Communication term papers

What is Communication?

Communication is the act of conveying or sharing information. The word is derived from the Latin word "communis" which means to share.  For communication to take place, there must be a sender, information to be sent, and a recipient of the information.   Methods and modes of communication have changed significantly over time especially because of advances in technology.  One thing that has not changed over time is that strong communication skills are always important to success, whatever the endeavor or arena.

Types of Communication

There are essentially two types of communication; verbal and non-verbal.  Verbal communication refers to the verbal transmission of information.  This includes written communication. Non-verbal communication refers to the transmission of a message via 'body language' such as posture, gestures, and facial expressions.  Also, both verbal and non-verbal communication and be either formal or informal.  Formal communication is used in formal settings, such as professional  or official environments, and follows certain rules and conventions.  Informal communication is more casual and doesn't follow any lines of authority or conventions.

Communication Devices

Human civilizations have always found ways to communicate, even at the most primitive levels.  Before the written word, for example, drums and smoke signals were used to communicate long distances and some time later, hand written notes were used to communicate and delivered long distances on horseback.  The printing presss, invented in the middle ages, had an even greater impact on communication and paved the way toward mass production of books and newspapers.  After that, inventions and innovations in communication devices continued to come, with the invention of the  telegraph coming alon in the 19th century and  followed by the telephone shortly after.  The invention of radio in the early 1900s and television by the 1950s soon followed.  The most recent technological invention to burst on the scene is the Internet. It is considered one of the biggest and most important innventions ever made.

Communication Tools

There are numerous methods of communicating and they largely depend on the purpose of the communication.  In professional settings, communication can take place face-to-face, in meetings, at conferences, at formal briefings, through spokespersons, at organized events and through notices or postings.  In addition, the rapid advances in communication technology have led to new tools for communicating such as email, newsletters, web pages, blogs, videos, public service broadcasts and more.   Because of the ever-changing communication technology,  effective communication skills are vital to success in the academic, professional, and even personal spheres of our lives.  Business communication, marketing communication, mass communication, and public relations are just a very few of the professions that require developed and sophisticated communication skills.  Of course, strong communication skills are equally important in the academic arena, especially since so much writing is required of college students.  Term papers, research papers, and various essays make up a large part of the college experience, making strong communication skills  critical to academic success.  For students majoring in communication, communication essays in particular are frequent assignments.

Careers in Communication

Opportunities for people with a degree in communication are many and varied.  Management, advertising, journalism, public relations, government, politics, hi-tech, and the law are just a fraction of the job titles where a degree in communication would be valued.  Students interested in earning a degree in communication can plan on learning about organizational communications, corporate leadership, management, strategic communications and more. 

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