AEC - assignment

 

Maharani shree nandkuvrba mahila arts and commerce College 

Name :- Gohil Janaviba SahadevSingh 

Sub :- English 

Year:- T.Y.B.A. 

sem :- 6

Paper name:- communication skill

Credit -2

Professor name:- shivani ma'am

⁠◕ Class assignment

➜ Topic:-1  definition and process of communications 

▪️Introduction

  

   Communication is the fundamental process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and emotions between two or more individuals. The term is derived from the Latin word "Communis," which means "to share" or "to make common." At its core, communication is not just about the act of talking; it is about creating a shared understanding where the message intended by the sender is interpreted correctly by the receiver.

In any environment, communication functions as a two-way street. It involves a sender who encodes a message, a channel through which the message travels (such as speech, writing, or digital media), and a receiver who decodes the information. The cycle is only truly complete when the receiver provides feedback, confirming that the message was understood as intended. Without this feedback loop, the process remains one-sided and prone to misunderstandings.

In the modern world, communication skills are categorized as essential "soft skills." They encompass more than just linguistic ability; they include:

Active Listening: The ability to focus entirely on the speaker and understand their intent.

Non-Verbal Cues: Managing body language, eye contact, and tone of voice, which often convey more meaning than words themselves.

Clarity and Brevity: The capacity to deliver information efficiently without causing confusion.

Whether in personal relationships, where it builds trust and empathy, or in a professional setting, where it drives leadership and collaboration, effective communication is the foundation of human interaction. It is the tool that allows us to bridge the gap between individual perspectives and work toward collective goals.

▪️Definition of communication 

        Communication skills are the abilities you use when giving and receiving different kinds of information. These skills involve listening, speaking, observing, and empathizing.

Here are the most prominent definitions provided by renowned authors:

"Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening, and understanding."

- Louis A. Allen

Newman and Summer: "Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions, or emotions by two or more persons."

 "Communication is the process of passing information and understanding from one person to another."

                                                           - Keith Davis

Peter Little: "Communication is the process by which information is transmitted between individuals and/or organizations so that an understanding response results."

Peter Drucker: "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said."

In simple terms: Communication skills are the tools we use to remove misunderstanding and ensure that the message sent is exactly the same as the message received.

▪️Process of communication 

Communication is the process of sending and receiving messages between two or more people. It helps us share information, ideas, feelings, and opinions.

🔄 Steps in the Communication Process

1. Sender (Source)

The person who starts the communication and has a message to share.

2. Message

The information, idea, or feeling that the sender wants to communicate.

3. Encoding

The process of converting the message into words, symbols, gestures, or signs.

4. Channel (Medium)

The way the message is sent.

Example: speaking, writing, phone call, email, social media, etc.

5. Receiver

The person who receives the message.

6. Decoding

The process by which the receiver understands and interprets the message.

7. Feedback

The response given by the receiver to the sender.

It shows whether the message was understood correctly.

Noise (Barriers)

Anything that disturbs or blocks communication.

Example: loud sounds, language differences, misunderstandings, poor network, etc.

📊 Simple Diagram of Communication Process

Sender → Encoding → Message → Channel → Receiver → Decoding → Feedback

(Noise can affect the process at any stage.)

✅ Example

A teacher explains a lesson in class.

Students listen and understand.

Students ask questions.

Here:

Teacher = Sender

Lesson = Message

Speaking = Channel

Students = Receiver

Questions = Feedback

📌 Conclusion

The process of communication is a two-way and continuous activity that includes sender, message, encoding, channel, receiver, decoding, feedback, and noise. Effective communication ensures clarity, understanding, and meaningful interaction between individuals.

  ⁠◕ Home assignment 

➜ Topic -2   kinesics 

▪️Introduction 

Kinesics is the study of body movements as a form of communication. It deals with gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and other physical movements that convey meaning. The term kinesics was introduced by Ray Birdwhistell, who explained that body language is a systematic and meaningful part of communication.

Communication is generally divided into verbal and non-verbal forms.

Verbal communication involves the use of words, either spoken or written, to convey messages.

Non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, and other physical cues.

Kinesics is an important part of non-verbal communication. It supports, complements, or sometimes even contradicts verbal messages. For example, a person may verbally say “yes,” but if they shake their head, the body movement changes the meaning. Therefore, kinesics plays a vital role in making communication more clear, effective, and meaningful.

▪️Meaning of Kinesics

Kinesics means the study of body movements as a way of communication. It refers to the interpretation of gestures, facial expressions, posture, eye contact, and other physical actions that convey messages without using words.

The term kinesics was introduced by Ray Birdwhistell, who stated that body movements are systematic and meaningful, just like spoken language.

▪️ Definition 

Kinesics is defined as the systematic study of body movements such as gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact as a means of non-verbal communication. It explains how physical actions convey feelings, attitudes, and meanings without the use of spoken or written words.

The term kinesics was introduced by Ray Birdwhistell, who stated that body movements are structured and meaningful, just like verbal language. According to him, communication is not limited to words; it also includes body motions that play a vital role in expressing and interpreting messages effectively.

▪️Components of kenecics 

1. Personal appearances 

Personal appearance is very important in communication because people notice how we look before they listen to what we say. Just as we choose our words according to the audience, we should also dress suitably for the occasion.

Personal appearance includes clothes, hairstyle, accessories, cosmetics, and grooming. Today, clothing is not only meant to cover the body but also to express one’s personality and attitude. The clothes we wear can highlight our body movements and show whether we are confident, professional, casual, or careless.

Before a speaker even starts speaking, the audience forms an opinion based on appearance. A neat and appropriate appearance can make the audience feel positive and interested, while an untidy or unsuitable appearance may create a negative or resistant attitude.

Therefore, it is very important to be clean, well-groomed, and properly dressed according to the situation. Our appearance communicates how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us.

2. Posture –

Posture means the way we stand, sit, or walk. Our posture often changes according to the situation and our feelings.

When a person is nervous, they may keep moving, pace around, fidget with things, shrug shoulders, or stand stiffly. These movements show tension and lack of confidence.

With friends or familiar people, posture is usually natural and relaxed because we feel comfortable. But in new or formal situations, like giving a presentation, people become more careful and conscious about how they stand or move.

Certain postures can send negative messages. For example, standing with hands on hips may show aggression or defiance. A relaxed posture, with hands at the sides and the body comfortable, gives a positive impression.

Standing or sitting in an upright, balanced, and relaxed manner, facing the audience, shows confidence, professionalism, attentiveness, and good organization. Overall, posture reveals a lot about a person’s attitude, confidence, and emotions.

• Slumped posture—low spirits

• Erect posture—high spirits, energy, and confidence

•Lean forward—open, honest, and interested

•Lean backward—defensive or disinterested

•Crossed arms—defensive and not ready to listen

• Uncrossed arms—willingness to listen

3. Gesture -

 A gesture is a movement of the hands, head, or face used to express ideas or feelings. Good and suitable gestures support and strengthen verbal communication. A well-timed gesture helps to explain a point clearly and makes the message more effective.

However, awkward or unnecessary gestures, such as playing with a key chain, buttons, or rings, can distract the listener and reduce the impact of the message.

Gestures help to clarify or reinforce ideas, but they should match the audience and the situation. There are many kinds of gestures, and their meanings can differ from person to person. Researchers have found that there are thousands of hand gestures, each carrying different meanings.

Gestures should be natural, spontaneous, and limited. They should not draw attention away from the speaker’s words. Irritating habits like cracking knuckles, twisting objects, or tightly

clasping hands should be avoided.

● Enumerative—numbers

● Descriptive—size of the objects

● Symbolic—abstract concepts

● Locative—location of an object

● Emphatic—emphasis

 

4. Facial expression -

Along with postures and gestures, facial expressions also play an important part in non-verbal communication. The face is the most expressive part of our body. A smile stand for friendliness, a frown for discontent, raised eyebrows for disbelief, tightened jaw muscles for antagonism, etc. Facial expressions are subtle. They can be used in a variety of ways to aid, inhibit, or complement communication. The face rarely sends a single message at a time. Instead, it sends a series of messages—facial expressions may show anxiety, recognition, hesitation, and pleasure in quick succession.

Facial expressions are difficult to interpret. Though there are only six basic expressions, there can be many shades and blends of these. Also, people tend to hide their true feelings, and project expressions that are appropriate according to the circumstances. The six basic facial

expressions are:

• Happiness • Surprise

• Disgust • Fear

• Anger • Sadness

5. Eye contact -

Eyes communicate attention and emotions.

● Direct eye contact → confidence, honesty

● Avoiding eye contact → nervousness, lack of interest

● Excessive staring → aggression or dominance

Eye contact is an important part of non-verbal communication. By looking into someone’s eyes, we can understand their feelings, honesty, and confidence.

Making gentle eye contact helps to build trust and connection with the listener. It shows that the speaker is interested, sincere, and confident. Too little eye contact may show nervousness, while too much can feel like staring. Eye contact habits differ in different cultures, but in professional situations, polite and pleasant eye contact is always important.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, kinesics is an important aspect of non-verbal communication that involves the use of body movements, gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact to convey messages. It helps individuals express emotions, attitudes, and intentions without using words.

Kinesics supports and strengthens verbal communication and sometimes even communicates more effectively than spoken language. By understanding and using body language properly, we can improve interpersonal relationships, avoid misunderstandings, and make communication more clear, confident, and meaningful.

⁠◕Essay

➜ Topic:-3  Paralinguistics 

▪️Introduction

Paralinguistics refers to the study of vocal elements that accompany speech and help convey meaning beyond the actual words spoken. It is an important part of non-verbal communication because it focuses on how something is said rather than what is said.

Paralinguistic features include tone of voice, pitch, volume, speed of speaking, pauses, stress, and intonation. These vocal qualities express emotions, attitudes, and feelings. For example, a soft tone may show politeness, while a loud tone may express anger or excitement.

Thus, paralinguistics plays a vital role in effective communication by adding depth and clarity to verbal messages and helping listeners understand the speaker’s true intention.

▪️ Definition 

Paralinguistics is defined as the study of vocal elements such as tone, pitch, volume, intonation, speed, and pauses that accompany spoken language and convey meaning beyond the actual words. It focuses on how a message is delivered rather than what is said.

Paralinguistics is an essential part of non-verbal communication because it expresses emotions, attitudes, and intentions through voice qualities.

▪️Elements of Paralinguistics

1. Tone of Voice

Tone shows the speaker’s emotion or attitude.

Soft tone → politeness or affection

Harsh tone → anger or irritation

The same words spoken in different tones can convey different meanings.

Tone refers to the emotional quality of the voice. It shows a speaker’s feelings and attitude toward the message or the listener. For example, a polite tone shows respect, while a harsh tone may express anger or dissatisfaction. Even the same sentence can have different meanings depending on the tone used.

2. Pitch

Pitch refers to the highness or lowness of the voice.

High pitch → excitement, fear, or nervousness

Low pitch → seriousness, calmness, or authority

Pitch is the highness or lowness of the voice. A high pitch may indicate excitement, nervousness, or surprise, while a low pitch may show seriousness or sadness. Variations in pitch make speech more interesting and expressive.

3. Volume

Volume means the loudness or softness of the voice.

Loud voice → confidence, anger, or urgency

Soft voice → calmness, politeness, or secrecy

Proper volume is important for clear communication.

Volume refers to the loudness or softness of the voice. Speaking loudly may show confidence, authority, or anger, whereas speaking softly may indicate shyness, calmness, or secrecy. Proper control of volume is important for effective communication.

4. Rate (Speed of Speech)

This refers to how fast or slow a person speaks.

Fast speech → excitement, anxiety, or enthusiasm

Slow speech → seriousness or careful thinking.

Rate of speech means how fast or slow a person speaks. Speaking too fast can make the message difficult to understand, while speaking too slowly may bore the listener. A moderate and clear speed ensures better understanding.

5. Pause and Silence

Pauses help in:

● Emphasizing important points

● Giving time to think

● Avoiding confusion

Silence itself can communicate emotions like hesitation or disapproval.

Pauses are short breaks in speech. They help organize thoughts, emphasize important points, and allow the listener time to understand the message. Too many pauses may show nervousness, while appropriate pauses improve clarity.

6. Stress and Emphasis

Stress is placed on certain words to highlight meaning.

“I didn’t say he was wrong.”

*“I didn’t say he was wrong.”

The meaning changes depending on which word is stressed.

Stress refers to the emphasis placed on certain words or syllables. By stressing a particular word, a speaker can change the meaning of a sentence. For example, stressing different words in the same sentence can highlight different ideas.

7. Intonation

Intonation refers to the rise and fall of the voice.

Rising intonation → questions or uncertainty

Falling intonation → statements or certainty

Intonation is the rise and fall of the voice while speaking. It helps express questions, statements, surprise, doubt, or emphasis. For example, the voice usually rises at the end of a question and falls at the end of a statement.

▪️ Conclusion 

All these elements together form paralinguistics and play a crucial role in effective communication. They add emotional depth and meaning to spoken words, making communication more expressive and impactful. Proper use of paralinguistic elements helps in delivering messages clearly and confidently.

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