Components of the Communication Process The process of communication is the dynamic interrelationship of source, receiver, message, channel, feedback, situation, and noise. In actual, real-life presentations, all of these components function simultaneously and continuously. Source The source is the person who originates the message. Receiver The receiver, listener, or audience is the individual or group that hears, and listens to, the message sent by the source. All individuals are unique. Receivers are individuals who have inherited certain characteristics and developed others as a result of their family, friends, and education. Message Verbal and nonverbal messages are an integral part of the communication process. Both the source and the receiver sense the message: the facial expressions seen, the words heard, the visual aids illustrated, and the ideas or meanings conveyed simultaneously between source and receiver. Verbal messages are the words chosen for the speech. Nonverbal messages are the movements, gestures, facial expressions, and vocal variations that can reinforce or contradict the words, such as pitch or tone of voice that can alter the meaning of the words. Channel The channel is the means of distributing your words, whether by coaxial cable, fiber optics, microwave, radio, video, or air. Feedback Feedback includes verbal or nonverbal responses by the audience. During a public speech, most of the audience feedback is nonverbal: head nodding, smiling, frowning, giving