The Communication Process

Communication happens every day, but sometimes it seems as if we aren't getting our ideas across. Problems relating to one another form the central modern conflict in our world. Sadly, miscommunication causes a lot of pain and suffering, isolation, divorce, disagreement, violence, and various other negative events.

But as humans we HAVE to communicate. Knowing how the communication process works can be helpful in avoiding problems. It is also the minefield which a writer uses to invigorate his/her stories and plays.

How We Communicate:
1. Humans communicate in verbal or non-verbal ways.
Verbal: talking, most likely. But also mass media (tv, internet, podcasting, radio, stage performances, speeches, etc.)
Non-verbal: the written word (books, stories, written poems, visual art, dance, etc.)

Speaking of VERBAL communication: How does the process work?
1. A communicator (or person) has an IDEA that forms in his/her mind
2. The communicator (person) decides how best to form and shape his/her idea. This is called ENCODING.
3. The communicator ENCODES his/her IDEA and sends this encoded idea to someone else--like sending a letter through the mail, but also by talking, programming his/her idea in a TV program, speaking into a microphone in a room where people have gathered, etc. The communicator is called THE SENDER.
4. The SENDER sends his message to his audience, who DECODES or tries to understand the message.
5. The IDEA after DECODING by the RECEIVER, produces communication.

Thus, for the communication process to occur, we need:
1. An Idea
2. A Sender who ENCODES the idea (for example, using words in speaking)
3. A Receiver who DECODES the idea (hearing the words, the receiver tries to figure out the sender's meaning)
4. Communication!