Communication Paper Case

Communication Paper

Demetrius McCain

SOC/110

Ashleigh Graham

9/15/2014

 Communication plays a major role in our lives every day.  There are many ways that we may choose to communicate with each such as   the use of the phone, writing letters, face to face interaction, text messages, emails, video chat, smoke signals, sign language, or even body language. We use communication in many different ways in order to express ourselves or speak to others.  These are many ways that we use every day to communicate with people around us.  

Communication is broken down into two different sections Verbal and Non Verbal communication. Verbal communication is defined as the way we speak with our words and language (Engleberg & Wynn, 2013, "Two Essential Tools").  Examples of verbal communication would be face-to-face interaction, Phone calls, and faxes.  Nonverbal communication is defined as the way we communicate without sound. Examples of this would be body language, hand gestures, facial expressions and even posture (Mikoluk, 2013).

Communication may not be always heard, but rather seen.  Knowledge of nonverbal communication can help you to communicate better with others.  For example if you are in a public place and you see someone who looks upset and slouched over you would assume that the person is mad or that they are having a bad day and that it would be in  your best interest to not try and bother them .  This would be an example of body language because you are reading signals that the body is giving off.  If you learn these behaviors you would be able to communicate effectively with other people.  Looking at Facial expressions could also help you communicate better with others but in my opinion I feel that you have to be careful when judging people by their facial expressions.  You could assume that they are upset or frustrated but that look could be one of concernment or being focused.  Hand gestures is also a way of nonverbal communication and is use to communicate as well. Hand gestures are mostly used when someone is deaf is trying to communicate with someone. These hand gestures may be sign language, these hand gestures could also be used to be in agreement with someone or to let someone know that you are trying to get their attention. Learning nonverbal communication will definitely help you advance your communication skills.