Models of Communication

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Models of Communication: Similarities and Differences ~~~ The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words. Philip K. Dick ~~~ Communication is a valuable asset of humanity. It allows the formation of cities and their civilizations. It bridges gaps and unites warring states. It allows the sharing of knowledge from one generation to another. It is so important that societies will essentially crumble down to pieces without it. Considering the wonders communication can do to our lives, it is imperative to study the communication process together with its complexities and ambiguities. To do so, we will examine communication models that have been develop since the ancient time. Through careful scrutiny of these models, it is hoped that we, as language majors, would develop a deeper understanding of the communication process. It is hoped, too, that through this understanding we will realize that language— the most basic communication tool— is not only capable of shaping individual realities, but is capable to shaping the world in general. There are five models of communication worthy of attention and examination: (1) Aristotle's Model (2) Lasswell's Model (3) Shannon and Weaver’s Model (4) Schramm's Model (5) The Hub Model. Let us examine them individually and compare them with each other to better comprehend the development of understanding with regards to communication. Aristotle’s Model vs. Lasswell's Model Aristotle’s model was a linear model of communication. He posits that the communication process is composed of the three elements in speech-making — speaker, subject, and person addressed. In this model, he believes the last one, the hearer (the person addressed) determines the speech's end and object i.e. he/she is

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