The Elements of Verbal Communication

Skills
Communication is a broad topic. It involves both
non-verbal and verbal communication skills. The
non-verbal communication skills are crucial and we
talk about them often. But, today, let’s focus in on
the verbal side of things from the perspective of a
person actually speaking.
How can we organize our thoughts about these
verbal communication skills? It can help to break
them down to their basic elements as we’ve done
below.
Voice Tone
Voice tone is so basic that it can come into play
even when you’re not uttering words, per se. Even
when you simply make a sigh or laugh, your voice
tone modifies how it is likely to be interpreted.
When you do use words, the tone in which you say
them can make all the difference.
Voice Speed
Speaking fast can convey an excited or agitated
feel. Speaking slower can convey a steady,
reliable feel. Speaking very slow can let someone
know that you’re either bored or tired. If you’ve
ever experienced someone speaking at a speed
that is incongruent with the content of what they’re
saying, you know how this can stand out.
Voice Volume
Volume can range from a whisper to a scream and
everything in between. A very quiet voice can
represent that you are sharing something you don’t
want overheard, that you are being mischievous or
that you are depressed. A very loud voice can
express great joy or terror.
A humorous demonstration of the importance of
using appropriate voice volume can be found in the
skit below, in which Will Ferrell plays Jacob Silj, a
man who was born with “voice immodulation,” a
disorder that leaves him unable to modulate the
volume of his voice.
Language
According to Wikipedia’s page on Language, there
are an estimated 6000-7000 languages spoken in
the world. How many of these do you know fluently
or at least in part? The more languages in which
you have some level of competency, the more
ways you can phrase things and the more diverse
the audience to which you can connect. Depending
on your position in the world and what you use
communication for, you might want to put in the
effort to learn a new language or two. But it can
 also be helpful just to know some of the key
phrases in some of the most commonly spoken
languages around the world.
Vocabulary
Notice that it is only after focusing on some of the
modifying verbal communication skills and
contexts that we even arrive at a discussion of the
actual words themselves. But make no mistake.
The particular words you use do matter a great
deal. As a verbal communicator, your words are
your toolbox, your palette, your set of ingredients.
The more broad and diverse your vocabulary, the
more effective you can be in expressing yourself to
others.

Courtesy of lel4nd on Flickr

Some people go as far as reading the dictionary to
really flood themselves over time with new insight
into vocabulary. But you also could consider things
like using a word-a-day calendar or signing up for
a word-a-day email to learn at a more slow and
steady rate. At the very least, as you go about your
day, if you hear a word that you don’t quite know,
take a few seconds to look it up. Over time your
vocabulary will gradually improve.
Grammar
Grammar is the set of rules for how words connect
into phrases and phrases into sentences and so
on. You could employ the most impressive
vocabulary on earth, but if you put the words into
an order incompatible with the rules of grammar,
you will not sound very credible or convincing. And
grammar varies from one language to another.
So whichever language you plan to use, make
sure to learn the grammar rules that it requires.
7 Elements of Non-Verbal Communication
The old saying ´It·s not what you say, it·s how
you say itµ is given new meaning when you think
about it in termsof body language. I addition to
words spoken, you need to be aware of seven key
things that convey messages.
1.

Facial Expressions. Facial expressions are

universal across all cultures and nationalities.
They express emotions:happiness, sadness,
anger, surprise, fear, and disgust to name a
few. You do not have to understand the
verballanguage to understand the non-verbal
expressions.2.

Body Movements and Posture. Your stance,

posture, the way you walk, even subtleties such
as the way you hold your head all convey an
unspoken message.3.

Gestures. We wave, point, beckon, and use our

hands when we are arguing or speaking
animatedly, we expressourselves with gestures
often without thinking. However, the meaning
of gestures can be very different across
culturesand regions, so it is important to be
careful to avoid misinterpretation.4.

Eye Contact. Eye contact is an important form of

nonverbal communication. The way you look at
someonecommunicates interest, affection,
hostility, or attraction. Eye contact is also
important in maintaining the flow
of conversation and for gauging the
other person·s response.5.

Touch. Touch is another important part of

nonverbal communication. Think about what
the following conveys: a firmhandshake, a timid
tap on the shoulder, a warm bear hug,
a reassuring pat on the back, a patronizing pat
on the head,or a controlling grip on your arm.6.

Space. We all have a need for physical space,

although that need differs depending on the
culture, the situation, andthe closeness of
the relationship. You can use physical space to
communicate many different nonverbal
messages,including signals of intimacy,
aggression, dominance, or affection.7.

Voice. Nonverbal speech such as tone, pitch,

volume, inflection, rhythm, and rate are
important communicationelements. When we
speak, other people ´readµ our voices in addition
to listening to our words. These
nonverbalspeech sounds provide subtle but
powerful clues into our true feelings and what
we really mean. Think about how toneof voice,
for example, can indicate sarcasm, anger,
affection, or confidence.
Successful nonverbal communication depends self-
awareness and an understanding of the cues you are
sending,as well as reading the cues others are
sending you. If you are planning what you are
going to say next,daydreaming, or thinking
about something else, you are almost certain to
miss nonverbal cues and other subtleties in the
conversation. You need to stay focused on the
moment to fully understand what is going on.

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