What best describes communication?

Communication is best described as a two-way process because it involves the exchange of information between individuals or groups. This interaction allows for feedback, clarification, and understanding, making it a dynamic and reciprocal activity. In effective communication, both the sender and the receiver play active roles; the sender conveys a message, while the receiver interprets it, responds, and may provide feedback, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the communication.

In contrast, a one-way process suggests that information flows in only one direction, which does not capture the interactive nature of meaningful communication. A complex writing task emphasizes the structure and written aspect of communication, but it overlooks verbal or non-verbal interactions. Describing communication as a formal ritual also simplifies it too much, as it fails to account for the everyday, informal exchanges that are just as critical in conveying messages and fostering understanding. Each of these alternatives misses the essential element that successful communication relies on active engagement and feedback between the participants.