Business Writing · Lesson Plan
Effective Communication
“The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred.” This lesson breaks communication into its elements — encoding a message, sending it, reception, and feedback — and shows why most meaning is carried by tone and body language, not words. Students learn to match the message to the audience and medium, and to read non-verbal feedback.
For Teachers
Lesson at a glance
- Topic
- Business Writing
- Grade Level
- Grades 9–12
- Resource Type
- Lesson + Worksheet
- Estimated Time
- 45–60 minutes
- Format
- Lesson + activity
- Materials
- Printable lesson, worksheet, pencils
What Students Learn
Learning objectives
- Identify the elements of communication
- Explain why feedback is essential
- Describe the role of tone and body language
- Match the message to the audience and medium
- Read non-verbal feedback
Materials
What you’ll need
- Printed lesson and activity (one per student)
- Pencils
- Whiteboard
Key Terms
Vocabulary
- Encoding
- Putting a message into a form the recipient can understand.
- Feedback
- Confirmation that a message was received and understood.
- Body language
- Non-verbal signals that carry most of a message’s meaning.
- Medium
- The channel used to send a message.
- Relevance
- Whether a message matters to its audience.
- Decode
- To interpret a received message.
For Teachers
Lesson plan
Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.
Lesson sequence
- Elements (12 min). Encoding, sending, reception, and feedback — and how each can fail.
- Beyond words (12 min). Tone and body language carry most of the message.
- Audience & medium (12 min). Matching the message to the audience and the right channel.
- Activity (12 min). Students analyze a communication scenario and the non-verbal signals.
Assessment
Assess the activity for correct identification of communication elements and feedback.
Discussion
Discussion questions
- What are the elements of communication?
- Why is feedback necessary?
- How much of a message is carried by words vs. body language?
- How do you choose the right medium for a message?
- How can you tell if someone disagrees without them saying so?
Printable Lesson & Worksheet
Effective Communication — Lesson & Activity
A printable lesson on the elements of effective communication: encoding, sending, reception, feedback, and the role of tone and body language.
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