CATEGORIES OF COMMUNICATION

FORMAL COMMUNICATION

-Formal communication is a communication system where communication between sender and recipients is based
on the officially designated channels and systems. In an organizational, business and formal environment, formal
communication is described as the sending and receiving of official documents, letters, memos, reports, policy
manuals, etc. It is backed by the authorized organizational structures and guidelines to ensure that everyone in the
organization understands them.

Three types of formal communication are vertical, horizontal and diagonal.

Downward communication:
Communication in the first place, flows downwards. That is why, traditionally this direction has been highlighted or
emphasised.

Upward communication:
The function of upward communication is to send information, suggestions, complaints and grievances of the lower
level workers to the managers above.

Lateral or horizontal communication:

This type of communication can be seen taking place between persons operating at the same level or working under
the same executive.

Diagonal or crosswise communication:

Diagonal or crosswise communication takes place when people working at the same level interact with those working
at a higher or lower-level of organisational hierarchy and across the boundaries of their reporting relationships.

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION

-Informal communication that is also called as grapevine is typically used for personal communication with friends
and family members. It is usually held in face to face communication or talking with someone over a telephone call or
message. As compared to formal communication, it has no official recognition at all and not backed by any specified
communication principles of an organization.

KEY EXAMPLES

The commons examples of formal communication are business letters, memos, contracts, agreements, and reports.
The common examples of informal communication are face to face discussions and telephone calls.

KINDS OF COMMUNICATION

Written communication includes traditional pen and paper letters and documents, typed electronic documents, e-
mails, text chats, SMS and anything else conveyed through written symbols such as language.

Oral Communication

The other form of verbal communication is the spoken word, either face-to-face or through phone, voice chat, video
conferencing or any other medium. Various forms of informal communications such as the grapevine or informal
rumor mill, and formal communications such as lectures, conferences are forms of oral communication.

Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication entails communicating by sending and receiving wordless messages. These messages
usually reinforce verbal communication, but they can also convey thoughts and feelings on their own

Physical nonverbal communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, eye contact, body posture,
gestures such as a wave, pointed finger and the like, overall body movements, tone of voice, touch, and others.
10 COMMANDMENTS

Seek to clarify your ideas before communicating- analyze clearer

Examine the true purpose of each communication- ask your self first what really you want to accomplish in the message

Consider the total physical and human setting whenever you communicate-for example, your sense of timing, the social
climate that pervades work relationships within the company or department and sets the tone of its communications

Consult with others, where appropriate, in planning communications-ask some insight consultation

Be mindful, while you communicate, of the overtones as well as the basic content of your message-Your tone of voice, your
expression, and your apparent receptiveness to the responses of others

Take the opportunity, when it arises, to convey something of help or value to the receiver-Consideration of the other
person's interests and needs

Follow up your communication-This you can do by asking questions, by encouraging the receiver to express his or her
reactions, by follow-up contacts, and by a subsequent review of performance.

Communicate for tomorrow as well as today- While communications may be aimed primarily at meeting the demands of an
immediate situation

Be sure your actions support your communications-In the final analysis, the most persuasive kind of communication is not
what you say but what you do.

Seek not only to be understood but to understand -. Be a good listener. When we start talking we often cease to listen