Com200: Interpersonal Communication - Letter of Advice

Letter of Advice

Carol Kroeger

COM200: Interpersonal Communication

Instructor: Anne Schneeberger

January 16, 2013

Letter of Advice

Miss Tristan and Ann Moore,

First and for most, I would like to congratulate you both on your recent marriage! I am so thrilled that you are asking me for advice based on all of the valuable information that I have studied in my Interpersonal Communication course. Communication is the foundation that a marriage is built upon. Communication can determine whether a relationship will be long lasting, or not. It is a skill that no one is perfect at, but everyone can learn beneficial ways to communicate more effectively which is the key a life-long happy marriage. I am delighted to share the tools that I have learned throughout my course. I hope that the both of you will find my advice very informative and useful during your marriage. The key to a successful marriage is honesty, communication, and knowing the power of your words.

I will reference different material throughout this letter. The human race is a highly interactive being that desires and craves relationships with others of its kind (Sole, 2011). I believe life is the most precious gift in the world; moreover, empathy is the power that sustains that gift of life. In other words, when people in intimate relationships concern themselves with the problems and issues of others with compassion, and sympathy.

Once we learn how to communicate and listening during our communication then we can apply this principles in our own relationship with our spouses. Couples today do not communicate their feelings or even their dreams in life with their significant other, there is a broken communication that must be fixed for the marriage to be maintained and remain together.

Explain the principles and misconceptions in effective interpersonal communications.

In any relationship, it is very important to understand the basic principles and misconceptions that take place in communications. This is essential to be sure that we are communicating and not just talking. In an online book "Making Connections: Understanding Relationships", Kathy Sole explains the role of many terms related to effective communication. In communication there is always a sender, a receiver and the message itself. She further emphasizes that listening is a very important part of communicating (2011). In fact, listening is the largest part of any communication. Listening can be verbal and/or reading. Listening and providing feedback are the ways we can determine that we understand what is actually being sent.

Identify the barriers to effective interpersonal interactions.

Effective interpersonal interactions are essential in life. Interpersonal interactions influence everything including your happiness of your friends and family. According to the book," the process of building a relationship with someone is not always smooth and trouble-free." (Sole, K., 2011). These principles can help us to communicate better on a daily basis whether at meetings, public places, or even at family gatherings.

Interpersonal communication is defined by how close people are physically to one another and how involved they are with the other person. Interpersonal communication also plays a role in many couples' lives. As we learn how to communicate with our partners or spouses we also learn how to give feedback to one another and how to listen better for a happier relationship. Indeed, while, interpersonal communication is not the main reason why people get along, interpersonal communication is an important factor among relationships and learning new skills for communication, as well as learning how to deal with barriers are the main keys for a better relationship.

Once we learn how to communicate and listening during our communication then we can apply this principles in our own relationship with our spouses. Couples today do not communicate their feelings or even their dreams in life with their significant other, there is a broken communication that must be fixed for the marriage to be maintained and remain together.

Develop strategies for active, critical, and empathic listening.

"Effective listening is a process that requires six distinct components 1) motivating yourself to listen, 2) clearly hearing the message, 3) paying attention to the message, 4) correctly interpreting the message, 5) evaluating the message, and 6) remembering and responding appropriately." (Adair, 2003). Sole, K. (2011) Ch. 7.3

Listening habits that are poor can be rectified through a means of giving undivided attention to the other when being spoken to. The list of possible distractions are endless if your hearing is on another avenue of interest like while watching television and your spouse asks you something, the first thing to do is turn the television to mute, look at at the person speaking to you. Give your undivided attention to them, allowing them to feel completely confortable with the conversation