The word communication is derived from the

Latin word communis, which means common.

Communication refers to conveying opinions,
information, feelings, and ideas to others either
through spoken or written words or through
body language or signs
Communication can be classified based
on the following:
1. Number of persons who receive the
message
2. Medium of communication
Based on the number of persons who receive the message,
communication can be further classified as:

Intrapersonal: communicating to oneself in ones own mind.
Interpersonal: communication between two people.
Group communication: communication among small/large
group, in which individual identity is retained.
Mass communication: when a message is sent to a large group
through mass media such as television, radio or newspaper.
Based on the medium employed, communication can be further
classified as:


It comprises words that are spoken or written.
It involves use of pictures, gestures, signs and facial
expressions for exchanging information between persons.
It involves speakers choice of words wherein he/she
unintentionally communicates something more than
what the words themselves state.
Non-verbal communication
Verbal communication
Meta communication
Communication to persuade



Communication to inform
When the purpose of communication is
to inform, the focus is on the subject of
the communication.
When the purpose of communication is to
persuade, the focus is on the receiver. A
persuasive communicator intends to
influence the receiver through the message.
The process of communication involves:
Sender Message Medium Receiver
The different concepts of communication are:
Linear concept of communication
The Shannon-Weaver model
The two-way communication process
Linear concept of communication
Harold Laswell conceptualized the linear concept of communication based on
five basic questions:
Who?
Says what?
To whom?
In which channel?
With what effect?
One-way linear process of communication
Sender Media Receiver Action Message Message
Shannon-Weaver model of communication
This model focuses on the basic problem of communication, which is that the
message received is not the same as the message sent. The loss is attributed to
noise, and feedback is important to counter any form of noise in the process of
communication.
Encoding
process
Channel
Feedback
Noise
Information
source


Decoding
process


Destination

Basic elements of the Shannon-Weaver model of communication


Information source
Encoding
Channel
Receiver
Acting
Communication begins with the
information source.
The sender encodes the message
into verbal symbols or some other
symbolic form of expression.
Medium to send the message
oral, written, electronic
or signalling system.
The receiver decodes the
message by understanding and
interpreting the message.
The receiver puts the interpreted
message into action.
2012 Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd
Business Communication
Chapter 1- Slide 11
Two-way communication process

The two-way concept of communication is more contemporary. It
considers communication to be a reciprocal process and a mutual
exchange of messages. It makes no sharp distinction between the
sender and the receiver, because the same person plays both roles,
often simultaneously.


Message
Receiver
Communication
channel
Communication
symbols
Transmitter
2012 Dorling Kindersley (India) Pvt. Ltd
Business Communication
Chapter 1- Slide 12
Message
Feedback
Acting
Decoding
Receiver
Channel
Encoding
Sender
Elements of
communication