The Basics of Communication

This is the first introductory communication textbook to explore fundamental communication concepts, theories, skills, and contexts with a thematic integration - the relational perspective. The book's approach is to make the topics covered-self-development, interpersonal communication, group communication, public speaking, media/technology, etc. - coalesce by exploring the relational basis of all communication as a major feature of students' lives. This text provides a basic introduction to the usual topics, but does so in a number of different ways by emphasizing the importance of relationship contexts in the enactment of social life. The authors explore the ways relationships (between each other, between family members, between media and end-user or consumer) affect communication, and vice versa. The underlying theme of relationships usefully connects many aspects of a basic text that will give it a coherence and a relevance to students that has been previously missing, obscure, or under-emphasized.

ISBN 1412941539   Pages 488 ISBN13 9781412941532 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher SAGE Publications Inc   Weight (grammes) 703 Imprint SAGE Publications Inc   Published in Thousand Oaks Format Paperback   Height (mm) 232 Publication date 29 Sep 2008   Width (mm) 187 Library of Congress 2008017668   Spine width (mm) 18 DEWEY 302.2   Academic level Undergraduate DEWEY edition DC22

Ch. 1		An overview of everyday communication		1
Ch. 2		Verbal communication		25
Ch. 3		Nonverbal communication		53
Ch. 4		Listening		83
Ch. 5		Self and identity		117
Ch. 6		Talk and interpersonal relationships		147
Ch. 7		Small-group relationships, leadership, and decision making		177
Ch. 8		Society, culture, and communication		205
Ch. 9		Technology in everyday life		233
Ch. 10		Relational uses and understanding of media		265
Ch. 11		Preparing for a public presentation		295
Ch. 12		Developing a public presentation		329
Ch. 13		Relating through informative speeches and persuasive speeches		361
Ch. 14		Delivering a public presentation		389
		Glossary
		Author index
		Subject index

"The relational theme that the authors set up as a the novelty in an introductory textbook is what would prompt me to adopt it... Something that makes this textbook different is the personal approach that Duck and McMahan use. They address the students as if they were talking to them... Furthermore, the family communication and identity chapters are very appealing and not a common feature among textbooks." -- David Chronet-Roses 20080820 "Every chapter presents a variety of materials and issue from communication, psychology, sociology, applied linguistics, and other social sciences and humanities. I have never seen such an interdisciplinary-oriented textbook." -- Masahiro Masuda 20080820 "It is a fresh, new approach that will make conversations with students quite rich!" -- Erin Sahlstein 20080820 "Duck and McMahan's attempt to integrate a relational component to all communication contexts cleverly integrates communication, theory and practice, with psychology, theory and practice." -- Michael Elkins 20080820 "This is an excellent text for the instructor frustrated with simple and simplistic renderings of communication as merely the skill of self-expression. It challenges both the instructor and the students to set aside what they have been taught by their culture and their media and to reconsider why we think of communication in individualistic terms and how that dominant framework shapes the relationships we engage and maintain." -- Lance Brendan Young 20080820 "This book is entertaining yet relevant, helps instructors connect with their students, and demonstrates the significance of communication as both everyday performance and scholarly endeavor." -- Branislav Kovacic 20080820 "This text is really the first to take advantage of theory and research that focus on the role of communication, relating, and dialogue in everyday life. The central strength is the focus on the 'dynamic betweenness' of human communication, and how communication, relationships, and social structures are constituted and reconstituted in everyday life." -- Larry Erbert 20080820 I would welcome the opportunity to use this text based on the conversational writing style of the authors, the balance between theory and application of this information to daily relationships, and the end of chapter features for discussion. -- Ann Marie Jablonowski 20080820 "An in-depth basic communication text with easy to understand examples for each topic area." -- Quinton Davis 20080820 "I think that this may be the best book on the basics of communication in terms of organization and relationship between theory and reality, bravo to the authors for their fine work." -- Brian Cogan 20080820 "Specific applications allow students to experience the theories. This facilitates learning and allows students to improve their communication competencies." -- Kevin Cummings 20080820 "This text provides a fantastic combination of engaging students while challenging them to think about their lives, and communication, in an insightful way. There are several outlets for the students to apply their new ideas and theories in an environment that guides them to understanding." -- Tracy Routsong 20080820 "This refreshing intro text is readable and interesting with comprehensive coverage." -- Pam Secklin 20080821 The strengths of this text are the real world examples, interactive features, and humble mode of address through narrative and self-disclosure. -- Robert Bodle 20080821 "A comprehensive hybrid text that includes features that will resonate with multiple learning needs." -- Annette Holba 20080821 "The Basics of Communication: A Relational Perspective is more than a basic textbook. This book is an excellent hybrid for those professors who like to introduce basic communication concepts and theory to students along with some instruction on giving presentations." -- Laura Oliver 20080821 "Duck and McMahan have done everything in their power to compose a textbook

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