Understanding a printed text.

II. The following passage introduces the topic of maintaining good communication between people. Look at the way the passage is constructed, paying attention to the headings. Then read the text carefully, looking up anything you do not understand

And answer the questions given below.

Two-way 1. Communication is a two-way process. It is not complete

communication until the message has been received and understood. The

extend to which the message is understood is more

important than the way or form in which it is sent. This

means that the transmission of messages should always

be in the form best understood by the person receiving

them. Some things are better said, some best written

down. The principle is repeated: think first, last and all

the time about the recipient or audience or reader. Adjust

the writing, the speaking and arithmetic to suit him. And

if pictures will help, give him a picture.

Methods of communication.

Communication 2. Fundamentally, man communicates by sight or by

modes sound, but within those categories there are others. We

can define the communication modes as:

verbal – the written word

oral - the spoken word

visual – the illustration, and

numerical – the written and interpreted number

electronic – using a computer

Within the above categories, there are the receivers of the

messages. For every writer there must be a reader, for

every speaker a listener, and for every artist a viewer.

When does 3. We have already explained that communication is not

communication made until it is received and understood. The prime

take place? essential in any form of communication is therefore to

know the audience. It is important to accept the concept

that people tend to receive – to hear, to read or to see-

very largely only what they want to receive. They seek

out what is expected and what is familiar while trying

to ignore or reject what is new. Every communication

should be made with that thought in mind. The answer is

to ensure that every message is clear, simple and –as far

as possible – unambiguous. However, no matter how

much the sender of the message may try, the taking of that

message depends on the past experience (training) of the

recipient. This characteristic can be partially allowed for

in the communication process – by departing from the

well-known and moving in short, simple steps towards

the really new.

The purpose of 4. It is important to know that for any communication

communication to be worth while, it must have a purpose- and that

purpose is always persuasion. This is not to say that there

are no purposeless communications: there are too many,

but they are usually of little value to anyone. Every

genuine communication seeks to influence the recipient.

It may seek to persuade him to take some course of

action, to make a decision one way or another, or merely

to apply his mind to accepting more information.

5. We can define the fundamental principle of communication as:

write or speak clearly and simply so that the reader or

listener can easily understand.

Check your understanding.

1. How can you define the communication process?

2. What is more important to remember about messages?

3. What principle is recommended?

4. Is it best always to write down thing?

5. What are the five modes of communication used by man?

6. When do you think the communication takes place?

7. What do people tend to hear or to read?

8. What is the essential purpose of any communication?

9. Are there purposeless communications?

10. What is meant by ‘purposeless communication’?

11. How should you write or speak to your audience?

12. Should you think about yourself or the people you are communicating with?

III Read the following information about communication and decide which tips

are good and which tips you disagree with.

Do to others as you would be done by.

1. Communicate only when you have something worth while to say.

2. Don’t write or speak at greater length than it is necessary to convey the

message.

3. Write in such a way that the reader will find it easy to read.

4. Read carefully, concentrating on absorbing and understanding the writer’s

message.

5. Speak in the language of you listeners – but never ‘talk down’

6. Listen attentively to a speaker and avoid mind-wandering.

7. Help a speaker to feel at ease; encourage him to speak.

8. Where helpful, supplement words with pictures.

9. Watch speakers and listeners for ‘non-verbal’ signals.

10. Explain mathematical information with summaries, words and pictures.