How do we communicate?

Communication is a tricky business.

The first way (and most obvious) that we communicate is vocally. However, it is not only what we say but how we say the information that determines how the information is received by people. The specific wording, vocal emphasis, gestures, and facial expressions all play a part in the way the information is interpreted.

We can communicate through individual expression particularly through the things that we as individuals create such as music, literature, and art. The simple act of creating something can convey feelings and emotions that are not easily communicated vocally or face to face. The books we read can convey certain messages to the reader. One song can completely change a listener's mood. A photograph can cause a viewer to have an emotional response.

We also communicate through writing and the way that we record information. This information can be recorded in a variety of ways including emails, papers, texting, etc. Here, information is edited, messages tend to be more thought out and information can be more easily omitted depending on the receiver. The way in which the information and the medium used to communicate it help to determine the way in which the message is understood.

In order to communicate to a large amount of people, we also communicate through the media: the internet, television, radio, etc. The information conveyed is more generalized, and impersonal than one on one communication.