BUS210: Business Communication

Watch this video, which lays the foundation for understanding and appreciating language. The lecturer chooses an interesting technique to clarify what language is and what it isn't by contrasting human language and animal "language". After you watch, see if you can summarize what makes human language distinct.

Plain language is the most effective way to communicate. Think of this as an interactive video; respond to the questions the speaker asks and compare your responses to hers. You may not have access to some of the software referred to in the video, but don't let that stand in your way.

Read this section, which discusses categorizing messages based on their importance. It also introduces the five common elements in any message, some of which you will recognize from the discussion about communication models, and all of which you will encounter later when you examine how a speech is organized. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video introduces storytelling, which is the latest popular technique for developing business messages.

After you watch, consider this scenario. Your business sells sleeper sofas that can open up to become a bed for one person. Add details to the product if you need to, but focus on creating a story that would get people interested in trying or buying the sofa. Refer to the storytelling examples in the video and follow their structure in your own story. This may be an opportunity for you to use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your story is effective by trying it out on your colleagues.

Read this section, which goes deeper into the rules that govern language and then introduces the concept of language paradigms. These are premises that are taken as fact. This section explains how language is arbitrary, symbolic, and abstract, and how it imperfectly serves to organize and classify reality. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

In this video, communication scholars discuss the nature of verbal communication. We often think of verbal and non-verbal communication together, because most of our face-to-face communication uses both. However, verbal communication is the dominant factor online, and as a result needs to be carefully crafted to consider the nature of virtual environments. This video introduces many important points about the nature of verbal communication when it is isolated from the nonverbal elements that usually accompany it in the "real" world. Keep in mind that some scholars would define the visual characteristics of messages as nonverbal traits, even when their content is presented solely with words. So, although that distinction is not made in this video, remember that the "look" of verbal message, such as the typeface, size, use of color, length of paragraphs, graphics, and so on, must also be considered in virtual environments.

Read this section, which discusses why clichés, jargon, slang, sexism, racism, euphemisms, and doublespeak weaken the effectiveness of language by making it less efficient and/or less acceptable. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

This video discusses how imprecise or unclear language can lead to a communication gap and the effects that a gap may have on your work. Pay attention to how various examples of poor language habits, such as cliché, jargon, slang, racist or sexist language, euphemism, and doublespeak are defined and differentiated.

Read this section, which describes communication tactics that can be used to emphasize a message or parts of a message: visuals, signposts, reviews, previews, and repetition. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Descriptive language adds atmosphere, intensity, and drama to a situation. Watch this video to learn how to improve your messages by choosing words for impact. Descriptive language does not mean more words, which can just clutter your message. It means well-chosen words that will add emphasis to your message.

A communicator's "voice" can shift the emphasis of a statement. What does that mean? Practice by writing a sentence that uses passive voice, and then shift its emphasis by revising it to use active voice. This may also be a good opportunity for you to use the discussion forum to interact with other students taking this course. See if your response is correct and effective by comparing it to those of your colleagues.

Read this section, which describes how to improve communication by defining your terms, choosing precise words, considering your audience, controlling your tone, checking for understanding, and adopting results-oriented approaches. After you read, try the exercises at the end of the section.

Watch this video, which focuses on word choice and vocabulary. It provides an in-depth look at the meaning of your word choices and the sounds of those words, and how they affect their effectiveness. This lecture will help you improve the clarity of your language, not necessarily add emphasis.

This video applies them to real-world messaging. Choose a realistic business message and apply these tips. Perhaps your business needs to communicate that it is opening a new store, or perhaps you need to remind employees of certain safety measures they must follow. Post your thoughts in the discussion forum to give your colleagues something to consider.