Types Of Communication

Question 1

What are the advantages of Written Communication?

Answer 1

•Documentation- it keeps records.
•Reference
•Can be used as evidence in legal matters.
•It gives time to reflect.(gives time to the receiver/sender)
•It is precise and accurate (direct and to the point)

Question 2

What are the disadvantages of Written Communication?

Answer 2

•it takes longer to get feedback
•it takes time to prepare
•once message has been sent it is nearly impossible to correct
•lack of personal touch i.e it is impersonal
•it is expensive compared to oral communication it requires stationery.
•it only works for people that are literate i.e requires skill.

Question 3

Define oral communication

Answer 3

•It is about conveying/sharing of information through spoken words.
•most of the communication is done orally.

Question 4

What are the characteristics of Oral Communication?

Answer 4

•immediacy (it happens in real time)
•messages are affected by tone of voice.
•it has personal touch

Question 5

What the advantages of Oral Communication?

Answer 5

•allows for incorporation of non-verbal cues.
•there is immediate feedback
•allows for interaction (there are turns)
•it is flexible
•it can be used by people who are illeterate.
•it does not take time to prepare
•it is affordable
•it helps in building relationships and trust

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of oral Communication?

Answer 6

•there is no documentation/record keeping
•it is difficult to reference
•it can easily be resisted
•it doesn’t give much time for the sender/receiver to reflect.
•it is not ideal in legal matters.
•it may be time consuming because of the many things involved.
•it gives one less time to reflect.
•they may be a language barrier.
•not suitable for lengthy communication.

Question 7

Define graphic communication

Answer 7

This is communication that involves the use of visual elements e.g pictures,graphs, diagrams,charts,billboards,drawings.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of graphic communication?

Answer 8

•it uses visual elements
•they are a simplified form of communication
•their understanding is universal

Question 9

What are the advantages of graphic communication?

Answer 9

•it is captivative
•it is simplified
•it transcends language barriers
•it easy to interpret
•it is memorable

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of graphic communication?

Answer 10

•variability in interpretation in the sense that visuals can be interpreted differently by different people based on experiences, backgrounds leading to misunderstandings and misinterpretation of the message

Question 11

Define multimedia communication

Answer 11

This is a platform that allows audio,text and or videos.

Question 12

What are the characteristics of multimedia communications?

Answer 12

•it is highly interactive.
•allows for the inclusion of different forms of communication.
•rich in content
•it is quite complex
•it relies heavily on technology

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of multimedia communication?

Answer 13

•it is easy to access explicit information.
•it is costly
•heavily depends on technology
•easy to speed misinformation

Question 14

What are the advantages of multimedia communication?

Answer 14

•allows one to filter the audience.
•flexible because it accommodates many devices.
•there is wide spread of information
•allows a large number of people to communicate at once.

Question 15

Define non-verbal Communication.

Answer 15

•process of conveying messages without the use of spoken or written words.
•messages are conveyed through body movements and behavior

Question 16

List the types of non-verbal communication.

Answer 16

1.Facial Expressions (smile,frown)
2.Gestures (head movements)
3.Haptics (communication through touch)
4.Paralanguage/ linguistics (tone of voice,pitch,loudness)
5.Body posture (the way one sits,lies down or sleeps)
6.Eye Contact (whether or not someone is interested,sincere etc)
7.Proximity (distance between the speaker and the listener)
8.Appearance (how one dresses)

Question 17

What are the functions of non-verbal communication?

Answer 17

•Reinforcement
(can be used to duplicate and support a verbal message)
•Substitution
(sometimes it can be more expressive and meaningful)
•Contradiction
(It can result in mixed messages)
•Accentuation
(Adds intensity or power to reinforcement)
•Regulation
(Helps us to take turns in speaking without using words so that we don’t disturb others)
•Perform Rituals
(Such as greetings,clapping, kneeling and saluting)

Question 18

List the characteristics of non-verbal communication.

Answer 18

•no use of words
•culturally determined
•different meaning
•vague and imprecise
•may conflict with verbal message
•largely unconscious
•shows feelings and attitudes
•informality

Question 19

Define Organizational Communication

Answer 19

This is the sending and receiving of messages between an individual and it’s stakeholders.
•Includes both internal communication and external communication.

Question 20

List the two types of Communication

Answer 20

•formal communication
•informal communication

Question 21

Define formal communication

Answer 21

•this is flow of information through formally established channels in an organization.
•type of communication may be oral or written.

Question 22

What are the characteristics of formal communication?

Answer 22

•mostly controlled by managers
•it is hierarchical in nature and associated with the superior and subordinate relationship.
•linked with formal status and positions of a person.
•it may be upward, downward or horizontal.

Question 23

What are the advantages of formal communication?

Answer 23

•follows the principle of unity of command.
•there is orderly flow of information and it is systematic.
•helps in fixing responsibilities for better efficiency.
•managers have full control of nature and direction of communication.
•helps in maintaining authority.
•flow of instruction is very specific,clear and definite.
•helpful in maintaining direct contact with subordinates.

Question 24

What are the disadvantages of formal communication?

Answer 24

•time consuming
•lacks personal contacts and relationship
•it may be resisted and distorted
•it delays the communication message due to the formal procedure
•it obstructs the free,smooth and accurate circulation of information

Question 25

Define Effective Communication

Answer 25

The message sent is the message that is received.
Conveying messages in an accurate and timely manner
Is a good message

Question 26

What is used to measure the goodness or the badness of a message?

Answer 26

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