Oral Communication in
Context
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
The Functions, Nature, and Process
of Communication
Lesson
The Functions, Nature, and
1 Process of Communication
What’s In
Communication is the act of transferring information from one person to another person or a
group. Communication involves at least one sender, a message, and a receiver; but
communication is more than just a transmission of information. It requires success in
transmitting or sending a message.
What’s New
Directions: Complete the concept map below. Fill out the web with ideas that are related to
communication.
Communication
What is It
Communication is a process of sharing and conveying messages or information from one person
to another within and across channels, contexts, media, and cultures (McCornack, 2014).
Nature of Communication
Communication is a process. It takes place when two or more people exchange ideas either
through written or spoken words (verbal) or actions (nonverbal). Both verbal and nonverbal can
be used at the same time.
Functions of Communication
There are five functions of communication. These are regulation or control, social interaction,
motivation, information, and emotional expression.
1. Regulation / Control – Communication functions to control behavior. It can be used to
regulate the nature and number of activities people engage in.
“Take your medicine before you go to bed.”
“Finish your work before you go.”
2. Social Interaction – Communication allows people to interact with others to develop bonds or
intimacy. It also allows individuals to express desires, encouragement, needs, and decision
or to give and get information.
“Would you like to go to church with me?”
“Come on! You can do it!”
3. Motivation – Communication persuades or encourages another person to change his/her
opinion, attitude, and behavior.
“You’re on the right track. Keep up the good work.”
“My dream is to finish my Senior High School despite this pandemic”.
4. Emotional Expression – Communication facilitates people’s expression of their feelings
such as love, fear, anger, joy, hope, or any other emotion.
“I’m so happy to have you in my life.”
“I like you so much.”
5. Information – Communication functions to convey information. It can be used in giving and
getting information.
“The Philippine Normal University was founded in 1901.”
“You can find the bathroom right next to this door”
The Process of Communication
In order to successfully communicate, it is important to understand the process of
communication. The diagram above shows the basic steps.
1. The speaker develops an idea to be sent.
2. The speaker encodes the idea or converts it to words or actions.
3. The speaker transmits or sends out the idea using a specific medium or channel.
4. The receiver gets the message and decodes or interprets it.
5. The receiver provides or sends feedback.
At any point of the communication process, noise may take place and hinder the flow of
communication process.
The Elements in The Process of Communication
Sender
The sender is the one who initiates the message that needs to be transmitted. He sends the
message that may be in different forms such as pictures, symbols, postures, gestures, or even
just a smile. After generating the idea, he sends it in such a manner that can be understood
clearly by the receiver.
Message
Message refers to the information intended to be communicated by words as in speech, letters,
pictures, or symbols. It can be verbal or non-verbal. It is the content the sender wants to convey
to the receiver.
Encoding
It is the process of expressing the idea into appropriate medium. It may be verbal or non-verbal.
The sender may put the message into a series of symbols, words, pictures or gestures.
Channel
It refers the medium or passage through which encoded message is passed to the receiver. It
may be transmitted through face-to-face communication, telephone, radio, television,
memorandum, or computer.
Receiver
Receiver refers to whom the message is meant for. He plays a significant role in the
communication process like the sender. He needs to comprehend the message sent. His
translation of the message received depends on his/her knowledge of the subject matter of the
message, experience, and relationship with the sender.
Decoding
It means translating the encoded message into a language that can be understood by the
receiver. After receiving the message, the receiver interprets it and tries to understand it.
Feedback
It refers to the response of the receiver to the message sent to him/her by the sender. Feedback
ensures that the message has been effectively encoded and decoded.
Noise
It is a hindrance to communication. This can take place at any step in the entire
communication process. There are various types of noise. Examples of physical noise are loud
music, an irritating sound of an engine of a machine, or a classmate who talks to you while the
teacher is giving a lecture. The second type of noise is physiological – when the body becomes
the hindrance to communication such as headache, toothache, or hunger. The third type is
psychological noise that refers to qualities in us that affect how we communicate and interpret
others such as prejudice and any feeling can interfere with communication. Noise is considered
as a barrier to effective communication.
What’s More
Directions: Watch the video presentation with the title “A Failure to Communicate” through the
link below. On a separate paper, identify the elements in the process of communication. Explain
how each element affects the communication process.
If you cannot watch the said video, just think of a situation where miscommunication takes
place between or among the participants in the communication process.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ox5LhIJSBE
FORMAT
1. Sender
_________________________________________________________________________
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2. Message
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3. Encoding
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4. Channel
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5. Receiver
_________________________________________________________________________
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6. Decoding
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
7. Feedback
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8. Noise
_________________________________________________________________________
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