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COMM301

Week 4: Verbal Communication & Message Design

Week 4 Summary

Week Summary

This week, we explored the power and complexity of verbal communication. We learned that language is symbolic - words are arbitrary representations with meanings we must negotiate and share. We examined how denotation (dictionary meaning) and connotation (emotional associations) both matter in our word choices, and we identified common barriers like bypassing, abstraction, and jargon that can derail our messages.

Key Takeaways

  • 1Language is symbolic - words are arbitrary representations with agreed-upon meanings
  • 2Words carry both denotative (literal) and connotative (emotional/associative) meaning
  • 3Common language barriers include bypassing, abstraction, jargon, and equivocation
  • 4Assertive communication expresses needs clearly while respecting others' rights
  • 5I-statements (behavior, feeling, impact, request) help us communicate without blame

Coming Up Next Week

Next week, we'll move from verbal to nonverbal communication - the messages we send without words. We'll explore types of nonverbal cues (body language, space, touch, voice, time) and learn how to achieve congruence between what we say and how we say it.