Types of Communication

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

1. Oral Communication
2. Written Communication
3. Vertical Communication
4. Horizontal Communication
5. Grapevine Communication
6. Object Communication
7. Intra-Personal Communication
8. Inter-Personal Communication
9. Group Communication
10. Mass Communication

1. Oral Communication
It takes place in face to face conversation, group discussions, etc. Spoken words are used to direct, instruct, and share experiences.

2. Written Communication
Putting in writing includes letters, reports, notes etc. The written words are used to transmit one’s expectations, likes and dislikes.

3. Vertical Communication
It consists of two types namely: upward communication & downward Communication.

• Upward Communication
  It consists of messages from subordinates to superiors.
• Downward Communication
  It occurs when information flows down the hierarchy from superiors to subordinates.

4. Horizontal Communication
This communication occurs among colleagues and peers of the same level in an organization (or) The interaction among peer groups is called horizontal communication. 

5.Grapevine Communication
In every organization, there is an informal channel of communication called the grapevine. It is quite natural for a group of people working together to be interested in one another and talk about appointments, promotions, retirements or even domestic affairs.

6.Object Communication
The most common form of object communication is clothing. e.g. uniform.

7. Intra-Personal Communication
This can be defined as a process through which one communicates with himself. This means the communication is within the self and to the self. For example, Thinking, Working out a problem, Writing diaries.

8. Inter-Personal Communication
Inter-personal communication may be defined as a process of interaction between two people, generally face- to-face talk. For example, interaction between teacher and student in the classroom, a telephone conversation.

9.Group Communication
It refers to the process of interaction within groups of people and by groups of people to others. E.g. A family and committee meeting

10. Mass Communication
Mass communication takes place when the communication is received by large number of people. For example, open-air concert for a thousand people.