LIS4022 - Basics of Communication

Seriously, Communication is amazingly cool and weird

• The PRACTICE of Communication
• The PURPOSE of Communication
• Types of Communication

IF I SAY....

IF I SAY....

What is Communication?

Compare and contrast to "Animals?"

What is Communication?

Humans, by contrast, can engage in deep *abstraction.*
i.e.
We love dogs, but try explaining the concept of "tomorrow" to one.

Abstraction and Language

26 Letters, rearranged =
Every great thing ever written
36 characters even better...

Abstraction and Language

Speaking of. Ones and Zeros
Are computer languages "languages?"

How does it work?

"Does a tree falling in the forest make a sound?"

How does it work?

Communications Process Model

What is the PURPOSE of HUMAN communication?

For "relaying information" or something else?

What is communication?

Communication "meaning"
vs.
Communication DOING.

What is communication?

AKA
Language as FUNCTIONAL,
Not merely DESCRIPTIVE.

Making things happen with words

which, if you think about it,
is quite a bit of what "work" is.

Making things happen with words

which, if you think about it,
is quite a bit of what "work" is.
(there is no big red button.
it's a TELEPHONE)

Making things happen with words

Both
LAW
and
Computer Programming
are Prime examples of this.

On Writing

Much School Writing:

• Intro/Thesis
• Paragraph 1
• Paragraph 2
• Paragraph 3

Much School Writing:

• Say what you're gonna say
• Say it
• Say it some more
• Say it even more
• Say what you just said

Journalistic/Newspaper Writing?

Journalistic/Newspaper Writing?

"Inverted Pyramid"

HEADLINE

Opener

Major Detail

Minor Detail, etc.

Internal v External Communication: Internal