What is the first step in the communication process?

In the communication process, the first step involves the sender sending a message. This initiates the communication cycle, where the sender has an idea or information they want to convey. By encoding this idea into a message, whether through spoken words, written text, or nonverbal cues, the sender starts the process of communication.

Once the message is sent, it is then transmitted through a medium to reach the receiver. Effective communication hinges on this first step; without the sender taking action to deliver a message, there is no communication to interpret or respond to. Following this initial step, the receiver then receives the message, interprets it, and can provide feedback, but these actions occur only after the message has been sent. Thus, the focus on the sender's role as the initiator of the communication is crucial for understanding how the entire process unfolds.