Types of

CommunicationELM Workshop

Verb

al

Com

munic

ati

on

Verbal communication

is the spoken word, either face-to-face or

through phone, voice

chat, video conferencing or any other medium. Oral communication finds

use in discussions and

causal and informal conversations.

Verb

al

Com

munic

ati

on

Verbal communication

makes the process of

conveying thoughts easier and faster, and

it remains the most successful form of communication. Yet,

this makes up only seven percent of all human communication!

Writte

n

Com

munica

tionWritte

n

communication

includes traditional pen

and paper letters and

documents, typed

electronic documents, e-

mails, text chats, SMS

and anything else

conveyed through written

symbols such as

language.

Writte

n

Com

munica

tionThe effectiveness of

written communication

depends on the writing

style, grammar,

vocabulary, and clarity

Phys

ical

Com

munic

ati

on

Physical nonverbal

communication, or

body language, includes facial expressions, eye contact, body posture,

gestures such as a wave, pointed finger

and the like, overall body movements, tone of voice, touch,

and others.

Phys

ical

Com

munic

ati

on

Facial expressions are the

most common among all

nonverbal communication.

For instance, a smile or a

frown conveys distinct

emotions hard to express

through verbal communication. Research

estimates that body language, including facial

expressions, account for

55 percent of all communication.

Visu

al

Com

munica

tionVisual communication is

communication through

visual aids such as signs,

typography, drawing,

graphic design,

illustration, color and

other electronic

resources.

Visu

al

Com

munica

tionVisual communication

with graphs and charts

usually reinforces written

communication, and can

in many case replace

written communication

altogether. Technological

developments have

made expressing visual

communications much

easier than before.

Clo

sing

A good understanding

of the different types

of communication and

communication styles

can help you know and deal with people

better, clear up misunderstandings and misconceptions,

and contribute to success.