Communication is a very important aspect of human life. It is a process that occurs on a daily basis. However, there are barriers that arise to effective communication. This essay focuses on how these barriers can be eliminated in order to enhance positive communication.
1. The seven elements of communication are as follows: the speaker who is the source of the message. He has to be there for efficiency. The message itself which has to be clear and the channel of communication which should be effective. There is the listener who should be good at listening due to effective listening skills. There is the feedback which is delivered by the listener after processing the information, and the interface is the medium in which the listener and speaker correspond. The last element is the situation which is the context under which communication takes place (Anon., 2012). These elements if well combined comprise of effective communication.
2. Hearing is just the act of perceiving sounds through the ears. It is involuntary and just happens in daily life. Listening is voluntary and involves the individual deciding to listen carefully to the words and sentences and interpreting them effectively. In order to improve listening skills, an individual should learn some aspects such as keeping eye contact, listening carefully and asking for clarification where some issues are not clear. Through such a process, it can be much easier to be an effective listener and hence the communication process becomes more effective. Another skill is to let the speaker finish what he has to say before interjecting. Otherwise, interrupting the speaker midway can alter the message.
3. The four methods of delivering oral presentation are as follows. Verbatim speaking or the use of manuscript which involves writing out the speech or presentation word for word on a piece of paper. This is important when presenting facts or statistical information. There is memorized speaking which is more or less like verbatim speaking but with the exception of the script. This is effective when there is the need to keep eye contact. It also enables the speaker to use body language and gestures more effectively. Extemporaneous speaking is another aspect which involves delivering the speech from cards or an outline. This helps to make the communication very spontaneous, hence it flows effectively. The fourth method is the impromptu speaking which is a form of speech delivered with no prior preparation. Rather, it is given when an individual feels compelled to speak and there is an audience, such as in a meeting (Anon., 2012).
4. There are various ways through which the body can be used to enhance communication. For instance, it should be loud enough for everyone in the audience to get it. The tone should also be moderate and the word frequency should give the audience time to grasp the message. There should be the proper pauses at the right time and also discourses to mark the presentation. The body language is also an effective aspect. There should be effective use of gestures so that some of the points can be asserted. The posture should also be right so that the speaker exudes confidence in the subject, which develops the audience confidence in him. Sincere eye contact is also very crucial as it helps in capturing the attention of the crowd.
