Communication plays an important and extensive role in our day to day lives when talking, texting, or calling people. It helps us get our message across to others and lets them know our thoughts and feelings.

However, a problem I still continue to see around me at school and in public is miscommunication among peers and random people I sometimes come across.

I will admit to having this problem too, but not to the extent of how it was even just a few months ago.

As a journalism major, we have to be able to communicate properly and effectively if we want to get our point across to someone or a group of people, and in return we can get the response that we hope for.

For example, if you’re interviewing a person for a story, the questions you provide should be clear and understandable. Asking that person a question that doesn’t get your point across will result in an answer you’re probably not expecting to get out of them.

Another problem with miscommunication I have come across, and also noticed a lot, is being scared to say what you think or how you feel.

According to mindtools.com, two out of the 10 common communication mistakes made are not being assertive and avoiding difficult conversations.

To some people, giving constructive criticism or negative feedback is a difficult circumstance to overcome, but we will all have to do it at some point in our lives or our careers.

Avoiding any conversation with someone to spare their feelings can cause problems later down the line.

An example of this could be in the setting of a newsroom between an editor and a writer who has many things wrong with their article.

If you’re scared to tell your writer that they should reword a few sentences or paragraphs that do not make sense to you, then you have to take the initiative to tell them instead of accepting the story. If you don’t understand what they wrote, what makes you think a reader will?

Along with that, being assertive is crucial when communicating normally too.

If you can’t tell someone what you need done, then everything could get screwed up. Now, things may not always work out in your favor when you voice your desires, but at least you’re making a clear statement of what you need and/or want.

For example, if you’re the leader of a project and people are slacking on their work, you might want to speak up and make it clear that there are deadlines that need to be met for the project.

If you’re too nice to tell people to meet their deadlines, then that miscommunication is going to lead to a project that won’t get done in time. Therefore, just speak up and say what you need to say.

Good communication is also vital within a workplace, and it helps keep the productivity going.

According to yourbusiness.azcentral.com, the results of a January 2013 employer survey conducted by Hart Research Associates show 93 percent of employers consider good communication skills more important than a college graduate’s major. Another result of that survey revealed that more than 75 percent of employers are placing emphasis on oral communication as a hiring prerequisite.

Communication is a tool we use in many fields and careers. It allows us to be direct and to be clear about whatever point we’re trying to make, and I hope you understand mine.

Therefore, instead of holding your tongue be straightforward, be clear, and just speak up.