Essay: The Importance Of Communication

Communication, whether verbal or in writing, is important to understand, considering people communicate with others every day. Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato spent time writing about their ideas revolving around communication. Though these philosophers lived approximately 2,500 years ago, their implications still relate to modern society. For example, these philosophers arrive to conclusions regarding adapting to the audience, establishing credibility, and being clear and precise. These passages from Aristotle and Plato both indicate how a twenty-first century communicator should approach communication, and how it can improve situations in which communication is used in society.

Adapting to the audience is important to communication

In Plato’s “Phaedrus,” he explains why this implication is critical in successfully communicating. Socrates compares writing to painting and tells Phaedrus, “When they have been once written down they are tumbled about anywhere among those who may or may not understand them, and know not to whom they should reply, to whom not: and, if they are maltreated or abused” (8). Readers do not have the author with them to answer questions and clarify. For this reason, as a writer it is important to be precise and clear, so the reader will be able to properly understand the meaning. On an essay question on a biology test, it is important for me to be clear and precise with my word choice. If I am vague and not detailed, it will result in the professor believing I do not know the information to the level I should. However, if I make my points clear, it will be more believable that I learned the information. In addition, being clear and precise with words is important when writing instruction and manuals. It is vital for a company to produce well written instructions to aid buyers, so they will be more inclined to buy products from the company again. Putting a bed frame together when instructions do not clearly state each step and what parts are involved will be difficult to follow compared to a set of clear instructions. Therefore, producing clear and precise instructions are beneficial to both buyers and