Let's Talk About Root Words

It's time to analyze words! Hence, it is important that we understand ROOT WORDS. Why? It is because when you encounter an unfamiliar or strange word, root words will help you figuring out the word and what the word means.


A root word is often called the base form, the core of the word, the main word or the real word. We make new words out of root words by adding affixes, prefixes and suffixes. Also, remember that the group of words that share the same root word is called word family.


Surely, you want to know them. (Well, that means you want to pass the subject. Right?) Anyway. here are the links for the list of root words, list of prefixes and list of suffixes. For more info, go to Google. =) 


By the way, it is important for you to refresh your knowledge in syllabication, so please proceed here. 

How to Use A Dictionary

A dictionary will give you the following information about a word:

1. How to spell the word and its special plural form
2. Whether or not the word is capitalized or abbreviated
3. How to break the word into syllables
4. How to pronounce the word - the word or phrase with the pronunciation indicated through the use of diacritical marks - marks that indicate the vowel sounds such as a long vowel or a vowel affected by other sounds; accent marks, a mark called the schwa that tells you that the vowel is in an unaccented syllable of the word.
5. the part or parts of speech the word functions as -for example as a noun (n.), verb (v.), adjective (adj.), or adverb (adv.).
6. Different meanings that the word has, as well as synonyms (same meaning) and antonyms (opposite meaning)
7. A sentence or expression with the word used correctly
8. The meanings of important prefixes and suffixes
9. The special uses of the word
10. the origin, or etymology, of the word or words, such as from the Latin, Old French, Middle English, Hebrew, the name of a person. Some dictionaries use the symbol < to mean "came from." For example, the origin of the word flank is given as "<Old French flanc<Germanic."This tells us that flank came from the Old French word fanc. The French word in turn came from the German language. Some dictionaries use abbreviations to tell you where the item came from: OE for Old English, L for Latin, and so forth.
11. Other words derived from the main word

Special sections in some dictionaries tell you about:

1. Foreign words and phrases
2. Abbreviations
3. Addresses of colleges or government offices
4. The population of cities and countries

Applying the following pointers will save time when you use a dictionary:

1. Know and use proper alphabetical order
2. Use guide words to save time
3. Check all abbreviations and symbols in the special sections
4. If at first you don’t succeed in finding the word, don’t give up. You might need to check several possible spellings before finding the word
5. Substitute the meaning you find for the word in the sentence. Be sure you select the most appropriate meaning, not merely the first one you come to
6. Try saying the word aloud after you look at the pronunciation key.
   
   
   
   
   Sources: http://www.ctl.ua.edu/CTLStudyAids/StudySkillsFlyers/VocabularyDevelopment/how2useadictionary.htm
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5evDp9wKk2o
   http://academic.cuesta.edu/acasupp/as/504.HTM

Styles and Levels of Verbal Communication

Styles and Levels of Verbal Communication 

All verbal communication activities that an individual engages in, would fall into one of the two verbal communication techniques. They are; formal verbal communication and informal verbal communication. Let us understand these better.

• Formal Verbal Communication is very formal and makes use of correct linguistics. Verbal communication in the workplace, as a principle, should be in this style. Formal verbal communication does not involve slang language. It mostly requires an individual to stick to a certain language, hopping between languages is not an appropriate formal verbal communication. More so, the language being used in the verbal communication technique, should be used correctly. Errors are seldom tolerated in formal verbal communication. 

• Informal Verbal Communication: Verbal communication in classrooms, which the students use is mostly informal in nature. A chat between good friends will probably be the best verbal communication example for this style. Slang language and language hopping is permitted. In the workplace, the grapevine ordinarily makes use of this style of communication. It has been seen through surveys and studies, that this style of communication is better at helping people bond and communicate freely.

Communication is never independent of context whether it is formal or informal.

The Three Levels of Verbal Communication.

Before we can improve verbal communication and increase its effectiveness, we need to understand how it works and where the players fit within that communication.

First, when we communicate, there is always a sender (speaker) and a receiver (listener).

Second, the communication itself contains 3 elements:

A) the Information being communicated such as issue, topic, subject, instruction, opinion etc.

B) the Means by which this information is being communicated (verbal, nonverbal, written, using telephone, face to face, letter, book, etc.)

C) the Way in which the information is being communicated (how we use our words, tone of voice, writing style, organized or disorganized manner, etc.)

Both sides have three levels of Active Responsibility to process the activities used in communication:

Level I:

This is where the actual exchange of communication takes place between the sender and receiver which contains the above three elements.

Level II:

This is where the Translating and Interpreting of that communication happens. This is done by the thought processes of each the Sender and the Receiver according to each his/her experiences, and frame of references in their various walks of life (business, personal, moral, ethical, etc.).

This is where the major complications of communication arise (good or bad connection). If everyone thought the same, saw things the same way or reacted in the same manner, communication would be straightforward. However, it doesn't happen that way.

Level III:

This is where we get and give Feedback, Understanding and Awareness:.

Feedback:

Both sides are responsible to see that the communication has been Sent and Received as intended. This is identified by asking the right questions at the right times. "Can you please repeat the steps for closing the shop, to make sure I didn't leave anything out?" "Let me run through the requirements as I understand you've outlined them". Both sides ask for feedback when needed.

Understanding:

Effective communication requires a common Understanding between the parties communicating. The Sender Transmits with Understanding to the Receiver. The Receiver Interprets with Understanding from the Sender.

Awareness:

Finally, each side requires an Awareness of the many interferences also going on, such as cultural differences, linguistics, diction, clarity of speech and expression, verbal, nonverbal parts, etc.

Whether we are in Formal or Informal Communication, we are all subject and vulnerable to break downs. Understanding this and the 3 Levels of Verbal Communication that we can watch for will help us improve and perfect as much as we can our own communication as well as help other to communicate better.

 Sources : http://EzineArticles.com and http://www.buzzle.com

Why Become a Better Communicator?

One of the reasons why person cannot live in his/her best life possible is he/she cannot communicate effectively. The inability to engage in a meaningful conversation bars him/her to have productive relationships. We talk. Yes, we do. But talking does not mean we are good communicators. Actually, sometimes we turn out as terrible communicators because we just keep on talking, and forget listening.


Why should we strive to become a good communicator?
1. Win the hearts of many - A good communicator is a healthy-relationship magnet. 
2. Less stress - When we can avoid misunderstandings, it means we shy away from problems. 
3. Attract Opportunities - Opportunities chase those who have speech power.
4. Confidence - Confidence is an asset.
5. Prevent waste of time and energy - Some worry about "how to say" things, instead of just focusing on  "what to say." 
6. Good reputation - An eloquent person attracts respect.


There are more. Try adding some in this list.


So now, the question is how to become one... 

The Communication Process

Communication is the process of sharing our ideas, thoughts, and feelings with other people and having those ideas, thoughts, and feelings understood by the people we are talking with. When we communicate, we speak, listen and observe.

The image illustrates the following:

• Sender/Communicator - person who is sending the message to another person.

There are two factors that will determine how effective the communicator will be. The first factor is the communicator’s attitude. It must be positive. The second factor is the communicator’s selection of meaningful symbols, or selecting the right symbols depending on your audience and the right environment.

• Receiver/Communicator - person who receives the message from the sender.

Communication is only successful when the reaction of the receiver is that which the communicator intended. Effective communication takes place with shared meaning and understanding.

• Encode - is a technique by which the senders uses to send the message into language, symbols or signals
• Message - is the idea or information that the sender wants to pass on to the receiver
• Channel- is the means by which the message is sent through either verbal or non-verbal
• Decode - the reciever interprates and translate the senders message
• Responding- is the way in which the sender or reciever reacts to the message
• Feedback - is the reciever's reaction to the message recieved, this may be verbal or non verbal.

It can be external feedback (something we see) or internal feedback (something we can’t see), like self-examination. It’s the feedback that allows the communicator to adjust his message and be more effective. Without feedback, there would be no way of knowing if meaning had been shared or if understanding had taken place.

Communication is a two-way process. 

The information goes out to a person on the other end. There is a sender and a receiver. Simply put, effective communication is getting your message across to the receiver. It is the sender's responsibility to make sure that the receiver gets the message and the message received is the one sent.

Barrier

At any point in the communication process a barrier can occur. Barriers keep us from understanding other’s ideas and thoughts. Barriers can appear at any point of the communication loop.

There are two types of barriers—internal and external. Examples of internal barriers are fatigue, poor listening skills, attitude toward the sender or the information, lack of interest in the message, fear, mistrust, past experiences, negative attitude, problems at home, lack of common experiences, and emotions. Examples of external barriers include noise, distractions, e-mail not working, bad phone connections, time of day, sender used too many technical words for the audience, and environment. Barriers keep the message from getting through. When communicating, watch out for barriers. Monitor the actions of the receiver. Watch her body language; check to make sure the message the receiver received is the one sent—ask questions and listen.

Summary: 

Communication is a two-way process that involves getting your message across and understanding what others have to say. Communication involves active listening, speaking and observing. Now that you have learned the communication process, you can begin to evaluate your communication skills. Begin to watch yourself in action. Each time you communicate observe what you do, how it went, what went well, and what could have been better.

References:

Wikieducator.org

Web Books

Pdfcast.Org