Why do you communicate? This question may strike you as silly because the answer seems so obvious. You communicate to share your thoughts and feelings to others, right? Although that is true, communication also helps you meet three types of goals (Clark & Delia, 1979).

The first type is self-presentation goals, which involve presenting yourself in certain ways so others will view you as you want them to. For example, suppose you’re the president of the electronic dance music (EDM) club on campus. To get a permit to hold a dance at the student union, you have to make a presentation to the student organization council. You want the council to see you as a credible, trustworthy person who will organize the gathering responsibly. Only then will they approve your permit application, so you tailor your communication accordingly.

The second type is instrumental goals—practical objectives you want to achieve or tasks you want to accomplish. For instance, if you’re leading a meeting to put together the permit proposal for your dance, you’ll remind other group members to stay focused if the discussion starts to wander.

The third type is relationship goals—building, maintaining, or terminating bonds with others. For example, if you want to build a friendship with another dance club member, you might ask her to join you for coffee before you audition DJs for the dance.