Effective Communication Lesson 1
Oral communication involves spoken words. This can include conversations, phone calls, video
calls, presentations, and speeches. It’s immediate, usually interactive, and it lets you get feedback
right away. When you speak, you have a chance to add emphasis through your tone, facial
expressions, and body language, which can enhance the impact of your message.
Advantages of Oral Communication
1. Immediate Feedback: With oral communication, you can receive instant responses,
allowing you to clarify points on the spot.
2. Personal Engagement: Oral communication lets you connect personally. Your body
language, tone, and gestures all contribute to making a stronger impression.
3. Speed: If you need to get a message across quickly, speaking is usually the faster option.
Disadvantages of Oral Communication
1. Temporary: Unless recorded, oral communication doesn’t leave a lasting record. It can be
hard to remember details later.
2. Misinterpretations: Without a record, there’s a risk of misunderstandings, especially with
complex information.
3. Presence Requirement: Oral communication typically requires both parties to be present,
either physically or virtually.
Written communication uses text to convey messages. This can be anything from an email or text
message to a formal report or social media post. Written communication is generally more deliberate
and can be referenced at any time, making it useful for sharing detailed information.
Advantages of Written Communication
1. Record Keeping: Written messages create a permanent record, making it easy to refer
back to them.
2. Clarity and Precision: Since you can edit written messages, it’s easier to ensure they're
clear and well-structured.
3. Wider Reach: Written communication can reach multiple people simultaneously and
across different locations.
Disadvantages of Written Communication
1. No Immediate Feedback: Unlike oral communication, there's no instant feedback,
which can slow down the process.
2. Time-Consuming: Writing takes time, especially if you want to ensure accuracy and
professionalism.
3. Lacks Personal Touch: Written messages can feel less personal, as they don't carry the
tone or emotion of spoken words. Oral communication, on the other hand, doesn't
provide this kind of lasting documentation, so it's less suitable for details you may need
to recall later.
Oral vs. Written Communication: How They Differ
1. Speed- Oral communication is quick and ideal for conveying urgent messages. A
phone call or face-to-face conversation allows you to share information instantly, while
written communication takes time to draft and review. Written messages, though slower
to create, are often more detailed and precise.
2. Detail and Complexity When you need to convey complex ideas, written
communication is often more effective. It allows you to organize your thoughts, make
edits, and ensure every detail is correct.
3. Permanence Written communication leaves a record that can be accessed later, making
it ideal for sharing information that needs to be retained, like policies or reports.
Oral communication, while effective for simple messages, may lead to confusion if the
topic is too complex.
presenting them orally. This approach allows you to benefit from the immediacy of
spoken words and the lasting clarity of a written
Tips for Effective Communication
1. Understand Your Audience: Whether you're speaking or writing, consider who
you're communicating with and what they need communication, pay attention to
listener cues, and in written communication, be open to questions or follow-up.
2. Be Concise and Clear: Keep your message simple and focused to avoid confusion.
3. Use Visual Aids: Charts, diagrams, and images can help clarify your message in both
oral and written formats.
Adapt Based on Feedback: In oral
Discussion: Improving Oral Communication Skills
• Practice Active Listening: Engage with the speaker, respond thoughtfully, and show
that you're paying attention.
• Work on Tone and Body Language: Nonverbal cues can significantly impact how
your message is received.
• Be Direct and to the Point: Avoid filler words and stay focused on the main points.
Enhancing Written Communication Skills Edit and Proofread: Mistakes can harm
credibility, so review your work before sending it. Organize Your Content: Use
headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your writing easier to read.
• Mind Your Tone: Written words can seem harsher than spoken ones, so choose
words that convey your message
To initiate engaging conversations, try asking open-ended questions that encourage
sharing and exploration of personal experiences, interests, or perspectives. Examples
include, "What's a recent accomplishment you're proud of?" or "What's a topic you're
passionate about?". You can also use prompts like, "If you could have any superpower,
what would it be and why?" or "If you could travel to any time period, when and where
would you go?".
Remember to actively listen to the other person's responses and show genuine interest to
foster a deeper connection. Share How do you start a conversation with social skills? Ask
them a question using the Past, Present, or Future strategy. Listen to their response! Be
sure to pay attention so you can respond appropriately. Show interest by looking at the
other person when they are speaking and participate in the conversation by nodding along
or reacting to what they say Page 1 of 3 Here are some specific conversation starters and
prompts, categorized for clarity:
General & Lighthearted:
• "What's the last thing that made you laugh?"
• "Have you read any good books or seen any good movies lately?"
• "What's your favorite way to relax after a long day?"
• "If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?"
• "What's a skill you'd love to learn?"
Deeper & More Personal:
• "What's a value that's really important to you?"
• "What's a lesson you've learned recently?"
• "What's something you're grateful for?"
• "What's a goal you're currently working towards?"
• "What's a piece of advice you would give your younger self?"
• "What's something you're passionate about?"
• "What's a dream you have for the future?"
Specific & Engaging:
• "If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and
what would you ask them?"
• "If you could witness any historical event, what would it be?"
• "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?"
• "If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?"
• "What's a cause you care deeply about?"
• "What's a talent you wish you had?"
Remember to:
• Listen actively: Pay attention to the other person's responses and ask follow-up
questions.
• Be genuine: Show real interest in what the other person has to say.
• Be mindful of the situation: Adjust your conversation starters to the context and the
people involved.
• Be respectful: Avoid sensitive or controversial topics if you're unsure of the other
person's comfort level.
• Be yourself: Authenticity is key to building meaningful connections.
