1. ROLE OF VERBAL & NON-VERBAL SYMBOLS
IN COMMUNICATION

2. VERBAL COMMUNICATION
 Verbal means by using words and
languages, both written and oral.
 The effectiveness of verbal communication
depends on a person’s skill in the use of
language i.e. rich vocabulary, command of
a variety of sentence structures, clarity in
thinking, and focus on the audience.

3. Verbal Communication Skills:
 Skills of verbal communication are writing and
speaking, reading and listening.
 Formal education focuses on writing and
reading. However a manager needs the skill of
speaking, and even more, the skill of listening.

5.  Language is a system of symbols which
humans use to communicate and it is
more capable of expressing complex and
difficult concepts. So it can be used for a
large variety of human ideas and
emotions.
 Written communication can greatly extend
the field and powers of oral
communication.
 Written communication have to wait for the
attention of receiver while speech requires
immediate attention.

6. Characteristics of oral communication &
written communication:
1. Speed
2. Record
3. Precision & accuracy
4. Length
5. Expense
6. Body language
7. Feedback

7. 1) Speed:
 Written communication is slower as
compared to oral communication to convey
as well as to receive the message.
2) Record:
 Written communication serves as a record
and can be used for future reference. It is a
documentary proof as well as legal
evidence.
 Oral communication may be taped which is
authenticity of the voice can be questioned.
In short, it is not reliable.

8. 3) Precision & accuracy:
 Written communication is more precise and
accurate than oral communication. Precise
words are used in the written communication.
 The writer has time to look for suitable words
phrases in the written communication.
 Accuracy is necessary in written communication
because the receiver is not present to ask for
clarification.
 But in oral communication precision and
accuracy is not possible because receiver
needs immediate feedback. Oral
communication has support of gestures,

9. 4) Length:
 A written message is always shorter than an
oral communication.
 The situation for oral communication requires
some preliminary and closing remarks, while in
case of written messages there are standard
formats for opening and closing which can keep
the message short.

10. 5) Expense:
 Written communication requires stationery,
preparation and transmission.
 In oral communication both the parties should
be present, and getting together costs money.
 Modern technology like teleconferencing,
videoconferencing has been used in oral
communication.

11. 6) Body language:
 Oral communication is supported by the
speaker’s body language and paralanguage.
The speaker can control the style of delivery,
giving meaning to words, facial expressions,
gestures etc.
 In written communication is separated from the
writer’s bodily presence and is more in the
control of the reader.

12. 7) Feedback :
 In oral commn allows immediate feedback and
listener’s face gives some feedback and the
speaker can modify the message on the spot.
 In written communication, the feedback is
delayed, the reader’s facial expressions cannot
be seen by the writer. The reader’s response is
known to the writer only when reader replies.

13. NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
 Non-verbal communication includes gestures,
postures, facial expressions, graphics etc. it is
independent from words.
 An understanding of the role of non-verbal
symbols in communication helps a person to
improve oral and written presentation by using
the methods and by gaining control over body
language.

14. METHODS OF NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION

15. NON-VERBAL SYMBOLS IN WRITTEN
COMMUNICATION
 The appearance and feel of a document are
non-verbal symbols that convey impressions
about the status of the sender.
1. Appearance
2. Color
3. Pictures
4. Diagrams, graphs and charts
5. Maps
6. Signs & signals
7. Auditory symbols

16. BODY LANGUAGE
 Body language means the changes that
occur in the body position and movements
that show what the person is feeling or
thinking.

17. 1) Appearance:
 Two factors contribute to appearance i.e.
grooming and personal hygiene.
2) Clothing & accessories:
3) Posture:
 The way one hold, the way we stand or sit.
 Stiff posture shows tension; comfortably
leaning back conveys a relaxed mood; eagerly
leaning forward shows the listener’s interest.
4) Facial expression:
 In oral communication, facial expressions
change continuously and are closely
interpreted and responded to by the other

18. 5) Smile
6) Eye-contact:
 Eye movements are also one part of the facial
behavior.
 The comfort level for eye-contact is three
seconds; if eye-contact is held longer than three
seconds, it cause discomfort to the other
person.
 Avoiding eye-contact indicates that the speaker
is lying and it also indicates the lack of
confidence.

19. 7) Gestures:
 Gestures are movements of hands/head/body.
8) Energy:
9) Space:
10) Time:

20. PARALANGUAGE

21. PARALANGUAGE
 The non-verbal aspects of the spoken
words are known as paralanguage.
 It includes the quality of voice, the way we
use our voice, uttering words.

22. 1) Pronunciation:
2) Accent:
 Pronounces the sounds of the language.
3) Tone:
 Quality of voice.
4) Volume:
 Loudness or softness which can be adjusted to the
number of persons.
5) Pitch:
 Pitch is the high or low note on the scale.
 A frightened and stressed person usually speaks in a
high pitched voice.

23. 6) Speed:
 Speed is an indicative factor of speech.
 Rapid speech indicates excitement and when
we telling the story, we reduce speed to explain
a difficult idea.
7) Intonation:
 Intonation is the sound pattern of sentences.
E.g. learning new language.
 It is way a speaker’s voice rises and falls.

24. 8) Stress:
 A particular word in a sentences can change
the meaning and implication. e.g. were you
there last night?
9) Vocal fillers:
 Vocal fillers are sounds like “Ah” “Er-er”.
10) Silence: