identify types of ‘noise’ associated with each element

Introduction
In the preceding discussion, you would have observed that the process of
communication is dynamic, ongoing and ever changing. We also used some terms such
as sender, message, channel, receiver, noise and feedback. These are known as
Elements of Communication that make communication a continuous process.

Source: https://newsmoor.com/communication-elements-9-components-of-basic-communication-process/

Now let us examine these elements in some detail and understand the type of
interrelationship that exists among them.

Elements of Communication

Source/Sender: The source of communication is the sender who has a message to

impart. The sender has to decide how to communicate a message, which channel is to
be selected for the message and what type of strategies should be planned so that the
message makes the desired response. The sender provides verbal or non-verbal cues
that can be received, interpreted and responded to by the receiver.

Message: Message is a set of signs and symbols which are given by the source to
create meanings for the receiver. Simply put, message is the content which is shared
between the participants in the communication process. To make the message
effective, the sender has to understand the nature and profile of the receiver of the
message, his/her needs and expectations and possible response to the message. This
is important in both face-to-face as well as mediated situations.

Channel/Medium: Channel is the medium used to communicate a message from the

sender to receiver. The channel could be spoken word, printed word, electronic media,
or even non-verbal cues such as signs, gestures, body language, facial expressions,
etc. In modern communication parlance, the word 'channel' mostly refers to mass
communication media such as newspapers, radio, television, telephone, computers,
internet etc. The selection of an appropriate channel is crucial for the success of
communication.

Receiver: Communication cannot take place without a receiver for whom the message
is meant. We receive a message, interpret it and derive meaning from it. You have
already studied that for successful communication, the receiver should receive the
message in the same way it was meant by the sender. In interpersonal communication,
the receiver shares a close relationship with the sender which gradually gets diluted in
group and mass communication.

Noise: Noise is distortion in a message which affects the flow of communication. Noise
could be due to internal as well as external sources. Noise creates barriers in
communication and it could be of many types. There are various types of noises which
have implication in the process of communication and how these can be overcome for
facilitating effective communication are discussed in the next section.

Feedback: The response given by the receiver to the message of the sender is known
as feedback. Communication being a two-way process, without the element of feedback
any discussion on the process of communication is incomplete. You have read in
subsection 1.3.2 that interpersonal communication allows greater scope for feedback as
both sender and receiver can decipher the facial expressions, body movements and
cross question each other to remove their doubts/queries. In fact, their roles are
intertwined and cannot be distinguished. The element of feedback gets gradually diluted
when the number of participants in communication activity increases.

Reflection
1. There are other elements of communication such as context and environment.
Explain.
2. Of all the years you have spent communicating to people and vice versa, which
model or models better explain(s) human communication? Why?

i
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context. The writer of this document can be contacted at consultalex01@gmail.com