Research

The goal of communication is to convey information—and the understanding of that information—from one person or group to another person or group. This communication process is divided into three basic components: A sender transmits a message through a channel to the receiver. The diagram shows a more elaborate model. The sender first develops an idea, which is composed into a message and then transmitted to the other party, who interprets the message and receives meaning. Information theorists have added somewhat more complicated language. Developing a message is known as encoding. Interpreting the message is referred to as decoding.

Five elements of effective communication:

A checklist

1. APPROACHTiming of communication; choice of medium; tone and point of view (perspective, attitude, and relationship regarding audience, purpose, and material); recognition of audience (reader vs. writer orientation); direct vs. indirect presentation (ordering of evidence and conclusions); persuasive strategies and rhetorical appeals (logos, pathos, ethos)Checkpoints: * Timing and choice of medium are appropriate to the purpose, audience, and material. * Tone is appropriate to the purpose, audience, and material. * Material is made relevant to the reader (reader’s interests and concerns are recognized). * Conclusions are presented directly (conclusion first, evidence last) to a sympathetic audience, indirectly (evidence first, conclusion last) to an unsympathetic or hostile audience. * Persuasive strategy incorporates a mixture of rhetorical approaches (appeals to logic, feelings, and ethics or credibility).2. DEVELOPMENTOrganization (logical arrangement and sequence); evidence and support (relevance, specificity, accuracy and sufficiency of detail); knowledge of subject and material; quality of perception, analysis, and insightCheckpoints: * Material is arranged in a logical and coherent sequence. * Conclusion or closing restates the argument and identifies the...