Communication Patterns

Part II. Multimodal Communication

Part II covers patterns, antipatterns, techniques, and frameworks for written, verbal (spoken), and nonverbal communication. Whether you work remotely, in an office, or a mixture of the two, you use all these types of communication regularly. Putting some extra thought into how you write, speak, and use body language and other nonverbal communication will make your message more understandable and increase your chances of receiving your desired response.

The sections within the chapters in Part II are organized as collections of patterns and antipatterns. You can apply the patterns for written communication to whatever you write, including emails, documentation, and instant messages. The verbal and nonverbal techniques can be applied whether you are talking to someone (or a group) face-to-face or remotely.

Chapter 9, the final chapter in this part, contains patterns and techniques for using rhetoric, which you can apply to all types of communication. Originally developed by Aristotle over two millennia ago, you might not think rhetoric would apply to communication in the modern technical world, but the techniques of ethos, pathos, and logos have stood the test of time for a good reason.

Apply all these patterns and techniques to strengthen your message, whatever format (or multiple formats) it takes.