Student: Indiyana Saad
Tutor: Pauline Pearsons
Assessment name: interpersonal communication skills
Term: 1
Year: 2008
Assessment: 1
Assessment Type: Essay
Word Count: 1929
Date due 21/04/2008
Details of Assessment
Discuss the following statement in the light of the theory covered in this module:
Communication is not an easy process. It involves verbal and non-verbal attempts to assist the other person to understand what we are trying to communicate. Yet it often fails.
Introduction
Everyone communicates, everyday, in a different situations, and places; be it at home, work, and college. This communication takes many forms and styles, has elements and processes. Likewise, interpersonal communication is useful art, and people effectiveness as a partner, student, and a friend will depend on their interpersonal skills. According to DeVito (2001), 'understanding the theory and research in interpersonal communication and mastering its skills will go hand in hand' (p.2). In other words, if a person knows more about interpersonal communication, he/she would gain knowledge, build up their interpersonal skills, and start to identify what does or does not work (DeVito, 2001). Communication is not a simple procedure, yet, it is impossible for people not to communicate, even by doing or saying nothing, they are making a point. Effective communication is complicated; the message may be unclear due to 'interference', mixed messages, or behaviors. It may be blocked due to poor listening skills, language, or cultural barriers. Practicing effective communication developing and refining communication skills helps everyone in both professional and personal relationships. All people could understand and improve their situations, by 'mastering their interpersonal communication skills' (Devito, 2001,p2), and to make it a more effective, may eliminate the barriers, improve the factors that assist an effective communication and develop personal awareness into