What element of communication refers to the means for the information to be sent?

The process of exchange of ideas, views, facts, feelings, etc., between two or more persons in order to reach a common understanding is known as Communication.  

“Communication is the sum of all things, a person does when he wants to create an understanding in the minds of another. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding” – Louis Allen

“Communication is a process by which people create and share information with one another in order to reach common understanding” – Rogers

Elements of Communication Process

In the process of communication, at least two persons are required: Sender and Receiver. The process of communication begins when a sender wishes to convey some idea, facts, information or opinion to the receiver. The idea is conceived by the sender and is put in such terms that can be conveyed. He decides the channel of communication and conveys the idea. The idea is received by the receiver and after understanding the idea, action is taken according to the information or direction received from the source.

The process of communication involves the following steps:

1. Sender: The person who conveys his thoughts, message or ideas to the receiver is known as the sender. He is at the starting point of the communication system and represents the source of communication.

2. Message: The subject matter of communication is termed as messages. It includes ideas, feelings, suggestions, order, etc., which a sender wants to convey to the receiver. 

3. Encoding: The process of converting messages into communication symbols, which may be understood by the receiver. It includes words, pictures, gestures, symbols, etc. Encoding translates the internal thought of the sender into a language which can be understandable.

4. Media: The path, channel or medium through which encoded message is transmitted to the receiver is known as media. It is the carrier of the message. It can be in written form, face to face, through telephone,  letter, internet, etc.

5. Decoding: The process of translating the encoded message into an effective language, which can be understood by the receiver is known as decoding. In this, the encoded symbols of the sender are converted. 

6. Receiver: The person who receives the message of the sender is known as the receiver. 

7. Feedback: In order to complete the process of communication, feedback is essential. The process of reversal of communication in which the receiver expresses his reaction to the sender of the message is known as feedback. Feedback ensures that the receiver has received and understood the message. 

8. Noise: Any construction or hindrance which hampers the communication process is known as noise. The hindrance may be caused to the sender, message or receiver. It acts as a barrier to effective communication and because of this message is interpreted differently by the receiver. Disturbance in the telephone line, inattentive receiver, faulty decoding, poor internet connection, improper gestures and postures, etc., are some examples of noise.

Chapter 1: Professional Business Communication

The communication process can be broken down into a series of eight essential components, each of which serves an integral function in the overall process:

1. Source
2. Message
3. Channel
4. Receiver
5. Feedback
6. Environment
7. Context
8. Interference

Source

The source imagines, creates, and sends the message. The source encodes the message by choosing just the right order or the best words to convey the intended meaning, and presents or sends the information to the audience (receiver). By watching for the audience’s reaction, the source perceives how well they received the message and responds with clarification or supporting information.

Message

“The message is the stimulus or meaning produced by the source for the receiver or audience” (McLean, 2005). The message brings together words to convey meaning, but is also about how it’s conveyed — through nonverbal cues, organization, grammar, style, and other elements.

Channel

“The channel is the way in which a message or messages travel between source and receiver.” (McLean, 2005). Spoken channels include face-to-face conversations, speeches, phone conversations and voicemail messages, radio, public address systems, and Skype. Written channels include letters, memorandums, purchase orders, invoices, newspaper and magazine articles, blogs, email, text messages, tweets, and so forth.

Receiver

“The receiver receives the message from the source, analyzing and interpreting the message in ways both intended and unintended by the source” (McLean, 2005).

Feedback

When you respond to the source, intentionally or unintentionally, you are giving feedback. Feedback is composed of messages the receiver sends back to the source. Verbal or nonverbal, all these feedback signals allow the source to see how well, how accurately (or how poorly and inaccurately) the message was received (Leavitt & Mueller, 1951).

Environment

“The environment is the atmosphere, physical and psychological, where you send and receive messages” (McLean, 2005). Surroundings, people, animals, technology, can all influence your communication.

Context

“The context of the communication interaction involves the setting, scene, and expectations of the individuals involved” (McLean, 2005). A professional communication context may involve business suits (environmental cues) that directly or indirectly influence expectations of language and behaviour among the participants.

Interference

Interference, also called noise, can come from any source. “Interference is anything that blocks or changes the source’s intended meaning of the message” (McLean, 2005). This can be external or internal/psychological. Noise interferes with normal encoding and decoding of the message carried by the channel between source and receiver.

What element of the communication process refers to the means by which the message is sent?

Channel. The channel is very simply the means through which the message travels. In face-to-face communication the channel involves all of our senses, so the channel is what we see, hear, touch, smell and perhaps what we taste.

What elements of communication refer to the source of information or message?

The "source" is the sender of the message – in other words, you! And the "message" refers to the information and ideas that you want to deliver. You need to be clear about what message you want to communicate, and why it's important – what's its main purpose?

What are the elements of the communication?

The communication process involves understanding, sharing, and meaning, and it consists of eight essential elements: source, message, channel, receiver, feedback, environment, context, and interference.

What element of communication is also called as sender?

In the communication process, the sender is the individual who initiates a message and is also called the communicator or source of communication. The sender might be a speaker, a writer, or someone who merely gestures.