The Communication Definition

Explore the com­mu­nic­a­tion definition.

Explore the com­mu­nic­a­tion defin­i­tion based on the Shannon-Weaver Model, out­lining how mes­sages are lin­early encoded, trans­mit­ted, and decoded effectively.

Here we go:

The Communication Definition

Based on the Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication, this is the defin­i­tion of com­mu­nic­a­tion: ¹Silfwer, J. (2022, February 18). The Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​s​h​a​n​n​o​n​-​w​e​a​v​e​r​-​m​o​d​e​l​-​o​f​-​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​on/

Communication = the pro­cess of encod­ing a mes­sage from an inform­a­tion source and trans­mit­ting it through a channel/​medium to be decoded by a receiv­er. ²Silfwer, J. (2020, February 18). The Communication Definition. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​d​e​f​i​n​i​t​i​on/

Strategic Communication Definition

From a pub­lic rela­tions (PR) per­spect­ive, the inten­tion­al dis­sem­in­a­tion of inform­a­tion to influ­ence and per­suade is added to the con­text, provid­ing us with this defin­i­tion of stra­tegic communication:

Strategic com­mu­nic­a­tion = the delib­er­ate pro­cess of encod­ing an optim­ised mes­sage from an inform­a­tion source, trans­mit­ting it through a chosen channel/​medium while min­im­ising noise and ensur­ing that a receiv­er accur­ately decodes it. ³Silfwer, J. (2020, February 18). The Communication Definition. Doctor Spin | The PR Blog. https://​doc​tor​spin​.net/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​d​e​f​i​n​i​t​i​on/

Please note: “Strategic com­mu­nic­a­tions” is syn­onym­ous with “pub­lic rela­tions” (i.e. using com­mu­nic­at­ive means to achieve com­pet­it­ive objectives).

Everything Communicates

As a stark remind­er of the import­ance of con­text, and the fact that “no com­mu­nic­a­tion” also tells us some­thing, PR pro­fes­sion­als often repeat this pop­u­lar mantra:

Everything com­mu­nic­ates.

Learn more: Communication Definition

Communications or Communication?

Have you ever wondered why pub­lic rela­tions pro­fes­sion­als often refer to com­mu­nic­a­tions (with an — s) instead of com­mu­nic­a­tion (without an — s)?

The terms “com­mu­nic­a­tions” and “com­mu­nic­a­tion” are often used inter­change­ably, yet they embody sep­ar­ate con­cepts with­in the con­text of lan­guage, tech­no­logy, and the study of human inter­ac­tion. ⁴Rivera, K. (2017). Communication vs Communications. Csusm​.edu. https://​www​.csusm​.edu/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​/​m​a​j​o​r​_​d​i​f​f​e​r​e​n​c​e​s​.​h​tml ⁵Communication vs. Communications — Differences Between Master’s Programs. (2024, January 2). MastersinCommunications​.com. https://​www​.mas​tersin​com​mu​nic​a​tions​.com/​f​a​q​s​/​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​o​n​-​v​s​-​c​o​m​m​u​n​i​c​a​t​i​ons

While com­mu­nic­a­tion cap­tures the human aspect of shar­ing and inter­pret­ing inform­a­tion, com­mu­nic­a­tions delves into the tech­nic­al realm of mes­sage trans­mis­sion sys­tems and technologies.

Understanding the nuances between com­mu­nic­a­tions and com­mu­nic­a­tion can provide insights into the nature of trans­mit­ting inform­a­tion and inter­per­son­al and mass com­mu­nic­a­tion dynamics.

Learn more: Communications or Communication

THANKS FOR READING.
Need PR help? Hire me here.

What should you study next?

Spin Academy | Online PR Courses

Spin’s PR School: Free Communication PR Course

Discover the power of effect­ive com­mu­nic­a­tion in this free Communication PR Course. Explore now to elev­ate your pub­lic rela­tions game — abso­lutely free!

Communications 101

• What Communication Is (and Why It Matters)
• The Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication
• Why Communication Is Important
• The Communication Definition
• Communications Synonyms (With Explanations)
• Communications or Communication?

Communication Skills

• Active Listening
• Small Talk
• Presenting Slides
• Asking Questions
• Drafting

Learn more: All Free PR Courses

💡 Subscribe and get a free ebook on how to get bet­ter PR.