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TOPIC: TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

STUDENTS: LOUEISA GRYKA O. SALARES AND DOMINGO M. OLIVA JR.
PROGRAM: BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
COURSE: GE-Eng 101 (SPEECH AND ORAL COMMUNICATION)
INSTRUCTOR: ROSELLETO L. CADAVOS, MAT
TERM: 2ND SEMESTER ACADEMIC YEAR: 2024-2025

I. Objectives:

At the end of the discussion, the students should be able to:

1. Define and Understand the Concept of Communication.

2. Explore the Fundamental Types of Communication.

3. Differentiate Between Types of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication.

4. Analyze the Importance of Written and Visual Communication.

II. Discussion:
Communication can be defined as a field of study concerned with the transmission of
information and broadcasting. It can involve any of the various professions, which have to do
with the transmission of information such as advertising, public relations, broadcasting and
journalism. The foregoing shows that communication is something human beings do
every day in different ways and through different means. That is, the modern man
communicates through different methods like speaking, using telephones, blogging, television,
art, hand and body gestures and facial expressions (Fatimayin, 2018).

Fundamental types of communication:

1. Verbal communication
2. Non-verbal communication
3. Written communication
4. Visual communication
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Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is the exchange of ideas and information through spoken words.
It is the foundation of human interaction, enabling individuals to express thoughts, emotions,
and concepts effectively and promptly. This mode of communication is essential in everyday life,
playing a crucial role in fostering collaboration and cultivating relationships, particularly in
professional settings. Verbal communication is ideal for face-to-face interactions, team
meetings, brainstorming sessions, and situations that require immediate feedback and
emotional connection (James, 2024).

Five (5) types of verbal communication (James, 2023)

 Interpersonal
Interpersonal communication is how we talk and interact with one another on a one-on-
one basis. It’s all about the communication between individuals. When you have a conversation
with a friend, speak to a family member, or chat with a coworker, you are engaged in
interpersonal communication.
 Intrapersonal
Intrapersonal communication is the communication we have with ourselves inside our
own minds. It’s the way we think, reflect, and process information internally. When you silently
ask yourself questions like, “What should I wear today?” or when you mentally plan your day,
you’re using intrapersonal communication.
 Group Communication
Group communication is when a small to medium-sized group of people talk and
interact together. It’s about how individuals communicate within a group setting. A team
meeting at work, a study group working on a project, or a group of friends planning a weekend
getaway all involve group communication.
 Public Communication
Public communication is when one person addresses a larger audience. It’s typically a
one-to-many communication style, often in a public speaking or presentation format. A leader
hosting a quarterly division update, a politician making a speech to voters, or a keynote speaker
addressing a conference audience are all instances of public communication.
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 Mass Communication
Mass communication involves reaching a very large and often diverse audience through
various channels, such as television, radio, newspapers, or social media. It’s about delivering
messages to a broad public. A news anchor reporting the day’s headlines on TV, a radio talk
show broadcasted to millions of listeners, or a viral video on social media are forms of mass
communication.

Non Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication encompasses aspects of communication other than spoken
or written words. It includes elements such as tone, pitch, and body language, which
significantly influence how messages are perceived. Non-verbal communication is essential
when conveying emotions, emphasizing points, and influencing how your message is received. It
is particularly crucial in negotiations, presentations, and public speaking (James, 2024).

Nine(9) types of non-verbal communication (Cherry, 2023)

 Facial Expressions
It's amazing how much you can say with your face without ever uttering a word. Facial
expressions are responsible for a huge proportion of nonverbal communication. 3 Consider how
much information can be conveyed with a smile or a frown. The look on a person's face is often
the first thing we see, even before hearing what they say. Sometimes, a raised brow or slight
smirk can say more than a whole conversation.
 Paralinguistics
Paralinguistics refers to vocal communication that is separate from actual language. This
form of nonverbal communication includes factors such as tone of voice, loudness, inflection,
and pitch.
 Gestures
Deliberate movements and signals are an important way to communicate meaning
without words. Common gestures include waving, pointing, and giving a "thumbs up" sign.
Other gestures are arbitrary and related to culture.
 Body Language and Posture
Posture and movement can also provide a great deal of information. While these
nonverbal communications can indicate feelings and attitudes, body language is often subtle
and less definitive than previously believed.
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 Proxemics
People often refer to their need for "personal space." We all have a "bubble" we like to
keep around ourselves. When people get too close, we often start to feel a little bit (or a lot) of
discomfort. This is known as proxemics and is another important type of nonverbal
communication. It's a way of nonverbally communicating how comfortable we feel with others
and how close we are willing to let them get.
 Eye Contact
The eyes play a role in nonverbal communication, with such things as looking, staring,
and blinking being important cues. For example, when you encounter people or things that you
like, your rate of blinking increases, and your pupils dilate. People's eyes can indicate range of
emotions, including hostility, interest, and attraction. People also often utilize eye contact cues
to gauge a person's honesty.
 Haptics
Communicating through touch is another important nonverbal communication
behavior. Touch can be used to communicate affection, familiarity, sympathy, and
other emotions. Sex differences also play a role in how people utilize touch to communicate
meaning. Women tend to
use touch to convey care, concern, and nurturance. Men, on the other hand, are more likely to
use touch to assert power or control over others.
 Appearance
Our choice of clothing, hairstyle, and other appearance factors are also considered a
means of nonverbal communication. Research on color psychology has demonstrated that
different colors can evoke different moods. Appearance can also alter physiological reactions,
judgments, and interpretations.
 Artifacts
Objects and images are also tools that can be used to communicate non-verbally. On an
online forum, for example, you might select an avatar to represent your identity and to
communicate information about who you are and the things you like. A soldier will don fatigues,
a police officer will wear a specific uniform, and a doctor will wear a white lab coat. At a mere
glance, these outfits tell others what that person does for a living. That makes these artifacts a
powerful form of nonverbal communication.
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Written Communication
Written communication is the art of transmitting messages, thoughts, and ideas through
the written word. It serves as a bridge that connects individuals across time and space, allowing
for the seamless exchange of information, emotions, and knowledge. Whether etched onto
parchment centuries ago or typed onto a digital screen today, written communication has
withstood the test of time as a powerful means of expression (Hebert, 2023).

Various types of written communication (Hebert, 2023)

 Formal communication
Formal written communication is the backbone of professional interactions. This type of
writing demands precision, clarity, and adherence to established norms. Written
communication in the workplace encompasses emails, memos, reports, and official documents.
These documents serve as a lasting record of decisions, proposals, and agreements, emphasizing
the need for accuracy and professionalism.
 Informal communication
Stepping away from corporate rigidity, informal written communication captures the
casual essence of everyday life. Informal communication embraces text messages, social media
posts, and personal letters. It encourages self-expression and authenticity, enabling individuals
to communicate in a more relaxed and relatable manner. Balancing the informal tone while
maintaining appropriate communication standards is essential in this type of communication.
 Academic writing
Within educational institutions, academic writing reigns as the conduit of knowledge
dissemination. This type of writing includes essays, research papers, and presentations.
Academic writing upholds a formal tone, requiring proper citation and adherence to established
formats. The objective is to convey complex concepts coherently and objectively, fostering
critical thinking and intellectual growth.
 Creative writing
Creative writing introduces a touch of artistry to written communication. Poetry, short
stories, and blog posts exemplify this style. Creative writing explores the depths of human
imagination, invoking emotions and vivid imagery. This type of writing encourages personal
flair, allowing individuals to experiment with language, style, and narrative structure.
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Visual Communication
Visual communication has the power to evoke emotions, enhance storytelling, and create
memorable experiences. It is the process of conveying information and ideas through visual
elements such as images, symbols, typography, and colors. It is a powerful means of
communication that transcends language barriers and engages viewers in a visually compelling
manner (Fayaz, 2022).

Five (5) different types of visual communication (Eztalks.com, 2022)

 Objects
This is used especially in instances where you are talking about a mobile object. It
involves bringing the object in question to the stage and using it for demonstration as you are
putting across your message. It is a suitable visual aid because the audience being addressed can
clearly see exactly what you are talking about.
 Models
These are representations of the objects the speaker is addressing. They represent the
object on a much smaller scale especially for objects that are too large or largely immobile. An
example of a model is the model of the solar system that most science teachers use to teach
about the solar system or a model of the human skeletal system.
 Graphs
Graphs are an important visual aid when showing the relationship between two
different quantities. There are numerous types of graphs including line graphs, bar graphs, and
pie graphs. The major advantage is the graph allows the audience to fully comprehend the
differences in quantities as opposed to just stating them verbally. This creates a bigger impact.
 Maps
In a geography speech, a map would be the most suitable item to use. A map can be used
to show different locations in the region and compare them. This makes the audience know
exactly where the speaker is referring to. The advantage of using a map is it is simple to
understand and can be used to make points of geographical reference.
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III. References:
‌
Cherry, K. (2023) Types of Nonverbal Communication.
Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-nonverbal-communication-
2795397

Different Types of Visual Communication | ezTalks: Business Software Reviews & How-To. (n.d.).
Eztalks.com. https://eztalks.com/unified-communications/different-types-of-visual-
communication.html

Fatimayin, F. F. (2018) What is Communication?

ResearchGate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337649561_What_is_Communication

Hebert, M. (2023) Written Communication Guide: Types, Examples, and Tips.

TopResume. https://topresume.com/career-advice/written-communication-guide

Fayaz, O. (2022) Meaning, Types & Principles of Visual Communication.

IIAD. https://www.iiad.edu.in/the-circle/principles-of-visual-communication/

James, C. (2023) The 4 Types Of Communication [Definitions & Examples].

Master Public Speaking & Presentation Skills | CJM Training; The Colin James Method.
https://colinjamesmethod.com/the-4-types-of-communication/