Different Communication Techniques, Essay Example

Communication Techniques

Communication is the art of conveying a message from a sender to the intended recipients. Communication is effective and complete only if the recipient receives the intended information without alterations whatsoever. For communication to be effective, different techniques come into use. These techniques vary with communication in use. However, some communication techniques cut across several methods of communication.

Communication experts believe that non-verbal communication is the widest method of communication. They further believe that what you say conveys only 7 percent of what you intend to communicate. The remaining sum of 93% of what you mean is through non-verbal communication (Shannon, 1949). It is, therefore, evident that in order to become a skilled communicator, it is necessary to equip oneself with non-verbal communication skills and techniques. These include eye contact.

Keeping an eye contact when communicating shows your presence and your desire to understand what the other party is conveying. Whether you are a recipient or the sender, you should avoid acts such as looking on down which might be perceived as being shy. Maintaining a horizon view suggests deep own thoughts, thus not paying attention.

Postures and gestures play a pivotal role too. One should avoid gestures such as crossed arms, which might send a signal of disinterest. Touching might cause discomfort thus discouraged. Advisable gestures include head nodding as an agreement or a “yes.” Facial expressions such as smiling and frowning are okay when properly used. When the second party believes that the information is sad, smiling will suggest misinterpretation of the information.

Chronemics is also an essential aspect within the non-verbal communication. It is the aspect of time. It ranges from punctuality and the willingness to wait. This technique is vital in non-verbal communication as it directly shows what the party feels about the urgency and the importance of the message. It is, therefore, vital that to capitalize on this technique, one should keep time and be willing to listen to long boring information. A humorous aspect of chronemic is on our reactions in the course of the communication process. An example is the recipient who wails hours after receiving sad information. This might is pretence.

Haptics is a mode of communication that uses the sense of touch. To communicate using this mode, one must understand the various techniques of touching and their perceived meaning. This mode is sensitive and varies across different communities. Cultural believes is a factor to consider while using haptics. The techniques under considerations include the mode of touching, whether soft or rough and the area of the touch. An example is the back tapping of the African communities, which implies congratulations or blessings.

Proxemics is the other sensitive technique of communication. This is the distance kept in a verbal face-to-face communication. Unless the communication is a love affair, close distances are highly discouraged. However, large distances are not necessary. They show lack of interest. It is, therefore, considerate to keep a reasonable distance in a face –to face communication.

Non-verbal modes used under speech include voice quality, emotions, and style. Feeling shown during communication should carry the theme of the message. These vary from crying, smiling, and movements. Use of prosodic features such as intonation and stress is noteworthy too. Experts believe that 38% of what you mean is in your tone (Shannon, 1949). Stress involves the use of techniques such as repetition.

Techniques under non-verbal mode of communication do also find their way in the written work. This involves the style of the handwriting and use of emoticoms. Use of a smiling emoticon, for example, can emphasize on ones happiness.

Verbal communication is equally crucial in the field of communication. It ranges from face-to-face, phone and speech. One outstanding technique is listening.

Listening does not involve only keeping quiet or hearing. Listening involves getting the real meaning of the information. Incase the message is boring; listening can still proceed. This includes paying most attention the weightiest words. This enables understanding information even if listening is not easy. Other approaches that improve on ones listening ability includes re-stating what the sender says. This ensures mastering of the information.

Use of Big vocabularies is unnecessary. Though perceived, as an art of showing ones power and high level of integrity, unnecessary vocabularies only ensures that the less learned do not receive your information. This is disastrous when the audience is of different academic levels.

In verbal communication, interruption is a mess. Take time to listen and have your views when the other party concludes his point. Jumping onto conclusions might bring out the wrong information. One should never complete hanging sentences paused by the other party. Instead, one should respond in a way that the party finishes the statement (Shannon, 1949).

Other techniques include talking clearly and perfecting on the right pronunciation. Use of slang or terms that area not easily understood by the audience is not necessary. Sticking to the main point saves time and avoids boredom.

Written work needs various techniques to capitalize on its effective communication. Examples of written works include letters, text messages, notes, and books. One should first understand the message before pouncing on the actual writing. This will enable the writing process to flow from a stream of consciousness with ease. Satisfaction on the first draft is unrealistic. Re-reading and re-writing the written work makes it perfect and appealing (Shannon, 1949).

While writing, one should speak and not just write. It is advisable that you write as though you are speaking to the other party. The information is more captivating presented as though verbal.

Personal traits and characters do count too, in effective communication. This includes honesty, confidence, and trust.

Reference

Shannon, C. E. (1949). Communication Skills. Urbana,   Illinois: University of Illinois Press