This assignment consists of four parts:
Part I:
During the first week of this course, collect real-life examples of barriers (inhibitors) to written
and verbal communication occurring in your work environment. The communications you
collect can be from documents, conversations (face-to-face or digital), emails, or meetings.
Then write one or two paragraphs of 100-125 words describing your workplace or community
setting you are analyzing, the types of communication in that setting that you are describing, and
other details you think might be relevant to the context.
Types of communication inhibitors and examples of them can be found in the four articles that
are available to you through eReserves. These communication barriers include but are not
limited to:
connotative meanings of words
personal censors and filters
noise (real and semantic)
audience expectations
communication structure (or lack of)
direction of communication
physical barriers
cultural barriers
experiential barriers
perceptual barriers
motivational barriers
emotional barriers
organizational barriers
linguistic barriers
nonverbal barriers
competitive barriers
lack of writing purpose, organization,
support or clarity
artificial voice
forced collaboration
faulty level of technicality
faulty level of formality
faulty direction
poor timing
excessive subjectivity
Part II:
After you’ve collected at least 5-10 communication samples, identify the inhibitors they represent
and define the inhibitors in a bulleted list. The definition you provide should identify the general
characteristics of the inhibitor and how it works to impede communication. The definitions
should not reference your specific work environment.
Please consult the video on this assignment to see a demonstration on how this part might be
written.
Part III:
Analyze the communication samples you have collected in a table with three columns:
1. the communication example either as a direct quote or paraphrase
2. the name of the inhibitor(s) at work in the sample
3. a justification of your selection of the inhibitor(s)
Part IV:
Using a scale of 1 to 100, rank your organization’s communication effectiveness. Justify and
explain the score you award.

Category: Essays