Why is Communication Important
Content
Why is communication important?
Communication is the basis of our lives and we would in this day and age, be handicapped
without it. Everyday we are communicating with each other in some way or another, be it by
using words, actions or even expressions in conveying a message. We humans depend not only
on face-to-face communication but the kind that brings technology to the fore to bridge that
gap between people by mere seconds across vast distances. We take a look briefly into what
are the major types of communication, along with their importance.
Types of Communication and Their Importance
Communication is the root of all events, daily interaction, social affairs and anything that
requires the purpose of human dealings. We have technology to enhance the idea of
communication by making it simpler, faster, effective and convenient no matter where you are
on the globe. Its humble beginnings of written letters sent out by men on horseback has
evolved greatly to building virtual bridges between nations. Everyday we are constantly
humming with communication, whether we realize it or not. All aspects of nature, be it
humans, animals, plants and even the weather, are all communicating in a way that is
understood and interpreted through observation. The importance of this vital means of being in
touch, is crucial for us to survive the everyday. There are four kinds of communication which we
will overview that make up the vital parts of this process. These are...
Verbal
We do it everyday; be it with our help at home, babysitters, neighbors, dog walkers, colleagues,
children, friends, family, partners, and store owners - we are constantly in a state of
communication. Whether to-the-point or elaborate, our messages are sent across to one
another in a manner that is either understandable, vague or distorted. How we communicate
what we try to convey, is critical in having the message understood by the receiving party.
Verbal communication is also handwritten or emailed, and is streaming in and out of countries
and within states every single day.
Non Verbal
Not everything we convey to another is done verbally, where our actions and expressions speak
for us on several occasions. We use body language and our facial expressions to portray a
feeling, be it a happy, sad or angry one. I'm sure you've observed how those who cannot speak,
use sign language to their advantage. Using a series of gestures that translate into alphabets
and words, the dumb / deaf are able to communicate with others who understand the
language. Even the way you dress signals a kind of message to the one who sees you.
Formal
In workplaces and other environment that are constantly communicating through email,
reports and other sorts of messages, there is a formal flow to how it is written where that air of
casualness is absent. There is a system that is followed be it while writing or typing out the
message, or when conversing with superiors and others either in person or over the phone.
There is a professional stiffness that is commanded and needed in order to maintain a level of
respect, precision and clarity. The hierarchy in a company also follows a chain of command that
is practiced when it comes to who communicates to whom, and how the message gets across
using the right people intended to be in touch with first, before it is carried forward to the
appropriate party.
Informal
This kind of communication loosens its grip on a formal setting, where group meetings,
discussions, debates and the sort that encourage free speaking, is what qualifies as informal.
There is no restriction on conveying what it is you feel. AA meetings, leaving messages through
post-its, voice mail, a debate team, a creative brainstorming session and so on, are such
informal scenarios. Even when conferences take place, the speaker doesn't have to be all
formal about the affair, but can take on an informal edge to keep listeners interested, at ease
and encouraged to ask questions if any.
Communication as you can see, is an important factor that governs our everyday lives. What is
needed most is the effectiveness of how we communicate, which is often misinterpreted. In
order to pass a message along in its entirety without jumbling up its core meaning, it is wise to
always review what is being sent, and think beforehand about what is right to say when put
into words. That is why, reviewing one's work diligently and repeatedly is always stressed upon.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-is-communication-important.html
Practice Tips
The written word is one of the most important tools of the legal profession. Words are
used to advocate, inform, persuade and instruct. Although mastering legal writing skills
takes time and practice, superior writing skills are essential to success. Polish your legal
writing skills through the simple tips below.
1. Remember Your Audience
Every word you write should be tailored to the needs of the reader. Documents that
embody the same research and message may vary greatly in content and tone based
on the document’s intended audience. For example, a brief submitted to the court must
advocate and persuade. A memorandum to a client must analyze the issues, report the
state of the law and recommend an appropriate course of action. Always keep your
audience in mind when crafting any piece of writing.
2. Organize Your Writing
Organization is the key to successful legal writing. Create a roadmap for your writing by
using visual clues to guide the reader. Introduce your subject in an introductory
paragraph, use transitional phrases (“moreover, “furthermore,” “however,” “in addition,”
etc.) between each paragraph, introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence and use
headings and subheadings to break up blocks of text. Limit each paragraph to one topic
and sum up your message with a concluding sentence or paragraph. Organizational
structure guides the reader through your text and promotes readability.
3. Ditch The Legalese
Legalese - specialized legal phrases and jargon - can make your writing abstract, stilted
and archaic. Examples of legalese include words such as aforementioned, herewith,
heretofore and wherein. Ditch unnecessary legalese and other jargon in favor of the
clear and simple. To avoid legalese and promote clarity, try reading your sentence to a
colleague or substituting abstract words with simple, concrete terms. For example,
instead of “I am in receipt of your correspondence,” “I received your letter” is clearer and
more succinct.
4. Be Concise
Every word you write should contribute to your message. Omit extraneous words, shorten
complex sentences, eliminate redundancies and keep it simple.
Consider the following sentence:
“Due to the fact that the defendant has not attempted to pay back the money owed to our client in
the amount of $3,000 it has become absolutely essential that we take appropriate legal action in
order to obtain payment of the aforesaid amount.”
A more concise version reads: “Since the defendant has not paid the $3,000 owed our client, we
will file a lawsuit seeking reimbursement.” The latter sentence conveys the same information in
18 words versus 44. Omitting unnecessary words helps clarify the meaning of the sentence and
adds impact.
5. Use Action Words
Action words make your legal prose more powerful, dynamic and vivid. Add punch to your
writing with verbs that bring your prose to life. Here are a few examples:
Weak: The defendant was not truthful. Better: The defendant lied.
Weak: The witness quickly came into the courtroom. Better: The witness bolted into the
courtroom.
Weak: The judge was very angry. Better: The judge was enraged.
6. Avoid Passive Voice
Passive voice disguises responsibility for an act by eliminating the subject of the verb. Active
voice, on the other hand, tells the reader who is doing the acting and clarifies your message. For
example, instead of “the filing deadline was missed,” say “plaintiff’s counsel missed the filing
deadline.” Instead of “a crime was committed,” say “the defendant committed the crime.”
7. Edit Ruthlessly
Edit your writing ruthlessly, omitting unnecessary words and rewriting for clarity. Careful
proofreading is particularly important in legal writing. Spelling, punctuation or grammatical
errors in a document submitted to the court, opposing counsel or a client can undermine your
credibility as a legal professional.
Communication is the basis of our lives and we would in this day and age, be handicapped
without it. Everyday we are communicating with each other in some way or another, be it by
using words, actions or even expressions in conveying a message. We humans depend not only
on face-to-face communication but the kind that brings technology to the fore to bridge that
gap between people by mere seconds across vast distances. We take a look briefly into what
are the major types of communication, along with their importance.
Types of Communication and Their Importance
Communication is the root of all events, daily interaction, social affairs and anything that
requires the purpose of human dealings. We have technology to enhance the idea of
communication by making it simpler, faster, effective and convenient no matter where you are
on the globe. Its humble beginnings of written letters sent out by men on horseback has
evolved greatly to building virtual bridges between nations. Everyday we are constantly
humming with communication, whether we realize it or not. All aspects of nature, be it
humans, animals, plants and even the weather, are all communicating in a way that is
understood and interpreted through observation. The importance of this vital means of being in
touch, is crucial for us to survive the everyday. There are four kinds of communication which we
will overview that make up the vital parts of this process. These are...
Verbal
We do it everyday; be it with our help at home, babysitters, neighbors, dog walkers, colleagues,
children, friends, family, partners, and store owners - we are constantly in a state of
communication. Whether to-the-point or elaborate, our messages are sent across to one
another in a manner that is either understandable, vague or distorted. How we communicate
what we try to convey, is critical in having the message understood by the receiving party.
Verbal communication is also handwritten or emailed, and is streaming in and out of countries
and within states every single day.
Non Verbal
Not everything we convey to another is done verbally, where our actions and expressions speak
for us on several occasions. We use body language and our facial expressions to portray a
feeling, be it a happy, sad or angry one. I'm sure you've observed how those who cannot speak,
use sign language to their advantage. Using a series of gestures that translate into alphabets
and words, the dumb / deaf are able to communicate with others who understand the
language. Even the way you dress signals a kind of message to the one who sees you.
Formal
In workplaces and other environment that are constantly communicating through email,
reports and other sorts of messages, there is a formal flow to how it is written where that air of
casualness is absent. There is a system that is followed be it while writing or typing out the
message, or when conversing with superiors and others either in person or over the phone.
There is a professional stiffness that is commanded and needed in order to maintain a level of
respect, precision and clarity. The hierarchy in a company also follows a chain of command that
is practiced when it comes to who communicates to whom, and how the message gets across
using the right people intended to be in touch with first, before it is carried forward to the
appropriate party.
Informal
This kind of communication loosens its grip on a formal setting, where group meetings,
discussions, debates and the sort that encourage free speaking, is what qualifies as informal.
There is no restriction on conveying what it is you feel. AA meetings, leaving messages through
post-its, voice mail, a debate team, a creative brainstorming session and so on, are such
informal scenarios. Even when conferences take place, the speaker doesn't have to be all
formal about the affair, but can take on an informal edge to keep listeners interested, at ease
and encouraged to ask questions if any.
Communication as you can see, is an important factor that governs our everyday lives. What is
needed most is the effectiveness of how we communicate, which is often misinterpreted. In
order to pass a message along in its entirety without jumbling up its core meaning, it is wise to
always review what is being sent, and think beforehand about what is right to say when put
into words. That is why, reviewing one's work diligently and repeatedly is always stressed upon.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/why-is-communication-important.html
Practice Tips
The written word is one of the most important tools of the legal profession. Words are
used to advocate, inform, persuade and instruct. Although mastering legal writing skills
takes time and practice, superior writing skills are essential to success. Polish your legal
writing skills through the simple tips below.
1. Remember Your Audience
Every word you write should be tailored to the needs of the reader. Documents that
embody the same research and message may vary greatly in content and tone based
on the document’s intended audience. For example, a brief submitted to the court must
advocate and persuade. A memorandum to a client must analyze the issues, report the
state of the law and recommend an appropriate course of action. Always keep your
audience in mind when crafting any piece of writing.
2. Organize Your Writing
Organization is the key to successful legal writing. Create a roadmap for your writing by
using visual clues to guide the reader. Introduce your subject in an introductory
paragraph, use transitional phrases (“moreover, “furthermore,” “however,” “in addition,”
etc.) between each paragraph, introduce each paragraph with a topic sentence and use
headings and subheadings to break up blocks of text. Limit each paragraph to one topic
and sum up your message with a concluding sentence or paragraph. Organizational
structure guides the reader through your text and promotes readability.
3. Ditch The Legalese
Legalese - specialized legal phrases and jargon - can make your writing abstract, stilted
and archaic. Examples of legalese include words such as aforementioned, herewith,
heretofore and wherein. Ditch unnecessary legalese and other jargon in favor of the
clear and simple. To avoid legalese and promote clarity, try reading your sentence to a
colleague or substituting abstract words with simple, concrete terms. For example,
instead of “I am in receipt of your correspondence,” “I received your letter” is clearer and
more succinct.
4. Be Concise
Every word you write should contribute to your message. Omit extraneous words, shorten
complex sentences, eliminate redundancies and keep it simple.
Consider the following sentence:
“Due to the fact that the defendant has not attempted to pay back the money owed to our client in
the amount of $3,000 it has become absolutely essential that we take appropriate legal action in
order to obtain payment of the aforesaid amount.”
A more concise version reads: “Since the defendant has not paid the $3,000 owed our client, we
will file a lawsuit seeking reimbursement.” The latter sentence conveys the same information in
18 words versus 44. Omitting unnecessary words helps clarify the meaning of the sentence and
adds impact.
5. Use Action Words
Action words make your legal prose more powerful, dynamic and vivid. Add punch to your
writing with verbs that bring your prose to life. Here are a few examples:
Weak: The defendant was not truthful. Better: The defendant lied.
Weak: The witness quickly came into the courtroom. Better: The witness bolted into the
courtroom.
Weak: The judge was very angry. Better: The judge was enraged.
6. Avoid Passive Voice
Passive voice disguises responsibility for an act by eliminating the subject of the verb. Active
voice, on the other hand, tells the reader who is doing the acting and clarifies your message. For
example, instead of “the filing deadline was missed,” say “plaintiff’s counsel missed the filing
deadline.” Instead of “a crime was committed,” say “the defendant committed the crime.”
7. Edit Ruthlessly
Edit your writing ruthlessly, omitting unnecessary words and rewriting for clarity. Careful
proofreading is particularly important in legal writing. Spelling, punctuation or grammatical
errors in a document submitted to the court, opposing counsel or a client can undermine your
credibility as a legal professional.
