What is Intention in Communication? | Simple Explanation for Class 7

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What is an Intention in Communication?

Grade Level:

Class 7

NLP, Law, History, Social Sciences, Literature, Journalism, Communication

Definition

What is it?

In communication, an 'intention' is the hidden purpose or goal behind what someone says or does. It's the 'why' they choose to communicate in a certain way, whether to inform, persuade, ask, or express feelings.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your friend tells you, 'The new cricket bat at the shop is really good and not too expensive.' Their intention might be to simply inform you, OR it could be to convince you to buy it so you can play together.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's understand intention when a parent says, 'You haven't finished your homework yet!'

1. **Observe the statement:** The parent points out incomplete homework.
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2. **Consider the context:** It's evening, and there's a test tomorrow.
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3. **Analyze possible intentions:**
* **To remind:** The parent might just want to gently remind the child.
* **To scold:** The parent might be angry about procrastination.
* **To motivate:** The parent might want the child to start studying seriously.
* **To help:** The parent might be offering help if the child is stuck.
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4. **Look for non-verbal cues (if present):** Is the parent smiling, frowning, or looking worried? (Let's assume they look worried).
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5. **Infer the most likely intention:** Given the worry and the upcoming test, the most likely intention is to motivate the child to finish homework and prepare for the test.

**Answer:** The parent's intention is likely to motivate the child to complete their homework and prepare for the upcoming test.

Why It Matters

Understanding intention is crucial in fields like law, journalism, and literature, where interpreting messages correctly can change outcomes. Lawyers analyze intentions in contracts, journalists uncover hidden motives in news, and writers craft stories with specific intentions. It's a key skill for anyone aiming for careers in communication, policy, or creative writing.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Thinking that what someone says is always exactly what they mean. | CORRECTION: What is said (the literal message) can be different from the underlying intention (the hidden purpose). Always consider the 'why'.

MISTAKE: Assuming everyone's intention is always good or always bad. | CORRECTION: Intentions can be complex, mixed, or even neutral. Don't jump to conclusions; try to understand the full picture.

MISTAKE: Ignoring body language or tone of voice when trying to figure out intention. | CORRECTION: Non-verbal cues like facial expressions, gestures, and voice tone often reveal more about a person's true intention than their words alone.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Your friend says, 'Wow, that new movie has some really expensive special effects!' What could be two different intentions behind this statement? | ANSWER: 1. To express admiration for the movie's quality. 2. To suggest that the movie might not be worth watching if the story isn't good, despite the effects.

QUESTION: A teacher tells a student, 'Please see me after class.' If the student recently scored low on a test, what is the most probable intention? If the student just won a competition, what is the most probable intention? | ANSWER: If low score: The most probable intention is to discuss the test results and offer help. If won competition: The most probable intention is to congratulate the student.

QUESTION: Your younger sibling keeps asking, 'Can I have some of your chocolate?' but they avoid eye contact and fidget. What might be their intention, considering their actions? Explain why. | ANSWER: Their intention might be to ask for chocolate while also feeling a bit guilty or hesitant because they know they shouldn't ask too many times or they've been told no before. The avoidance of eye contact and fidgeting are non-verbal cues that suggest nervousness or a hidden feeling.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of the following best describes 'intention' in communication?

The exact words someone uses to speak.

The hidden purpose or goal behind a message.

How loudly someone speaks.

The language spoken by the communicator.

The Correct Answer Is:

Intention is the underlying 'why' behind communication, not just the words (A), volume (C), or language (D). It's the goal the speaker wants to achieve.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you see an advertisement for a new mobile phone, the company's intention is not just to show you the phone, but to persuade you to buy it. Similarly, when a political leader gives a speech, their intention might be to gain votes, inspire action, or explain a new policy, often using specific words and tone to achieve that goal.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

PURPOSE: The reason for which something is done or created | PERSUADE: To cause someone to do something through reasoning or argument | INFER: To deduce or conclude information from evidence and reasoning rather than from explicit statements | NON-VERBAL CUES: Communication without words, using body language, gestures, and facial expressions | MOTIVE: A reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand intention, you can explore 'inference in communication.' This will teach you how to use clues to figure out someone's intention even when it's not directly stated. It's like being a detective!