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Lecture#3
Elements of Communication process:

Communication is a process and as such contains many elements to enable it to happen.
Here are the elements of the communication process


1 Stimulus

This is the originating point. It is the urge that necessitates communication for the
purpose of satisfying that urge. The stronger the stimulus or the urge the greater is the
need to communicate. The greater the need to communicate, the more the need is for
effectiveness. In other words communication is a matter of effectiveness. Effectiveness
is a measure of outcome. Effective communication therefore results in the form of
desired outcome.

2 Encoding/message

The expression can be through signs and symbols. Both symbols and signs together make
the language we use to communicate. Language, both verbal and non-verbal, is thus
employed to encode the message that is intended to be communicated.. In other words
encoding means that the intended idea, thought, desire, purpose etc. gets changed in
linguistic code and they make the message. Encoding is generally done by the sender of the
message. Sender is therefore the encoder of the message.

3 Channel
Channel is the means through which the encoded message travels or gets transmitted.
The channel is the medium such as e-mail, face to face or phone conversation, letter,
presentation. The sending and feed back channels may not be necessarily the same. The
type of communication are formal and informal communication is an important aspect in
choosing the most appropriate channel for communicating effectively.

4 Decoding
Decoding of a message is as integral to communication as encoding it. Decoding is the
process of giving meaning to the encoded message. It can also be referred to as extracting
the embedded meaning or interpreting what was encoded by the sender. The ability of the
receiver in decoding the message correctly is decisive in understanding the message in its
holistic sense.

2.2.5 Receiver
A message is directed to a receiver being the eventual recipient of the message.
Communication is a matter of comprehending the sent message in its true essence and thus
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requires a certain level of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities KSA on the part of the receiver
to correctly interpret the message. The KSA of the receiver is therefore paramount in the
Successful comprehension of the message.