The document outlines the ten commandments of effective communication and discusses the fundamental concepts, types, models, and objectives of communication. It emphasizes the importance of clarity, feedback, and understanding in various communication forms including verbal, written, and non-verbal methods. Additionally, it identifies barriers to effective communication and the necessity of effective language use to enhance understanding.

1. Ten Commandments, Process, Types,
and Purpose of Communication
S. Mohan Raj
Ph.D Research Scholar, English
School of Social Sciences and Languages
VIT, Vellore
rajmohan251@gmail.com
9751660760

2. Ten Commandments of Good Communication
1) Examine the true purpose of each communication.
2) Clarify your ideas before communicating.
3) When appropriate, consult with others before communicating.
4) Whether a verbal or written communication edit mercilessly -
make every word count.
5) Always consider the total physical / human setting.
6) Consider the ‘overtones’ as well as the content.
7) Seek feedback - summarise and confirm.
8) Ensure that your actions/attitudes support each
communication.
9) Seek not only to be understood but to understand - be a good
listener.
10) Communicate for the future as well as today.

3. The word "communicate" is derived from the word
"common" – to share, exchange, send along, transmit, talk,
gesture, write, put in use, relate.
“A tool that makes societies possible and distinguish human
from other societies.” – Schramm
“Communication is the process of transmitting ideas,
information, and attitudes from the source to a receiver for
the purpose of influencing with intent.” – Rogers
“Planned or unplanned processes through which one person
influences behaviour of others.” – Kar
“Communication is an Art”
Communication can be defined as process of transmitting
information, thoughts, opinions, messages, facts, ideas or
emotions and understanding from one person, place or
things to another person, place or thing.

4. Verb ‘to communicate’ means
(1) to exchange thoughts, feelings, information
(2) to make know
(3) to make common and
(4) to have a sympathetic relationship
Noun form ‘communication’ refers to
(1) the exchange of symbols, common messages, information
(2) the process of exchange between individuals through a
common system of symbols
(3) the art of expressing ideas and
(4) the science of transmitting information
1. Communication is the process by which a message or information
is exchanged from a sender to a receiver.
2. Communication is the process whereby speech, signs or actions
transmit information from one person to another.
3. Communication is a process of transmitting and receiving verbal
and non-verbal messages that produce a response.

5. Elements in Communication
The main elements of communication are:
1. Input : information/ideas the sender wants to give
2. Channel : medium
3. Message : idea/message that is sent
4. Output : the information the receiver gets
5. Feedback : the receiver’s response to the message
6. Brain drain : possibility of misunderstanding or breakdown
Objectives of Communication
Communication can be used for the following objectives:
• Advice
• Education
• Information
• Motivation
• Order
• Persuasion
• Raising morale
• Suggestion
• Warning

6. Communication Models

7. Schramm Model

8. The process of communication has four elements.
 Sender
 Message
 Medium
 Receiver
a) The sender is the person who wants to communicate.
b) The message is the idea or content of the communication.
c) Medium is the use of language/symbols.
d) The receiver is the person who gets the message.
Need for Effective Communication
1. To Maintain the Social order.
2. To Help Maintaining Harmonious Relationship with others.
3. To Ensure the Flow of Knowledge.
4. To Share.
5. To maintain an effective Work culture.

9. Levels of Communication
1. Group Communication
2. Interpersonal Communication
3. Public Communication
4. Intrapersonal Communication
5. Mass Communication
Use of Language in Communication
One should be careful while selecting the language like
1. The purpose of the message
2. The readiness of the receiver
3. The nature of the content whether it is complex or simple
4. Understand the receiver of the message
5. Background or content
To make communication more effective, the following steps can be followed,
1. KISS - Keep It Short and Simple
2. Use simple words, concrete and specific language
3. Speak positively
4. Deliver the message clearly
5. Maintain intimacy with the receiver

10. Types of Communication
Verbal Communication
1) In everyday life, both formally and informally, we communicate more
verbally than in writing.
2) It is primarily oral communication that builds up human relationships.
3) Oral communication is of two types- formal and informal.
Advantages of Verbal Communication
1. It provides immediate feedback and clarification.
2. It builds up a healthy climate.
3. It is an economical and time-saving device.
4. It is the most effective tool of persuasion.
5. It is very effective in interacting with groups.
1. It cannot be retained for a long time.
2. It does not have any legal validity.
3. It can lead to misunderstanding if the speaker has not carefully organized
his thought or the listener’s inattentiveness.
Disadvantages of Verbal Communication

11. Written Communication
1) The word ‘write’ has been derived from the old English word
‘writan’ that meant to scratch, draw or inscribe.
2) Written communication is essentially a creative activity.
3) Most written communication is a one-cycle event. Usually, a
message is sent and received, and that is the end of the event.
Advantages of Written Communication
1. It has the advantage of providing records, references, etc.
2. It promotes uniformity.
3. It gives access to a large audience.
4. It has the advantage of being accurate and unambiguous.
Disadvantages of Written Communication
1. Written communication runs the risk of becoming ineffective in the
hands of people.
2. It is mostly handicapped by its inability to get immediate feedback.

12. Non-verbal Communication: Body Language
1. Another equally important aspect of communication is a
non-verbal aspect. It is less deliberate and conscious, more
subtle and instructive.
2. Different aspects of communication are Verbal
communication – 7%, Bodily movements, gestures– 55%,
Voice tone, inflexion etc – 8%. This shows the relevance of
body language.
3. We are concerned with such things as body movements,
space, time, voice tone, general characteristics of the
environment colour and layout/design, and any other kinds
of visual and/or audio signals.
4. We send out signals and messages that often speak louder
than words by nodding our head, blinking our eyes, waving
our hands, shrugging our shoulders and various other ways.
5. It uses sets of symbols to convey meaning, our body,
consciously as well as unconsciously, carries messages,
attitudes, status relationships, moods, warmth/indifference,
positive/negative feelings and so on.

13. Components of body language
Facial expression:
Facial expressions generally associated with
happiness, surprise, fear, anger, sadness, bewilderment,
astonishment and contentment.
Eye contact:
Eye contact is of very high importance in all face
to face communication. The eyes, along with the eyebrows,
eyelids and the size of pupils convey our innermost feelings.
Gestures:
The physical movements of arms, legs, hands,
torso and head are called gestures. They play a very
important role in conveying meaning without using words.

14. Advantages of body language
1. Body language is the most easily visible aspect of
communication. It helps the receiver of the message in decoding
the message.
2. Body language complements verbal communication.
3. Body language adds intensity to the process of communication.
Disadvantages of body language
1. Words written or spoken can be taken seriously, but body
language cannot always be taken seriously.
2. People belonging to different cultural backgrounds sent out
different body signals. They are, therefore, liable to be
misinterpreted.
3. Facial expressions, gestures, postures etc become ineffective if
the listener is inattentive. It, therefore, requires extra care in
getting the right message.
4. Use of body language is not very effective in large gatherings.

15. 1. Kinesics
Kinesics is the study of how body movements, actions and
expressions play as a form of non-verbal communication. There are
five types of kinesics as given below.
A. Emblems: They are gestures used in place of words.
B. Illustrations: They are the gestures to illustrate or reinforce
what has already been discussed or said.
C. Affective Displays: They are body or facial movements to
display emotions or affective state. An example is showing our
anger or happiness in different ways.
D. Regulators: They are non-verbal signs used to regulate the flow
of speech. An example can be raising the finger to intervene in a
speech.
E. Adapters: They are the forms of non-verbal communication
which happens unknowingly by the listener. Biting the nails,
changing the postures due to lack of interest, etc are examples.
Other Modes of Non verbal Communication

16. 2. Proxemics
It is the study of how people use space while
communicating. How close or distant people stand,
whether people touch or not, how the space between the
persons is utilized, etc come under this. The space we need
as a person is called personal space.
3. Chronemics
It is the study of the role of time in
communication. The manners how we utilise time while
communicating gives ideas about the speaker and are
included in non-verbal communication.
Other Modes of Non verbal Communication...

17. Communication Networks
1. Vertical Network
It is the communication happens between superior and
subordinate. It is formal in nature and the feedback is fast.
2. Wheel Network
This is highly centralised. Everyone receives
commands from the superior and the feedback is fast.
3. Chain Network
This has the downward movement of communication
as a chain of commands to the subordinates.
4. Circuit Network
Messages and feedbacks are sent to and from two
persons; not necessarily be superior and subordinate.
5. Star Network
In this, all members communicate with each other and
it is ideal for team communication.

18. Purposes of Communication

19. Barriers to Communication
There are different barriers to the communication process.
1) Physical Barrier
It includes personal physical barrier and barriers from
the surroundings. Personal barriers include the inability to speak
and hear, and hatred towards the subject and the speaker. Barriers
from the surroundings include noise, environmental discomfort,
insufficiently insulated rooms etc.
2) Psychological Barrier
This is related to the mental stage of an individual. If a
person is disturbed or distracted, it prevents the sender or receiver
from giving attention to the message. This is termed as a
psychological barrier.
3) Semantic Barrier
It deals with the study of words, their meanings and use
of proper words at apt contexts. Selection of wrong words, wrong
sentence formation and ambiguous sentence can make
communication ineffective.

20. Barriers to Communication...
4) Organisational Barrier
There are two basic types of communication in
every organisation; namely formal and informal. Both are
important. Too much informal communication may spoil the
professional setup.
5) Interpersonal Barrier
Emotional reactions, positive or negative attitudes
of sender and receiver, inattentive listening, wrong timing
of message, etc create communication barriers and such can
be termed as interpersonal barriers.
6) Cultural Barrier
Language, body language, mannerisms, etc bring
cultural barriers since the workplace includes people from
mixed cultural backgrounds.

21. References:
1. The Ten Commandments of Good Communication.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/5373/27ae72582ea847618f5e6b051f
28817e1d5b.pdf.
2. English Communication.
http://www.uou.ac.in/sites/default/files/slm/BHMAECC-II.pdf
3. Training Program on Effective Communication.
https://www.manage.gov.in/studymaterial/EC.pdf
4. Introduction to Communication.
http://ioc.edu.my/images/demo/printedMaterial/OUMH1203.pdf
5. Communication and Its Significance.
http://www.ddegjust.ac.in/studymaterial/bba/bba-206.pdf