BUS 1105 Written Assignment Unit 1

BUS 1105 – Business Communications
University of the People
Contexts of Communication
The world of communication is both a broad and complex one, encompassing multiple contexts
that range from the deeply personal and introspective to the broader, mass audience-focused
approaches. Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction, enabling the exchange
of information, ideas, and emotions. The five contexts of communication provide a framework to
understand the different ways in which communication occurs. These contexts include
intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication, public
communication, and mass communication. Each context has its unique characteristics and plays
a vital role in our daily lives. This essay aims to dissect the five key contexts of communication
and shed light on the implications of these contexts in my daily life.
The first context is intrapersonal communication, a critical part of self-awareness and self-
management. This refers to the "self-talk", which involves the internal dialogue that occurs
within an individual. It is a process through which we reflect on our own experiences, thoughts,
and emotions (The Saylor Foundation, 2010). An example of intrapersonal communication that I
have recently witnessed is when my brother was preparing for a job interview. I saw him
engaged in self-talk, reassuring himself that he's qualified for the position and that he can present
himself confidently. This positive intrapersonal communication helped boost my brother's
confidence and prepared him for the interview.
Secondly, there is interpersonal communication, which occurs between two individuals and can
vary in intimacy and formality. It encompasses conversations and interactions between friends,
family members, colleagues, and acquaintances (The Saylor Foundation, 2010). A recent
example of interpersonal communication is when I had a conversation with a close friend about
her personal struggles. We engaged in a deep and empathetic conversation, providing support
and advice to each other. This example highlights the trust and emotional connection that can be
established through interpersonal communication. The level of intimacy and trust built over time
makes this form of communication both fulfilling and integral to building meaningful
relationships.
Thirdly, the context of group communication involves a dynamic process where a small number
of people engage in a conversation. It occurs in various settings, such as team meetings, class
discussions, or social gatherings (The Saylor Foundation, 2010). Recently, I observed group
communication during the workshop I attended. Participants engage in group activities,
discussions, and exercises facilitated by the instructor. The team members collaborated, shared
ideas, and collectively made decisions to accomplish a common goal. Group communication
facilitates synergy, where diverse perspectives contribute to innovative solutions and effective
teamwork (The Saylor Foundation, 2010).
The fourth context, public communication, involves one person delivering a message to a group.
The dynamic, although less interactive, underscores the role of public communication in
information dissemination (The Saylor Foundation, 2010). A recent example of public
communication that I encountered online was a TED Talk given by a renowned scientist on the
topic of climate change. The speaker effectively communicated complex scientific concepts to a
diverse audience, engaging them through storytelling and visual aids. Public communication
aims to inform, inspire, or persuade a large group of individuals.
Finally, mass communication involves sending a single message to a large group of people. It
includes mediums such as television, radio, newspapers, and social media (The Saylor
Foundation, 2010). A perfect example is a recent email blast from a retail store, informing
customers about their ongoing sales. Mass communication allows for widespread dissemination
of information, but it lacks the personalization and customization found in other communication
contexts.
Reflecting on these five contexts of communication, I find interpersonal communication the
most appealing. It provides an opportunity to establish meaningful connections, share emotions,
and build relationships. The depth and intimacy that can be achieved through interpersonal
communication make it a powerful tool for fostering understanding and empathy.
On the other hand, the context that appeals to me the least is mass communication. While it has
the potential to reach a large audience, it often lacks the personal touch and individualized
message customization found in other contexts. Mass communication relies on reaching a broad
demographic rather than tailoring messages to specific individuals or groups.
Understanding the different contexts of communication is vital for effective message delivery
and reception. Intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication each offer
unique dynamics and challenges. Recognizing the strengths and limitations of each context
empowers communicators to adapt their strategies and engage with their audience more
effectively. Overall, understanding these different contexts of communication helps us to become
more effective in our interactions, whether personal or professional. They form the foundation of
our communication practices, shaping our thoughts, our relationships, our group dynamics, our
public engagements, and how we communicate with larger audiences. As we navigate through
life, it’s crucial to understand these contexts and adapt our communication styles to suit the
situation or the audience.

Reference
The Saylor Foundation (2010). Business communication for success. Licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 3.0 License without attribution as requested
by the work’s original creator or licensee.
https://my.uopeople.edu/pluginfile.php/1704973/mod_page/content/19/BusComForSuccess.pdf

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BUS 1105 – Business Communications

University of the People

approaches. Communication is an essential aspect of human interaction, enabling the exchange

intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication, public

and shed light on the implications of these contexts in my daily life.

himself confidently. This positive intrapersonal communication helped boost my brother's

confidence and prepared him for the interview.

communication during the workshop I attended. Participants engage in group activities,

teamwork (The Saylor Foundation, 2010).

information dissemination (The Saylor Foundation, 2010). A recent example of public

aims to inform, inspire, or persuade a large group of individuals.

Reflecting on these five contexts of communication, I find interpersonal communication the

most appealing. It provides an opportunity to establish meaningful connections, share emotions,

communication make it a powerful tool for fostering understanding and empathy.

demographic rather than tailoring messages to specific individuals or groups.

effectively. Overall, understanding these different contexts of communication helps us to become

situation or the audience.

Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-Share Alike 3.0 License without attribution as requested

by the work’s original creator or licensee.

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