What are the two main styles of communication?

The two main styles of communication are typically recognized as verbal and non-verbal. Verbal communication refers to the use of spoken or written words to convey messages, while non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, gestures, and other forms of non-verbal cues that can enhance or contradict spoken messages.

Understanding both styles is crucial because they work together to create a comprehensive communication framework. Non-verbal signals often express emotions and attitudes that words alone may not fully convey, making them a vital aspect of how we communicate effectively with others.

Each of the other options presents valid forms or types of communication but does not encompass the primary categories that underpin all communication. Social and therapeutic might refer to specific contexts of communication while formal and informal focus on the setting or tone. Written and spoken emphasize mediums of verbal communication specifically but do not address the non-verbal component, which is equally important in overall communication dynamics.