IGNOU FREE BEGG-171 Media and Communication Skills Solved Guess Paper 2025

Q1. What is Communication? Explain the process, types, and importance of communication.

Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, and emotions between individuals or groups. It involves sending, receiving, and understanding messages. Communication is essential for personal, social, and professional life because it enables cooperation, learning, and relationship-building.

Process of Communication

The communication process includes the following steps:

1. Sender – The person who creates and sends the message.

2. Message – The information, idea, or feeling being communicated.

3. Encoding – Converting the idea into words, symbols, or gestures.

4. Channel – The medium used to transmit the message (spoken words, writing, phone, internet).

5. Receiver – The person who receives and interprets the message.

6. Decoding – Understanding the meaning of the message.

7. Feedback – Receiver’s response, which completes the communication process.

8. Noise – Any barrier that affects the communication (physical noise, emotional tension, language difference, etc.).

Types of Communication

1. Verbal Communication: Speaking and listening (face-to-face, phone, video call).

2. Non-Verbal Communication: Body language, facial expressions, gestures, eye contact.

3. Written Communication: Letters, emails, reports, articles, notes.

4. Visual Communication: Charts, images, graphics, infographics.

Importance of Communication

• Builds and maintains relationships

• Helps in teamwork and cooperation

• Reduces confusion and conflict

• Essential for leadership and management

• Helps in academic and career growth

• Facilitates problem-solving and decision-making

Communication is the backbone of human interaction. Without effective communication, no organization, society, or system can function smoothly. Good communication builds trust, clarity, and harmony among people.

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Q2. What is an Advertisement? Discuss its purpose, characteristics, and types.

An advertisement is a paid, persuasive communication designed to promote a product, service, idea, or event. The purpose of advertisement is to influence consumer behavior, create awareness, generate demand, and build a brand image.

Purpose of Advertisement

• To inform consumers about products or services

• To persuade them to buy or support a product

• To remind consumers about a brand or service regularly

• To build brand identity and loyalty

• To increase market demand

• To launch new products or ideas

Characteristics of Good Advertisements

1. Clarity: The message should be simple and easy to understand.

2. Creativity: Attractive visuals, catchy slogans, and strong emotions.

3. Persuasion: Should influence consumers’ decisions.

4. Memorability: A strong tagline or memorable design.

5. Target audience-based: Message must suit the interests and needs of the audience.

6. Credibility: Information should be truthful and reliable.

Types of Advertisements

1. Commercial Advertisements – Promote products/services (TV ads, online ads).

2. Social Advertisements – Create awareness about social issues (health, environment, safety).

3. Print Advertisements – Newspapers, magazines, posters, banners.

4. Broadcast Advertisements – Radio and TV.

5. Digital Advertisements – Social media ads, YouTube ads, Google ads.

6. Outdoor Advertisements – Billboards, hoardings, vehicle ads.

7. Public Service Announcements (PSA) – Non-commercial messages for public welfare.

Advertisements play a powerful role in shaping consumer choices, public awareness, and cultural trends. In today’s digital era, advertisements are more interactive, personalized, and dynamic, affecting people’s daily decisions.

Q3. What is Media Writing? Explain its types, features, and importance in mass communication.

Media writing refers to writing content for mass media platforms such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and digital media. It requires accuracy, clarity, speed, and a strong understanding of audience expectations.

Types of Media Writing

1. News Writing – Reporting factual events using the 5Ws & 1H (What, When, Where, Who, Why, How).

2. Feature Writing – In-depth human-interest stories, lifestyle, culture, history, etc.

3. Editorial/Opinion Writing – Expressing opinions on social, political, or cultural issues.

4. Script Writing – For radio, TV, films, documentaries, podcasts.

5. Digital Content Writing – Blogs, social media posts, websites, copywriting.

6. Review Writing – Reviewing books, films, shows, products.

Features of Media Writing

• Accuracy: Facts must be true and verified.

• Clarity: Language should be simple and easy to understand.

• Objectivity: No personal bias in news writing.

• Brevity: Short, crisp sentences.

• Timeliness: Information must be current and relevant.

• Audience-focused: Content tailored for readers/viewers.

Importance in Mass Communication

• Provides information to the public

• Shapes public opinion

• Promotes transparency and accountability

• Educates and entertains people

• Bridges the gap between government and citizens

• Helps in awareness about social, economic, and political issues

Media writing is essential because it determines how information is understood by millions of people. A media writer must be responsible, ethical, and creative. With digital media growth, media writing today is more dynamic and influential than ever before.

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Q4. What is Social Media? Discuss its features, advantages, challenges, and impact on communication.

Social media refers to digital platforms that allow people to create, share, and exchange information, images, videos, and ideas. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Features of Social Media

• Interactivity: Users communicate in real-time.

• User-generated content: Anyone can create posts, videos, and messages.

• Connectivity: Connects people across the world.

• Multimedia support: Allows sharing of text, audio, video, graphics.

• Speed: Information spreads instantly.

Advantages of Social Media

1. Easy communication: Connects friends, families, and communities.

2. Information sharing: News spreads faster through social platforms.

3. Business opportunities: Digital marketing, branding, online sales.

4. Education: Online classes, e-learning, study resources.

5. Awareness: Promotes social causes and community support.

Challenges of Social Media

• Fake news and misinformation

• Cyberbullying and harassment

• Privacy issues & data leakage

• Addiction and distraction

• Mental health concerns

Impact on Communication

Social media has completely transformed communication. It has made communication faster, more democratic, and more accessible. People now share opinions instantly, participate in discussions, and express creativity. Businesses and governments also use social media to reach citizens quickly.

However, social media also brings challenges like misinformation, reduced face-to-face communication, and shortened attention spans. Thus, responsible use is essential.

Social media is a powerful tool that shapes modern life, culture, and global communication.

Q5. Explain the 7Cs of Communication with examples.

The 7Cs of communication are essential principles that make communication effective, professional, and clear. The first C is Clarity, which means the message should be simple and understandable; for example, instead of long confusing sentences, one should use direct and straightforward language.

The second C is Conciseness, which focuses on giving only necessary information without unnecessary details, saving time for both sender and receiver. The third C is Correctness, which means the message should be factually and grammatically accurate so that it builds trust and avoids confusion. The fourth C is Completeness, meaning the message should include all required details like time, place, and purpose so the receiver can take appropriate action.

The fifth C is Courtesy, which highlights politeness and respect in communication, creating goodwill and positive relationships. The sixth C is Concreteness, which refers to providing solid facts, figures, and evidence, making the message convincing and reliable. The last C is Consideration, which means understanding the receiver’s emotions, needs, and background to frame the message in a way that is meaningful to them. Together, these 7Cs ensure that communication is effective, professional, and impactful in both personal and professional settings.

Q6. Discuss the role and importance of Mass Media in society.

Mass media plays a vital role in modern society by informing, educating, entertaining, and influencing public opinion. Through newspapers, television, radio, films, and digital platforms, mass media reaches millions of people at the same time, making it the most powerful communication tool.

It provides news and information about politics, economy, health, environment, and current affairs, helping people make informed decisions. Mass media also plays a key role in shaping social attitudes by raising awareness about issues like gender equality, environmental protection, public health, and human rights.

Entertainment media such as films, music, web series, and sports programs provide relaxation and cultural expression. Mass media also acts as a watchdog by monitoring government actions, exposing corruption, and ensuring transparency. In elections, it helps voters understand policies and candidates. In addition, mass media promotes national integration by showcasing diverse cultures and traditions of India.

However, it also has limitations such as sensationalism, biased reporting, and spread of fake news. Therefore, responsible journalism and media literacy are essential to ensure that mass media continues to serve society in a positive and constructive way.

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Q7. What is News Writing? Explain characteristics of good news.

News writing is the process of reporting events in a clear, factual, and objective manner so that the public receives accurate information. Good news writing follows the principle of the 5Ws and 1H—Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How—ensuring that all important details are covered.

One major characteristic of good news is accuracy, which means facts, names, dates, and statements must be correct and verified. Another important feature is objectivity, where the writer should not include personal opinions or biases; the news must be neutral and balanced. Clarity is also essential so that readers easily understand the story without confusion.

Brevity ensures that the news is crisp and to the point because readers prefer short and relevant information. Good news writing also requires timeliness, meaning the news should be recent and updated.

Relevance is another factor, as news must address issues that affect people’s lives or interests. Additionally, good news should be written in simple language, in an inverted pyramid structure, where important information comes first. These characteristics make news reliable, readable, and meaningful to the audience.

Q8. Describe the functions and impact of Social Media in modern communication.

Social media has transformed modern communication by making interactions faster, more interactive, and globally connected. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Twitter allow users to create, share, and exchange content instantly, breaking all geographical barriers.

One major function of social media is information sharing, as news spreads rapidly through posts, videos, and live updates. It also plays a significant role in networking, helping people maintain relationships, build communities, and connect with professionals across the world. Social media has become a major platform for digital marketing, allowing businesses to advertise, promote products, and reach specific audiences at low cost.

In education, social media supports learning through online classes, tutorials, study groups, and knowledge-sharing communities. It also encourages public participation by giving people a voice, enabling them to express opinions, support social causes, and participate in public debates.

However, social media also has challenges like misinformation, cyberbullying, privacy issues, addiction, and mental health impacts. Despite these challenges, social media remains one of the most powerful communication tools, shaping how people interact, learn, and engage in the digital age.

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Q9. What is Cyber Media? Explain its advantages and disadvantages.

Cyber media refers to digital and internet-based platforms used for communication, information sharing, and entertainment. It includes websites, blogs, online news portals, social media platforms, podcasts, OTT platforms, and mobile applications.

One major advantage of cyber media is instant access—information and services are available within seconds anywhere in the world. It is highly interactive, allowing users to comment, share, and participate in discussions. Cyber media also supports multimedia, combining text, images, audio, and video, making communication richer and more engaging.

Another benefit is low cost distribution, enabling even small creators to reach global audiences. Cyber media plays a crucial role in education, digital marketing, e-governance, and public awareness. However, it also has disadvantages such as spread of fake news, which can mislead the public. Privacy threats, hacking, phishing, and data leaks are major concerns.

Excessive use may lead to addiction, anxiety, and reduced face-to-face communication. Cyber media also creates “information overload,” making it difficult to identify reliable content. Thus, while cyber media is powerful and transformative, responsible use and digital literacy are essential for minimizing risks.

Q10. Discuss the ethics and responsibilities of media professionals.

Media professionals play a critical role in shaping public opinion, so ethical behavior and responsibility are essential. The first duty is truthfulness, meaning journalists must report accurate, verified facts without distortion.

They must ensure objectivity by avoiding personal opinions and political or commercial influences. Fairness is another essential value, requiring equal representation of all sides of an issue. Media professionals must avoid sensationalism and respect people’s privacy, especially during tragedies or sensitive events. Ethical journalism also demands transparency, where sources of information should be credible and revealed when necessary.

Media professionals must avoid accepting gifts, bribes, or favors that compromise impartiality. They must protect confidential sources and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities. It is their responsibility to avoid hate speech, stereotypes, and content that promotes violence or discrimination.

Ethical media also includes accountability—if a mistake occurs, it must be corrected publicly. In the digital era, journalists must be cautious of misinformation and verify online content before publishing. Thus, ethics and responsibility ensure that media remains trustworthy, reliable, and beneficial to society.

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