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:

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