Course Pack in Purposive Communication GE5

Introduction
“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this
understanding as a guide to our communication
with others.”- Anthony Robbins

Communication in the 21st century has become much complex than it was decades past. The continuous development in
human society allowed for individuals to form communities. The first development was the appearance of language.
Though limited with grunts and sounds, and gestures, it is by no means null. This allowed for homo sapiens to
collaborate in hunting. The next development was the invention of the written language. With materials available,
communication traversed through time and space. Knowledge could now be passed and preserved not only through oral
tradition but also through materials available around (e.g. wood, clay, etc.). The third development that significantly
changed communication from the last two developments was printing. Printing made it possible to make identical copies
of documents and distribute it far and wide. It was considered as the first technology to communication then. This
technology was further developed when communication had been able to reach distances without physically moving for
it to take place. In the past, postal services and transportation made it possible for artifacts to be delivered to different
places. However, the critical fourth development made communication easier. The electronic communication like the
telegraph to telephone, fax machines and now the internet revolutionized communication.
This module is about writing, speaking and presenting to different audiences and for various purposes that will aid the
student to have a deeper understanding of effective communication using English. It aims to develop students‘
communicative competence and enhance their cultural and intercultural awareness through multimodal tasks by
providing them opportunities for communicating effectively and appropriately in multicultural contexts.
The knowledge and skills that the students are expected to gain from this module may be used in their academic
endeavors, in their chosen disciplines, and in their future careers as they compose and produce relevant oral, written,
audio-visual, and/ or web-based output for various purposes complying with the provisions of C.M.O. 20, series of 2013,
and guided by the content of the syllabus from the Commission on Higher Education.

-RMMT, 2020
COURSE TITLE : Purposive Communication
COURSE CODE : GE 5
CREDIT UNITS : 3.0 units
COURSE
PREREQUISITE : None
 COURS
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 Overview
All of us are constantly in a state of giving and receiving communications. Problems
arise when one does not receive, or understand, the message sent in the communication
as it was intended, or when one subconsciously sends a nonverbal message that
contradicts the spoken word. This module attempts to help students understand the
importance of good communications skills at school and at work. It will focus on (1) the
understanding of communication and its components, (2) the process and elements of
communication, (3) the principles behind it, and (4) ethics of communication.

Module Objectives:
After a successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Describe the nature, components, process, principles and ethics of
communication in various multicultural contexts.
2. Understand the importance of good communication skills
3. Understand how nonverbal communication skills affect their overall
communications in the classroom and at work
4. Use effective listening techniques
5. Use proper oral communication skills

Course Materials:
1. Module 1 – Communication Skills
2. Overhead projector as needed
3. Audio and/ or videos clips of various media (e.g., TV commercials, movies,
newscasts, etc.)
4. Texts from newspapers, magazines, journals
 Module 1

Introduction to
Communication
LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the learning engagements, the learners will be able to:

1. Define communication
2. Identify and explain the various communication modes and
how they help in expressing one‘s communication intents;
3. Distinguish the differences between and among the
communication modes; and
4. Use the communication modes appropriately depending on
the content of the communication situation

COMMUNICATION
Alexander (1984) stated that communication occurs when a sender expresses an
emotion or a feeling, creates an idea, or senses the need to communicate. The
communication process is triggered when the sender makes a conscious or an
unconscious decision to share the message with another person—the receiver. It is a
process wherein the exchange of information between two or more people (Bernales,
Balon and Biligan, 2018). Keyton (2011) supported this notion of communication when
he defined it as Communication can be defined as the process of transmitting information
and common understanding from one person to another. For communication to succeed,
both the participants must be able to exchange information and understand each other. If
this flow of information is interrupted or blocked communication fails. The word
communication is derived from the Latin word, ― “communis”, which means common.
In our everyday living, for a communication to be effectively transmitted, elements of
communication must be present and these include a) Speaker, b) Message, c) Receiver,
d) Channel, e) Feedback, and f) Communicative Situation.

Alexander (1984) further explains that every communicative act is based on

something that conveys meaning, and that conveyance is the message. The message may
be either verbal (spoken or written) or nonverbal (body language, physical appearance, or
vocal tone). Messages may also come from the context—or place and time—of the
communication. For instance, if you choose to make a critical comment to someone, the
place and the time you choose to make that comment will make a big impact on how it
will be received.
 Moreover, every message is sent and received through one of our five senses—it is
seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled. The sensory media through which messages are
sent and received are communication channels. In a work setting, messages may be seen
through body movement, letters, memos, newsletters, bulletin board notices, signs,
emails, and so on. Messages that are heard come through conversations, interviews,
presentations, telephones, radios, and other audio media. Sight and sound are the two
most frequent communication channels used in our society.

When the receiver gets the message (through seeing, hearing, feeling, touching, or
smelling), he or she will usually give feedback (return message) unconsciously or
consciously. Thus, the communications process is on-going.

The worst assumption a sender of a message can make is that the message will be
received as intended. So many things can go wrong during the communications process
that we should always assume that something will go wrong and take steps to prevent
that occurrence. Barriers to good communications are always present. For instance, the
language itself can be a barrier—unclear wording, slang, jargon, the tone. Another
barrier is the failure of the sender to realize that his or her body language might
contradict the spoken message. The channel used to convey the message might be
wrong. For instance, you would not use the telephone to relay a lot of statistical
information; you would need to write that message on paper. Poor listening skills can
constitute a barrier also (Alexander, 1984).

LESSON 1:
NATURE, DEFINITION AND COMPONENTS
OF COMMUNICATION
THINKING CAP ON

What do these quotes mean in relation to communication?

―If all my talents and powers to be taken from me by some inscrutable Providence
and I had my choice of keeping but one, I would unhesitatingly ask that I be allowed
to keep my power of speech for through it, I would regain the rest.‖- Daniel Webster

My answer:
 ―To speak and to speak well are two different things‖- Ben Johnson

My answer:

―We listen a book a day, we speak a book a week, read the equivalent of a
book a month, and write the equivalent of a book a year‖- Walter Loban

My answer:

LET’S TAKE A LOOK

We are social beings and such; we feel an intense need to express our thoughts,
feelings and aspirations, doubts, questions, and fears. Equally intense is our need
to be listened to. These needs - to express and to be listened to – are basic or
innate in all of us.

But as Ben Johnson, the English poet, has said, the ability to speak and the ability to
speak well are two different things.

Speaking well is comparable to any skill in the sense that it can be developed and
enhanced. All that you have to do is expose yourself to various speaking
situations. Listen well and study how effective speakers express themselves.

―Learn from their strengths and practice whenever opportunities arise.‖

―Practice makes perfect‖
―If it is to be, it is up to me.‖
As much as 75% of the average person‘s day is spent communicating.

Those in technical jobs are estimated to spend between 50% and 90% of their work day
engaged in communication process

DEFINITIONS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Communication is a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an
attempt to create shared understanding.
 This process requires a vast repertoire of skills:
  Intrapersonal and interpersonal processing
 Listening
 Observing

Speaking
 Questioning
 Analyzing
 Evaluating

2. It can be seen as processes of information transmission governed by three

levels of semiotic rules:
 Syntactic
 Pragmatic
 Semantic

3. It is therefore a social interaction where at least two interacting agents share a

common set of signs and a common set of semiotic rules.

4. The Oxford Advanced Learner‘s Dictionary defines communication, as the act of

passing news, information…, the act of sharing or exchanging thoughts, ideas,
feelings with others or with a group; the act of participating with or sharing in
common, the ―we-belong-to-same-feeling‖ as in communication with… or the act of
thinking about oneself.

5. Communication is derived from the Latin word ‗communis,‘which means,

―Belonging to many‖ or ―equally‖ and ―communico‖ – to confer with others. It
is the mutual exchange of information, ideas, and understanding by any effective
means (Ballesterros, 2003).

6. Communication refers to the process of human beings responding to the symbolic

behavior of other persons (Adler and Rodman, 1997).
 COMMUNICATION IS HUMAN.
 COMMUNICATION IS A PROCESS.
 COMMUNICATION IS SYMBOLIC.

7. The communication done by animals is relatively different from humans. The

manner by which we communicate or use different gestures, facial expression,
etc. to communicate is different from the dance that is done by bees to instruct
their hive-mates on the location of food or the chimpanzees that have been taught
to express themselves using sign language like deaf humans.

8. We often talk about communication as if it occurred in discrete, individual acts.

In fact communication is a continuous, ongoing process. Consider, for example, a
 friend‘s compliment about your appearance. Your interpretation of those words
will depend on a long series of experiences stretching far back in time: how have
others judged your appearance? How do you feel about your looks? How honest
has your friend been in the past? How have you been feeling about one another
recently? All of this history will help shape your response to the other person‘s
remark. In turn, the words you speak and the way you say them will shape the
way your friend behaves toward you and others- both in this situation and in the
future.
9. This example shows that it‘s inaccurate to talk about ―acts‖ of communication as
if they occurred in isolation. To put it differently, communication isn‘t a series of
incidents pasted together like photographs in a scrapbook; instead, it is more like
a motion picture in which the meaning comes from the unfolding of an
interrelated series of images. The fact that communication is a process is reflected
in the transactional model.
10. In addition to this, nonverbal communication can have symbolic meaning. As with words,
some nonverbal behaviors, though arbitrary, have clearly agreed- upon meanings. For
example, to most North Americans placement of a thumb and first finger together while
facing the palm of the hand outward stands for the idea of something being ―OK.‖ But
even more than words, many nonverbal behaviors are ambiguous. Does a frown signify
anger or unhappiness? Does a hug stand for a friendly greeting or a symbol of the
hugger‘s romantic interest in you? One can‘t always be sure (Adler and Rodman, 1997).

Other Concepts of Communication

Allen Louis – Communication is the sum of all things (telling, listening and understanding). It
is a systematic activity under any given circumstances.

Henry Kuntz – Communication is the transferring of information from one person to another
whether or not he/she elicits that confidence.

George Terry – Communication is the exchange of ideals, feelings, and emotions between two
or more persons.

Keith Davis – The purpose of passing information and understanding between two persons…
without the bridge of communication no one can cross the river of understanding.

Types of Communication according to Mode

A message may be impart through these types; verbal-non-verbal and visual. While
communication is often thought of as verbal, the non-verbal mode is equally essential as it
enhances one‗s message.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION

(Linguistics) The process of sending and receiving messages with words, including writing
and sign language.

It refers to the form of communication in which message is transmitted verbally.

Communication is done by word of mouth and a piece of writing.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION: ORAL

Spoken words are used

It includes face-to-face conversations, speech, telephonic conversation, video, radio,

television, voice over internet.

Communication is influenced by pitch, volume, speed and clarity of speaking.

Verbal Communication: Oral- Advantages

It brings quick feedback.

In a face-to-face conversation, by reading facial expression and body language one can guess
whether he/she should trust what‘s being said or not.

It saves time in communication.

It is quick in obtaining feedback once delivered.

It provides complete understanding of communication delivered and there is chance to make it

clearer in case of doubts in interpretation of words or ideas.

It is more reliable method of communication.

It is flexible and effective for all.

It is powerful means of persuasion and control.

It is cheaper way of communication and hence saves money.

Verbal Communication: Oral- Disadvantages

It has issues when communicating with distant people.

It is difficult for certain people to understand speech due to various speech tones used in
verbal communication.

This form of communication is not suitable for lengthy message.

There is chance of leak of secret information with the help of modern devices such as
polygraph or lie detector. Often secret information can be obtained while the person is under
the influence of alcohol.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION: WRITTEN

In written communication, written signs or symbols are used to communicate.

In written communication message can be transmitted via email, letter, report, memo etc.

Written communication is most common form of communication being used in business.

Verbal Communication: Written- Advantages

Messages can be edited and revised

Written communication provide record and backup.

A written communication enables receiver to fully understand it and send appropriate

feedback

Easy to preserve: The documents of written communication are easy to preserve. Oral and
non-verbal communication cannot be preserved. If it is needed, important information can be
collected from the preserved documents.

Easy presentation of complex matter: Written communication is the best way

to represent any complex matter easily and attractively.

Permanent record: The documents of written communication act as a permanent record. When
it is needed, important information can be easily collected from the preserved documents.

Prevention of wastage of time and money: Written communication prevents

the waste of money and time. Without meeting with each other the communicator and
communicate can exchange their views.

Accurate presentation: Through the documents of the written communication top executive
can present the information more accurately and clearly. As it is a legal document everybody
takes much care does draft it.

Use as a reference: If it is needed, written communication can be used as

future reference.

Delegation of authority: Written communication can help the authority to delegate the power
and authority to the subordinate. It is quite impossible to delegate power without a written
document.
Longevity: Written document can be preserved for a long time easily. That is

why; all the important issues of an organization should be back and white.

Effective communication: Written communication helps to make communication effective. It

is more dependable and effective than those of other forms of communication.