4140W final Exam Study Guide

Public communication

- One person speaks to a group of people.

Communication

- The process of understanding and sharing meaning (Pearson and Nelson, 2000)

Meaning

- What we share through communication.

Checklist of importance of preparation in the writing process and planning business messages

1. Determine your general purpose: are you trying to inform, persuade, entertain, facilitate interaction, or motivate a reader: involve the overall goal of the communication interaction: to inform, persuade, entertain, facilitate interaction, or motivate a reader. The general purpose influences the presentation and expectation for feedback. In an informative message—the most common type of writing in business—you will need to cover several predictable elements: Who What When Where How Why (optional) 2. Determine your specific purpose (the desired outcome): In addition to its general purpose (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain, or motivate), every piece of writing also has at least one specific purpose, which is the intended outcome; the result that will happen once your written communication has been read. The general purpose of your letter is to inform, and the specific purpose is to have a written record of informing all city residents about how much radon was found, when, and where; where they can get more information on radon; and the date, time, and place of the meeting. Radon Finding Who: The manager of the apartment building (give name) What: Discovered a radon concentration of 4.1 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and reported it to the housing authority director, who informed the city health inspector, environmental compliance office, and mayor When: During the week of December 15 Where: In the basement of the apartment building located at (give address) How: In the course of performing a routine annual test with a commercially available do-it-yourself radon test kit Information about radon Who: According to the city health inspector and environmental compliance officer What: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium in soil; a radon test level above 4.0 pCi/L may be cause for concern When: Radon levels fluctuate from time to time, so further testing will be done; in past years, test results were below 4.0 pCi/L Where: More information is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the state radon office How: By phone, mail, or on the Internet (provide full contact information for both sources) Why: To become better informed and avoid misunderstandings about radon, its health risks, and the meaning of radon test results City meeting about radon Who: All city residents are welcome What: Attend an informational meeting where the mayor, director of the housing authority, city health inspector, and city environmental compliance officer will speak and answer questions When: Monday, January 7, at 7 p.m. Where: City hall community room Why: To become better informed and avoid misunderstandings about radon, its health risks, and the meaning of radon test results 3. Make sure your purpose is realistic. 4. Make sure your timing is appropriate. 5. Make sure your sources are credible. 6. Make sure the message reflects positively on your business. 7. Determine audience size. 8. Determine audience composition. 9. Determine audience knowledge and awareness of topic. 10. Anticipate probable responses. 11. Select the correct channel. 12. Make sure the information provided is accurate, ethical, and pertinent.

Rhetoric elements and cognate strategies

Logos Clarity Clear understanding An announcement will be made to the company later in the week, but I wanted to tell you personally that as of the first of next month, I will be leaving my position to accept a three-year assignment in our Singapore office. As soon as further details about the management of your account are available, I will share them with you. Conciseness Key points In tomorrow's conference call Sean wants to introduce the new team members, outline the schedule and budget for the project, and clarify each person's responsibilities in meeting our goals. Arrangement Order, hierarchy, placement Our department has matrix structure. We have three product development groups, one for each category of product. We also have a manufacturing group, a finance group, and a sales group; different group members are assigned to each of the three product categories. Within the matrix, our structure is flat, meaning that we have no group leaders. Everyone reports to Beth, the department manager. Ethos Credibility Character, trust Having known and worked with Jesse for more than five years, I can highly recommend him to take my place as your advisor. In addition to having superb qualifications, Jesse is known for his dedication, honesty, and caring attitude. He will always go the extra mile for his clients. Expectation Norms and anticipated outcomes As is typical in our industry, we ship all merchandise FOB our warehouse. Prices are exclusive of any federal, state, or local taxes. Payment terms are net 30 days from date of invoice. Reference Sources and frames of reference According to an article in Business Week dated October 15, 2009, Doosan is one of the largest business conglomerates in South Korea. Pathos Tone Expression I really don't have words to express how grateful I am for all the support you've extended to me and my family in this hour of need. You guys are the best. Emphasis Relevance It was unconscionable for a member of our organization to shout an interruption while the president was speaking. What needs to happen now—and let me be clear about this—is an immediate apology. Engagement Relationship Faithful soldiers pledge never to leave a fallen comrade on the battlefield.

Documents with quality reasoning

- A clearly articulated purpose and goal A question, problem, or issue to address Information, data, and evidence that is clearly relevant to the stated purpose and goals Inferences or interpretations that lead to conclusions based on the presented information, data, and evidence A frame of reference or point of view that is clearly articulated Assumptions, concepts, and ideas that are clearly articulated - Information literacy is an essential skill set in the process of writing. As you learn to spot key signs of information that will not serve to enhance your credibility and contribute to your document, you can increase your effectiveness as you research and analyze your resources.

Process

- A dynamic activity that is hard to describe because it changes

Group communication

- A dynamic process where a small number of people engage in a conversation. Involving 3 to 8 people.

Being prepared is being organized

- Aristotle called this logos, or logic, and it involves the steps or points that lead your communication to a conclusion. Once you've invested time in researching your topic, you will want to narrow your focus to a few key points and consider how you'll present them. You also need to consider how to link your main points together for your audience. Use transitions to provide signposts or cues for your audience to follow along. "Now that we've examined X, let's consider Y" is a transitional statement that provides a cue that you are moving from topic to topic. Your listeners or readers will appreciate your being well organized so that they can follow your message from point to point.

Casual language style

- Casual language involves everyday words and expressions in a familiar group context, such as conversations with family or close friends. The emphasis is on the communication interaction itself, and less about the hierarchy, power, control, or social rank of the individuals communicating.

Colloquial language style

- Colloquial language is an informal, conversational style of writing. It differs from standard business English in that it often makes use of colorful expressions, slang, and regional phrases. As a result, it can be difficult to understand for an English learner or a person from a different region of the country. Colloquial writing may be permissible, and even preferable, in some business contexts. he difference between a "Coke," a "tonic," a "pop, and a "soda pop" primarily depends on where you live.

Latin root of the word communication

- Communicare which means to share or make common

Being prepared means being concise

- Concise means brief and to the point. In most business communications you are expected to "get down to business" right away. Being prepared includes being able to state your points clearly and support them with clear evidence in a relatively straightforward, linear way. Being concise also involves being sensitive to time constraints.

Displaying skillful writing and a good understanding of how people respond to words

- Do sweat the small stuff - Get the target meaning: Bypassing involves the misunderstanding that occurs when the receiver completely misses the source's intended meaning. Words mean different things to different people in different contexts. All that difference allows for both source and receiver to completely miss one another's intended goal. - Consider the nonverbal aspects of your message: nonverbal expressions in your writing may include symbols, design, font, and the timing of delivering your message. - Review, reflect, and revise: A mental review of the task and your performance is often called reflection. Reflection is not procrastination. It involves looking at the available information and, as you review the key points in your mind, making sure each detail is present and perfect. Reflection also allows for another opportunity to consider the key elements and their relationship to each other. When you revise your document, you change one word for another, make subtle changes, and improve it. Don't revise simply to change the good work you've completed, but instead look at it from the perspective of the reader—for example, how could this be clearer to them? What would make it visually attractive while continuing to communicate the message? If you are limited to words only, then does each word serve the article or letter? No extras, but just about right.

Sharing

- Doing something together with one or more people. In communication it occurs when you convey your thoughts, feelings, ideas, or insights to others. You can also share with yourself (intrapersonal communication) when you bring ideas to consciousness, ponder how you feel about something, or figure out the solution to a problem.

Good business writing

- Follows rules - Is easy to read - Attracts the reader

Written communication channels

- IM or Text Message Very fast Good for rapid exchanges of small amounts of information Inexpensive Informal Not suitable for large amounts of information Abbreviations lead to misunderstandings Quick response Informal use among peers at similar levels within an organization You need a fast, inexpensive connection with a colleague over a small issue and limited amount of information Channel Strengths Weaknesses Expectations When to Choose E-mail Fast Good for relatively fast exchanges of information "Subject" line allows compilation of many messages on one subject or project Easy to distribute to multiple recipients Inexpensive May hit "send" prematurely May be overlooked or deleted without being read "Reply to all" error "Forward" error Large attachments may cause the e-mail to be caught in recipient's spam filter Normally a response is expected within 24 hours, although norms vary by situation and organizational culture You need to communicate but time is not the most important consideration You need to send attachments (provided their file size is not too big) Fax Fast Provides documentation Receiving issues (e.g., the receiving machine may be out of paper or toner) Long distance telephone charges apply Transitional telephone-based technology losing popularity to online information exchange Normally, a long (multiple page) fax is not expected You want to send a document whose format must remain intact as presented, such as a medical prescription or a signed work order Allows use of letterhead to represent your company Memo Official but less formal than a letter Clearly shows who sent it, when, and to whom Memos sent through e-mails can get deleted without review Attachments can get removed by spam filters Normally used internally in an organization to communicate directives from management on policy and procedure, or documentation You need to communicate a general message within an organization Letter Formal Letterhead represents your company and adds credibility May get filed or thrown away unread Cost and time involved in printing, stuffing, sealing, affixing postage, and travel through the postal system Specific formats associated with specific purposes You need to inform, persuade, deliver bad news or negative message, and document the communication Report Significant time for preparation and production Requires extensive research and documentation Specific formats for specific purposes; generally reports are to inform You need to document the relationship(s) between large amounts of data to inform an internal or external audience Proposal Significant time for preparation and production Requires extensive research and documentation Specific formats for specific purposes; generally proposals are to persuade You need to persuade an audience with complex arguments and data

Confirmation bias

- If you only pay attention to information that reinforces your existing beliefs and ignore or discredit information that contradicts your beliefs, you are guilty of confirmation bias

Formal language style

- In business writing, the appropriate style will have a degree of formality. Formal language is communication that focuses on professional expression with attention to roles, protocol, and appearance. It is characterized by its vocabulary and syntax, or the grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence. That is, writers using a formal style tend to use a more sophisticated vocabulary—a greater variety of words, and more words with multiple syllables—not for the purpose of throwing big words around, but to enhance the formal mood of the document. They also tend to use more complex syntax, resulting in sentences that are longer and contain more subordinate clauses. A formal document such as a proposal or an annual report will involve a great deal of planning and preparation, and its style may not be fluid or relaxed. Instead, it may use distinct language to emphasize the prestige and professionalism of your company. Writing for business often involves choosing the appropriate level of formality for the company and industry, the particular document and situation, and the audience.

Mass communication

- Involves sending a single message to a group

Sociocentrism

- Involves the use of society-centered standards (Paul & Elder, 2007). Both ways of thinking create an "us versus them" relationship that can undermine your credibility and alienate readers who don't share your viewpoint. This leads to confirmation bias and groupthink, resulting in false conclusions with little or no factual support for a belief. If a person believes the earth is flat and never questions that belief, it serves as an example of egocentric thinking. The person believes it is true even though he has never questioned why he believes it. If the person decides to look for information but only finds information that supports his pre-existing belief, ignoring or discrediting information that contradicts that belief, he is guilty of confirmation bias. If he believes the earth is flat because everyone in his group or community believes it, even though he himself has never questioned or confirmed the belief, he is guilty of sociocentrism.

Business ethics

- Many employers have a corporate code of ethics; even if your employer does not, it goes without saying that there are laws governing how the company can and cannot conduct business. Some of these laws apply to business writing. Even if your purpose is to persuade, deleting the opposing points presents a one-sided presentation. The audience will naturally consider not only what you tell them but also what you are not telling them, and will raise questions. Instead, consider your responsibility as a writer to present information you understand to be complete, honest, and ethical.

More good qualities of good writing

- Meets the reader's expectations - Is clear and concise - Is efficient and effective

People fear the writing process because

- Negative orientation: Negative orientation means the writer has a pre-existing negative association or view of the task or activity. -Risk of Failure -Fear of the unknown

Confidentiality

- On the question of confidentiality, the answer may depend on whether you signed a confidentiality agreement as a condition of your employment at the accounting firm, or whether your president specifically told you to keep the newsletter plan confidential. If neither of these safeguards existed, then your conversation with your cousin would be an innocent, unintentional and coincidental sharing of information in which she turned out to have a vested interest. As for representing her company in an especially favorable light—you are ethically obligated to describe all the candidate vendors according to whatever criteria your president asked to see.

Rhetoric

- One of these systems comprises the three classical elements of rhetoric, or the art of presenting an argument. These elements are logos (logic), ethos (ethics and credibility), and pathos (emotional appeal), first proposed by the ancient Greek teacher Aristotle. Although rhetoric is often applied to oral communication, especially public speaking, it is also fundamental to good writing.

Written communication from a structural perspective

- One way to examine written communication is from a structural perspective. Words are a series of symbols that communicate meaning, strung together in specific patterns that are combined to communicate complex and compound meanings.

Self concept extended

- Our self-concept is "what we perceive ourselves to be," (McLean, S., 2005) and involves aspects of image and esteem. How we see ourselves and how we feel about ourselves influences how we communicate with others. What you are thinking now and how you communicate impacts and influences how others treat you. Leon Festinger added that we engage in social comparisons, evaluating ourselves in relation to our peers of similar status, similar characteristics, or similar qualities

Being prepared is being clear

- Part of being prepared is being clear. If your message is unclear, the audience will lose interest and tune you out, bringing an end to effective communication. clarity begins with intrapersonal communication: you need to have a clear idea in your mind of what you want to say before you can say it clearly to someone else. At the interpersonal level, clarity involves considering your audience, as you will want to choose words and phrases they understand and avoid jargon or slang that may be unfamiliar to them. Clarity also involves presentation. A brilliant message scrawled in illegible handwriting, or in pale gray type on gray paper, will not be clear. When it comes to oral communication, if you mumble your words, speak too quickly or use a monotonous tone of voice, or stumble over certain words or phrases, the clarity of your presentation will suffer. Technology also plays a part; if you are using a microphone or conducting a teleconference, clarity will depend on this equipment functioning properly—which brings us back to the importance of preparation. In this case, in addition to preparing your speech, you need to prepare by testing the equipment ahead of time.

Ethical communicator is respectful

- People are influenced by emotions as well as logic. Aristotle named pathos, or passion, enthusiasm and energy, as the third of his three important parts of communicating after logos and ethos. Most of us have probably seen an audience manipulated by a "cult of personality," believing whatever the speaker said simply because of how dramatically he or she delivered a speech; by being manipulative, the speaker fails to respect the audience. We may have also seen people hurt by sarcasm, insults, and other disrespectful forms of communication.

techniques for helping reader grasp key points

- Present a quick overview, or "executive summary," at the beginning of the document. Use boldface headings as signposts for the main sections and their subsections. Where possible, make your headings informative; for example, a heading like "Problem Began in 1992" is more informative than one that says "Background." Within each section, begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that indicates what the paragraph discusses. When you have a list of points, questions, or considerations, format them with bullets rather than listing them in sentences. The "bottom line," generally understood to mean the total cost of a given expenditure or project, can also refer to the conclusions that the information in the report leads to. As the expression indicates, these conclusions should be clearly presented at the end of the document, which is the place where the time-pressed reader will often turn immediately after reading the first page.

Communication channels

- Purpose is closely associated with channel. We need to consider the purpose when choosing a channel. From source to receiver, message to channel, feedback to context, environment, and interference, all eight components play a role in the dynamic process. While writing often focuses on an understanding of the receiver (as we've discussed) and defining the purpose of the message, the channel—or the "how" in the communication process—deserves special mention.

How writing is learned

- Reading: As you read several sales letters, you may observe several patterns that can serve you well later on when it's your turn. These patterns are often called conventions, or conventional language patterns for a specific genre. -Writing: The word assignment can apply equally to a written product for class or for your employer. - Constructive criticism and targeted practice: Targeted practice, which involves identifying your weak areas and specifically working to improve them, is especially valuable. - Critical thinking: means becoming aware of your thinking process. It's a human trait that allows us to step outside what we read or write and ask ourselves, "Does this really make sense?" "Are there other, perhaps better, ways to explain this idea?"

Communicator is ethical

- The business communicator's second fundamental responsibility is to be ethical. Ethics refers to a set of principles or rules for correct conduct. It echoes what Aristotle called ethos, the communicator's good character and reputation for doing what is right. Communicating ethically involves being egalitarian, respectful, and trustworthy—overall, practicing the "golden rule" of treating your audience the way you would want to be treated. Communication can move communities, influence cultures, and change history. It can motivate people to take stand, consider an argument, or purchase a product. The degree to which you consider both the common good and fundamental principles you hold to be true when crafting your message directly relates to how your message will affect others.

The ethical communicator is egalitarian

- The word "egalitarian" comes from the root "equal." To be egalitarian is to believe in basic equality: that all people should share equally in the benefits and burdens of a society. It means that everyone is entitled to the same respect, expectations, access to information, and rewards of participation in a group. To communicate in an egalitarian manner, speak and write in a way that is comprehensible and relevant to all your listeners or readers, not just those who are "like you" in terms of age, gender, race or ethnicity, or other characteristics. An egalitarian communicator seeks to unify the audience by using ideas and language that are appropriate for all the message's readers or listeners.

Asynchronous

- The written word allows for a dynamic communication process between source and receiver, but is often asynchronous, meaning that it occurs at different time

Understanding

- To perceive, to interpret, and to relate our perception and interpretation to what we already know

Ethical communicator is trustworthy

- Trust is a key component in communication, and this is especially true in business. Your goal as a communicator is to build a healthy relationship with your audience, and to do that you must show them why they can trust you and why the information you are about to give them is believable. One way to do this is to begin your message by providing some information about your qualifications and background, your interest in the topic, or your reasons for communicating at this particular time. Your audience will expect that what you say is the truth as you understand it. This means that you have not intentionally omitted, deleted, or taken information out of context simply to prove your points. Being worthy of trust is something you earn with an audience.

The Golden Rule

- When in doubt, remember the "golden rule," which says to treat others the way you would like to be treated. In all its many forms, the golden rule incorporates human kindness, cooperation, and reciprocity across cultures, languages, backgrounds and interests. Regardless of where you travel, who you communicate with, or what your audience is like, remember how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of your communication, and act accordingly.

Principles of written communication

- Words are inherently abstract: Concrete terms are often easier to agree on, understand, or at least define the common characteristics of. Abstract terms can easily become even more abstract with extended discussions, and the conversational partners may never agree on a common definition or even a range of understanding. Concrete terms serve to clarify your writing and more accurately communicate your intended meaning to the receiver. While all words are abstractions, some are more so than others. To promote effective communication, choose words that can be easily referenced and understood. -Words are governed by rules: The better you know your audience and context, the better you can anticipate and incorporate the rules of how, what, and when to use specific words and terms. All words are governed by rules, and the rules are vastly different from one language and culture to another. A famous example is the decision by Chevrolet to give the name "Nova" to one of its cars. In English, nova is recognized as coming from Latin meaning "new"; for those who have studied astronomy, it also refers to a type of star. When the Chevy Nova was introduced in Latin America, however, it was immediately ridiculed as the "car that doesn't go." Why? Because "no va" literally means "doesn't go" in Spanish. - Words shape our reality: Aristotle is famous for many things, including his questioning of whether the table you can see, feel, or use is real (Aristotle, 1941). In business communication, our goal of clear and concise communication involves anticipation of this inability to label a color or describe the function of an antique tool by constructing meaning. Anticipating the language that the reader may reasonably be expected to know, as well as unfamiliar terms, enables the writer to communicate in a way that describes with common reference points while illustrating the new, interesting, or unusual. Promoting understanding and limiting misinterpretations are key goals of the effective business communicator. - Words and your legal responsibility: plagiarism, using someone else's writing without giving credit to the source. Whether the "cribbed" material is taken from a printed book, a Web site, or a blog, plagiarism is a violation of copyright law and may also violate your company policies. Industry standards often have legal aspects that must be respected and cannot be ignored. For the writer this can be a challenge, but it can be a fun challenge with rewarding results. Libel is the written form of defamation, or a false statement that damages a reputation. If a false statement of fact that concerns and harms the person defamed is published—including publication in a digital or online environment—the author of that statement may be sued for libel. If the person defamed is a public figure, they must prove malice or the intention to do harm, but if the victim is a private person, libel applies even if the offense cannot be proven to be malicious. Under the First Amendment you have a right to express your opinion, but the words you use and how you use them, including the context, are relevant to their interpretation as opinion versus fact. Always be careful to qualify what you write and to do no harm.

Self-concept

- Your sense of self and awareness of who you are in many ways

Intrapersonal communication extended

- can be defined as communication with one's self, and that may include self-talk, acts of imagination and visualization, and even recall and memory

Egocentrism

- can be defined as the use of self-centered standards to determine what to believe and what to reject.

Compiling

- involves composing your document out of materials from other documents or sources.

Nonverbal communication

- involves how you say them—your tone of voice, your facial expression, body language, and so forth. Written communication also involves verbal and nonverbal dimensions. The words you choose are the verbal dimension. How you portray or display them is the nonverbal dimension, which can include the medium (e-mail or a printed document), the typeface or font, or the appearance of your signature on a letter.

Production

- involves the act of creating your document from the elements you have gathered.

Verbal communication

- involves the words you say

Exposure

- involves your condition of being presented views, ideas, or experiences made known to you through direct experience.

Incubation

- is the process by which you cause an idea or ideas to develop in your mind.

Revision

- is the process by which you look over again in order to correct or improve your message.

Cognate strategies

- or ways of promoting understanding (Kostelnick & Roberts, 1998), developed in recent decades by Charles Kostelnick and David Rogers. Like rhetorical elements, cognate strategies can be applied to public speaking, but they are also useful in developing good writing

Assimilation and accommodation

- refer to the processes by which you assimilate (or integrate) new ideas into your thinking patterns and accommodate (or adopt, adapt, or filter out) new sources of information as they relate to your goal.

Incorporation

- refers to the process by which you bring the information into a whole or complete topic. By now you have investigated, chosen some information over others, and have started to see how the pieces will come together. Your perceptions of how the elements come together will form the basis for your development of the organization of your document. It will contribute to the logos, or logic, of your thought and its representation in your document, and help you produce a coherent, organized message that your audience can follow clearly.

Internal monologue

- refers to the self-talk of intrapersonal communication. It can be a running monologue that is rational and reasonable, or disorganized and illogical. It can interfere with listening to others, impede your ability to focus, and become a barrier to effective communication. One principle of communication is that interaction is always dynamic and changing. That interaction can be internal, as in intrapersonal communication, but can also be external. We may communicate with one other person and engage in interpersonal communication. If we engage two or more individuals (up to eight normally), group communication is the result. More than eight normally results in subdivisions within the group and a reversion to smaller groups of three to four members (McLean, S., 2005) due to the ever-increasing complexity of the communication process. With each new person comes a multiplier effect on the number of possible interactions, and for many that means the need to establish limits.

Sensitivity

- refers to your capacity to respond to stimulation, being excited, responsive or susceptible to new information. This starts with a self-inventory of your current or past interests and activities. If you are intrigued by a topic or area of interest, your enthusiasm will carry through to your document and make it more stimulating for your reading audience.

Meta search

- returning search results from several search engines at once.

Critical thinking extended

- self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking". It is the difference between watching television in a daze versus analyzing a movie with attention to its use of lighting, camera angles, and music to influence the audience. One activity requires very little mental effort, while the other requires attention to detail, the ability to compare and contrast, and sharp senses to receive all the stimuli. critical thinking requires established standards and attention to their use, effective communication, problem solving, and a willingness to acknowledge and address our own tendency for confirmation bias, egocentrism, and sociocentrism. We'll use the phrase "habit of mind" because clear, critical thinking is a habit that requires effort and persistence.

Credibility

- the perception of integrity of the message based on an association with the source, is central to any communication act.

Written communication from a goals perspective

- where specific documents address stated (or unstated) goals and have rules, customs, and formats that are anticipated and expected. Violations of these rules, customs, or formats—whether intentional or unintentional—can also have a negative impact on the way your document is received.

Communication as a transactional process

-Actions often happening at the same time. The distinction between source and receiver is blurred in conversational turn-taking

Intrapersonal communication

-Involves one person, often called self talk. As we use language to reflect on our own experiences, we talk ourselves through situations.

Interpersonal communication

-Normally involves two people, and can range from intimate and very personal to formal and impersonal.

Communication as a constructivist model

-We focus on the negotiated meaning, or common ground when trying to describe communication

Preparation

-includes organization, clarity, and being concise and punctual. Being prepared means that you have selected a topic appropriate to your audience, gathered enough information to cover the topic well, put your information into a logical sequence, and considered how best to present it. If your communication is a written one, you have written an outline and at least one rough draft, read it over to improve your writing and correct errors, and sought feedback where appropriate. If your communication is oral, you have practiced several times before your actual performance.

National association of colleges and employers top five personal qualities or skills potential employers seek

1. Communication skills (verbal and written) 2. Strong work ethic 3. Teamwork skills (works well with others, group communication) 4. Initiative 5. Analytical skills

Eight essential components of communication extended

1. Source A source creates and communicates a message. Jay makes a telephone call to Heather. Jay writes an e-mail to Heather. 2. Receiver A receiver receives the message from the source. Heather listens to Jay. Heather reads Jay's e-mail. 3. Message The message is the stimulus or meaning produced by the source for the receiver. Jay asks Heather to participate in a conference call at 3:15. Jay's e-mail asks Heather to participate in a conference call at 3:15. 4. Channel A channel is the way a message travels between source and receiver. The channel is the telephone. The channel is e-mail. 5. Feedback Feedback is the message the receiver sends in response to the source. Heather says yes. Heather replies with an e-mail saying yes. 6. Environment The environment is the physical atmosphere where the communication occurs. Heather is traveling by train on a business trip when she receives Jay's phone call. Heather is at her desk when she receives Jay's e-mail. 7. Context The context involves the psychological expectations of the source and receiver. Heather expects Jay to send an e-mail with the call-in information for the call. Jay expects to do so, and does. Heather expects Jay to dial and connect the call. Jay expects Heather to check her e-mail for the call-in information so that she can join the call. 8. Interference Also known as noise, interference is anything that blocks or distorts the communication process. Heather calls in at 3:15, but she has missed the call because she forgot that she is in a different time zone from Jay. Heather waits for a phone call from Jay at 3:15, but he doesn't call.

10 Best Websites To Help Improve Your Grammar:

1. The prowritingaid blog 2. Writing Forward 3. 5 minute English 4. Grammar girl: quick and dirty tips 5. Daily grammar 6. Lousy writer 7. The Purdue online writing lab (OWL) 8. FluentU 9. English grammar 101 10. Grammar ninja

Eight essential components of communication

Each of these eight components serves an integral function in the overall process. 1. Source- Imagines, creates, and sends the message. Also can convey a message through tone of voice, body language, and choice of clothing. Begins by determining the message: what to say and how to say it. Second step is to encode the message by choosing the right order or the perfect words to convey the intended meaning. Third step is to present or send the information to the receiver or audience. After watching the audience's reaction, the source perceives how well they received the message and responds with clarification or supporting information. 2. Message- The stimulus or meaning by the source for the receiver or audience. The words are brought together with grammar and organization. Message also consists with the way you say it: speech, tone of voice, body language, and appearance. Also in a report with writing style, punctuation, and the headings and format you choose. May also be the environment or context your present it in and the noise that might make it hard to hear. 3. Channel- The way in which your message travels between source and receiver. 4. Receiver- Receives the message from the source, analyzing and interpreting the message in ways both intended and unintended by the source. 5. Feedback- Messages the receiver sends back to the source whether intentionally or unintentionally. Can be verbal or non verbal. 6. Environment- The atmosphere, physical and psychological, where you send and receive messages. 7. Context- involves the setting, scene, and expectations of the individuals involved. 8. Interference- Also called noise, can come from any source. Anything that blocks or changes the source's intended meaning of the message. Physiological noise is when your thoughts occupy your attention when you are hearing or reading a message.

Malows hierarchy of needs

Physiological level one: We need the resources listed in level one (i.e., air, food, and water) to survive. Safety Level two: safety. We want to make sure we are safe and that our access to air, food, and water is secure. A job may represent this level of safety at its most basic level. Regardless of how much satisfaction you may receive from a job well done, a paycheck ultimately represents meeting basic needs for many. Still, for others, sacrifice is part of the job. Can you think of any professions that require individuals to make decisions where the safety of others comes first? "First responders" and others who work in public safety often place themselves at risk for the benefit of those they serve. Love belonging Level three: If we feel safe and secure, we are more likely to seek the companionship of others. Esteem Level four: Your self-esteem (level four) improved as you perceived a sense of belonging, but still may have lacked the courage to speak up. Level five: You are now looked up to by others and by yourself within the role, with your ability to make a difference. Maslow calls this "self-actualization" (level five), and discusses how people come to perceive a sense of control or empowerment over their context and environment. Level six: Maslow recognizes our innate need to know (level six) that drives us to grow and learn, explore our environment, or engage in new experiences. Level seven: We can take in beauty for its own sake, and value aesthetics (level seven) that we previously ignored or had little time to consider.