- Verbal communication is the use of written or spoken language to interact with others. Language is symbolic, is rule governed, conveys meaning, and is intertwined with culture.
- You can increase your verbal communication skills by creating messages that adhere to the cooperative principle and by using “I” and “we” language.
- Although there are many common stereotypes about how men and women communicate, studies show that men's and women's verbal communication is more similar than different.
- Consider how cultural factors like high- or low-context culture, preferred speech rates, or desired balance of turn taking can influence interactions, and try to adapt as best you can.
- Avoiding verbal communication pitfalls such as prejudiced language, verbal aggression, cyberbullying, deception, and defamation—and learning how to handle situations when others use them—will help you improve your communication competence.