Overview
People communicate millions of messages every day with words, body language and visual effects. Communication is the cornerstone of relationships, technology and business; it is what allows the world to continue to develop and progress. There are two main categories in communication: verbal and nonverbal. Verbal communication uses words to communicate a message, emotion or idea. Nonverbal communication uses such things as physical touch, body language and voice inflection.
Effectiveness
Effective verbal communication is essential to getting your message across. In effective verbal communication, your listener understands clearly the message you are trying to deliver. There is no possibility of misinterpretation or misunderstanding. In order to be an effective verbal communicator, you need to train your mind to think accurately, logically and quickly.
Choice of Words
Making the right word choices can greatly improve your verbal communication. Choose your words carefully to make your communication clear and unambiguous. Avoid using words that have multiple meanings or that are not clearly defined. Use words your listener can understand.
Nonverbal Agreements
All verbal communication should agree with the nonverbal communication in a conversation. For example, if a wife tells her husband that she cherishes and loves him but then completely ignores him for the following week, her nonverbal actions disagree with her verbal communication. If the nonverbal communication contradicts the verbal, it can cause a lot of frustration and confusion in interpersonal or organizational relationships.
Questions
An effective way to to gain clarity in verbal communication is to ask questions. If any confusion arises during verbal communication, ask questions in an attempt to gain clarity. Asking questions allows you to dig for clues in the overall message that the other party is attempting to communicate.
Personal Responsibility
According to professional trainer and speaker Della Manchella, only about 10 percent of our words get through to our listeners. It is the responsibility of the person who is speaking to make sure the audience clearly understands what he is saying. This is why a public speaker or someone making a presentation often uses analogies, object lessons and pictures. Ask questions to ensure that your audience understands your message.
About this Author
Dawn Smith is college educated and has been professionally writing since 2005 for various publications. She is currently a freelance writer and has written for several online publications, including eHow and Trails.com. Smith is also a registered nurse with a B.S.N. who has worked with internal medicine doctors most of her medical career.
