Final answer:
The first step in the communication process is encoding, which involves turning thoughts, ideas, or messages into a symbolic form that can be understood by others. It impacts effective communication by ensuring that the message is accurately conveyed and understood by the receiver.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in the communication process is encoding. Encoding is the process of turning thoughts, ideas, or messages into a symbolic form that can be understood by others. It involves selecting words, gestures, or other means of communication to convey the intended message. Effective communication depends on accurate and clear encoding, as it ensures that the message is conveyed accurately and can be understood by the receiver.