This document summarizes different types of communication based on several classifications. It discusses interpersonal, intrapersonal, group, and mass communication based on the number of people involved. Verbal, non-verbal, and meta-communication are classified based on the medium used. Communication can also be formal or informal based on organizational structure. Direction of communication such as downward, upward, horizontal, and diagonal is another classification. Specific types of non-verbal communication like kinesics, proxemics, and paralanguage are also defined. Examples and advantages/disadvantages of different communication types are provided.

1. Types of
communicationSyed Saeed Ul Hassan
University of Haripur

2. Classification/Types of Communication
• Interpersonal communication
• Intrapersonal communication
• Group Communication
• Mass Communication
According to number of
persons who receive the
message
• Verbal Communication
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Meta- Communication
On the basis of the medium
employed
 University of Haripur

3. Classification/Types of Communication
• Formal communication
• Informal communication
On the basis of
organizational structure
• Downward communication
• Upward communication
• Horizontal communication
• Diagonal communication
On the basis of flow or
direction
 University of Haripur

4. Verbal/oral
communication
Oral Media: Where spoken words
are used .It includes face-to-
face conversations, speech,
radio, telephone etc.
Written Media :Where written
signs or symbols are used to
communicate . A written
message may be printed or hand
written.
 University of Haripur

5. Oral
Face to face
Telephonic conversation
Interviews
Meetings
Lectures
Conferences
Symposiums
Radio Talks, TV, Cinema shows
Announcements
 University of Haripur

6. Face to face
 Communication between two or
more people by direct contact.
 Advantages:
 Helps people to express ideas,
feelings much better.
 Helps to realize easily , the
person is sincere or not.
 Can get response Immediately,
without misunderstanding.
 Disadvantage:
 It is less reliable.
 Not suitable for lengthy message.
 It provides no record for future
reference.
 It has language problem.
 Influenced by self interest.
 It does not provide sufficient time
for thinking before conveying.
 University of Haripur

7. Written
communication
 Advantages:
 Information is in uniform manner.
 Permanent record of communication.
 Ideal way for lengthy messages.
 Complete, clear, precise and correct.
 Suited to convey large no of people.
 Means of exchange at distant places.
 Disadvantages:
 Expensive
 Time consuming and rigid, no scope for
alterations.
 Formal, lack personal touch.
 May be interpreted in different manner.
various forms:
Reports
Circulars
Magazines
Manuals
Memoranda
Newspapers
Pictures, diagrams, graphs..
Orders
Notice boards..
 University of Haripur

8. Non-Verbal
Nonverbal communication is
the sending or receiving of
wordless messages, such as
gesture, body language,
posture, tone of voice or facial
expressions are non verbal
communication.
Types of nonverbal;
Kinesics(body language)
Haptics (touch language)
Proxemics ( space)
Chronemics( time)
Silence
Paralanguage
Sign
Nonverbal communication
you cannot NOT communicate !
 University of Haripur

9. Kinesics
Kinesics is the
interpretation of
body language
such as facial
expressions and
gestures or, more
formally, non-
verbal behavior
related to
movement, either
of any part of the
body or the body
as a whole.
-Facial expression
-Postures
-Body Movements
-Gestures
-Eye contact
-Haptics

10. Proxemics
To communicate while
keeping a distance/ space.
The amount of distance we
need and the amount of space
we perceive as belonging to
us is influenced by no of
factors including social
norms, situational factors,
personality etc…
 University of Haripur

11. Signs

12. Silence
 Allowing silence in a conversation puts pressure on the
other person.
 Silence can indicate hostility.
 Silence can indicate disagreement.
 Silence can indicate respect.
 Silence can indicate contemplation.
 Silence can be the creation of a listening space.
 Silence can be an indication of empathy.
 University of Haripur

13. Paralanguage
Attributes of speaking which
include the pitch, the tone, the
volume, tempo, rhythm,
articulation, resonance, nasality
and even the accent of the
speaker collectively known as
paralanguage.
 University of Haripur

14. Chronemics
Chronemics is the study of the
use of time in nonverbal
communication. The way that
one perceives and values time,
structures time and reacts to
time frames communication.
Across cultures, time perception
plays a large role in the
nonverbal communication...
 University of Haripur

15. Interpersonal
communication
Communication
between two or
more people
called inter-
personal
communication

16. Intrapersonal
Communication
Intra-personal
communicatio
n is a process
in which
people
communicate
with
themselves
either
consciously or
unconsciously.
 University of Haripur

17. Group communication

18. Mass Communication
Communication
through electronic
gadgets (mass media0
like books, journals,
TV, newspapers etc
 University of Haripur

19. Meta communication
It is a secondary communication
(including indirect cues about
how a piece of information is
meant to be interpreted. It is
based on idea that the same
message accompanied by
different meta-communication
can mean something entirely
different, including its opposite
 University of Haripur

20. Informal
communication
Includes instances of free and
unrestrained communication
between people who share a
casual rapport with each other.
Casual Conversation
Grapevine
Personal Conversation
No rules
Friend or family
Consensus
 University of Haripur

21. Formal communication
Formal communication implies the
flow of the information along the
lines of authority formally
established by the enterprise.
Conferences
Meetings
Memos
Policy manuals
Corporate letters..etc

22. Vertical
communication
Communication
between a superior and
subordinate is known as
vertical
communication.
Vertical communication
maybe downward
vertical communication
or upward vertical
communication.
 University of Haripur

23. Downward
communication
Downward communication follows
the line of authority from the top
to the bottom of the organization
hierarchy. It is needed :
1. To get things done
2. prepare for changes
3. To discourage lack of
understanding and suspicion
4. To let the member have a
sense of belonging to the
organization.
Boss
Notices
Orders Memos
Letters
Bulletins

24. Upward
communication
Upward communication means
the flow of information from the
lower levels of the organization
to the higher levels of authority.
It is needed:
1. To create receptiveness of
communication
2. Active participation
3. To evaluate effectiveness of
communication
4. Morale/coordination/ideas.

25. Diagonal
Communication
Diagonal
communication is
transfer of information
between people who
are neither in the same
department nor on the
same level of
organization hierarchy
is called diagonal
communication.

26. Horizontal
communication
The transmission of
information and
understanding between
people at the same level
of organization hierarchy
is called the horizontal
communication i:e the
communication between
two departmental
managers. Also called
lateral or sideward
communication.

28. Phew! Thank you!