This document outlines 5 key functions of communication: control behavior, motivate or encourage people, facilitate expression of feelings and emotions, interact with others, and convey information. It then provides 10 examples of communication in action, such as a teacher discussing classroom policies, friends talking about holiday plans, a geometry teacher giving a lecture, and a city mayor presenting public plans.

1. FUNCTIONS OF
COMMUNICATION

2. CONTROL
To control behavior

3. MOTIVATION
To motivate or encourage
people to live better

4. EMOTIONAL
EXPRESSION
To facilitate people’s
expression of their
feelings and emotions

5. SOCIAL
INTERACTION
To interact with others

6. INFORMATION
DISSEMINATION
To convey information

7. 1. The teacher reads and discusses
classroom policies to her students.
2. Ross greets Rachel; then, they start
talking about their plans for the
holidays.
3. Phoebe shares her insights on how to
live peacefully despite a complicated
life.
4. Monica shares her personal
frustrations with Chandler.
5. The geometry teacher lectures about
mathematical concepts.

8. 6. Sheila delivers her valedictory
speech.
7. The President delivers his last
State of the Nation Address.
8. A television personality thanks
the supportive moviegoers during
an interview.
9. The city mayor presents her
strategies to execute the plans in a
public forum.
10. A tourist guide orients a group
of tourists about a heritage site.