Definitional

"Communication in general is process of sending and receiving messages that enables humans to share knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Although we usually identify communication with speech, communication is composed of two dimensions - verbal and nonverbal." (website). In Human Communication, D'Angelo and Stwewart propose that there are four different types of communication if one distinguishes vocal from nonvocal and verbal from nonverbal.

First, the most common form of communication is verbal/vocal. Verbal/vocal communication suggests that people communicate through spoken word (Tubbs). For instance, Mike and Josh discuss their plans to to go to the mall. 

The next form of communication is verbal/nonvocal; "words are involved but no speaking takes place" (Tubbs). When someone writes a letter, e-mail, blog, Faceboook message or comment, verbal/nonvocal communication take places because words are exchanged, but no sound is made. 

The third form of communication is nonverbal/vocal communication where vocoalizations such as a groan will constitute the form of communication (Tubbs). Often times these can be people's subconcious mannerisms such as clearing there thoat or saying "um" a lot while they speak.

The final form of communication is nonverbal/nonvocal. Nonverbal/nonvocal communication only involves appearance and gestures (Tubbs). An example of a nonverbal/nonvocal message would be a smile or a frown. Nonverbal/nonvocal messages can easily be interpreted the wrong way, for someone may lose eye-contact during a conversation which may suggest to the other person that they are uninterested when the conversation truly holds their attention.  

Works Cited

Tubbs, Stewart L., and Sylvia Moss. Human Communication : Principles and Contexts. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities, Social Sciences & World Languages, 2007.

http://www.fhsu.edu/~zhrepic/Teaching/GenEducation/nonverbcom/nonverbcom.htm