Communication in Everyday Life

Preface
A Personal Note to Readers
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART I. COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS
Chapter 1 An Overview of Communication
Everyday Communication and the Relational Perspective
What Is Communication?
Communication Is Symbolic
Communication Requires Meaning
Communication Is Cultural
Communication Is Relational
Communication Involves Frames
Communication Is Both Presentational and Representational
Communication Is a Transaction
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 2 Histories and Contexts of Communication
The Challenges of Writing History
The Development of a Discipline
The Emergence of Areas of Study
Coming Together (Kind of) as Communication Studies
Future of Communication and the Relational Perspective
Methods of Studying Communication
Social Scientific Approach
Interpretivist Approach
Critical Approach
Improving Communication Studies Through the Relational Perspective
Where Next?
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
PART II. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Chapter 3 Identities, Perceptions, and Communication
Do People Have Core Selves?
Identities and Perceptions
Identities and Communication
Transacting Identity and Other People
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 4 Verbal Communication
How Is Verbal Communication Symbolic?
Verbal Communication Involves Meaning
Verbal Communication Is Relational
Verbal Communication Is Cultural
Verbal Communication and Frames
Verbal Communication Is Presentational
Functions of Verbal Communication
Relationships and Everyday Talk
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 5 Nonverbal Communication
Misconceptions About Nonverbal Communication
What Is Nonverbal Communication?
The Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 6 Culture and Communication
How Can Culture Be Identified and Studied?
Structure-Based Cultural Characteristics
Transacting Culture
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 7 Listening
Why Is Listening Important?
Active Listening
Engaged and Relational Listening
Critical Listening
Recognizing and Overcoming Listening Obstacles
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
PART III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS
Chapter 8 Personal Relationships
What Are Personal Relationships?
Benefits of Personal Relationships
Initiating Relationships: The Relationship Filtering Model
Transacting and Maintaining Personal Relationships
Coming Apart
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 9 Groups and Leaders
What Is a Group?
Characteristics of Groups
Group Development and Decision Making
Group Decision Making Is About Relationships
Leadership
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 10 Communication in the Workplace
Learning About the Workplace
Going to Work: The Workplace as a Special Frame
The Workplace as a Culture
The Workplace as Relationships
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 11 Technology and Media in Everyday Life
Perceptions of Technology and Media
The Relational Uses of Technology and Media
Smartphones: Constructing Identities and Relationships
Constructing Identities and Maintaining Relationships Online
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 12 Interviewing
Preparing for an Interview
Interviews
Pre-Interview Responsibilities
Beginning an Employment Interview
Asking the Questions During an Employment Interview
Answering the Questions During an Employment Interview
Concluding an Employment Interview
Post-Interview Responsibilities
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
PART IV. PRESENTATION SKILLS IN CONTEXT
Chapter 13 Preparing for a Presentation
Presenting and Relationships
Getting Ready to Present
How Do You Analyze Audiences?
Selecting Your Topic
Determining the Purpose and Thesis of Your Presentation
Evidence and Support Material
Selecting and Using Evidence and Support Material
Selecting and Searching for Sources (Inventio)
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 14 Developing a Presentation
Gaining Confidence as a Speaker
The Body: How Do You Develop an Argument?
Introductions and Conclusions
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 15 Giving Informative and Persuasive Talks
Key Features of Informative Presentations
Key Features of Persuasive Presentations
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Chapter 16 Delivering a Presentation
Managing Emotions About Speaking
Guidelines for Effective Delivery: Answers to Common Questions
Styles of Delivery
Effective Delivery
Presentation Aids
Making the Most of Your Anxieties
Focus Questions Revisited
Key Concepts
Questions to Ask Your Friends
Media Connections
Appendix: Sample Presentations
Glossary
References
Index