Communcation Paper

Rather verbal or nonverbal the ability to communicate with one another is of paramount importance to the success of the human race (Hartley, 1999). Communication permits us to share feelings, express our beliefs and opinions. We as humans use both verbal and non-verbal in conversations. Using both forms helps us convey and support the message one is trying to send.  

Most communication is nonverbal. Most communicators use facial expressions, gestures, and body language during conversations as well as using words. Most people perceive people by their first appearances without saying a word. If Megan wore suits to class while John wore t-shirts and pajama pants, at first sight somebody may perceive that based on Megan’s outfit she is prepared and ready for class. On the other hand, someone may perceive that based on John’s outfit that he just woke up and came to class. Aware of this or not, both outfits are communicating with non-verbal communication. Another example that we might not think about as being non-verbal communication are traffic lights. No one specifically has to tell you stop, but when that light turns red you know to stop. The light nonverbally reiterates you to stop when it turns red. Although most of the time non-verbal communication is pretty self explanatory, there are a few cases in where it may be perceived in ways it was not intended.  Often this type of communication has one or more meanings such as crying. You may see someone crying and assume they are sad when in all actuality they have never been happier.

When we think verbal, we think sound. That is exactly what verbal communication is, the use of sounds, words, and grammar to communicate with another person or people. The words in which we use have meaning. We use sounds to form words that have definitions and in turn use these words to form sentences that help explain our thoughts and ideas we want to send to another person. Music would be a great example of verbal...