This top-selling book presents the essential skills of interpersonal, small group, and public communication, emphasizing the areas of human communication skills, cultural awareness, listening, critical thinking, ethics, power and empowerment, and computer-mediated communication. Essentials of Human Communication fills the need for a brief, interesting, but serious book that places a strong focus on skill development. In-text features and the text itself highlight the application of human communication skills to the real world and to the workplace.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents: PART ONE FOUNDATIONS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION 1 The Essentials of Human Communication Foundations of Human Communication Communication Models and Concepts Communication Competence Principles of Communication Culture and Human Communication Skill Development Experiences 2 The Self and Perception The Self in Human Communication Self-Disclosure Perception Impression Formation Impression Management: Goals and Strategies Skill Development Experiences 3 Listening in Human Communication The Importance of Listening: Professional and Relationship Benefits Stages of Listening Listening Barriers Styles of Effective Listening Listening Differences: Culture and Gender Skill Development Experiences 4 Verbal Messages Principles of Verbal Messages Disconfirmation and Confirmation Principles for Using Verbal Messages Effectively Skill Development Experiences 5 Nonverbal Messages The Functions of Nonverbal Communication The Channels of Nonverbal Communication Culture, Gender, and Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication Skills Skill Development Experiences PART TWO CONTEXTS OF HUMAN COMMUNICATION 6 Interpersonal Communication and Conversation Conversation Principles of Conversation Everyday Conversations Skill Development Experiences 7 Interpersonal Relationships The Stages of Interpersonal Relationships Interpersonal Relationship Types Theories of Interpersonal Communication and Relationships Culture, Technology, Work, and Relationships Skill Development Experiences 8 Managing Interpersonal Conflict Preliminaries to Interpersonal Conflict Principles of Interpersonal Conflict Conflict Management Strategies Skill Development Experiences 9 Small Group Communication Essentials of Small Groups and Teams Small Group Culture Brainstorming Groups Information-Sharing Groups Problem-Solving Groups Skill Development Experiences 10 Members and Leaders in Small Group Communication Members in Small Group Communication Leaders in Small Group Communication Membership, Leadership, and Culture Skill Development Experiences 11 Public Speaking Preparation (Steps 1--6) The Nature of Public Speaking Step 1: Select Your Topic and Purpose Step 2: Analyze Your Audience Step 3: Research Your Topic Step 4: Formulate Your Thesis and Identify Your Main Points Step 5: Support Your Main Points Step 6: Organize Your Information Skill Development Experiences 12 Public Speaking Preparation and Delivery (Steps 7--10) Step 7: Word Your Speech Step 8: Construct Your Conclusion and Introduction Step 9: Rehearse Your Speech Step 10: Deliver Your Speech Critically Evaluating Speeches Skill Development Experiences 13 The Informative Speech Guidelines for Informative Speaking Supporting Materials Presentation Aids Speeches of Description Speeches of Definition Speeches of Demonstration Skill Development Experiences 14 The Persuasive Speech Goals of Persuasion Guidelines for Persuasive Speaking Supporting Materials Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Fact Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Value Persuasive Speeches on Questions of Policy Skill Development Experiences Glossary of Human Communication Concepts and Skills Bibliography Index Credits