Informative Speech on Communication Example

I could share so much about communication, but it would take so much time. However, I shall touch on a few areas of communication that I believe are essential. As it has rightly been stated that communication is inescapable, it is part and parcel of our daily lives (Lemonnier, 2016). It is therefore significant that we all understand the underlying theory of effective communication. It is also true that communication is irreversible, hence, the need to avoid bad communication. I'll begin by defining communication based on what it involves. Communication means transferring thoughts, information, and ideas through gesture, voice, symbols, signs, and expressions from one person to another. From the definition, communication requires a sender, recipient, the message, and medium. The sender encodes the message whereas the recipient decodes it. The medium refers to the channel of the passage of the message.

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Having defined communication, let's move to the types of communication. It is important to know the different types of communication since selecting the accurate type to pass the message will depend on such knowledge. There are essentially two main types of communication. These are verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication occurs through verbal, vocal, or written words which convey the message passed between the encoder and decoder (Mavridis, 2015). It follows that verbal communication can be broken into oral and written communication. Oral type occurs via word of mouth while the written type happens via written signs and words in various languages. Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, refers to communication in other forms other than word of mouth or writing. It occurs through symbols, gestures, colors, unwritten signs, body language, or facial expressions. A good example of this communication is traffic signals.

Next, we'll look at the styles of communication. It's important to understand that your manner of communication influences how you get along with people and get what you want. Efficient communications skills help avoid conflicts as well as resolve problems (Mavridis, 2015). There are three major styles of communication, that is, aggressive, passive, and assertive. Aggressive communication is hostile and forceful involving alienating messages. The communicator's tone and facial expressions used are not friendly. The idea here is that only the sender wins. Passive communication puts the communicator's needs last. As the expresser, you neither portray your needs or feelings nor request what you want. It takes the position that 'the other person wins, but I lose'. Assertive communication, on the other hand, involves expressing your needs, wants, and feelings without demanding that things go your way. The position is that 'we both win'. With assertive communication, there are high chances of getting your needs, minimal conflicts, and good relationships maintained.

Let us now look at the importance of communication. Communication is significant in a number of ways. First, knowledge and information spread among people through it. Many authors have written books imparting knowledge to their readers. Tutors also pass knowledge to their students through communication. Colleagues in companies share their ideas through the model.

Similarly, companies share information with their counterparts through communication. Secondly, communication is a basic foundation of relationships between people (Overall and McNulty, 2017). In the beginning, strangers start talking and familiarize with each other. Through more interactions and communications, the relationships grow. Communicating assists in expressing ideas and emotions as well as interpreting the thoughts and emotions of others. Consequently, affection or hatred toward people, as well as positive or negative relationships, develop through communication. Communication is therefore essential in human life as it is the pillar that holds the society.

To communicate effectively, it is essential to understand the barriers to preventing communication. First is the language barrier. Communication gets hindered when the language the encoder uses is unknown by the decoder. Advertisements are the most affected by this barrier. Before encoding a message, the sender must choose a language that the recipient is familiar with. Secondly, the channel of communication could act as a barrier. Some messages are usually urgent, and some media such as post are slow. Encoding an ambiguous message will also bar effective communication. The recipient, in this case, will interpret the message inaccurately or will not understand the message at all. It is essential that before sending the message, the sender review it to check for ambiguity and make corrections accordingly. In multi-media messages where more than one media is, using a barrier may occur when the types of communication used contradict. For instance, the facial expressions may contradict what is being said. It is essential that the communicator does not wrongfully use non-verbal cues in communicating. If unfamiliar with the cues, it is better not to use them to avoid ambiguity.

Today I discussed what communication is defining it as a transfer of thoughts, information, or ideas from one person to another. I then described the various types of communication; verbal and non-verbal. Next, I looked at the styles of communication which are passive, assertive, and aggressive describing what they entail. After that, I discussed the importance of communication in human life briefly. Last but not least, I gave the various factors that may bar effective communication. In conclusion, it is essential to have excellent communication skills.

Informative Outline

Topic: Communication

General Purpose: To inform

Specific Purpose: To inform the audience about communication, its types, styles, importance and barriers to effective communication

Thesis: It is significant that we all understand the underlying theories of communication.

Introduction:

• Opening statement
• The scope of the speech
• Important ideas about communication
• Thesis statement
• Definition of communication

Main points:

• Types of communication
• Verbal Communication
• Written
• Oral
• Non-verbal Communication
• Styles of communication
• Aggressive communication
• Passive communication
• Assertive communication
• Importance of communication
• Transfer of knowledge and information
• Foundation of human relationships
• Barriers to communication
• Language barrier
• The ambiguity of the message
• The contradiction between verbal and non-verbal communication

Review of main points

Today I discussed communication defining it.

I followed by giving its types.

Next, I looked at the various styles of communication.

I followed by briefly discussing the importance of communication in human life.

Next, I gave some of the barriers to effective communication.

Closure: In conclusion, it is essential to have good communication skills.

References

Lemonnier, P. (2016). Mundane objects: Materiality and non-verbal communication. doi: 10.4324/9781315424255

Mavridis, N. (2015). A review of verbal and non-verbal human-robot interactive communication. Robotics and Autonomous Systems, 63, 22-35. doi: 10.1016/j.robot.2014.09.031

Overall, N. C., & McNulty, J. K. (2017). What type of communication during conflict is beneficial for intimate relationships?. Current opinion in psychology, 13, 1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.03.002