Communication Studies Vocabulary

adjective open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning

• The contract language was intentionally ambiguous to allow for flexibility in interpretation.
• I'm not sure what she meant, her message was so ambiguous.
• His excuse was so ambiguous, I couldn't tell if he was telling the truth or not.
• The painting's meaning was intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to interpret it in their own way.

noun a band of frequencies used in radio and television transmission, especially as used by a particular station.

verb to provide or control a route for a communication or process.

• The television channel broadcasted the news live from the scene.
• I saw on the channel that there's a new show coming out next week.
• I can't find the remote to change the channel.
• She found a new channel for her creativity after taking up painting.

noun a person who delivers a speech or lecture

• The discourser presented a well-reasoned argument during the debate.
• The discourser really knows how to make a compelling case.
• That discourser is a real smooth talker.
• The discourser's words were like a soothing balm for the troubled minds of the audience.

adjective not connected or joined; separated or disconnected

adverb in a disconnected or incoherent manner

• The report was filled with disjointed paragraphs that made it difficult to follow the main argument.
• I tried to watch that movie last night, but it was so disjointed that I couldn't make sense of the plot.
• The conversation was all over the place, it was so disjointed.
• Her thoughts were like a puzzle with missing pieces, leaving her feeling disjointed and confused.

noun newly received or noteworthy information, especially about recent events

adjective relating to or consisting of news

• The latest news from the stock market indicates a slight increase in trading activity.
• Did you hear the news about the new restaurant opening downtown?
• I'm always up to date on the latest news thanks to my social media feed.
• The news of her promotion spread like wildfire throughout the office.

noun A person who works for a newspaper, typically as a journalist or editor.

• The newspaperman was known for his thorough investigative reporting.
• The newspaperman always had the inside scoop on local events.
• That newspaperman is a real news hound, always chasing down the latest stories.
• He was a true newspaperman at heart, always seeking out the truth in any situation.

noun a spoken examination or test

adjective relating to the mouth or spoken rather than written

• The doctor recommended an oral medication to treat the infection.
• I prefer oral presentations over written reports.
• She's really good at giving oral exams.
• His oral skills in negotiation are unmatched.

noun the act of giving or taking mutually; interchange

adjective reciprocative

• Reciprocation of kindness is essential in building strong relationships.
• If someone does you a favor, it's only fair to offer reciprocation.
• You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours - that's how reciprocation works.
• In the dance of social interactions, reciprocation is the rhythm that keeps us moving forward.

noun the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others

• Social psychology is the scientific study of how individuals think, feel, and behave in social situations.
• I find social psychology fascinating because it helps me understand why people act the way they do in groups.
• Social psych is all about figuring out why we do the things we do when we're with other people.
• In a way, social psychology is like peeling back the layers of human interaction to reveal the underlying motivations.

verb to interpret or understand incorrectly

• It is important not to misperceive the intentions of others in a professional setting.
• Don't misperceive her silence as a sign of disinterest, she's just shy.
• Don't misperceive his laid-back attitude as laziness, he's just chill.
• She didn't want him to misperceive her kindness as a sign of weakness.

noun the communication differences between men and women

• The study of genderlect explores the differences in language use between men and women.
• I noticed some genderlect differences when chatting with my friends at the party.
• It's crazy how much genderlect can affect communication between guys and girls.
• The genderlect barrier can sometimes make it challenging to fully understand each other's perspectives.

noun a person who sends a message or letter to someone else

pronoun a word that can function by itself as a noun phrase and that refers either to the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse

• The addressor of the letter must clearly state their intentions in the opening paragraph.
• Make sure the addressor knows where to send the package before they leave.
• Yo, tell the addressor to hit me up with that info ASAP.
• In this painting, the artist is the addressor, communicating their emotions through color and brushstrokes.