COMMUNICATION MODELS A Theoretical Perspective

Why study the communication models?

a) as a basis to discover the mystery of human communication; andb) to better conceptualise the written communication process.

Types of modelsModel based on Uliric Neissers WorkModel based on Micheal Polanyis Work

Claude Shannons model of communication

Encoding and decoding information is important

The process of encoding and decoding is affected by noise

This noise can interfere with information transmitted

E..g. badly printed text, static interference of radio

Shannon's model is limited for the theory of writing in that it overlooks the motives of both the sender (writer) and receiver (reader). People have reasons for writing and reading; Shannon's model does not take the reasons into account.

Roman Jakobsons Model

This model explains how written communication takes place :code (the language you write in) writer, reader, context, message contact (medium of communication)

represents spoken rather than written communicationJakobson's model helps to chart the purposes of a piece of writingmodel is limited in that it doesn't represent the discovery processes that writers engage in nor does it indicate the recursiveness of both writing and reading

Model Based On Ulric Neissers Work

Guided by our desires, needs, ideas, images of the world, etc, we explore it. Our exploration produces new information. This new information affects the needs, desires, images, etc. with which we began. Our changed needs and desires guide a new round of exploratory activity which in turn produces new information

emphasizes the exploratory and recursive nature of perceptionWe begin writing motivated by our current ideas, beliefs, motives, etc. As we write, we explore and discover information.

This new information feeds back into our starting ideas and motives, changing or reinforcing them. From this point, we can engage in another round of exploratory writing.both writing and reading as motivated, exploratory, and recursive

Model Based On Michael Polanyis Work

emphasizes the active involvement of the person in the act of knowing. highlights the importance of the "tacit dimension," - of the fact that we know more than we can say and that we often say more than we realize.

person discovers meaning in an experience. subsequently, the person writes something (a poem, a novel, an essay, a letter, a journal entry . . .) that expresses the meaning found in the experience.finally, someone reads the text and discovers meaning in it. the reader may be the writer himself or herself; the reader may be a complete stranger.

the text does not convey the original experience to the reader. instead, it conveys meaning to the reader.the meaning the reader discovers in the text may not be the meaning intended by the writer.

All these theories contribute in one way or another to the development & importance of communication, particularly in written communication.

Summary of Communication

ModelKey IdeasClaude ShannonThe encoding and decoding of information is of primary importance.Roman JakobsonThe contact is your medium of communicationUlric NeisserPerception is exploratory and recursive. We explore our world or a specific phenomenon guided by our desires, needs, ideas and images of the world.Michael PolanyiThe meaning that the reader discovers in the text may not be that is intended by the writer.

Signs, Symbols and Abbreviations important in written communicationthe meanings they convey is culture-bound, howeverIt is used to represent ideas, experiences, images, objects, feelings and concepts

Signs and symbols in written communication are often used in emails and SMSExamples are emoticons and shorthand notations

Some common emoticons:-) Basic smiley face; used for humor and sometimes sarcasm:-( Basic frowney face; used for sadness or anger;-) Half-smiley or winkey face; more often used for sarcasm:-/ Wry face; used for wry humor

Shorthand notation

Shorthand NotationMeaningGrinHugBTWby the wayIMHOin my humble/honest opinionRTMread the manual (manual here refers to anydocumentation)LOL[I] laughed out loud [at what you wrote]ROTFL[I am] rolling on the floor laughing [at what you wrote]TTFNTa-ta for nowTIAThanks in advance