UNIT 1: LANGUAGE AND

COMMUNICATION
Lesson 2: Types of
Communication
What is communication?

Communication is generally
defined as the exchange of thoughts,
ideas, concepts, and views between or
among two or more people, various
contexts come into play.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Context is the circumstance or

environment in which communication
takes place. Such circumstance may
include the physical or actual setting, the
value positions of a speaker/ listener, and
the relevance or appropriateness of a
message conveyed.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Communication may then classified

according to:
Communication mode
Context
Purpose and style
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
ACCORDING TO MODE
A message may be conveyed via
these types: verbal—non-verbal and
visual. Though communication is often
thought of as verbal, the non-verbal
mode is equally essential as it enhances
one’s message.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

VERBAL – NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Effective communication calls for the
blending of these two types. One cannot be
separated from the other. For instance,
door-to-door salesperson who demonstrate
product knowledge can only be effective if
they know how to properly punctuate what
they say with proper gestures and facial
expressions.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

VISUAL COMMUNICATION
Visual communication on the other
hand, is the type of communication that uses
visuals to convey information and/or
messages. Some examples are signs, symbols,
imagery, maps, graphs, charts, diagrams,
pictograms, photos, drawings or illustrations,
and even various forms of electric
communication.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

How these symbols are interpreted is very

crucial in visual communication. There are some
instances when visual communication is
classified under non-verbal communication.
Whatever the classification is, note that this
type has now become pervasive in
communication. It is then important that the
receiver of the message is able to decode the
meaning correctly by contextualizing the
information received.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
ACCORDING TO CONTEXT
In this sub-section, context in communication is
referred to as a composite of people interacting with
each other. Communication may also be classified
according to context:
1. INTRAPERSONAL
2. INTERPERSONAL
3. EXTENDED
4. ORGANIZATIONALCOMMUNICATION
5. INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

INTRAPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
The Latin prefix intra-means within or
inside. Intrapersonal communication then
means talking to oneself. Some label it as
self or inner talk, inner monologue, or
inner dialogue. Psychologists call it with
other names such as self-verbalization or
self-statement.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Self-talk can be advantageous as it can

enable you to practice what you ought to
say in times when you lack the motivation
and confidence to speak. One magic
statement that you can try is: “I can do it!”.
Saying this over and over again will give you
positive reinforcement that you can do
things courageously and that it is not
impossible to so.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
As opposed to intra, the Latin prefix
inter- means between, among, and
together. An interactive exchange takes
place as interpersonal communication
takes place.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

A communication situation is
interpersonal if it is meant to establish or
deepen one’s relationship with others.
However, if the objective is to achieve
something at the end of the conversation, it
becomes transactional. While the former is
characterized by less seriousness and
formality, the latter is more formal and
profound.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Analyze the following two situations:

SPEAKER A: Hello! I am Kaeselle Ramos. And you?
SPEAKER B: Oh! I am Venice Mendoza. Glad to meet you. How
are you related to the bride?
SPEAKER A:She is my cousin. Her mom and mine are sisters.
How about you?
SPEAKER B: She was my high school classmate. I never knew
anything about her personal life so we were kind of surprised
when she sent us the invitation. As always, she is very private.
SPEAKER A: I see. Well, she’s really like that. Ever since we
were kids, she has always been a very quiet person.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

SPEAKER A: Excuse me. Would you know how to get to the

nearest mall?
SPEAKER B: Yes. In fact, you may go there on foot or simply
take a jeepney. If you walk, it will take you about 20 minutes
to get there. You can just take the exit gate near the hospital
then turn left and walk straight ahead. You won’t miss it
because of the big sign. Jeepneys take the same route and it
should not take you more than 10 minutes even with the
traffic.
SPEAKER A: Thank you very much. I think I will just take the
public transportation as I am running out of time. You have
been really helpful. Thanks again.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

EXTENDED COMMUNICATION
Extended communication involves the
use of electronic media. Unlike before when it
only called for the use of television and radio,
nowadays, the description of extended
communication may be expanded as to include
tele, audio, or phone conferencing; video-
conferencing; Skype calls; and other
technological means.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

For example, linked by a

telecommunication system, people who are far
apart, or are far from the venue, can
participate in a meeting or a conference. In an
e-conference like this, participants may not be
physically present but are still be able to track
down the lectures and participate actively
because of the mass articulation and
dissemination of information, allowing
speakers to reach a wider group of listeners.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Since extended communication is

public in nature, speakers are expected to
be prepared when they speak, making
their language more formal.
With the use of electronic media,
messages are transmitted quickly.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
With this type, the focus is on the
role that communication plays in
organizational contexts. Organization
comprise individuals who work for the
company.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

There are two types of organizational

structure: formal and informal structure
1. Formal structure- allows
communication to take place via designated
channels of message flow between
positions in the organization. This may
make use of four approaches: 1. downward
2. upward 3. horizontal 4. crosswise
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

DOWNWARD COMMUNICATION
- Is the type that flows from upper to
lower positions. Example: president to a
manager or supervisor, a manager to an
ordinary staff.
The flow of communication is top-down
or from a superior to a subordinate, usually
asking certain individuals to perform a certain
task.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

UPWARD COMMUNICATION
-the message transmission is bottom-up in
which subordinates send communication to
their superiors/bosses bearing their
views/feedback on organizational policies,
issues related to their jobs, and the like.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

HORIZONTAL COMMUNICATION
- this is lateral in approach as it takes
place among people belonging to the
same level but coming from different
departments or units to facilitate
performance of tasks through proper
coordination.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

CROSSWISE COMMUNICATION
-this is diagonal in nature as
employees from different units or
departments working at various levels
communicate with each other.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

2. INFORMAL STRUCTURE- comes from

unofficial channels of message flow. Also
known as ‘grapevine’ messages coming from
different levels of the organization are
transmitted. This occurs due to the
dissatisfaction of some employees
accompanied by uncertainty, such as superiors
playing favorites and unfavorable or
unacceptable company rules and regulations.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Some employees even resort to

baseless gossips and rumors which they
spread like wild fire. Tracing the origin of a
rumor is almost next to impossible. In
facts, when some people are confronted,
they impute the blame to others so they
can get out of the mess quickly.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Each organization has its own culture.

This is referred to as ‘organizational structure .
Based on its history and development, an
organizational develops its own core values,
vision and mission statements, goals, and
objectives.
Organizational culture is of utmost
significance since it will dictate the kind
behavior that employees should possess.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

Peter Drucker’s famous quote, “Company

cultures are like country cultures. Never try to
change one. Try instead, to work, with what
you’ve got,” underscores the view that indeed,
culture is within the control of the
entrepreneur or company owner.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

If at the outset , you think you cannot

adapt to the organization’s culture, better
look for another job or workplace where
you will be happy and in harmony with
your superiors and colleagues.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
As the term implies, it is
communication between or among people
having different linguistic, religious,
ethnic, social, and professional
backgrounds. Even gender difference
affects communication.
Lesson 2: Types of Communication

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
ACCORDING TO PURPOSE AND STYLE
Rather than focusing on the
transmission of message and message
floe, the focus here is on the
communication setting and mode of
delivery.