Humans communicate to fulfill fundamental needs: belonging, appreciation, and connection with others (friends, family, colleagues).  This social interaction is enabled by our communication abilities.  Further, communication serves to accomplish tasks and express intentions/feelings.  Four primary communication purposes exist, many best achieved verbally: conveying information (e.g., meeting times, policy statements); requesting help (verbal requests foster empathy and clarity); influencing others (politicians' speeches, using verbal and non-verbal cues); and entertainment (comedians' live shows).  Beyond these, we communicate to persuade (e.g., a mother comforting a child, an advertisement), inform (e.g., a science experiment demonstration, a bank announcement), seek information (e.g., asking directions), and express emotions (joy, sorrow, etc.).