Mastering the Four Essential Forms of Communication

Forms of Expression in Communication

Narration

Narration is a form of expression used to recount events or stories, real or imagined, that happen to characters in a specific space and time. It can be classified into two categories:

• Literary Narrative Art: Has an artistic purpose. It is characteristic of novels, short stories, fables, epics, and legends.
• Non-Literary Narrative: Used for informational purposes. It is characteristic of news, reports, and chronicles.

A type of non-literary narrative storytelling is that which we use in conversations, informal discussions, to tell stories, or summarize book plots. Narration frequently appears combined with other forms of expression, such as dialogue. The function of language in narration is predominantly referential, as it linguistically reflects real or invented events.

Description

Description is a form of expression used to explain the qualities and characteristics of a person, other living being, object, landscape, or feeling.

Description is often interspersed within the narrative, stopping the action and providing a static view of reality. The purpose of description is to evoke in the receiver similar sensations or feelings to those the issuer experiences when perceiving reality. Description appears in stories, novels, travel books, reports, newspaper articles, and scientific papers, etc. The predominant function of language in description is referential.

Exposition

Exposition is the form of expression used to inform, explain, disseminate, and interpret a particular topic in an organized and objective manner. It is used in both spoken and written language.

Examples of Exposition

• Oral Language: Educational exhibits, lectures, conferences.
• Written Language: Scientific articles, humanities and journalism texts, essays, papers, school work, reviews, examinations.

Exposition requires the issuer to have comprehensive knowledge of the subject intended for informing or explaining. It also requires a logical order, clarity, and rigor.

Argumentation

Argumentation is the form of expression used when we provide reasons to defend an opinion and try to convince the receiver. It is used in both spoken and written language.

Examples of Argumentation

• Oral Language: Debates, speeches, accusations, defenses.
• Written Language: Editorials, newspaper articles, opinion columns, letters to the editor, philosophical, political, social, or economic texts.

The issuer takes a definite position, and their purpose is to influence the recipient(s) using a logical and phased structure, typically following this order: thesis, body, and conclusion.

The issuer may influence the receiver through:

• Reason (arguments, evidence) leading to conviction.
• Persuasion based on feelings.