What is communication? Communication is a process, which involves sharing of information between people through a continuous activity of speaking, listening, and understanding. What do we study in this course? This course will help you in improving your communication skills generally and business communication skills specifically by equipping you with the necessary proficiency and factors to be kept in mind for successful communication. What are the different elements or factors involved in the process of communication? Sender Message Channel Receiver Feedback Why studying communication or communication skills is important? Communication is a learned skill. Most people are born with the physical ability to talk. But in order to speak well and communicate effectively we have to learn the art and improve upon our ability to talk. What do we mean by noise in communication? Noise is any type of barrier that hinders the process of communication. For example, a disturbing sound in the background when two persons are talking on telephone, poor use of vocabulary, etc. What is feedback? Feedback is the receiver’s response towards a message. It is important because it helps sender analyzing the success of the whole process of communication. It may also help in identifying the barriers (if any) to communication. What is Mass Communication? Mass communication is the process of sending messages to large, public, dissimilar, anonymous, distant audiences using some intermediate instrument of transfer. What is Mass Media? Mass Media are the mediums or media used for mass communication like newspaper, magazine, radio, television, VCR, etc. What is the difference between communication and mass communication? Communication is the process of sharing information at all levels i.e. it may include person to person communication, group communication, mediated communication (e.g. talking on telephone) etc. But mass communication is specifically the sharing or transfer of information that takes place at mass level (i.e. involving large, dissimilar, anonymous audiences) via mass media.
What is probing and encoding? Probing is the fourth category of feedback in which the other person attempts to gain the additional, informative and investigating material for feedback or we can say that he tries to find out the truth. Encoding is the process of transforming information from one format into another. The opposite operation is called decoding. What is mediated communication? Mediated communication occurs when two (or a few) people use some intermediate means for carrying their messages. They do not communicate face to face and thus do not have direct feedback. Mediated communication often uses a mechanical or electrical device to transmit or receive messages. Examples include the telephone, closed-circuit television, radio, radar, and the communication satellite. Mediated communication also occurs through letters, reports, forms, and interoffice memoranda. What is the difference between mediated and mass communication? Mass communication includes messages sent to large, public, dissimilar, anonymous, distant audiences using some intermediate instrument of transfer. The instruments include electronic (for example, radio, television, tape, and film) and print (for example, newspaper, magazine, book, pamphlet, brochure, direct-mail campaign). The "mass media," as they are often called, have grown to include the print media of books, newspapers and magazines, the electronic media of television, radio, and audio/video recording, and the new media of computers and computer networks. Mediated communication occurs when two (or a few) people use some intermediate means for carrying their messages. They do not communicate face to face and thus do not have direct feedback. Mediated communication often uses a mechanical or electrical device to transmit or receive messages. Examples include the telephone, closed-circuit television, radio, radar, and the communication satellite. Mediated communication also occurs through letters, reports, forms, and interoffice memoranda. What is the difference between impromptu and extemporaneous speech? When you speak extemporaneously you are literally making up the words of your speech as you go. That does not mean that you do not do preparation. Rather, as you rehearse you work from an outline or speaker notes that remind you of the progression of ideas in your speech. The impromptu speech occurs with little or no time for preparation. There are reduced chances for analyzing the audience, and therefore organizing and encoding requires a fast-thinking speaker. Some communication experts say that an impromptu speech is delivered without any preparation or on the spur of the moment and an extemporaneous speech is given without any notes, but some thought is given to the topic. What basic characteristics distinguish nonverbal from verbal communication? Nonverbal communication is interpersonal communication through nonlinguistic means and in verbal communication we use words (in writing or spoken) to communicate. In the verbal communication process, the verbal and nonverbal messages need to be consistent
with one another; when they contradict with one another, the nonverbal message typically expresses true feelings more accurately than does the verbal element. What is the significance of body language in communication? Body language is clearly central to good communication and is particularly important when attempting to communicate across cultural and language barriers. In some cultures, the spoken word is by far the most important communication tool like for native Americans but in other cultures, however, the way words are spoken along with the gestures, posture and facial expressions that accompany those words is of greater significance. What is slang? Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's dialect or language. Slang is very often colloquial; the language and dialect tend to be specific to a particular territory. How do emotional appeals differ from logical appeals? An emotional appeal calls on human feelings, basing the argument on audience needs or sympathies; however, such an appeal must be subtle. A logical appeal calls on human reason.
MCM301 Communication skills- subjective questions with answers final Term 2012
Q.1 (marks 5)
To write a successful resume You need to convey seven qualities that exployers seek. List down these qualities:
To write a successful résumé seven qualities are needed that employers seek are as follows:
Familiar with how to do the thing.
Good communication skills
Well rounded
Innovative to experience new things or ideas and flexible
Think about the results
Personally have some standards for excellence and distinction.
Shows progress
Q.2 ( marks 5)
What do u know about indirect-inquiry letters?
Indirect-inquiry letters are used to ask for general information. Indirect-inquiry letter cannot be used for one or more specific questions, it is used when someone need general information. It opening is less specific than direct-inquiry letters. The opening of the indirect letter should not be that much general that recipient will face difficulty while responding.
Q.3 ( marks 5)
What is the right way to write a refusal of refund? Explain with examples.
Ans.
Refusal of refund should keep the words which makes able the reader to understand the reason for refusal without anger.
Example:
If a customer sent back the purchased dress due to disliking or fitting problem and asking for refund. Company get known that customer wear the dress by seeing the stains on it.A company can write a refusal letter by
Giving the explanation: about the dress returned date etc
Alternate solutions or benefits. By acknowledging the problem and using soft wording to serve the customer. Telling about no resale value due to stain, and offering alternate vouchers.
Good restraint or no anger- Offer to alter the dress
Friendly and helping ending or goodwill at the end- Come and let us serve you to the best.
Q.4 ( marks 5) People in different cultures require different amounts of physical distance for communication. Explain
Ans.
People may be negatively affected by too much or too little space between them.
1.5 feet is considered as a normal distance for good communication. Decreasing this distance can confuse or nervous the audience or listener. For close contacts_ 1.5-4.0 feet allowed For business transactions- 4.0-12.0 feet allowed Formal communication- beyond 12 feet
Q.5 ( marks 3)
What is the suggested plan for writing a sales letter?
Ans.
*Create a section which establishes the reader desire and assurance *Section should be made about the selling product which appeals and gets the customers’ interest. *Attractive starting to grasp the attention of reader. *Ends with well-mannered and polite wordings.
Q.6 ( marks 3)
How can we make disappointing or bad news messages effective?
Ans.
Using or adopting the tone which centered the audience, by which audience can also agree himself/herself.
Use direct or indirect approach for the message in order to meet the reader’s need and expectations.
Q.7 ( marks 3)
What do u understand by an order letter?
Ans.
When purchase or blank orders are not available an order letter is prepared for ordering merchandise. It has three main components.
Information about items ordered. Shipping location and details Mode or method of payment