English A Language & Literature HL
English A Language & Literature HL
18
Chapters
104
Notes
Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings
Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings
Chapter 2 - Structure & Freedom
Chapter 2 - Structure & Freedom
Chapter 3 - Thinking Ahead I (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 3 - Thinking Ahead I (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 4 - The Real & Imagined
Chapter 4 - The Real & Imagined
Chapter 5 - The Wild
Chapter 5 - The Wild
Chapter 6 - Thinking Ahead 2 (External Assessment)
Chapter 6 - Thinking Ahead 2 (External Assessment)
Chapter 7 - Borders & Boundaries
Chapter 7 - Borders & Boundaries
Chapter 8 - Identity & Authority
Chapter 8 - Identity & Authority
Chapter 9 - Thinking Ahead 3 (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 9 - Thinking Ahead 3 (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 10 - Histories & Futures
Chapter 10 - Histories & Futures
Chapter 11 - Possible worlds
Chapter 11 - Possible worlds
Chapter 12 - Thinking Ahead 4 (External Assessment)
Chapter 12 - Thinking Ahead 4 (External Assessment)
Chapter 13 - Transformation & Remediation
Chapter 13 - Transformation & Remediation
Chapter 14 - Intersection, Union & Difference
Chapter 14 - Intersection, Union & Difference
Chapter 15 - Thinking Ahead 5 (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 15 - Thinking Ahead 5 (Internal Assessment)
Chapter 16 - Storytelling
Chapter 16 - Storytelling
Chapter 17 - Problems & Projects
Chapter 17 - Problems & Projects
Chapter 18 - Thinking Ahead 6 (External Assessment)
Chapter 18 - Thinking Ahead 6 (External Assessment)
IB Resources
Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings
English A Language & Literature HL
English A Language & Literature HL

Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings

Understanding Noise A Deep Dive into Communication Barriers

Word Count Emoji
572 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Defining noise in communication

  • Noise is unfiltered information that can interfere with the clarity and delivery of a message.
  • For example, at a crowded party, background chatter and multiple conversations happening simultaneously can serve as noise, making it hard to focus on a specific conversation.
  • Real-world example: Imagine trying to watch a movie at home with a noisy construction site next door. The construction sounds act as noise, hindering your comprehension and enjoyment of the film.

Noise reduction in mass communication

  • Media used for mass communication are designed to reduce noise.
  • For instance, headphones help to filter out background noise, allowing the listener to focus on the intended message, such as a song or podcast.
  • Real-world example: Noise-cancelling headphones are used on airplanes to drown out the engine's noise, enabling passengers to listen to music or watch movies more clearly.

Shannon-weaver model of communication

  • Developed by Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver in the late 1940s, this model breaks down the process of sending and receiving a message.
  • The model considers factors such as encoding/decoding and the nature of noise.
  • However, technological advancements can blur the roles of participants and technologies involved.
  • Real-world example: Miscommunication can occur during a video call due to a weak internet connection (noise), causing choppy audio and video (issues in encoding/decoding).

Harold lasswell’s communication model

  • Lasswell, a political scientist, also developed a model to study communicative acts, focusing on the mass media's role as a conduit for communication.

The role of mass media

  • Mass media includes various technologies and platforms that facilitate communication, which evolves over time based on technological developments and societal demands.
  • However, the introduction and development of new technologies do not necessarily render older ones obsolete.
  • Real-world example: Despite the popularity of email and messaging apps, traditional mail services are still functional and important for various reasons, like legal documentation.

Message interruptions

  • Noise serves as a metaphor for the complexity of communication. It represents potential barriers that can cause a message to deviate from its original intention.
  • The role of institutionalized mass communication platforms, like broadcast television, in clarifying or confusing messages is debatable.

Defining noise in different media

  • The concept of noise can extend to visual media, like images or websites, and even works of art. "Noise" here could be distracting or irrelevant elements within these mediums.

Communication in literature

  • Literary works can also be seen as a form of communication, although defining their "purpose" or "audience" may be challenging.
  • Even if their primary purpose is to entertain, they still communicate ideas, emotions, and thoughts.
  • Real-world example: Harry Potter series not only entertains but also conveys messages about friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil.

Purpose of texts

  • Different texts have different purposes, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain.
  • Some texts, like advertisements, often have multiple purposes, including selling a product and communicating an idea.
  • Real-world example: Dove's Real Beauty campaign sells beauty products while also promoting body positivity.

Advertisements and social commentary

  • Many companies have begun integrating social commentary into their advertisements.
  • The intention behind this could be to affect positive social change, purely selling a product, or a mix of both.
  • Real-world example: Nike's "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything" campaign sells sports apparel while also commenting on racial issues.

Personal communication vs advertising

  • Sometimes, a piece of personal communication, like a tweet from a company, can serve as advertising or a social change attempt.
  • Real-world example: When a company tweets in support of a social issue, such as LGBTQ+ rights, it can simultaneously express a social stance and promote the brand's image.

Remember: Communication is a complex process that involves the sender, receiver, medium, message, and potential noise. It is present in every part of our life, from casual conversations to literature to mass media. Understanding its dynamics helps us to communicate effectively and appreciate its power in shaping society.

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IB Resources
Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings
English A Language & Literature HL
English A Language & Literature HL

Chapter 1 - Thoughts & Feelings

Understanding Noise A Deep Dive into Communication Barriers

Word Count Emoji
572 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Defining noise in communication

  • Noise is unfiltered information that can interfere with the clarity and delivery of a message.
  • For example, at a crowded party, background chatter and multiple conversations happening simultaneously can serve as noise, making it hard to focus on a specific conversation.
  • Real-world example: Imagine trying to watch a movie at home with a noisy construction site next door. The construction sounds act as noise, hindering your comprehension and enjoyment of the film.

Noise reduction in mass communication

  • Media used for mass communication are designed to reduce noise.
  • For instance, headphones help to filter out background noise, allowing the listener to focus on the intended message, such as a song or podcast.
  • Real-world example: Noise-cancelling headphones are used on airplanes to drown out the engine's noise, enabling passengers to listen to music or watch movies more clearly.

Shannon-weaver model of communication

  • Developed by Claude Elwood Shannon and Warren Weaver in the late 1940s, this model breaks down the process of sending and receiving a message.
  • The model considers factors such as encoding/decoding and the nature of noise.
  • However, technological advancements can blur the roles of participants and technologies involved.
  • Real-world example: Miscommunication can occur during a video call due to a weak internet connection (noise), causing choppy audio and video (issues in encoding/decoding).

Harold lasswell’s communication model

  • Lasswell, a political scientist, also developed a model to study communicative acts, focusing on the mass media's role as a conduit for communication.

The role of mass media

  • Mass media includes various technologies and platforms that facilitate communication, which evolves over time based on technological developments and societal demands.
  • However, the introduction and development of new technologies do not necessarily render older ones obsolete.
  • Real-world example: Despite the popularity of email and messaging apps, traditional mail services are still functional and important for various reasons, like legal documentation.

Message interruptions

  • Noise serves as a metaphor for the complexity of communication. It represents potential barriers that can cause a message to deviate from its original intention.
  • The role of institutionalized mass communication platforms, like broadcast television, in clarifying or confusing messages is debatable.

Defining noise in different media

  • The concept of noise can extend to visual media, like images or websites, and even works of art. "Noise" here could be distracting or irrelevant elements within these mediums.

Communication in literature

  • Literary works can also be seen as a form of communication, although defining their "purpose" or "audience" may be challenging.
  • Even if their primary purpose is to entertain, they still communicate ideas, emotions, and thoughts.
  • Real-world example: Harry Potter series not only entertains but also conveys messages about friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil.

Purpose of texts

  • Different texts have different purposes, such as to inform, persuade, or entertain.
  • Some texts, like advertisements, often have multiple purposes, including selling a product and communicating an idea.
  • Real-world example: Dove's Real Beauty campaign sells beauty products while also promoting body positivity.

Advertisements and social commentary

  • Many companies have begun integrating social commentary into their advertisements.
  • The intention behind this could be to affect positive social change, purely selling a product, or a mix of both.
  • Real-world example: Nike's "Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything" campaign sells sports apparel while also commenting on racial issues.

Personal communication vs advertising

  • Sometimes, a piece of personal communication, like a tweet from a company, can serve as advertising or a social change attempt.
  • Real-world example: When a company tweets in support of a social issue, such as LGBTQ+ rights, it can simultaneously express a social stance and promote the brand's image.

Remember: Communication is a complex process that involves the sender, receiver, medium, message, and potential noise. It is present in every part of our life, from casual conversations to literature to mass media. Understanding its dynamics helps us to communicate effectively and appreciate its power in shaping society.