Types of Communication

Four Types of Communication
Communication is the process of exchanging information in the form of messages, symbols,
thoughts, signs, and opinions. There are mainly four types of communication, which are
used in varying ways depending on the medium used or the way in which information is
exchanged.
It would be extremely hard to imagine a world without some form of interpersonal
interaction. This interaction or act of sharing information is known as communication.
Some of the basic ways by which we communicate with one another is through speech, sign
language, body language, touch, and eye contact.
These means of communication are used for transferring information from one entity to
the other, and always involve a sender and receiver. The cycle of communication is said to
be complete only when the receiver has understood the sender's message and intent.
Communication of information, messages, opinions, and thoughts can be done with the aid
of different communicative aids such as books, Internet, smartphones etc.
There are mainly four types of communication which are used in various ways to convey the
final message to the receiver.
Verbal communication
Verbal communication include sounds, words, language, and speech. Speaking is an effective
way of communicating and helps in expressing our emotions in words. This form of
communication is further classified into four types, which are:
1. Intrapersonal Communication
This form of communication is extremely private and restricted to ourselves. It includes
the silent conversations we have with ourselves, wherein we juggle roles between the
sender and receiver who are processing our thoughts and actions. This process of
communication when analyzed can either be conveyed verbally to someone or stay confined
as thoughts.

2. Interpersonal Communication
This form of communication takes place between two individuals and is thus a one-on-one
conversation. Here, the two individuals involved will swap their roles of sender and
receiver in order to communicate in a clearer manner.
3. Small Group Communication
This type of communication can take place only when there are more than two people
involved. Here the number of people will be small enough to allow each participant to
interact and converse with the rest. Press conferences, board meetings, and team
meetings are examples of group communication. Unless a specific issue is being discussed,
small group discussions can become chaotic and difficult to interpret by everybody. This
lag in understanding information completely can result in miscommunication.
4. Public Communication
This type of communication takes place when one individual addresses a large gathering of
people. Election campaigns and public speeches are example of this type of communication.
In such cases, there is usually a single sender of information and several receivers who are
being addressed.
Nonverbal communication
➜ Nonverbal communication manages to convey the sender's message without having to
use words.
➜ This form of communication supersedes all other forms because of its usage and
effectiveness. Nonverbal communication involves the use of physical ways of
communication, such as tone of the voice, touch, and expressions.
➜ Symbols and sign language are also included in nonverbal communication. Body posture
and language convey a lot of nonverbal messages when communicating verbally with
someone.
➜ Folded arms and crossed legs are some of the defensive nonverbal signals conveyed by

people. Shaking hands, patting and touching, express feelings of intimacy. Facial
expressions, gestures and eye contact are all different ways of communication. Creative
and aesthetic nonverbal forms of communication include music, dancing and sculpturing.
Written communication
➜ Written communication is the medium through which the message of the sender is
conveyed with the help of written words.
➜ Letters, personal journals, e-mails, reports, articles, and memos are some forms of
written communication.
➜ Unlike other forms of communication, written messages can be edited and rectified
before it is communicated to the receiver. Thereby, making written communication an
indispensable part of informal and formal communication.
➜ This form of communication encapsulates features of visual communication as well,
especially when the messages are conveyed through electronic devices such as laptops,
phones, and visual presentations that involve the use of text or words.
Visual communication
➜ This form of communication involves the visual display of information, wherein the
message is understood or expressed with the help of visual aids. For example, topography,
photography, signs, symbols, maps, colors, posters, banners and designs help the viewer
understand the message visually.
➜ Movies and plays, television shows and video clips are all electronic form of visual
communication.
➜ Visual communication also involves the transfer of information in the form of text,
which is received through an electronic medium such as a computer, phone, etc.

➜ Icons and emoticons are a form of visual communication. When these icons are used in a
public place, phone or computer, they instruct the user about their meaning and usage.
➜ The greatest example of visual communication is the World Wide Web which
communicates with the masses, using a combination of text, design, links, images, and color.
All of these visual features require us to view the screen in order to understand the
message being conveyed.
Media communication is developing at a meteoric rate in order to ensure clarity and to
eliminate any ambiguity. The aforementioned four types of communication have played a
vital role and continue to do so, in bridging the gap between people, commerce, education,
health care, and entertainment

Types of Communication

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Types of Communication