PrefaceA Personal Note to ReadersAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsPART I. COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONSChapter 1 An Overview of CommunicationEveryday Communication and the Relational PerspectiveWhat Is Communication?Communication Is SymbolicCommunication Requires MeaningCommunication Is CulturalCommunication Is RelationalCommunication Involves FramesCommunication Is Both Presentational and RepresentationalCommunication Is a TransactionFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 2 Histories and Contexts of CommunicationThe Challenges of Writing HistoryThe Development of a DisciplineThe Emergence of Areas of StudyComing Together (Kind of) as Communication StudiesFuture of Communication and the Relational PerspectiveMethods of Studying CommunicationSocial Scientific ApproachInterpretivist ApproachCritical ApproachImproving Communication Studies Through the Relational PerspectiveWhere Next?Focus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsPART II. COMMUNICATION SKILLSChapter 3 Identities, Perceptions, and CommunicationDo People Have Core Selves?Identities and PerceptionsIdentities and CommunicationTransacting Identity and Other PeopleFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 4 Verbal CommunicationHow Is Verbal Communication Symbolic?Verbal Communication Involves MeaningVerbal Communication Is RelationalVerbal Communication Is CulturalVerbal Communication and FramesVerbal Communication Is PresentationalFunctions of Verbal CommunicationRelationships and Everyday TalkFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 5 Nonverbal CommunicationMisconceptions About Nonverbal CommunicationWhat Is Nonverbal Communication?The Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationTypes of Nonverbal CommunicationFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 6 Culture and CommunicationHow Can Culture Be Identified and Studied?Structure-Based Cultural CharacteristicsTransacting CultureFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 7 ListeningWhy Is Listening Important?Active ListeningEngaged and Relational ListeningCritical ListeningRecognizing and Overcoming Listening ObstaclesFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsPART III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTSChapter 8 Personal RelationshipsWhat Are Personal Relationships?Benefits of Personal RelationshipsInitiating Relationships: The Relationship Filtering ModelTransacting and Maintaining Personal RelationshipsComing ApartFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 9 Groups and LeadersWhat Is a Group?Characteristics of GroupsGroup Development and Decision MakingGroup Decision Making Is About RelationshipsLeadershipFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 10 Communication in the WorkplaceLearning About the WorkplaceGoing to Work: The Workplace as a Special FrameThe Workplace as a CultureThe Workplace as RelationshipsFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 11 Technology and Media in Everyday LifePerceptions of Technology and MediaThe Relational Uses of Technology and MediaSmartphones: Constructing Identities and RelationshipsConstructing Identities and Maintaining Relationships OnlineFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 12 InterviewingPreparing for an InterviewInterviewsPre-Interview ResponsibilitiesBeginning an Employment InterviewAsking the Questions During an Employment InterviewAnswering the Questions During an Employment InterviewConcluding an Employment InterviewPost-Interview ResponsibilitiesFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsPART IV. PRESENTATION SKILLS IN CONTEXTChapter 13 Preparing for a PresentationPresenting and RelationshipsGetting Ready to PresentHow Do You Analyze Audiences?Selecting Your TopicDetermining the Purpose and Thesis of Your PresentationEvidence and Support MaterialSelecting and Using Evidence and Support MaterialSelecting and Searching for Sources (Inventio)Focus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 14 Developing a PresentationGaining Confidence as a SpeakerThe Body: How Do You Develop an Argument?Introductions and ConclusionsFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 15 Giving Informative and Persuasive TalksKey Features of Informative PresentationsKey Features of Persuasive PresentationsFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsChapter 16 Delivering a PresentationManaging Emotions About SpeakingGuidelines for Effective Delivery: Answers to Common QuestionsStyles of DeliveryEffective DeliveryPresentation AidsMaking the Most of Your AnxietiesFocus Questions RevisitedKey ConceptsQuestions to Ask Your FriendsMedia ConnectionsAppendix: Sample PresentationsGlossaryReferencesIndex.