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4 Basic Types of Communication

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Communication is a constant part of everyday life and when it occurs it is always one or a combination of the four basic types of communication…





It is always a must to bear in mind that whenever you are writing a verbal report on malnutrition to be disseminated among local government officials or doing fieldwork among farmers in the rural areas, communication is always a combination of the 4 basic types of communication.

Knowledge of the types of communication can facilitate you in planning a communication campaign, its implementation and most of all, in the evaluation of how communication efforts are going. Mastering these can also prevent misunderstanding and can help build strong personal and professional relationships with other individuals.

The four basic types of communication are the following:

. Verbal communication - it happens when an individual talk to another individual or a group of people. With the onset of the information and communication technologies (ICTs) verbal communication denotes a broader connotation, which means it is not only face to face communication, but also via cell phone, Skype or Messenger. Depending on the context or environment, verbal communication can be formal or informal, but regardless of the type it also involves the tone or pitch used during this direct interaction. 

. Nonverbal communication - according to the American anthropologist and cross-cultural researcher Edward T. Hall, most of what people communicate is done unconsciously. And what individuals do while they interact with other people often tell more than their actual words. Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, hand movements and proximity. According to Hall, nonverbal communication differs not only from country to country but also regionally. Most often, nonverbal communication’s importance is not given the proper attention because people do not often realize that gestures tell more than their words. For instance, when persons are applying for a job or being interviewed for a possible employment, it is important not only to communicate verbally but also to assume the right posture, eye contact and facial expression to show their interest in the job placement

. Written communication - the ability to write effectively is imperative. In this communication era, it is vital to have the capacity to express ideas in whatever form or channel. Whether a person is composing a simple email, a report on air pollution, or doing leaflets or posters to be disseminated in the rural areas, one should be able to disseminate information in a concise and clear manner. It is noteworthy to point out that unclear and flowery writing skills may often cause confusion or misunderstanding, which can impact the results of your communication goals.

. Visual communication - is the use of visual elements to easily convey information. Visual elementsmay denote drawings, pictures, graphics, animations, and even videos employed  to disseminate ideas and even research results. The digital age has opened the doors to all types of visual communication and for information to be shared in an accessible and easy manner. It is, in fact, easier to grasp information if accompanied by some interesting visuals.

As a conclusion, understanding how to effectively communicate information to the target audience is the first step to achieve communication goals. We live in a society where we communicate constantly, consciously or unconsciously and we use different types of communication or a combination of these types to interact with other person or group of persons. It is therefore a must to always consider the most best way to communicate to become a good communicator. 






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