1. Individual Assignment: Essay
Effective Public Communication [FCOM 0102]
Individual Assignment
Yap Zhi Jun (0310738)
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

2. Question 4
Even when nonverbal cues are used in text-based messages, communicating online
can still lead to misunderstandings. Look at the differences between communicating
online and communicating face-to-face and examine how vocal cues are important to
communication.
Nonverbal cues are all behaviors other than spoken words that communicate
messages and create shares meaning between people. (Richard & Lynn, 2011) Well,
nonverbal cues are used in text-based message and online communication still lead to
misunderstandings. David Whillock, dean of the College of Communication, said text
messaging has a direct effect on students' interpersonal relationships because readers
have no idea if a person is stereotyping, talking down or patronizing them. Students
may not be able to pick up on twitches, hand signals or voice inflections because of a
lack of oral communication, he said. Online communication will lead to
misunderstandings because We cannot see or hear the huge range of nonverbal cues
we normally use in face to face conversation to discern if our listener is understanding,
agreeing, disagreeing, getting uncomfortable or opening up. (Kali Munro,2002 )
. Online communication refers to reading, writing, and communication via
networked computers. While face to face communication is something you have not on
the phone, not by computer, but when you're face to face with someone, telling them
something in front of them. What are the differences between them? Well, we will talk
about mode, condition, physical context, time, discussion and group dynamic.
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

3. Online communication and face to face communication are differences in mode,
condition and physical context. Online communicating can be discussed through text
like facebook or video calling like skype. While online communicating no need to wait
participant to arrive, there is no latecomers or earlier leavers, discussion can be started
anytime. Besides, online communication do not meet in a room where no share physical
context. However, face to face communication is a type of verbal discussion. During
face to face communication, people are often to wait participant arrive and people leave
earlier during the meeting. Moreover, face to face communication meet in a room where
there is strong physical context.
Furthermore, we also can see the differences of online communication and face
to face communication through time and discussion. For online communication, groups
meet continuously because there is no schedule date, time and location. Online
communication is less controllable as there is no group limit. Sometimes deadlines are
not adhered to since it is possible to extend beyond deadline to next period of online
work. Through online communication, multiples issue can be worked on at the same
time. Members sometimes lose sense of where they are in the discussions over long
period of time as the information overload. However, face to face communication meet
in ‘start and end’ fashion. Participants are informed about the date, time and location to
meet. Time is important and there is limiter, only people who are informed can join the
discussion, so it is controllable. Deadlines usually adhered to since the expectation to
complete them on time is high, and it is not really possible to continue into next period of
time. Face to face communication usually work on one issue at a time, the work is more
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

4. focused. Discussion occurs within a set time frame, members less like will lose sense
on where they are.
In addition, we also can discuss about the differences of group dynamic between
online communication and face to face communication. Participants in online
communication have to learn how to use the technology to communicate. Participants
can be active listener without participating. Online communication spend more time in
discussion. Participants can access other groups easily and see what the group is
discussing. However, face to face communication the dynamic is understandable
because participants usually have experience before. Participants may be listening but
without participation. Face to face communication spend lesser time as the immediacy
of discussion. Participants cannot access other groups and cannot know what other
groups discussing. ( Knapp & Hall, 1992 )
A vocal cue is a sound or inflection of the voice used to send a particular
message. A vocal cue is not a word but rather a different sound made with the vocal
cords. ( Joseph.A, 1998 ) Vocal cues are sometimes confused with verbal
communication, but vocal cues are considered nonverbal because they aren't actual
words. Vocal cues are limited to sounds, expressions, tone and style of the voice
without the use of words. Vocal cues are used every day and it is very important in our
daily communication. It helps to get a person's attention and to help listener understand
the meaning behind the words.
Vocal cues help to get a person’s attention so that the meaning of the message
can be sent obviously and correctly to the receiver. For example, when you get upset
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

5. with your kids in the morning while rushing them off to school and your voice rises a few
octaves, your children know you mean business. This simple raising of the tone in your
voice indicates nonverbally to your children that they better obey you.
Moreover, vocal cues also are significant in nonverbal communication because
they have the power to strengthen or weaken the verbal message.
For example, if you say to your spouse, "I love you," yet you have an aggressive and
angry tone in your voice, the verbal message will be weakened and confused. Vocal
cues help the listener understand the message behind the words.
Conclusion, nonverbal communication is important in our daily life. Quantity and
constancy of nonverbal message are the challenges to nonverbal communication. To
build understanding with others and create communities, we must overcome the
challenges to create effective and appropriate nonverbal communication.
References
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

6. Joseph A.DeVito ( 1998 ) The Interpersonal Communication Book : Verbal and
Nonverbal. United State : Pearson Education
Kali Munro, M.Ed., ( 2002 ) Conflict in Cyberspace: How to Resolve Conflict Online.
New York: Harper & Row
Knapp, M. L., & Hall, J. A. (1992). Nonverbal communication in human interaction (3rd
ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Richard West & Lynn H.Turner ( 2011 ). Understanding Interpersonal Communication :
Communication Nonverbally. United State : Lyn Uhl
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )

7. Joseph A.DeVito ( 1998 ) The Interpersonal Communication Book : Verbal and
Nonverbal. United State : Pearson Education
Kali Munro, M.Ed., ( 2002 ) Conflict in Cyberspace: How to Resolve Conflict Online.
New York: Harper & Row
Knapp, M. L., & Hall, J. A. (1992). Nonverbal communication in human interaction (3rd
ed.). Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
Richard West & Lynn H.Turner ( 2011 ). Understanding Interpersonal Communication :
Communication Nonverbally. United State : Lyn Uhl
FNBE JAN 2012 – FCOM 0102
( Effective Public Communication)
Yap Zhi Jun ( 0310738 )