PrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorsPart I: Fundamentals of CommunicationChapter 1: Communication in Your LifeBuild Communication PresenceThe Nature and Essentials of CommunicationKey Communication PrinciplesWhy Work to Improve Communication Skills?Communication Skills: Practice Effective CommunicationComplete this Chapter 1 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 2: Culture and CommunicationThe Link Between Communication and CultureCulture, Communication, and DifferenceCultural Identity: Cultures within CulturesDimensions of Culture in ActionDigital Technology, Community, and ConnectivityCommunication Skills: Practice Communicating InterculturallyComplete this Chapter 2 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 3: Perception and the SelfThe Nature of PerceptionThe "I" Affects Perception of YouSelf-Perception, Outlook, and PerformanceCommon Perceptual BarriersGender, Culture, Self-Concept, and PerceptionSocial Media, Self-Concept, and PerceptionCommunication Skills: Practice Improving Perception of the Self and OthersComplete this Chapter 3 ChecklistKey TermsPart II: Communication Messages and SkillsChapter 4: Words and the Communication of MeaningThe Nature of Language and MeaningProblems With LanguageCulture, Gender, and LanguageThe Expression of Power and Offensive LanguageThe Digital Dimension and Language UseCommunication Skills: Practice Thinking Critically About Language UseComplete this Chapter 4 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 5: Nonverbal Messages SpeakCharacteristics and Functions of Nonverbal CommunicationTypes of Nonverbal CommunicationAdditional Nonverbal MessagesGender, Culture, and Nonverbal BehaviorNonverbal Communication in the Digital DimensionCommunication Skills: Practice Using and Observing Nonverbal CuesComplete this Chapter 5 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 6: Ethical ListeningListening and the Communication ConnectionThe Types and Stages of ListeningMindful ListeningGender, Culture, and ListeningDigital Media Influences on Listening and Critical ThinkingCommunication Skills: Practice Listening SkillsComplete This Chapter 6 ChecklistKey TermsPart III: Interpersonal Communication (Person-to-Person)Chapter 7: Understanding Personal and Professional RelationshipsReasons to Seek Interpersonal RelationshipsTypes of RelationshipsConversation and ConnectionHow Sex, Gender, and Culture Impact RelationshipsDigital Media and Our RelationshipsCommunication Skills: Practice Improving Interpersonal RelationshipsComplete This Chapter 7 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 8: Emotions and Relational ConflictHandling RelationshipsLying, Trusting, and Laughing in RelationshipsCommunicating Emotional Intelligence in RelationshipsHandling Emotions During Relational ConflictUnderstanding the Role of Sex, Gender, and Culture in Emotional Expression and ConflictExpressing Emotions and Conflict with TechnologyCommunication Skills: Practice Handling Feelings EffectivelyComplete This Chapter 8 ChecklistKey TermsPart IV: Group CommunicationChapter 9: Team Building, Group Decision-Making, and Problem SolvingGroups, Teams, and YouMaking the Decision to Use a GroupDecision Making in Groups: Reaching GoalsGender, Culture, and Group InteractionTechnology and Group InteractionCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Improving Group CommunicationComplete this Chapter 9 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 10: Group Membership, Leadership, and Conflict ResolutionPerforming Group Membership and LeadershipLeadership TheoriesCooperative and Supportive Group WorkGroup ConflictThe Influence of Gender and Culture on Leadership and Conflict ManagementDemonstrating Effective Leadership and Conflict Management in Virtual GroupsCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Ethical Conflict ManagementComplete This Chapter 10 ChecklistKey TermsPart V: Public CommunicationChapter 11: Public Speaking and YouStep Up and Speak With ConfidenceLearn a Step-by-Step System for Readying Your First SpeechStart With YouUnderstand Your AudienceAnalyze the OccasionSelect and Develop Your TopicCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Improving Speech PreparationComplete This Chapter 11 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 12: Research, Support, and Outline Your SpeechResearch Your TopicFeature the Best Support AvailableChoose an Organizational Format: Linear or Configural ArrangementBuild the Speech Framework: Outlining Your SpeechAdd Beginnings and EndingsCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Speech Design and OrganizationComplete This Chapter 12 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 13: Presentation Aids and Speech DeliverySelecting and Preparing Presentation AidsEvaluating Delivery Best PracticesRehearsing Your PresentationAssessing the Speaker''s PerformanceCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Evaluating Your SpeechComplete This Chapter 13 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 14: Informative SpeakingSharing and Conceptualizing InformationTypes of Informative PresentationsBest Practices for Informative SpeakersAssessing an Informative SpeechCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Achieving Informative Speaking GoalsComplete this Chapter 14 ChecklistKey TermsChapter 15: Persuasive SpeakingThe Purpose of PersuasionTypes of Persuasive SpeechesFollow Best Practices for Persuading Effectively and ResponsiblyAssessing a Persuasive SpeechCommunication Skills: Practice Tips for Achieving Persuasive Speaking GoalsComplete this Chapter 15 ChecklistKey TermsAppendix A: Communicating Professionalism When InterviewingAnswer KeyGlossaryEndnotesIndex.