Key Points
- Verbal communication involves conveying a message through words, whether they are spoken or written.
- Nonverbal communication involves gestures, body language, facial expressions, or eye contact.
- Nonverbal communication is important to convey a message.
- Face impressions can convey messages more effectively and reinforce the meaning of verbal communication.
Communication is an interaction with other people to exchange ideas. This is one of the important soft skills that helps to excel in a career. Communication involves multiple means, including speaking, writing, and nonverbal communication. This blog has a main focus on different types of communication skills to make sure you deliver an exact message through your communication.
There are two main types of communication: verbal and nonverbal. In this blog, we will discuss their differences and their importance so that the transfer of information can be improved.
Types of Communication
The main types of communication involve verbal and nonverbal communication
1. Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is considered to be the delivery of a message or the transfer of information through words between two or more people. This communication can be in spoken or written form. This is the most understandable mode of communication and one of the most powerful communication tools in the toolbox.
Types of Verbal Communication
There are multiple types of verbal communication. We will explain these types in comparison form.
- Spoken and Written Communication
Spoken communication is a type of verbal communication in which information is transferred in the form of words via speaking. In written communication, the transfer of information takes place through written words.
Spoken communication is more understandable than written communication in most cases. For example, you can read books, but teachers can elaborate on them very well. If you give notes to a classmate and tell him more clearly about them via speaking, this can be a much better form of understanding as compared to spoken communication.
Different types of communication have their own benefits and disadvantages. For example, if you want to contact one of your old friends or ask your teacher about something, you can send them an email or call them at their contact number. You need to choose the most beneficial type of communication for you.
- Formal and Informal Communication
Formal communication involves official communication, including business reports, emails, and business letters. Most of the time, it is in written form. But business communication has an official tone and is formal in both written and spoken form.
While informal communication involves a spoken form of communication in an unofficial tone, When you talk to some people in a normal tone without being so professional, your type of communication is informal.
- Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication
Synchronous communication is real-time, immediate communication. For example, two people are talking face-to-face or via phone. In this type of communication, the transfer of messages takes no time.
While asynchronous communication takes time to transmit messages and get answers, This is not an immediate form of communication. This communication involves messages, emails, or letters.
- Recorded and Unrecorded Communication
Recorded communication is the type of communication in which information is recorded for later transfer, while unrecorded communication involves direct information transfer without recording.
Why is Spoken Communication the Best?
A speech, a meeting, or a chat can all be examples of spoken communication. One of the main advantages of spoken communication is that it incorporates feedback from all facets of the social communication model. You speak your ideas aloud, then wait for your listeners to interpret and process the meaning. You can immediately solicit comments to make sure your message is understood.
Spoken communication is a breath of fresh air in a world where we communicate primarily via text and email. Make use of oral communication’s ability to build relationships. When you communicate with an audience, you can build rapport and trust. You can develop a closer, more emotional connection with your listeners through spoken communication.
By addressing concerns and dispelling misconceptions, spoken communication also facilitates understanding because it allows you to modify your message in real time in response to audience feedback. When you communicate using spoken words, you may leave a conversation knowing that your point was understood.
Verbal communication can be more effective if mixed with nonverbal communication like nodding or facial expressions.
2. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication is a form of communication without words. This includes body language, facial expressions, and acts that help you transfer information through verbal communication. Nonverbal communication reinforces the message and makes verbal communication more effective.
According to research, in a conversation, 35% of communication is verbal, and the other 65% includes only nonverbal communication. This is not completely true because it depends on the type of conversation. But the importance of nonverbal communication cannot be denied because it makes the communication complete and helps to transfer messages properly.
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Here are the important types of nonverbal communication and their importance.
- Gestures
During speaking, making strong gestures improves your communication and helps to make your message more effective. Strong gestures make your message more clear and help you figure out the main point you want to convey to your listener. For example, moving towards your employee to show appreciation or making a fist to express annoyance or rage can help you engage your audience more when you talk.
- Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are the main way to make your communication effective. For example, if your friend tells you that he is happy, his facial expressions can better communicate whether he is happy or sad. Facial expressions can communicate feelings and emotions without the support of verbal communication.
- Touch
Nonverbal gestures like shaking hands or placing your hand on an audience member’s shoulder might have an impact on how well your message is received. In addition to conveying love, touch also conveys strength. After a job interview, consider the messages a candidate may convey with a shaky handshake as opposed to a firm one.
- Eye Contact
Making eye contact and maintaining it throughout the communication with your audience, whether you are speaking or listening, shows your interest in the communication. Strong eye contact helps you showcase your honesty to other groups or parties.
- Proximity
Your speaking position in relation to your audience conveys information nonverbally. Your nonverbal cues may come off as frightening if you are large and place a small amount of space between you and your audience. Giving someone too much space, on the other hand, is an odd nonverbal cue that could mislead your audience.
- Appearance
Your clothes, jewelry, shows, and hairstyle are also major parts of nonverbal communication. Short earrings or little tops show elegance and are more preferable to wear in an interview instead of long earrings. The color and style of your clothes and shoes are also the main ways to communicate about your personality.
Nonverbal communication not only helps in effective communication but also tells about your personality. You can increase the effect of your message through nonverbal communication.
Final Words
Verbal and nonverbal communication are both important to conveying your message effectively. Words can convey information, but facial expressions leave a lasting impact and reinforce your verbal communication. Nonverbal communication gives a first impression and conveys half of your message before you speak.
Nonverbal communication is important to convey important feelings and emotions. If you are happy or sad, angry or passionate, your facial expressions tell more about it. Effective communication can be achieved by simply knowing communication cues, such as keeping eye contact and displaying body language that indicates interest in the other person’s words.
