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1.1: An Introduction to Communication Theory

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• Page ID 79259

• Keith Green, Ruth Fairchild, Bev Knudsen, & Darcy Lease-Gubrud
• Ridgewater College via Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Learning Objectives

After completing this section, students should be able to:

• identify and define the four communication settings
• illustrate communication as a transactional process
• explain the purposes of communication
• summarize the characteristics of communication
• explain sender-based versus receiver-based communication and what it means to be self-reflexive.

When registering for an “Introduction to Communication” class, most may wonder, “Is this just a public speaking class?” While certainly part of the field of Communication Studies, public speaking is only one of the many areas we address. A better way to consider the field of Communication Studies is to think of it as the study of oral and aural communication. We look not only at the classic public speaking setting, we also consider how we use oral communication (speaking) and aural communication (listening) to interact with those around us, to build relationships, to satisfy our own personal needs, to exchange information, to persuade others, and to work collaboratively in groups. Public speaking is but one facet of a much larger field.

Studying communication enhances our soft skills. As we prepare for a career, we are developing two sets of skills: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are specific to our fields, such as an accountant who needs to know how to handle credits and debits; a nurse who needs to know human anatomy and how to take a blood pressure reading; or a police officer who needs to know the law and how to use physical force appropriately and judiciously.

Soft skills are those skills that apply across the board and enhance our ability to work with others in a range of settings. These include such skills the ability to work collaboratively, to present ideas effectively in writing or speaking, to listen effectively, to think critically, and to develop and maintain healthy collegial relationships.

According to Forbes magazine, employers look for 10 core skills:

1. Ability to work in a team structure 2. Ability to make decisions and solve problems 3. Ability to communicate verbally with people inside and outside an organization 4. Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work 5. Ability to obtain and process information 6. Ability to analyze quantitative data 7. Technical knowledge related to the job 8. Proficiency with computer software programs 9. Ability to create and/or edit written reports 10. Ability to persuade and influence others (Adams, 2014).

Communication Studies addresses many of these skills, especially items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 10. This course will introduce these skill areas, and additional Communication Studies classes can advance and refine those skills to an even greater degree. The ideal end result is a strong set of hard skills packaged in a strong set of soft skills; hard skills look great on a resume, and soft skills look great in an interview. In this course, we will be addressing the three classic settings of communication studies, along with a new, emerging setting. The classic settings are Interpersonal Communication (one with one), Small Group Communication (several among several), and Public Speaking (one to many). We will also look at the newest communication setting to emerge: Computer-Mediated Communication (communication via technology). We start by reviewing some basics of communication theory which apply to all communication, such as how communication works, perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, diversity, listening, and disclosure. After looking at this broad foundation, we will then look more deeply at some specific dynamics of each of these communication contexts.'

The Communication Settings

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication is "The complex process through which people produce, interpret, and coordinate messages to create shared meanings, achieve social goals, manage their personal identities, and carry out their relationships" (Verderber, 2016). This is the everyday communication we engage in with our friends, loved ones, work colleagues, or others we encounter. Although we tend to assume this is “one-with-one,” it can be among several. So, when at a party, we are engaging in interpersonal communication with quite a few people.

We do not engage in interpersonal communication with only those we already know. Communication with anyone is an interpersonal encounter, regardless of any prior relationship. Since a range of relationship types exists, talking with a significant other is interpersonal communication, but so, too, is placing an order at McDonalds with a server, who is a stranger.

To understand why we are so driven to engage in interpersonal communication, it is important to first understand the most fundamental drive of communication: to reduce uncertainty. Humans are unique animals in that we can engage in abstract thought, taking in the world around us and converting it to mental images. As far as we know, all other animals live in a world of stimulus-response. They react instinctively to whatever is around them at the moment. If we startle a deer while walking in the woods, it will run regardless of our intent; it does not stop to think about whether we are a threat or not, it just acts. Humans, on the other hand, use stimulus- thought -response. We sense the world around us, we think about it, we talk about it, and finally we respond to it. We respond to thought more than stimulus. According to the theory of General Semantics,

As human organisms, we have limits as to what we can experience through our senses. Given these limitations, we can never experience “all” of what is “out there” to experience…. To the degree that our reactions and responses to all forms of stimuli are automatic, or conditioned, we copy animals, like Pavlov’s dog. To the degree that our reactions and responses are more controlled, delayed, or conditional to the given situation, we exhibit our uniquely-human capabilities (Institute of General Semantics, 2012a).

Communication is the key tool we use to manage and respond to the world around us. It is our key survival tool. By connecting with other humans, we can test and assess our perceptions, our thoughts about the stimuli, to determine if our responses to those thoughts are reasonable.

The overriding goal of interpersonal communication is to reduce uncertainty by fulfilling our needs for belongingness and acceptance . Humans are deeply social creatures, getting much of our sense of personal value and worth through our interactions with those around us. Belongingness is our need to feel we fit in and belong to a group of some sort . Each of us has at least one "reference group," a collection of individuals with whom acceptance is extremely important. We spend time with these people, we talk with them, and we joke with them. We care about what they think of us because we are strongly driven to feel we belong to that group; it gives us a place to fit in and feel valued. An intimate relationship with a significant other can also give us a feeling of belongingness. The connections with a long-term partner, parents, or children can give us comfort and certainty in our lives.

Acceptance is not the same as agreement. We look for those who accept and understand who we are . Although we can disagree about specific topics or issues, the underlying human relationship is still solid and exists despite those superficial disagreements. They accept our traits, both positive and negative. They like who we are; thus, they accept us as we are, the good and the bad, not necessarily for what we do or for our successes and failures.

Because these two needs are so strong in us, being in a strange place where we know no one can be very unsettling. Consider the awkwardness we feel in a social setting where we do not know many of the others present. Most probably feel a bit lost and uncertain as to we fit in. When in such a setting, most of us will deliberately try to connect with someone to fulfill those needs, at least temporarily.

Image 5 is a simple model for interpersonal communication. The model shows both people as equal, as represented by the letters being the same size and value. The two arrows indicate both individuals communicate equally, in a balanced sense of power, both speaking and listening. This does not mean that in one specific communication encounter everything is exactly equal; rather, it means over the life of the relationship there is a sense of relative balance. For example, in virtually any marriage there will be a division of power with each partner having more power in some areas, but overall, there is a relative balance in worth, value, respect, speaking, and listening.

• Small Group Communication

Small Group Communication is described as several among several . It is similar to interpersonal in that many of the dynamics of good interpersonal communication apply to several people interacting, but the primary difference is in the goal.

The goal of small group communication is task completion. However, for us to work with a group to effectively complete a task requires our basic interpersonal needs be met. The group communicates and works collaboratively most effectively to achieve a common end result when there is a sense of acceptance and belongingness among members. We are all familiar with what happens when we speak up in a group but get ignored; we quit participating.

Image 7 is a simple model for small group communication. In this model, we are looking at a task group of five people. According to Bormann and Bormann (1980), five is the ideal size for a task group. The individuals are all modeled as being of equal value and worth, and the connecting lines indicate all members participate equally with all other group members. Realistically, such equality of participation will not occur in every group meeting; however, this model represents what should occur over the life of that group.

• Public Speaking

The third setting is Public Speaking . Public speaking can be described as one to many . Note for interpersonal and small group, we speak of with and among others to suggest a sense of mutual exchange and responsibility. In public speaking, however, the majority of the message is from the speaker to the audience, and as a result the speaker carries significantly more responsibility for the success of the communication event. Although the audience does retain some responsibility (attending to the message; decoding; interpreting; asking questions), it is not as equal as with interpersonal and small group. Consider a traditional, college lecture class. We easily accept the greater responsibility the instructor bears over the success of the class, especially in presenting well-developed, clearly structured lectures. The students still have their duties, such as attending class and actively listening, but there is no doubt the instructor bears more responsibility for the speaking situation.

The goal of public speaking is a transmission of information. The speaker has some sort of idea/information/position to share with the group and shares that information in this primarily unidirectional process.

The model for public speaking, image 9, is somewhat different than for the other two. First, notice the difference between the way the speaker and the audience are modeled. This represents the speaker as the primary source for the communication, having significantly more responsibility for the creation, sending, and substance of the message. Second, note the smaller, lighter arrows from the audience to the speaker. Audiences communicate with speakers via feedback, ranging from subtle (such as slight facial expression changes) to overt (such as laughter, asking questions, and applause). A good speaker uses feedback to gauge how the event is going. For example, if the audience looks bored, perhaps the speaker needs to liven things up a bit, or if they look confused, perhaps the speaker should rephrase something.

• Computer-Mediated Communication

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is communication occurring through the use of computer technologies . If we stop to consider all the ways we communicate via technology, it is mind-boggling. Everything from cell phones, texting, email, social media (like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), discussion boards, and video conferencing all fall in this category. Although most of those reading this text probably cannot recall a time without the internet or cell phones, in the timeline of human communication, these technologies are still very young. However, they continue to develop at a rapid pace, impacting how we connect with one another in ways we do not yet fully understand. Researchers are investigating ways technology is impacting how we communicate, form and manage relationships, work collaboratively, and even how we maintain a sense of self.

We already know constant connectivity has benefits and drawbacks. Many workplaces have now become a blend of face-to-face and online. An online student shared the first thing she does when she gets to her office is start Skype, a video-conferencing tool, and then spends her day working both with those physically present and those connecting digitally from around the nation and world. We use social media to maintain long-distance relationships which in the not-too-distant past would have faded from lack of contact. Distant family members can remain connected, sharing special events or even just daily life. Funerals, weddings, and other important ceremonies are no longer limited to those who can travel to attend. In addition to personal use, organizations can save millions in travel costs using CMC tools. Our own Minnesota State higher education system holds hundreds of meetings annually via CMC tools, saving travel costs and time away from other duties. Even more striking is the ability of people to use social media tools to effect social change. The first, large social movement facilitated by CMC was the Arab Spring of 2011. Through the use of CMC tools like Twitter and Facebook, hundreds of thousands of disaffected citizens of several Middle Eastern countries took to the streets in protest of the status quo. In 2017, the United States saw large protests after the election of Donald Trump, protests largely organized using social media. Through this instantaneous, non-controlled mode of communication, people can find and connect with those sharing their concerns and passions.

There may be some influences of CMC that are more troubling. Attention spans may be shrinking. With Twitter’s 140 character limit, we are becoming more and more accustomed to brief, pithy messages instead of well-developed and thoughtful discourse. Managing boredom without technology may be more difficult. With the endless internet, even the slightest sense of boredom can be immediately alleviated by simply searching for something new. Since so many needs can now be fulfilled without stepping outside, those who are shy and reluctant to leave the comfort of their home can become even more isolated, with basic necessities such as groceries available for delivery via online marketplaces. Your authors have noticed a dramatic change on college campuses; while waiting for a class to start, instead of talking and developing friendships, students are silently attentive to their phones. Since we can now avoid awkward social situations by simply looking at our phones, the ability to initiate and maintain casual, acquaintance-level conversations is not needed, so the skill of “small talk” is not practiced and developed.

We have fingertip access to virtually the entire knowledge base of the human race, bringing centuries of learning to the remotest parts of our world. We have also seen the explosion of echo chambers and confirmation bias. There are so many sources of information targeted to specific political viewpoints people can choose to read or view only the news and information reinforcing the validity of their existing positions. In other words, instead of sharing common sources of information, conservatives consume conservative news and liberals consume liberal news. Since humans avoid uncertainty, echo chambers feed on our drive for information confirming our existing worldview, affirming our worldview is the “correct” view of reality.

The field of Communication Studies is far more than just public speaking. We consider the entire human communication process, looking to understand the dynamics of each of these settings to be better equipped to make thoughtful choices in managing those encounters. While each of these contexts has its own unique traits, they all share the basic communication process.

Human communication, at its best, is a process filled with complexity and hindrances. We certainly experience moments in which we feel we have really "connected" with others, but such moments are the exception to the rule. Due to the very involved and multi-faceted nature of communication, it is highly prone to breakdowns and errors. We have all experienced the frustrations of agreeing with someone about something, believing we completely understood one another, only to find later that the other person's idea of what we agreed to is totally different than our own. By understanding the complexity of communication, we are more capable of diagnosing communication problems, and more equipped to identify and employ solutions to those problems.

Communication is the transactional process of using symbolic language to stimulate shared meaning . This definition has a lot to it, and each component needs consideration.

To understand the concept of transactional , we need to see where communication theory was in the past, and where are we today. At first, communication was seen as a linear process. The sender said something to the receiver. The receiver then processed the message to understand it. The problem with this approach is it only shows communication as flowing one direction; it does not account for the fact many of our messages are responses to what we heard or experienced. The linear model does not allow for nor describe the relationship of one message to another. We then moved to a circular model which shows the sender sends a message to the receiver, and then the receiver sends a message back to the sender as feedback to what was said. In effect, the sender becomes the receiver, and the receiver becomes the sender. This model is much better in that it accounts for those related messages; however, it can also suggest all messages have a causal relationship with what was just experienced. This simply is not true. Many messages are independent of what was just experienced. If Darcy tells a joke and the class laughs, she is sending a message (the joke) and the class is sending feedback (laughter). The circular model accurately describes what happened. However, something like clothing usually does not fit the circular model. If Lucinda is wearing a uniform to work because it is required, fits the circular model; she is wearing the uniform because of a message from her employer. Rarely, however, is our choice of clothing a response to a message; more often it is what we feel like wearing. The circular model does not account for this independence.

The linear model is too narrow, and the circular model is too broad. Today, we use the transactional model of communication. The transactional model says we have multiple messages flowing simultaneously between people . Some messages are independent, and some messages are causal (or feedback). As we interact, we sort out these messages, distinguishing feedback from independent messages. Task-shifting comes easily to us: “we are capable of receiving, decoding, and responding to another person’s behavior, while at the same time that other person is receiving and responding to ours” (Adler, 2012). Our brains have enormous processing power, so to engage in these simultaneous tasks is quite easy.

Communication is a process , instead of a single act. A process is an event comprised of many parts, working together, with each part having a dependence on the other . Consider the complexity of a car. It works via a process of many different parts operating in concert to produce propulsion. If any one part breaks down, depending on how integral it is to the process, the whole vehicle stops moving. Communication is similar in that if a key part of the process fails, the whole thing stops working. Or, if a secondary part fails, it may keep running, but not smoothly. Either way, if one part fails, the whole process is affected. The next part of the definition, symbolic language , requires we think about what language actually is. Whether written or spoken, language is a set of sounds or shapes to which we attach meaning . When looking at this text, students are simply looking at a series of shapes on a page. The shapes are inherently meaningless. When we speak, all we are doing is making sound and using the structures of our mouth to shape sound into certain patterns, but those sounds also are meaningless.

Although they are just shapes and sounds, they symbolize an object or concept. A symbol is using a sound or visual image to stimulate meaning. For instance, when we see the classic red circle with the diagonal line in Image 14, we know it means “don’t do” something. Through our life experiences, we learn to associate meaning with certain sounds or shapes.

The process of making those associations occurs only within the minds of the people involved; there is no such thing as truly "objective" meaning. Each of us attaches a meaning to a word that is unique to us; we each see language in our own individual way. The meanings we attach may be similar, but often those meanings can be dramatically different. Some words are far more concrete, and some are much more abstract. Consider a word like “cat.” For most students reading this, they probably think of a four legged, feline creature that is typically kept as a pet, or, for those on farms, to kill rodents. Most of us probably picture something very similar; yet, we will also have differences. For those having a cat, perhaps they visualize their own cat. For those who like cats, they attach a positive connotation to the symbol; if they do not like cats, the connotation they attach may be far more negative. Nonetheless, since “cat” is so concrete, we have little room for misunderstanding.

Compare “cat” to “fun.” Think of the many different ways people have fun. Fun is not something we can point to. Having fun is an internal sensation based on a personal judgement, so it is highly abstract. For many, going to a Friday night party is fun, but for some, such a social setting is very uncomfortable. There are many who derive a lot of fun from cleaning the bathroom, tending to a garden, or cooking complex meals, things others may see as sheer drudgery. Clearly, the opportunity for miscommunication when using abstract language is dramatically higher than when using concrete words. In using these written or oral symbols, our goal is to stimulate shared meaning among the participants. Suzanne selects and sends symbols to Arlene, and she hopes Arlene will attach meaning very similar to what she intended. The ideal result is what the speaker intends by her message and how the receiver interprets the message are highly similar . Unfortunately, due to the complexity of this process, the likelihood of misunderstanding far outweighs the likelihood of true shared understanding.

Since we cannot directly transfer meaning from one person to another, we must use an interpretive process to attempt to stimulate meaning. This process has several stages, all of which offer opportunity for misunderstanding:

• We select symbols that have a certain meaning for us based on our life experience.
• We translate them into sounds and shapes.
• We send them to the receiver.
• The receiver sees or hears the shapes and sounds.
• The receiver determines what discrete symbols they have seen or heard.
• The receiver attaches meaning to those symbols based on their life experiences.

As a child, many have played the game, “telephone.” In this game, the children sit in a row, and the first child says something to the second child, who then shares it with the third child, and so on until it reaches the last child. Typically, the story the last child hears is quite different than the story as it began. Note each time it went from one child to another, the story was re-translated according to each child’s understanding of language. Just like the communication process, every time the message is translated it is changed, so misunderstandings are very common. We are not, however, bound to stay lost in this sea of multiple interpretations. As we learn more about how communication functions, we learn to monitor and manage the process far more effectively. The final aspect of the transactional model is the idea of mutual responsibility . In communication, all participants have some responsibility for the success or failure of the communication . The person speaking has a responsibility to send a clear, organized, understandable message; and the listener has a responsibility to attend to the message, interpret it, respond to it, and if they do not understand it, to ask for clarification. Even in public speaking situations where the speaker carries a larger burden of responsibility, the audience still shares responsibility for success. A classroom is a good example of this. No matter how well a teacher teaches, if a student simply refuses to try to understand the material, the teacher cannot force the student to learn. The student must meet the teacher "half way," so to speak.

The Purposes of Communication

Since communication is so complex, a reasonable question arises: Why do we do it? Evolutionary theory tells us instinctual behaviors exist to aid in the survival and perpetuation of the species. While the specific ways we communicate are culturally determined, the drive to communicate is an innate human trait. To understand the purposes of communication, we need to begin at a very basic level. As discussed earlier, humans live in a stimulus-thought-response world, and we use communication as the tool to manage and respond to the world around us. By connecting with other humans, we can test and assess our perceptions, our thoughts about the stimuli, to determine if our responses to those thoughts are reasonable. In using that tool, we fulfill several needs:

1. We use communication to make sense of the world around us.

Since our actions are primarily based on how we think about the world around us, communication is the tool we use to develop, categorize, and modify these perceptions. We only have language because we have the ability to abstract , to create mental images and symbols of the external world . We can then talk about, think about, and generally manipulate our internal world to enhance our understanding of people, events, and experiences. In other words, language allows us to think.

As we process the world within our own minds (a form of intrapersonal communication), and as we interact with those around us (interpersonal communication), these internal images are tested, verified, and modified. Sharing our perceptions of the world with those around us is crucial in maintaining a sense of comfort and security that our view of the world is realistic and valid. While we do not seek this validation from everyone, we do seek it from our key reference groups. We want to know that we are seeing the world “accurately,” which actually means, “similarly to those important to me.”

2. We use communication to maintain a healthy sense of self.

Humans are inherently social creatures because we need acceptance and belongingness to feel we fit in and have worth to others. Interaction gives us a sense of how others see and value us, and as we gain a sense of value and importance from others, our sense of self-worth is validated or supported. For example, if Bev thinks her sense of humor is one of her good traits, and if others validate that perception by laughing at her jokes, her sense of self has been affirmed.

As mentioned earlier, we are not seeking acceptance from everyone; rather, we develop reference groups . A reference group is a collection of individuals with whom acceptance and belongingness is very important (Hyman, 1942). We place high value on how they respond to us, and we strive to maintain good relationships and friendships with these individuals.

3. We use communication to bind us socially.

Communication also facilitates the building of relationships. In interpersonal communication, when we use the term “relationship,” we mean it differently than commonly used. Most often, students initially assume relationship means an exclusive relationship, like intimate partners. However, within this field, a relationship is any connection we have with anyone . We have a range of relationships, from the transient, such as with a clerk at a gas station, to the intimate connection of a spouse.

Regardless of the type, a relationship is nothing but how we communicate with that person; a relationship is defined and measured by the type of communication occurring. With acquaintances, we say very little, speak about limited topics for a limited time, and there is virtually never any sort of physical relationship, except perhaps a handshake. In intimate relationships, conversations tend to be longer and over a broader range of topics, and the level of physical contact may increase. We need these connections to maintain a sense of self and to fulfill our interpersonal needs, but we also need to maintain a sense of society, of connection with others we may not know well or count among our friends. Simple acts, such as saying "hello" to the checkout person at the grocery store, or commenting on the weather with a work colleague, keep us connected. We have all experienced individuals who seem to utterly ignore us, and we usually attribute highly negative labels to them, such as "stuck up," "conceited," or "pretentious." When Keith comes to the office in the morning, it is important he engages in the litany of "good mornings" and "hellos" with colleagues as it confirms his collegial connection. A simple hello, a wave, or a smile reaffirms our sense of all being connected to each other as members of the society.

A tool we use to facilitate this connection is scripts . Scripts are socially prescribed topics and dialogues we have learned to use to engage in casual, socially necessary communication (Koerner, 2002). The most common script for those in the United States is the classic "Hi, how are you?" "I'm fine. How are you?" script. This script allows us to say a few simple phrases to fulfill our obligation to acknowledge others. This script is so strong that even in situations where we are not "fine," we will still say we are. Another example of a script is often experienced during the holidays when we encounter relatives we have not seen for a while. We may hear phrases like these (depending on age): "How are you? Boy, you've grown. How's school?" Once the script is played out, one of two tracks is usually taken: if there is a friendship with this person, the participants will branch out and extend the conversation; but if not, the script is exhausted and conversation dies. Even if the conversation dwindles, the participants have fulfilled their social obligation to connect and to demonstrate other-value. The script allows us to do so in a fairly painless, comfortable manner.

4. We use communication to share information and to influence others.

As we connect socially, we naturally run into a range of ideas, interests, expertise, and goals. Instead of having to know everything, we can communicate with others to tap into the global, human knowledge base. In our highly connected world, we can share information instantaneously; no question need go unanswered.

Education is a prime example of the information sharing function of communication. Students attend school to gain information, ideas, and perspectives from others. Students learn from teachers and other students, and teachers learn from students. If we do not know how to do something, we ask someone, we search online, or we pay an expert to do it for us.

A unique ability of humans is that we can share information across generational lines. Alfred Korzybski, founder of the theory of General Semantics, referred to this as “time-binding:”

Only humans have demonstrated the capability to build on the accumulated knowledge of prior generations. Korzybski referred to this capability as time-binding and declared it as the primary difference between humans and animals. Language and the symbolizing capabilities to record, document, and transmit information serves as the principle tool that facilitates time-binding (Institute of General Semantics, 2012b).

Humans have the unique ability to share information with those who lived before us and with those who will come after us. Oral histories have existed since the invention of language, and in some cultures the passing on of stories is of great cultural significance. With the advent of the printing press, we gained a tremendous ability to leave information for those who will come long after us. This ability to share information from generation to generation is why knowledge expands so rapidly; we learn from those before us, build on it, and then pass it on.

Not only can we exchange information, we can influence each other. We live immersed in persuasion on a variety of levels. The U.S. economic culture, and hence our whole American culture, thrives on one, simple persuasive act: advertising. Advertising encourages us to spend money, and it encourages us to spend that money in certain ways. In our democratic society, we use persuasion to influence local, state, and national policy. As a nation, we use our persuasive power to influence events worldwide.

Although numbers vary widely, Americans are exposed to an enormous amount of advertising:

• Average American sees 1,000 ads per day according to NBC special, "Sex, Buys and Advertising."
• Average U.S. citizen exposed to 32,000 ads per year Mark Dery, cited in Adbusters Quarterly.
• Number of commercial messages seen by age 40? 1,000,000 ads, according to Neil Postman (Harrington, 2012).

While we do not pay attention to all these messages, they are nonetheless an integral part of our social landscape. Persuasion is an inherent part of our cultural experience.

In addition to this broad, rather obvious use of persuasive messages, we also engage in interpersonal persuasion. With our friends we may argue about what movie to go see or where to dine. We may argue about sports teams, college, or politics. Without even realizing it, we influence our reference group members to see the world as we do, and they are doing the same to us. A simple conversation about whether a song is good or not, or whether a TV show is funny or not, is actually an interpersonal persuasion event. We also experience intrapersonal persuasion , persuasion within ourselves . Using our abilities to think, made possible by language, we are continually weighing options and making decisions. In effect, we debate ourselves: "Should I buy it?", "Should I ask her out?", "Should I take English or Music?". We talk to ourselves in an ongoing, internal dialogue. In private, that internal dialogue may even be spoken. For example, while driving a car many of us will talk out a problem to help work through issues and make decisions. We find this intrapersonal communication helps us discern the best course of action. In effect, we engage in self-persuasion.

The Characteristics of Communication

1. Communication success is rare. One of the core tenets of the theory of General Semantics is that due to the inherent complexity and interrelatedness of the components of the communication process, there is virtually always some factor inhibiting the success of communication (The Institute of General Semantics, 2012a). Those factors can range from blatant and overwhelming, such as the individuals not even speaking the same language, to more subtle and unnoticed, such as emotions that distort and alter the message being taken in. It is hard to imagine any sort of perfect communication. Granted, we all experience moments when we feel we truly connect with another person, and we feel we are able to share ideas and emotions in a very clear and pure manner; however, those wonderful moments are few and far between. This characteristic of communication emphasizes the need for us to listen carefully, speak clearly, and take time to make sure we really understand what the other is saying.

2. Communication occurs verbally and nonverbally. We communicate using a communication package . Our communication package is anything about us that has communication value . That package is comprised of two major types of communication: verbal and nonverbal. Verbal communication consists of language (words, meaning, syntax, grammar), and nonverbal communication consists of non-language communication variables (vocal traits, gestures, posture, and many more). According to Albert Mehrabian (1981), in emotional expression, verbal communication is about 7% of our overall communication package, and nonverbal is about 93% of the overall package. While we generally think of communication as speaking, most communication actually occurs without the use of language. Nonverbal is our primary form of communication. Consider how we use nonverbal traits to test if we believe a person is lying or not. They may say, “Nothing’s wrong,” but their body language and vocal factors may suggest they are deeply troubled. Due to the overwhelming influence of nonverbal, we virtually always see the nonverbal as a true expression of emotional state.

3. Communication is continuous . A very famous communication theorist, Paul Watzlowick, coined the phrase, "One cannot not communicate" (Watzlawick, 1967). No matter how hard we may try, we are always communicating something. Obviously we can quit speaking, but we cannot stop the myriad of nonverbal messages being sent: silence communicates; absence communicates. We all know the “silent treatment” can be a very powerful tool to express displeasure. If a student skips class or work, their absence communicates a message to the instructor or supervisor. As soon as another person even thinks of us, some sort of message is being conveyed.

Due to this ongoing nature of communication, we are also sending a blend of intentional and unintentional messages. Intentional messages are those sent deliberately and purposefully , while unintentional messages are those the sender is unaware of sending . For example, before Mark goes to a job interview, he carefully considers what to wear, rehearses answers to common questions, and even selects a pen that he believes makes him look more professional. These are intentional choices Mark is making to attempt to communicate a specific message. Once at the job interview, however, Mark may fidget with his pen, not make strong eye contact, or repeatedly clear his throat, behaviors of which he is totally unaware. These unconscious behavors may be unintentional, but since they still carry communication value, the interviewer may see Mark as nervous and lacking confidence.

4. Communication has ethical implications. Communication is a powerful tool. We know how easy it is to lie, and we have all heard of various scams that are based on lies. How we choose to communicate to others or how we choose to present information has ethical considerations of which we must be aware. According to the National Communication Association Credo for Ethical Communication:

Questions of right and wrong arise whenever people communicate. Ethical communication is fundamental to responsible thinking, decision making, and the development of relationships and communities within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media. Moreover, ethical communication enhances human worth and dignity by fostering truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, personal integrity, and respect for self and others. We believe that unethical communication threatens the quality of all communication and consequently the well-being of individuals and the society in which we live (NCA, 2012).

Ethics is a set of standards to which we hold ourselves and others accountable . For example, most would agree lying is wrong, yet we do it every day. Sarah receives a call from someone she does not wish to speak with, so what excuse does she give? Mandy says something Brandon disagrees with, but Brandon does not voice disagreement in order to avoid a conflict. An instructor asks how many have read the assignment, and Martin raises his hand even though he did not do it. Cynthia cannot find a source for a speech, so she makes one up; after all, who is really going to know? Communication is about choice, and some of those choices are inconsistent with an ethical approach to communication.

5. Communication is culturally specific . Language varies from culture to culture. While this seems obvious when comparing Chinese to Somali to Arabic, it can also apply to the same language as used in different countries. English speakers travelling in other English-speaking countries quickly find words may be pronounced differently or have different meanings. Nonverbal communication also varies distinctly. A simple, non-threatening gesture in one culture could be the beginning of a severe conflict in another. As citizens in a highly-interconnected world in which people may move among a range of cultures, we should respect those communication variations and attempt to find ways to moderate and overcome those differences, focusing on creating connections, not exacerbating differences.

Remember too these differences can exist between co-cultures as well. Travelling around the United States we will quickly find communication differences. How the English language is used in Boston and New York is different than how it used in Alabama, or Minnesota. One of the most common topics used to illustrate these differences are words referencing soft drinks, such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi. In the Upper Midwest, “pop” is common, but other areas of the country have their own terms, such as “soft drink,” “soda,” or “coke.” The Atlantic magazine created the video below illustrating some of these differences (note: expletive at the very end of the video):

Figure :\(\PageIndex{20}\): https ://youtu.be/4HLYe31MBrg

Minnesota even has rich language diversity within its own borders. A visit to a small-town café in rural Minnesota may expose us to a style of language not usually heard in a club in downtown Minneapolis. Howard Mohr’s 1987 book, How to Talk Minnesotan, takes a humorous look at these regional communication traits, identifying words, phrases, and communication patterns reflective of regional Minnesota culture.

6. Communication reflects personality . We make assumptions of what a person is like based on communication behaviors. In western cultures, we usually see outgoing people as having more eye contact, a more open posture, and generally a more expressive demeanor. Likewise, quiet or shy people may avoid eye contact, use a more closed posture, and keep emotional expression at a minimum. While we want to be careful in making these assumptions, nonetheless these are an inherent part of the perception process. As we learn cultural norms, we learn to associate behaviors with assumed personality traits. This set of assumptions aids us in making quick decisions about people and events, helping us manage the uncertainty of new encounters. The obvious danger is stereotyping, but as effective, self-reflexive communicators, we recognize this tendency and work to moderate its influence.

Sender-based versus receiver-based communication

We naturally tend to be egocentric, assuming others think as we do, use language as we do, and generally see the world as we do . Since the only head we live in is our own, it is the only actual experience we have; we cannot live as another person. This, however, leads to a problem.

Sender-based communication occurs when the sender acts in an egocentric manner, assuming the way they communicate is appropriate for everyone . A sender-based person firmly believes others see the world and think as they do. As a result, they see no need to adapt to others; after all, why change what is correct to begin with? This person will assume that once something is said, it is communicated; any failure in communication is the fault of the other person. A sender-based listener assumes how they interpret the message is how the sender intended it, not allowing for misinterpretation or misunderstandings. It is a very absolute, self-centered, and non-adaptive approach to communication.

Receiver-based communication occurs when the sender acts in a provisional manner, assuming they need to consider how best to communicate this specific message to this specific person or to this audience. They realize what works for one person or situation may not work for another. They know language interpretation varies depending on background, and concepts may have to be presented in a variety of ways depending on the receiver. Like everyone, they initially interpret the message egocentrically, but they then take a second step and ask, “Is this what the speaker intended?” They realize misunderstandings and misinterpretations are typical, and they work to offset those from the beginning.

Receiver-based communication does not restrict us from what we want to communicate; rather, it guides us to think of our receiver and then package that message in the most effective manner. We have all seen adults who seem to have no ability to talk to children; they do not know how to adapt their language to a child. A sender-based communicator has far more difficulty initiating and maintaining a range of relationships. Receiver-based communicators can move among a broader range of relationships, adapting to diversity far more effectively. As we work to improve the quality of our communication, this ability to ask, “What about the receiver?” is key. By shifting focus from ourselves to the other, we increase our ability to form messages more likely to lead to higher quality communication.

The ultimate goal of studying communication is to become self-reflexive . Being a self-reflexive communicator means thoughtfully making choices about the most appropriate communication methods for a situation . We ascertain the dynamics of the event, and we adapt our communication to work with those dynamics so as to increase the likelihood of success. We do not need to change our values, viewpoints, or beliefs; we need to learn how best to communicate with others in different situations. Consider a medical provider, such as a nurse or physician. They need to be self-reflexive to determine how best to speak to the diversity of patients they treat. They encounter varying ages, language abilities, education levels, and cultural backgrounds. By being sensitive to the need to adjust to the receiver, they can better communicate with their patients.

The terms and concepts students should be familiar with from this section include:

Oral and Aural Communication

Four communication settings

• Belongingness

The Transactional Theory of Communication

• Transactional
• Communication is a process
• Symbolic language
• Stimulating shared meaning
• Mutual Responsibility
• To makes sense of the world around us
• To maintain a healthy sense of self
• To share information and influence others
• Success is rare
• Occurs verbally and nonverbally
• Occurs continuously
• Has ethical implications
• Culturally specific
• Reflects personality

Sender-Based versus Receiver-based Communication

• Egocentricity
• Provisionalism
• Self-reflexiveness

Adams, S. (2014, November 12). The 10 skills employers most want in 2015 graduates . Retrieved from www.forbes.com/sites/susanad...-most-want-in- 2015-graduates/#5f39eeb52511

Adler, R.B., & Rodman, G. (2012). Understanding human communication (11th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Bormann, E.G., & Bormann, N.C. (1980). Effective small group communication (3rd ed.). Minneapolis,MN: Burgess Publishing Company.

Harrington School of Communication and Media (2012). STAND Lesson 1: Understanding your exposure to advertising . The University of Rhode Island. mediaeducationlab.com/stand-l...re-advertising

Hyman, H.H. (1942). The Psychology of Status . Archives of Psychology, 269, 94-102. As cited in Childers, T.L., & Rao, A.R. (September, 1992). The influence of familial and peer-based reference groups on consumer decisions . Journal of Consumer Research . Retrieved from the Carlson School of Management, http://www.csom.umn.edu/

The Institute of General Semantics (2012a). Basic Understandings . Retrieved from http://www.generalsemantics.org/the-...nderstandings/ .

The Institute of General Semantics (2012b). Important terms . Retrieved from http://www.generalsemantics.org/the-...portant-terms/

Koerner, A.G. & Fitzpatrick., M.A. (2002). Toward a theory of family communication. Communication Theory 12 , 70-91. Retrieved from http://www.comm.umn.edu/~akoerner .

Mehrabian, A. (1981). Silent messages: implicit communication of emotions and attitudes. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co.

Mohr, H. (1987). How to Talk Minnesotan . New York, NY: Penguin Books.

NCA (2012). NCA credo for ethical communication . The National Communication Association. Retrieved from www.natcom.org/uploadedFiles/...munication.Pdf

Verderber, K.S., & MacGeorge, E.L. (2016). Inter-Act: Interpersonal communication, concept, skills and contexts (14th ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J.H., & Jackson, D.D.(1967). Pragmatics of human communication: A study of interactional patterns, pathologies, and paradoxes (pp. 48-71). New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies

(47 reviews)

Copyright Year: 2016

ISBN 13: 9781946135070

Publisher: University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing

Language: English

Formats Available

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Reviewed by Laura Seroka, Assistant Professor, Berea College on 3/25/24

The textbook covers everything that should be standard in an Introduction to Communication textbook. It has basic topics such as identity through communication, media, and foundational info which give a solid base for more specialized upper-level... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

The textbook covers everything that should be standard in an Introduction to Communication textbook. It has basic topics such as identity through communication, media, and foundational info which give a solid base for more specialized upper-level courses in small group communication, interpersonal communication, and rhetoric. More introductory information to prepare for organizational communication and social media would be helpful.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The text is easy to read and contains accurate up-to-date concepts. Some examples are becoming dated, however, they were accurate for when the book was written.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This book is now becoming dated with examples. The world has changed a great deal since it was published and students are sure to notice the omission of discussions of the rhetoric of former President Trump and current President Biden. Several new social media platforms are out and Twitter is now X making the language clearly dated within this text. There is also new information about microagendasetters and the role of influencers which are now important communication concepts to include. Instructors could still easily use this text, however, they would need to provide updated examples and possibly some additional readings to give current relevancy.

Clarity rating: 5

This is very easy to read and digest and vocabulary terms are clearly labeled, explained and easy to look up again if needed.

Consistency rating: 5

This book meets the standards of other texts, has quality sources, and utilizes a clear epistemology.

Modularity rating: 5

The book has good modularity and would be easy to chunk out when creating a schedule. The chapter on Informative/Persusive Speaking is the most challenging due to its length. As many students will be doing each of these speech styles independently, it may help to separate the chapter. However, having it in one chapter means either presentation style could be done first.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

I wish that culture as well as new media were integrated throughout the text rather than assigned to specific chapters. For example, the chapter on culture comes in the middle of the text, after verbal, non-verbal, and interpersonal communication. As culture is deeply embedded in other topics, I think culture coming first or being discussed throughout the text would improve students' knowledge and they way they identify with the text.

Interface rating: 5

I did not have any issues.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I see no blatant errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

As with many other texts, this text tries to provide inclusivity in examples and end-of-chapter questions. I think my previous comments about including cultural communication throughout would improve this as well as using content from more BIPOC authors.

Reviewed by Parameswari Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 2/21/24

This textbook is highly recommended for introductory-level Communication Studies courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of various topics, including verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, interpersonal communication,... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This textbook is highly recommended for introductory-level Communication Studies courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of various topics, including verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and various types of speeches. While the content is excellent, I've rated it four stars because some chapters tend to be overly lengthy.

The textbook delves into concepts such as the significance of finding common ground and comprehending diverse worldviews, which are influenced by various cultures. This inclusion of diverse perspectives makes the textbook inclusive.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

I find certain sections and exercises within the chapters remain highly relevant (such as handling communicative aggression/bullying at work, developing intercultural communication competence), despite the book being written approximately ten years ago. Additionally, I try to enhance its relevance by incorporating supplementary materials from both academic and non-academic sources.

My students have expressed appreciation for the textbook's ability to elucidate complex communicative phenomena in a clear and easily understandable manner.

The text maintains internal consistency both in its use of terminology and its framework.

In terms of modularity, every chapter is structured into manageable sections and subsections, each accompanied by key takeaways and exercises identified with a "Getting Integrated" label. This encourages both students and instructors to delve into how these concepts intersect across different aspects of our personal, professional, and public lives.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

The text organizes its topics in a logical and coherent manner, beginning with an exploration of the history of communication studies, followed by discussions on models of communication, different forms of communication, and advancements in communication technology and new media. Additionally, each chapter includes concrete and pertinent examples drawn from various relationships (e.g., familial, friendly, professional, romantic) and communication contexts (e.g., interpersonal, organizational, academic, mediated, civic), enriching the understanding of diverse communication dynamics and contexts.

The text is devoid of any notable interface issues, such as navigation difficulties, distortion of images/charts, or any other display elements that could potentially distract or confuse the reader.

The text contains no grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Communication in Real World covers important topics such as intersectional reflexivity, critical listening, voice/representation, marginalization, communication and ethics, which contributes to its inclusivity as a textbook.

Reviewed by Yejin Shin, Assistant Professor, Northeastern Illinois University on 5/5/23

This textbook includes important aspects of basic communication courses. Chapter 1 - Introduction to communication studies highlights the history and different forms of communication, which should be the basis of a basic communication course.... read more

This textbook includes important aspects of basic communication courses. Chapter 1 - Introduction to communication studies highlights the history and different forms of communication, which should be the basis of a basic communication course. Overall, the chapters were well-developed in different fields of communication, which can be used for 100-level courses, and encouraging students to take higher-level courses in different areas of communication (e.g., verbal, nonverbal communication, culture and communication, media). One caveat for some instructors - chapters 9-12 focus on public speaking, so if your institution has a separate class for it, it might not be helpful. Overall, good coverage of topics.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I do not have any problem with the accuracy of the textbook; References were used well, and most were from well-established journals or books. Even though there is a need for an update for better relevance, it is understandable, as it was published in 2016. Besides this issue, I found all the information accurate and provided accurate, effective discussions and exercises at the end of each sub-chapter. The contents were not biased, but the images should represent more diversity.

This book was published in 2016, and some areas change rapidly (e.g., intercultural communication, gender, new media technologies); some examples or terms should be updated. As this is not an issue of the textbook itself, the instructor can develop supplementary materials to encourage a discussion about "new" concepts or examples they experience (e.g., Tiktok, Zoom, gender identity, LGBTQIA), it will actually make the class more engaging.

This is one of the strengths of the textbook - the writing is not complicated and straightforward, precise for students who have never been exposed to any communication courses. I liked how new or essential terms were in bold and well-defined for the target students. If instructors were using this book for a basic communication course, students would understand the terms and why it is important to understand them as they are explained well with in-depth information or examples.

The text is internally consistent with a logical order; the first chapter is the introduction to communication studies and then provides the different fields in communication. I wish the public speaking chapters (Chapters 9-12) were separated to recognize the differences or more of an application framework, but in general, the terminology and the flow are all consistent. I also found key takeaways at the end of the sub-chapters beneficial for students to understand the sub-chapters separately.

The modularity of this textbook is great - each chapter was divided into small(sub) chapters, which were well divided by the objectives. Each sub-chapter has its learning objectives, so it was clear to readers how each has specific ideas and can be connected well across chapters. For example, it will not be a problem for the instructor to cover Chapter 1.4 (communication apprehension) and Chapter 10.1 (managing public speaking anxiety) together, as this text was easily divisible into smaller chapters.

This textbook is well-organized. It uses a simple but logical structure; it starts with the history of communication studies and ends with new media. All sub-chapters were also organized well within the frame of the chapter; each highlights the important concepts or ideas, breaking down into at least 3 or 4 sub-chapters.

I had no problem with this textbook's interface. It was user-friendly, and the layout (e.g., picture, different background colors for exercises or key takeaways, "previous" and "next" buttons on the bottom) was great for focusing on reading. The online version was easy to navigate; hyperlinks worked great for examples or supplemental materials. For example, students could take PRPSA online as the link was provided in Exercises: http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/prpsa.htm. PDF and e-book forms are also available for students who prefer the printed version.

The textbook used effective grammar and was free of grammatical errors.

Generally, this textbook is culturally appropriate; it is not offensive. However, as this is a communication course textbook, I think the communication field has strengths in acknowledging and appreciating cultural differences, which is why this needs to be updated. Again, the images, photos, and examples should include more diverse perspectives to enrich what we value.

Overall, this is a good textbook for a basic communication course; it covers a wide variety of topics and fields, and covering them will guide students in which specific area they will consider taking classes at a higher level. It is also easy enough for the gen edu course. If your institution had combined basic communication and public speech courses, this book fits the purpose well. Students will take advantage of it, using different versions at no cost. Some areas need to be developed, such as providing more recent examples or concerns about diversity, but if instructors are prepared for open discussions with students, this book will do fine. One of the great, effective books Open Textbook Library.

Reviewed by Pleasant Karen, Adjunct Instructor, Rogue Community College on 3/10/23

The textbook covers the key aspects of basic communication and would serve as an excellent resource for students in an introductory course. From the historical elements of communication to current research and trends, the book is comprehensive in... read more

The textbook covers the key aspects of basic communication and would serve as an excellent resource for students in an introductory course. From the historical elements of communication to current research and trends, the book is comprehensive in its coverage of basic communication pedagogy. Topics range from communication and perception, through verbal and nonverbal communication in a variety of relationships, to small group and media and technology in relation to communication concepts. Several chapters present the basics of public speaking in a variety of contexts as well.

The content seems accurate throughout the textbook, but since it was published in 2016 certain chapters could probably use an update. One such chapter is the one on cultural communication and identity. I feel additional up-to-date information about co-cultures would be pertinent to include in future editions, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, political viewpoints, ability/disability, age/generation, and socioeconomic status as well as a discussion about race and ethnicity.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The text is relevant and accessible to all levels of students. It contains very realistic and relatable examples and information to keep students interested, including a section of each chapter entitled "Getting Real." . Each chapter begins with learning objectives and ends with key takeaways and exercises. An update is needed for parts of the book since it was published in 2016. One chapter that needs updating is Chapter 15 regarding media, technology, and communication. It would be helpful if it included information about Zoom and online platforms. Periodic updates will insure that the relevance of the textbook continues. In between updates, instructors can supplement the textbook with outside readings, activities, and more. The chapter on communicating in relationships is very relatable and relevant because it discusses the "Dark Side of Relationships,"including lying, cheating, and anger issues. This is a topic that I have not encountered in other basic communication textbooks.

The book is written in an easy to follow format with terminology, given in bold, that is well-defined. It might be beneficial to have a glossary of terms. A times, images and diagrams help to clarify the information presented.

The book presents real world applications of the information in each chapter. I like how each chapter follows the same format and starts with learning objectives and ends with takeaways and exercises. This consistency makes it easy for both instructors and students to connect with the information while at the same time allowing instructors various opportunities for innovation in the activities they utilize in the classroom or online.

Readers can maneuver easily through the chapters and don't need to follow them in order. Each chapter includes foundational information and practical applications. However, I would like to see separate chapters for informative versus persuasive public speaking.

Each chapter can stand alone and they don't need to be followed in order for students to benefit from the book. As I've previously mentioned the consistency of the chapter organization lends itself well to making the book easy to navigate.

The layout of the book, and each chapter, is user-friendly and easy to access. The book is available in several formats as well, such as e-book, PDF, and more.

I didn't notice any grammatical issues as I perused the book.

The relevance of the cultural chapter would improve with the inclusion of information about co-cultures. It is important to keep up-to-date about intercultural and gender communication terms, too.

The title of the book, Communication in the Real World, is a very appropriate title for this book as it includes so many real and relatable communication issues. I think both college instructors and students would enjoy using this book as their classroom textbook. I am going to adopt it for my Basic Communication class.

Reviewed by Ibrahim Yoldash, Adjunct Professor, Prairie State College on 2/8/23

The text is very comprehensive, although there is not an in-depth chapter dedicated to ceremonial/commemorative speeches. I did like the sample speeches and topics that were offered within the chapters. I also think that students can benefit from... read more

The text is very comprehensive, although there is not an in-depth chapter dedicated to ceremonial/commemorative speeches. I did like the sample speeches and topics that were offered within the chapters. I also think that students can benefit from what I consider to be "additional" chapters 6-8, 13-16 that focus on subjects that some public speaking textbooks do not. Overall, I think it's very thorough and would be an excellent choice to utilize in the classroom. My only suggestion would be to include a chapter about ceremonial/commemorative speeches.

From what I perused, it is well-written without errors.

I think relevancy is subjective ("Aristotle to Obama" instantly dates this textbook), and too many present references will date the text in the years ahead. This textbook does a good job at staying relevant while maintaining traditional communication pedagogy.

I feel, that, as educators in higher education, we cannot continue to "water down" information to make it "easier to digest." I think it is the student's responsibility to seek guidance if there is something that he/she is having difficulty understanding. This textbook is well-balanced between providing correctly defined terminology while also avoiding being too lofty and overwhelming.

Some may view this text as organizationally distinct, since it does not address speech organization and preparation until Chapter Nine; yet I find it appropriate in giving students the necessary foundation of communication history, concepts, and its applications before having them begin on speech presentations.

Modularity rating: 4

Perhaps Chapter Eleven could be divided into two separate chapters, one with Informative Speaking and the other with Persuasive Speaking. It is a very lengthy chapter, and I think students may benefit from separating the two.

Even though the chapters do somewhat build upon one another, I feel that they are also standalone in the sense that you do not necessarily need to understand the chapter unless you have read all of the ones before it (like its own self-contained unit).

I haven't had any issues with this.

Again, I haven't noticed any grammatical errors.

It does a good job of being objective by presenting information from a neutral standpoint instead of trying to take sides of an issue, historically or otherwise.

I would see no reason why this textbook shouldn't be used by many educators in this area of study.

Reviewed by Brian Healy, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 11/26/22

This book is an excellent foray into Communication Studies. Communication in the Real World runs the gamut from Intrapersonal Communication to Mass Communication while presenting content that reflects historical and current research trends. This... read more

This book is an excellent foray into Communication Studies. Communication in the Real World runs the gamut from Intrapersonal Communication to Mass Communication while presenting content that reflects historical and current research trends. This textbook provides the reader with myriad opportunities for entrance into Communication theory. This book is acceptable for fundamental courses while also maintaining relevance as a companion reader to higher-level courses in communication. It is an excellent resource for any student moving through the discipline.

I find the book to be relatively accurate throughout. The foundational Communication theories are helpful and connected to the reader's lived experiences. However, I believe there are a few Intercultural Communication and Gender Communication terms that could use a touch-up and reexamination. This is to be expected as the cultural milieu changes over time, and I look forward to future iterations as the text continues to grow and develop.

The text, as a whole, speaks to the student well while maintaining its academic and terminological integrity. The overarching communication principles are presented in ways that are as relevant today as they were when I first learned them. As commented above, as the world shifts and our experiences and understandings deepen, so will the text, hopefully.

The writing in this textbook is accessible for all level students while maintaining an intellectual acuity. In addition, the terms are interconnected throughout the text allowing the student to grasp the more important terms, ideas, and theories at play as a whole. Each bold term presented is clear and well-defined.

The text follows an evident organizing pattern that makes referencing the text in class easy for students to recognize. The text also makes each important term bold so that the student can easily identify the key terms for each section.

With clear headings and short, consumable chapter sections, this text makes reading assignments comprehensible. Students can maneuver through each chapter section by section with ease.

The text is traditional in its information organization, from foundational communication theories in the first few chapters to practical applications in the latter chapters. This step-by-step style allows for a clearer understanding of how communication forms, shapes, and maintains our relationships with others in the myriad relationships students encounter.

The layout of this text is easily accessible and intuitive. Working through the text, the terms, supplemental images, and references are clear and easily discernible.

The text is grammatically clear and consistent.

This text provided a snapshot of the cultural time when it was compiled. As with any text in this ever-evolving and changing world, there are aspects like technological use and identity markers that will need updating soon and could use the support of more research as it becomes available.

After implementing this text in my class, students' responses have been very positive. I find the application of this text within differing web-based learning management systems to be a game changer as an instructor. My students have one space they need to go to read and do their homework, each working synergistically with the other. This text creates many opportunities for innovation in the classroom.

Reviewed by Michele Mahi, Assistant Professor, Leeward Community College on 3/11/22

Communication in the Real World is a comprehensive textbook for an introductory communication course. The textbook includes the standard topics addressed in typical 100-level speech courses. Something this textbook lacks is an index or glossary;... read more

Communication in the Real World is a comprehensive textbook for an introductory communication course. The textbook includes the standard topics addressed in typical 100-level speech courses. Something this textbook lacks is an index or glossary; however, I did not find this to be an issue.

The content reflects current communication research. This textbook provides a nice introduction to major communication concepts, theories, and principles and provides a solid foundation for class discussions and activities. I found the content to be error-free and unbiased.

This textbook was published in 2016, so an update with more contemporary examples would be nice. For instance, I think Chapters 15 and 16 (media, technology, communication) could use an update. A lot has changed in 6 years. However, instructors can easily develop supplementary materials with contemporary examples to increase relevancy for their students.

The writing of this textbook is clear and concise. All course terminology is properly explained.

The textbook is consistent in terms of terminology and framework. Additionally, I appreciated the consistent layout of each chapter. I liked how each chapter opened with the learning objectives and closed with key takeaways and exercises. I also liked how each chapter included a section that addressed real-world applications.

Communication in the Real World is divided into chapters with multiple sections. Instructors can obtain links for the entire textbook, specific chapter, or even specific sections within each chapter. I appreciated this functionality. I liked that the textbook is divisible and customizable. In addition to allowing instructors to choose with sections they address, instructors can easily reorder the sections to their liking.

The textbook uses a clear and consistent organizational pattern for each chapter. However, I think informative speaking and persuasive speaking should have been separate chapters instead of combined into one chapter. Additionally, I think this textbook would have benefited from an index or glossary.

Interface rating: 4

I found the interface user-friendly. I thought the textbook was easy to navigate. All links worked and I did not experience problems accessing the material. However, I think the textbook could be more visually appealing.

I did not notice any grammatical errors.

Generally, I found the textbook culturally appropriate. However, I think the textbook could use benefit from more inclusive examples.

Overall, I think this textbook is an appropriate choice for an introductory communication course.

Reviewed by Art Khaw, Professor, Kirkwood Community College on 12/13/21

The Communication in the Real World text is an effective textbook for students in two-year programs and introductory communication courses at four-year institutions. Too often, texts try to accomplish too much in one course. This textbook allows... read more

The Communication in the Real World text is an effective textbook for students in two-year programs and introductory communication courses at four-year institutions. Too often, texts try to accomplish too much in one course. This textbook allows for a greater understanding and growth in the discipline of communication studies. One advantage of the text is the assessments, cases, discussion questions and exercises can be accomplished in a semester.

The major content areas are fully covered in an introduction communication studies course. The book is accurate, research-based and up-to-date with communication information supported with citations and references. The communication concepts, principles and theories are accurate which includes relevant sources. The text provides a nice foundation for class discussions and lectures. Sources are referenced at the end of every chapter. The author writes with consistent, inclusive language. There was no evidence of bias or errors that I detected, perhaps more diversity in photographs are encouraged.

The textbook includes the necessary content for an introductory communication course. The framework and organizational structure of the text is arranged in a manner that any updates could easily be implemented. Political and social references can easily be updated through contemporary examples and issues in media. Instructors can supplement contemporary information to increase relevance for their students.

Communication in the Real World - An Introduction to Communication Studies is a well-written text. The textbook’s approach helps students transfer and apply the skills learned from the text to their future academic and professional environments. In addition, the textbook emphasizes practical application and is written in a manner that is easily understood. The design of the book is inviting. The writing style is reader-friendly and the presentation is appropriate for my students. The major strength of the text is the user-friendly, conversational method/style of the text. I stress the need for my students to become critical consumers of communication, as well as producers, and this text helps with that task.

There is consistency in the layout of this text. The chapters are consistent in flow, language, organization and structure. Each chapter is arranged in a way that is well-organized. Each section is clearly labeled and begins with Learning Objectives and ends with Key Takeaways, Exercises, and a bibliography (references). I like "Exercise" sections where students are given activities and questions to promote application and understanding.

The outline of the book is impressive. The textbook is broken down into logical and manageable sections that could be divided for instructors and students. The text is readily divisible with reading sections and sub- headings that are precise and uncomplicated. The headings of each module provide structure to the text. The text has several headers and sub-headers that are logical and consistent across chapters, as well as "key takeaways" at the end of each section. An instructor could easily break down a chapter into smaller assignments for students without causing high levels of confusion. The text is divided into sections that can easily be reordered as desired, and the chapters make sense as arranged in each module. There are no areas with large “sections” of text with an overload of written material that require further subdivision. The learning objectives are implemented with ease and flow.

The book is thoughtfully organized with a clear and simple structure. The textbook is in line with existing Introduction to Communication textbooks. The book nicely aligns with how I already structure my own class. This is an effective book as it will allow you to provide information that consistently builds upon the information before it. Finally, the learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter and the discussion questions and key takeaways at the end assist with applying theory into practical application.

The interface is user-friendly. The textbook exhibits no interface issues. Images, illustrations and pictures are not distorted. They are appropriate and clear. Links are active and in working order at the time of review. Furthermore, illustrations and images add interest and divides lengthy text sections. The text is visually appealing. Navigation was easy and user-friendly. In summary, the book is well constructed and the various formats available are easily accessible to the reader.

The text is thorough and well-written. I did not note any grammatical errors during my review of the text.

The book is inclusive and is fairly appealing to all races, ethnicity, and backgrounds. The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive.

Students of, and practitioners in, the field of communication studies will find this text a valuable learning tool. The work is easy to follow and understand. Also, valuable information and learning arenas are presented. The exercises allow enough opportunity for the mind to expand and the student to become creative. Overall, this is a very good text for students enrolled in an introduction to communication studies course. I highly recommend the text.

Reviewed by Denny Morell, Adjunct Faculty, Massachusetts Bay Community College on 6/23/21

The textbook fulfils the objective of explaining effective and ethical communication as well as describing the function of the communication process. The exercises at the end of each chapter engage students in developing self-awareness and... read more

The textbook fulfils the objective of explaining effective and ethical communication as well as describing the function of the communication process.

The exercises at the end of each chapter engage students in developing self-awareness and stimulate critical thinking and perception.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

The images and photographs do not represent the cultural diversity of dominant and non-dominant groups.

Gender identity and perception in cultural and social settings should be included in the textbook The chapters should be revised to reflect current social and economic circumstances and practices.

The textbook is written in a clear and concise manner. The theories and examples are well constructed for reading comprehension.

The layout of the textbook connects the chapters in a logical order

The units are organized and consistent with specific descriptions, examples, and exercises for successful learning outcomes.

The chapters are arranged in a logical order and transition smoothly from the introduction to speech preparation and presentation.

The formats are easily accessible to the reader.

There are no grammatical errors in the textbook.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

Reviewed by Madeleine Costa, Adjunct Faculty, Bristol Community College on 6/1/21

This book is very thorough and comprehensive as it begins discussing communication since 3500BCE up until today's new media components. It had areas that discussed how students could use this information in specific other courses and in the... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

This book is very thorough and comprehensive as it begins discussing communication since 3500BCE up until today's new media components. It had areas that discussed how students could use this information in specific other courses and in the business world. I thought this was very effective. Each chapter had subsections that delved into the details of the overriding chapter topic. However, I did not see an index nor a glossary. These would have been very helpful if they had been included. I also would have liked an entire chapter written on the informative speeches and demonstration speeches since these are an important parts of my classwork.

I found the book's topics to be accurately discussed and error-free. It was also unbiased and offered chapters that covered ethics and sensitivity to culture and how to understand, communicate and appreciate diversity at all levels.

For the most part this book was very up-to-date. In the past I have had communication books directly quote current USA presidents or other popular political leaders of the time. I didn't see that here as much which in one way would make it less important for updating to more current political times. There was one mention of a popular TV program, law and Order which ended in 2010 so perhaps a more current reference could have been utilized.

I really enjoyed how clear the writing, chapter divisions and other components of this text were presented. The text provided many interesting features that kept my interest and would also keep the interest of students. There were clear explanations/definitions of terms especially in the chapter on new media. Key new phrases or terms are in bold and followed by definitions and more detailed explanations of the terms. There are also special sections entitled Getting Critical or Getting Competent where personal stories from the author are included to make the information clearer yet. In these sections there are questions for students to think critically about and respond to that would help clarify concepts and their application in various circumstances.

I like the way that each major chapter is divided into either 3, 4 or one includes 7 sub chapters that delve into more detailed information. Most of the chapters had four sub chapters. This made the book very detailed and comprehensive as mentioned before and the way it was divided into these specific frameworks made it consistent. Each chapter ended with a section called Key Take Aways which I thought was a great review of what the important concepts of the chapter were. Also, the chapters had "Exercise" sections where students were given activities and questions to help further their understanding.

As mentioned previously, the main chapters had 3, 4, or 7 sub chapters within them. Even these had many section divisions that were clearly indicated by a topic title in bold, larger font letters such as "Interpersonal Communication" or "Intrapersonal Communication" that would be followed with plenty of detailed information about those highlighted headings. This made the text easy to mentally digest as the smaller, clearly indicated sections were not too lengthy with too many new concepts introduced. I believe these could be easily reorganized and realigned within the course itself.

I found the book very well organized since it started with the historical background of communication and ended with new media, technology and communication in today's world. You could go to any chapter and be sure that it would be appropriately divided into the various sub chapters and headings that would further explain the major topic. There were 16 chapters that covered a multitude of communication circumstances, usages, situations and strategies that were all clearly and logically laid out for easy student comprehension. Each chapter had colorful photos, images or charts/graphs to further assist in students understanding.

I did not find any interface issues that would distract the student reader.

I did not find any grammatical errors in the text as far as I could see.

The book actually had chapters/sub chapters that dealt with handling diversity in audiences, groups and workplaces, so it was culturally sensitive. It had quite a few of the photos and images that included people of color although I think the majority of photos were of white people. The examples that included different ethnicities, races and backgrounds often had to do with actual topics that were covering race, biracial and interracial issues.

I think this would be a great book for a general communication course that dealt with the wide variety of communication types/topics as it provided a very detailed and broad coverage of many areas since 3500 BCE. However, I would not choose this book for my class on Public Speaking since it did not have enough detailed information on the various speeches that I teach, visual aids and components to be used in speech creation and delivery. It did have some of this particularly for the information and persuasive type of speeches, but I do more than those.

Reviewed by Nancyruth Leibold, Associate Professor, Southwest Minnesota State University on 5/3/21, updated 6/1/21

This textbook is an undergraduate-level textbook that is comprehensive about introductory communication with five primary types: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. The contents were precise in the PDF version. The... read more

This textbook is an undergraduate-level textbook that is comprehensive about introductory communication with five primary types: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. The contents were precise in the PDF version. The online version had a sidebar that included a clear list of the contents. An index and glossary would improve the comprehensiveness. The learning objectives at the start of each chapter are fabulous.

The textbook includes mostly accurate communication information with supporting evidence citations and references. Including more representation of cultures would improve the accuracy.

The textbook is up to date for the most part. Some of the media communication areas that are quickly evolving in society could use an update. The author could add detailed tips and information about web-based professional interviews and meetings could be added. An overall section about interviews would be helpful.

The Introduction to Communication textbook is clear and well-written.

Terminology, framework, and navigation are internally consistent in the text.

The format of the chapters throughout the Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies is consistent. Each chapter includes headings with sub-sections to organize the content into easy-to-read chunks of information. Each chapter starts with an introduction, then learning objectives, content, pictures, and ends with key takeaways, exercises, and references.

The topics in the text include a logical presentation. The text consists of a Table of Contents page that is helpful and easy to follow (sidebar on online version and front of text in PDF version). The learning objectives at the start of chapters are fabulous. Vocabulary words in the text are bolded. I like the use of videos per video link. Other strengths are the key takeaways, exercises, and references at the end of each chapter. Tables, images, and figures used are helpful to communicate the information.

The text is free of significant interface issues, including navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, and any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader. The links were all in working order.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text does include passive voice diction and split infinitives. Some nouns lack a determiner. However, writing styles vary from one discipline to another.

Cultural responsive pedagogy is an area for improvement. Some of the references to gender and race are less personal in the text than perhaps in reality. The images used of people are biased as most are of White people. Revising the text with the incorporation of a diverse mix of people in photos is a suggestion.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies is overall a good introductory textbook. Increasing the images to be diverse would improve the book overall. Many thanks for the work to create this text!

Reviewed by Scott Makstenieks, Instructor, Winona State University on 11/11/20

For any institution or educator looking for a textbook that covers both communication theory and skill-building, this book is an excellent resource. Beyond the initial discussions of communication as a concept and phenomenon, the text covers... read more

For any institution or educator looking for a textbook that covers both communication theory and skill-building, this book is an excellent resource. Beyond the initial discussions of communication as a concept and phenomenon, the text covers various forms and contexts of communication that are necessary content in an introductory communication studies course.

On the whole, the material in each chapter is clearly drawn from established communication research and theory. Quite obviously, as communication technologies and cultures change, some aspects of the material may need to be supplemented in class discussions or through supplemental readings. Likewise, chapter 8.2 (in the Culture and Communication section) is a bit problematic in its discussion of race, gender, sexuality, and ability, mainly in terms of its causal logics. In other words, the chapter seems to make an essentialist claim - race is itself a cultural identity, rather than being a product of culture (or discursively shaped by culture).

As noted above, the textbook covers a wide breadth of communicative forms and contexts, making it relevant for students, irrespective of the major or career trajectory. Likewise, the sections on mass communication do address the evolution of media, along with a sense of old versus new media technologies, but some minor updates in response to new trends may be helpful for students. In terms of public speaking skills, the textbook does include a section on speaking on radio and television that can be adapted to discussions about speeches and interviews via Zoom and other online platforms.

The textbook is certainly accessible to a range of learners, using vocabulary that retains complexity without losing conceptual integrity. In various ways, diagrams and images throughout the chapters often help to illustrate basic concepts, and sample outlines/speeches are provided in the later sections on public speaking.

Each chapter is structured well and organized in a consistent manner, generally begin with broad concepts and then covering more specific topics or theories. Chapters then end with clear summaries and discussion questions for class prompts or for homework.

The textbook is exceptionally divisible into a weekly or even daily units, and the subdivisions within chapters allows instructors to take a deep dive into a topic area (assigning all sections of a chapter) or lets them introduce basic concepts quickly (assigning only the first one or two chapter sections).

The organization of the textbook fit perfectly into the flow of my introductory communication studies course, splitting the semester into one half about theory and topics and the second half about public speaking skill-building. Within those sections, the structure makes sense as broad concepts first and then specific topics (or speaking genres) second.

I have only used the pdf version of the textbook, but the integrity of the document seemed perfect - text is clear, and images are not pixelated. The table of contents is also dynamic, allowing readers to click on page numbers and jump to sections of the textbook (without scrolling through entire document manually). Other versions of the text are available on the U of MN OER page, which would seem to allow for even greater functionality as well.

No grammar errors noticed.

As noted above, the chapter 8.2 section does have some potentially confusing or problematic discussion of race, gender, sexuality, and ability. However, throughout the textbook, it is clear that the author(s) is trying to include context and culture as a significant factor in human communication. The 8.2 section also seems to be intended to give time to these important identity positions, but it needs some revision or some class discussion to clarify the complexity of these subjects.

Reviewed by Amber Worthington, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage on 10/21/20, updated 1/10/21

This book provides a great overview of many areas of communication. I use this book for an introductory communication course that covers interpersonal communication, public speaking, and small group communication. This book also covers more... read more

This book provides a great overview of many areas of communication. I use this book for an introductory communication course that covers interpersonal communication, public speaking, and small group communication. This book also covers more introductory areas including, for example, culture and communication, leadership, and media/technology and communication. I am not sure if there is an index/glossary, but the Table of Contents page is very easy to follow and navigate.

I believe most of the content in this textbook is accurate.

I think the textbook uses relevant and up-to-date examples. Any necessary updates can be included as additional examples, and I also think the text is organized in a way that will allow easy and straightforward updates to content areas as well.

I think the text is written clearly and in a way that is accessible to students.

I believe the textbook is internally consistent and follows a consistent framework and use of communication terminology.

I think the textbook does a great job dividing the sections into smaller subsections and so on. I assign many different subsections to my students, which I think works really well with this text. I think it is especially easy to navigate to different subsections when reading the textbook online. The PDF version of the textbook is somewhat more difficult to navigate to particular sections, but it is not too complicated and a simple "search" is often effective to jump to the correct section in the PDF.

I like the way the textbook is organized. I do, however, have my students read some chapters of the textbook out of order to align with my particular course, but I think that works quite well.

I have not had any problems with this. Students also seem to like the book and have not had any interface or navigation problems.

I have not found any major grammatical errors.

I think the examples in the text could include more examples that integrate diversity, but, generally speaking, I think the text does a good job covering culture and communication.

I think this is a great book for an introductory communication class.

Reviewed by JoAnne Breault, Adjunct Instructor of Communication, Bristol Community College on 6/30/20

The book did a great job of introducing new terms, giving a strong definition and providing a clear and concise example. read more

The book did a great job of introducing new terms, giving a strong definition and providing a clear and concise example.

The section entitled Key Takeaways encapsulated the main points of the chapter. The timelines were very helpful in understanding how information has evolved over time.

The book was up to date on the use of new technology and terminology pertaining to social media.

The writing is clear and concise and easy to understand.

The book is easy to navigate through.

The subheadings made it easy to find the information I was looking for.

The organization has a logical flow. It does a great job of providing background information, weaving research and data, and presenting new information in a logical, cohesive way.

The chapter learning objectives highlight what will be covered in the chapter effectively.

I found no problems with grammar or spelling.

It was very noticeable to me that the majority of photos are of white Anglo-Saxon looking people. More minorities need to be used in the photos.

This book covered a great deal of information in a very interesting way.

Reviewed by Carleen Yokotake, Professor of Speech, Leeward Community College on 6/25/20

The book does an excellent job covering all areas of the subject matter except for Interviewing. Interviewing is an important aspect of dyadic communication and taught in our Speech courses as one of several important communication skills.... read more

The book does an excellent job covering all areas of the subject matter except for Interviewing. Interviewing is an important aspect of dyadic communication and taught in our Speech courses as one of several important communication skills. Interviewing is only briefly covered in section 9.1 and in the context of finding sources. I would love for the author to include more robust and comprehensive coverage of this concept. The history of communication in the first chapter was a little longer than necessary, albeit very informative.

Overall great content! The communication principles, theories, and concepts are very accurate. However, the pictures used throughout do suggest a strong bias toward white people and this is extremely problematic.

While the concepts covered are relevant and timeless, some of the research does need to be updated. Since technology continues to rapidly evolve, more current research needs to be included as far as how current technological trends, especially social media, etc... continues to shape our interactions and ultimately, our relationships. The text is written and arranged in a way that any updates could definitely be easy to implement/insert.

This is a well-written book. It is very easy to read and many important communication concepts are explained very clearly!

Consistency rating: 4

For the most part terminology and framework contain appropriate text consistent with the topic area. I do think the Motivated Sequence Pattern did not belong in the section on organizing your main points. I consider that to be an organizational structure in and of itself.

Overall the text is divisible into appropriate reading sections, although there are some sections that are a bit too long. However, what I really like about the way the text is organized is that some concepts covered in other chapters include a direct link to the chapter the concept is discussed in. I love that!

The chapters tended to be a bit long even though the topics were presented in a logical and clear manner. It was very helpful that the author included section breaks via key takeaways and exercises.

For the most part all text are presented clearly. However, there were some important concepts covered that got a bit "buried." Perhaps those concepts can be highlighted/bolded. For example in section 1.2 under "Communication is a Process," principles such as, communication messages vary in terms of their, "level of conscious thought and intention, communication is irreversible, and unrepeatable," should all be in bold. This would make it easier to read the larger patches of text that include important terms. Another area that could be adjusted a bit is in section 9.3 Organizing. All of the headings are the same size thus making it a little confusing and or difficult to distinguish sub points. It would be helpful the chance font sizes of headings to distinguish sub headings more clearly.

No problems here.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

For the most part the content in the text reflect inclusivity of a variety of cultures. However, most of the pictures throughout the entire book are only of white people and should be updated and/or changed. One picture in particular in section 1.1 under the Group Communication heading, should be updated/changed. The picture shows a group of all white men and women and can be seen as biased especially given the recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd. I recommend changing this picture to reflect a more diverse group of individuals. This same issue is found in section 1.3 under the heading "Academic" there is a picture of three white men in regalia suggesting only white people pursue higher education. In subsequent chapters whether showing a classroom full of students or two people interacting, most of the pictures are of white people. Pictures of people of other ethnicities were grossly outnumbered. This really should be mitigated/updated.

I really like the "Key Takeaways" sections, it helps draw students back to the important points made in the chapter. The "Exercise" sections are also very helpful to stimulate class discussion or self reflection.

While it was helpful that the author included links to chapters that covered concepts more in depth, there was a tendency to cover more information than necessary when introducing a concept that was covered more comprehensively in another chapter. For example, in Chapter one, the concept of compliance gaining was introduced. Instead of listing the common tactics used for compliance gaining in this section, a one sentence definition along with the link to Chapter 11 would have been sufficient. Overall, a great textbook, well done!

Reviewed by David Rattigan, Adjunct Faculty, Northern Essex Community College on 6/19/20

The book is very comprehensive, and could be used in multiple classes as a supplemental text, or with supplemental texts. However, it was originally published in 2013, and there are some new developments that went uncovered particularly related to... read more

The book is very comprehensive, and could be used in multiple classes as a supplemental text, or with supplemental texts. However, it was originally published in 2013, and there are some new developments that went uncovered particularly related to social and mass media.

There was nothing that I could spot the was inaccurate or biased.

Necessary updates may be easy and straightforward to implement, but are due.

The text is academic, but the ideas are introduced, organized, and supported well.

The text is consistent for both framework and terminology.

This is one of the things that is most impressive. I read the text while considering whether to use it for my Mass Communications, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication or Public Relations classes. I found that it is easily divided into smaller reading sections.

This book covers a wide area very competently, with a logical flow of topics that is easy to understand.

The interface is user friendly.

I noticed no grammatical errors.

This is an area where the information presented is excellent but a lot has happened since it was published in 2013.

An update is due, but I like the book and will add it as a required text for some classes in Fall 2020.

Reviewed by Brenden Kendall, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/6/20

Subjects within the text are covered well, though the author is not particularly clear about the scope of their major sections (and reasons for those choices). Put another way, the text is framed as a neutral account of the field, when of course... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

Subjects within the text are covered well, though the author is not particularly clear about the scope of their major sections (and reasons for those choices). Put another way, the text is framed as a neutral account of the field, when of course no text can provide a wholly complete account.

The text does not engage the major subfield of organizational communication in any way. Group and team communication are covered well enough. But the area of organizational communication is an obvious and serious omission. There are whole majors, disciplinary interest groups, conferences, and international/trans-disciplinary subjects in organizational communication.

No index, glossary, or cross-tabulation is available.

The text is accurate in what it covers, highlighting and spending appropriate time with emphasized content.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

What is covered in this text is covered accurately and in a conversational, student-friendly style appropriate to the level of course for which this text is intended. Significant, long-standing ideas are addressed.

The trouble here is that the references that form the basis of the text are quite outdated. Certainly, textbooks are not encyclopedias or literature reviews, but the major concepts and theories addressed are “classics” up until about 2000. I write this in 2020. As such, the text is somewhat imprecise when it comes to representing contemporary views on communication dynamics – the perspective is not consistent with some major recent disciplinary shifts. I think here of constitutive views on organizational discourse, representations of gender and transgender dynamics, etc.

That this text’s subsequent editions are in print with a for-profit publisher means it’s unlikely to be made more relevant or current anytime soon, nor very easily.

Clarity rating: 3

For a text to be clear at the basic level, I use Gerald Nosich’s SEE-I model for critical thinking: State, Explain, Exemplify, and Illustrate. This textbook varies in the degree to which it offers these elements of conceptual presentation and exploration. It is thus moderately good in terms of clarity. Some notes:

State: the book provides clear definitions, useful highlighting of significant concepts. Subsections are of greatly varying lengths, however. This provides some confusion when it comes to which parts of the text deserve students’ greatest attention, because these differences in length seem to be relevant to the author’s interest rather than the import to the reader.

Explain: I’ll note again the unevenness of the depth of attention to certain passages or ideas. Some concepts are bolded in passing, though important, and some receive detailed explanation. Not all things deserve the equal attention, sure, but these discrepancies seem problematic in the case of this book.

Exemplify: examples are often personal, interesting, and vivid. An update would deepen the range of examples regarding persons’ identities and lived experience (e.g., according to race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.).

Illustrate: the text is clear and concrete, but does not go much beyond the standard illustrative writing of the textbook genre: the extended story at the outset or closing of the chapter. Give students metaphors, more lively diagrams, media references… any creative analogy!

Consistency rating: 1

The most obvious example of problematic consistency is at the highest level, chapter organization. The media chapter addresses technology, and yet there’s also a chapter on “new” media and technologies. The team and group chapter covers some ‘workplace’ issues, but no chapter is presented on organizational communication, where there is more depth on this subject. Rhetoric isn’t present in a big way. And so forth. The content, overall, has little balance.

Because of the text's frequent use of subsections, this book can be remixed and rearranged quite readily at both granular and broad levels.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 1

Nope. The book articulates no specific logic or plan for the organization, and offers little in the way of bridging elements of the book. But, as noted in the modularity section, the book can be usefully chopped up in this format.

The book is easy enough to read, print, etc. The use of learning objectives for minor sections, combined with its formatting can make for odd on-line reading, with movement between sub-sections sometimes feeling like transitions between chapters. On the whole, the format works and the price is right!

Editing seems thorough and writing is generally effective. The text assumes both a familiar, colloquial voice and a more authoritative voice in different parts. This can make for a feeling of disjuncture re: being addressed as a reader. But this is a minor issue.

The text is culturally appropriate and includes important concepts in this area through 2010 or so. But concrete examples or example fictional narratives rarely engage lived experiences of persons of color, low socio economic status, and similar kinds of common marginalization. Narrative examples are often reserved for a more generic kind of concept, an attempt at normalization and generalization that can in a subtle way reinforce hegemonic depictions of communication. The book is not offensive or condemnation-worthy on this point, but it's limited.

This textbook should be used with complementary materials (e.g., borrowed chapters from other textbooks) in any class, especially for covering areas of significant omission relevant to the "intro course" in Communication Studies.

Reviewed by Thomas Townsend, Lecturer, East Tennessee State University on 10/31/19

The text is comprehensive within its publishing date. It covers the basics of Communication Studies and two chapters of Mass Communication. read more

The text is comprehensive within its publishing date. It covers the basics of Communication Studies and two chapters of Mass Communication.

The book is accurate. My only point of contingency was in the sample outlines which do not include traditional outlining with Roman numerals. As we would use the text i a first year gen. ed course, were we to teach that tradiaonl outlining message, we would need to redo the examples.

The text through 2016 is updated and relevant. In addressing the change in mediated communication from 2016, the text is obviously silent as it had not been written yet. Instructors hoping to address contemporary issues with social media, particularly in relation to current events, will need to supplement their course.

The book is clear, well-organized, and clear. Terms are well defined and presented succinctly. The chapter reviews are particularly helpful to readers.

The author(s) has written a text that reads the same from chapter to chapter. The information is equally accessible throughout. The organization of the "getting real," "key takeaways," and "exercises" reinforce the well-written chapters and engage the readers.

The modularity of the book makes using only selected chapters easy for instructors for adapting to any course.

The organization on the whole. The only drawback in organization is found in the chapters on public speaking. In the author's defense, I find the same issue with most beginning communication textbooks in that the way the public speaking chapters are included is a bit jarring I have no suggestion on how to avoid it.

The textbook exhibits no significant interface issues. The charts and images are not distorted. The images are appropriate and clear.

The textbook is well-written. I found no grammatical errors.

The author puts forward efforts towards making the text inclusive. The chapter on culture reinforces the tone of the text. Cultural competence is a theme of the text.

I am recommending us to replace our current text with this one.

Reviewed by Tim Ball, Associate Professor, James Madison University on 7/24/19

The textbook does cover all areas and ideas that are appropriate for an introductory human communication course (e.g., the communication process, perception, culture, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, interpersonal and relationship... read more

The textbook does cover all areas and ideas that are appropriate for an introductory human communication course (e.g., the communication process, perception, culture, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, interpersonal and relationship communication, and public speaking). Chapters 14 and 15 focus on mass communication topics, so we would not include them in the version we would make available to our students. The textbook does have a table of contents, but I did not find a back-of-the-book index or a glossary of terms.

For the most part, the textbook is accurate and free of overt bias. However, I found some errors. For example, in 9.4 (Outlining) of Chapter 9, the speech outline examples were not formatted correctly. Roman numerals (which identify the main points), capital letters (which identify sub-points), and lower case letters (which identify supporting details) were missing. The outline examples only used Arabic numerals. This is an important error because my students do not know how to create an outline for their speeches. I can make those formatting changes, but I wish I did not have to.

Textbook content is generally up-to-date, but some sections are already obsolete. For example, 1.1 (Communication: History and Forms) provides a brief history of communication from Aristotle to President Obama. President Trump’s use of Twitter to communicate directly with the American public is new and needs to be acknowledged and addressed if we are going to use this textbook for years to come.

The prose throughout the textbook is accessible and the author provides adequate context for any jargon or technical terminology used. Accessibility is important in an introductory human communication textbook because we do not want to turn off the students with ideas and concepts that are not understandable because of jargon or technical terms.

Overall, the text framework demonstrates an agreement or harmony of parts/features to one another. For example, every chapter has at least four sub-sections in which the author describes the main idea of the chapter in detail. Not every introductory textbook author does this.

Each chapter includes at least four smaller reading sections. Each section can be edited for length, easily reorganized, and realigned without too much trouble.

The topics in the textbook are arranged in a logical fashion. The communication fundamentals, interpersonal communication, public speaking, small group communication, and new media chapters are grouped together. I would rearrange the order somewhat by placing the culture chapter with the other fundamentals chapters.

I did not find any significant interface issues. Navigation was easy and no images or charts were distorted. In short, I did not find any features that may distract or confuse readers.

For the most part, the textbook does not contain any grammatical errors. I did not find subject-verb agreement errors, sentence fragments, misplaced or dangling modifiers, vague pronoun references, or incorrect word usage. Occasionally, I would find a missing comma after an introductory element or a missing comma in a compound sentence.

I believe this introductory textbook is culturally sensitive and not offensive in any way. The examples used, especially those in the cultural communication chapter, are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

I wish that the references and the in-text citations of sources were written according to the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines, but they are not. I want students to include references in APA style, but I cannot point to references in the textbook as examples. I can make those changes, but it adds to the workload.

Reviewed by Robert Jersak, Faculty Instructor, Communication Studies, Century College on 6/21/19

Communication in the Real World is fairly comprehensive. In eighteen chapters, interpersonal, intercultural, small group, leadership and media dynamics in our field are introduced discussed in beginning-level depth. That’s quite a breadth of... read more

Communication in the Real World is fairly comprehensive. In eighteen chapters, interpersonal, intercultural, small group, leadership and media dynamics in our field are introduced discussed in beginning-level depth. That’s quite a breadth of topics for a single text.

Crucial COMM concepts are included for each sub-discipline and highlighted within the text, and a citation often follows immediately to give readers a sense of the origin of that particular concept. Discussions of these ideas are often useful and applicable to real life. Even if readers are less-than-captivated by the text itself, this would still be a resource for exploring these core concepts further through other assigned activities.

The text is general enough to give an overview of ideas that aren't tied exclusively to current events. However, any text that addresses communication through mediated channels will need frequent updating as research catches up with the impact of social media channels. As my needs for this text pertain to Interpersonal Communication, I spent less time reviewing Chapter 15. However, the timelines featured for different mediated channels may be useful in providing historical context for those being introduced to mass media.

Lucid, yes. The book is competently written. But accessible? The writing truly is dry and typically textbookish. The author has made the curious choice of occasionally speaking in first-person - “For example, I consider myself a puzzle lover” (p. 375) - but not offering a brief introductory biography or foreword. As a result, the text feels impersonal and a bit detached - and it may be quite hard to get into for those not comfortable with academic readings.

The book is consistent, yes, but there is room here for expansion and growth. Communication in the Real World is consistently academic in structure and tone, though it would have been marvelous to have short essays written by students/alumni who are using these skills and ideas in their "real worlds," so as to bring these ideas to life and to help readers see more clearly how communication skills are a benefit in practice.

The book's great strength is it's ability to be used in multiple beginning-level courses. It will be easy for me to separate the Interpersonal Communication content that I want my students to read.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

While there are subheadings within chapters, they aren’t quite as helpful as they could be, and instead often seemed a bit random and haphazard. A tighter outline would have been helpful to direct students to explore, or re-review, key ideas. I did appreciate the historical framing of the discipline itself at the start, though. Many faculty may choose to skip the introductory chapter in order to move into the specific course-related content, but I believe it is important for students to be exposed to the roots of the discipline early on, and why Communication Studies is a vital part of the Liberal Arts.

No significant interface issues that I could readily identify. The .pdf version was fully functional and clear.

The book appears to have been clearly written and proofread, yes.

While there are fundamentally important issues related to intercultural interaction and diversity in Communication in the Real World, these issues are undermined a bit by the choice of images. The book lacks representative images and voices, and often feels more like it’s talking about marginalized cultural groups, rather than talking to them or with them. This is perhaps the book's greatest weakness.

I’m very thankful that this text exists as a starting point for our discipline, and students will greatly appreciate the no-cost option. But I expect to do a good deal of work building supplementary material so that the negatives can be addressed and the positives can be strengthened for student learning. If you’re unsure in your decision to adopt Communication in the Real World, you may want to stick with your trusted, affordable resources until more supplements, or an updated edition, can be created.

Reviewed by Bradley Wolfe, Adjunct Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato on 5/21/19

The textbook covers all the basic topics for an introductory communication course. I've used the textbook for my introduction to communication course, along with selections of the text for small group communication. The book covers plenty of... read more

The textbook covers all the basic topics for an introductory communication course. I've used the textbook for my introduction to communication course, along with selections of the text for small group communication. The book covers plenty of topic for a professor to customize what to cover in the semester and what to leave out. The book is easy to read and I've heard no complaints from students. Only positive comments about how it was free!

The book covers all the topics in good introductory detail. I like to supplement the text with diverse perspectives, such as voices from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Claiming an "unbiased" perspective puts a claim on what is "true" and what voice matters the most. We never can be free of bias, but the textbook does well at providing foundational information that can be agreed upon as the whole.

Some additions could be made to center diverse voices and perspectives. The information contained is relevant, but not fully inclusive to the full diversity of communication among and across cultures.

Students have no trouble reading and understanding the assigned readings. When I have used this book, students have comprehended everything well with limited follow up explanation needed from me. We were able to use class time apply what was learned from the readings.

The organization and flow is consistent throughout. Some sub-chapters are longer than others, but overall students know what to expect.

The book does a great job of having flexibility for what is assigned. The sub-chapters allow professors to customize the text for their class without much hassle. Some things I can cover myself in class so the section doesn't need to be assigned, but others I can have the students read beforehand to apply in class.

I use the textbook out of order, but the pattern is typical for introductory communication texts.

The textbook is easy for students to navigate. I ensure to hyperlinks the specific assignments on our learning management system to make it easy for students to find the assigned readings.

No issues that I found.

The text is fairly basic in covering introductory communication concepts. I've seen better work done in terms of including diverse voices and perspectives into the text. There is some diversity represented in the text, but those concepts are isolated and not integrated throughout. This is the one downside of this textbook.

Great book overall. Free and easy to use for students. I definitely recommend taking advantage of this resource.

Reviewed by Lucas Hackenburg, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Nebraska - Lincoln on 4/3/19

This textbook includes the major ideas and topics as most other introductory communication studies texts. This text is appropriate for a 100/1000-level course. Four chapter are devoted to public speaking, so consider the structure of the course.... read more

This textbook includes the major ideas and topics as most other introductory communication studies texts. This text is appropriate for a 100/1000-level course. Four chapter are devoted to public speaking, so consider the structure of the course. In a class that requires a public speaking component, this would be appropriate; these sections may not be useful in large lecture settings.

There are no major content errors.

Videos and examples are still relevant. I imagine that they will need updated within the next five years or so (i.e. "Shows like The Office and The Apprentice..." may not be as easily recalled in a few years). The text focuses predominantly on larger theoretical ideas and themes. Updating the examples and images would be fairly easy.

This book presents theoretical ideas in ways that could be understood easily by underclassmen. The definitions are accessible through the reading and does not require prior knowledge of the subject area. One recommendation would be to include a glossary where bolded terms are easily accessible.

There are several instances where the author uses "I" to demonstrate experiences or ideas ("I argue... I suggest..."). Some sections do not have any of these anecdotes, whereas other sections have several. This inconsistent shifts from theory to personal account are distracting. Not detrimental, but it does disrupt the flow of reading.

This texts is divided well. As previously mentioned, there is a significant public speaking section in this book, but that could easily be removed or altered to align with course goals.

Overall, this book is organized well and similarly to other textbooks I have used in my course. I understand why the public speaking section is positioned where it is (after intercultural communication), but it is a difficult transition from communication theory and practice to public speaking. (I have had the same complaint for every textbook I have used, so this is not a unique situation, as the textbooks I have used are organized in the same way.) Breaking the course into units may help alleviate the tension of this transition.

Overall, the interface is user-friendly. An option to continue to the next section at the conclusion of each section would be more convenient than scrolling back to the top and selecting from the Table of Contents. Links to videos and other sites all appear active and in working order.

No major grammar issues to note.

The intercultural chapter is more engaging than other similar textbooks on the market! Overall, I think it provides a great opportunity to facilitate classroom discussion, especially when helping students apply the information they are learning outside of the classroom. It is important to remember that this textbook is written from an American perspective, and instructors should be prepared to engage in conversations about privilege when using this textbook.

Overall, I would use this text for an introductory communication course. For general education requirements across majors, this text covers theoretical and practical topics which students can easily translate outside of the classroom. For communication studies majors specifically, I would recommend supplementing the material with texts specifically related to the discipline.

Reviewed by Carolyn Weber, Communication Faculty, Minnesota State on 3/18/19

This text provides what it claims - an "an introduction" to range of communication concepts and focuses on skills, predominantly in the area of public speaking. I chose to use segments of this text for an online interpersonal communication course... read more

This text provides what it claims - an "an introduction" to range of communication concepts and focuses on skills, predominantly in the area of public speaking. I chose to use segments of this text for an online interpersonal communication course - as this was the best "OER" that I was able to find to use for this course.

I have not encountered any glaring errors. The author writes with consistent, inclusive language.

The examples used are current - and based on the political references the text will become outdated in a few years. Supplementing these areas with current names and analogies will not be difficult. The last "generation group" identified is Generation Y. Again, the concepts are relevant and supplements will provide timely data.

The text is well-written and appropriate for an introductory college communication course. The text appears to follow the thesis driven, North American Writing style. The author presents the information in a format that flows well and holds my interest.

The text is constructed in an easy to follow-format with a consistent pattern. Learning objectives followed by modules, key takeaways, exercises, and references.

Each chapter contains a consistent number of modules to help the instructor deliver the content to the learner in a systematic manner. The headings of each module provide structure and agility to the text.

Does the term "New Media" fit? It may, however, I think that "the evolution of New Media" and the discussion of this mode of communication may fit better toward the beginning of the text.

A few of the images appear distorted or stretched. The format in which the text is available is abundant.

Well-written!

Although the language is "inclusive," as noted by other reviewers, the images are not diverse. A variety of ethnicities are not represented in pictures.

This text has been extremely helpful and, until there is an OER developed, I will continue to use the book for interpersonal communication. I will also consider using segments of the text for an online introductory public speaking course.

Reviewed by Skye Chernichky-Karcher, Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on 3/14/19

The range of topics for this book is comparable to other leading textbooks of this area from popular publishers. This would be perfect for a course that seeks to cover communication studies with a public speaking component, but lacks topics that... read more

The range of topics for this book is comparable to other leading textbooks of this area from popular publishers. This would be perfect for a course that seeks to cover communication studies with a public speaking component, but lacks topics that may be relevant for a course that is strictly communication studies without a speaking component. I echo other reviewers in that this book lacks emerging areas of communication studies such as health communication. This may, however, be a critique of the larger "brand" of introduction to communication studies textbooks and not this book specifically.

This textbook cites the appropriate literature for the major concepts covered. The strength here is citation and discussion of key literature that is the foundation of each topic (e.g., noise as a barrier to listening). I wish that the book would also consider adding in the most current applications of some of this literature as I will discuss below in the relevance section. Examples are unbiased.

The textbook includes the necessary content for the concepts covered. However, it lacks specific examples or current applications of some of this content. For example, in the discussion of Family Communication Patterns theory it would have been helpful to cite some of the more relevant literature using this theory. This textbook gives a great foundation for the most important concepts related to communication, but as an instructor, I need to fill in the gaps with the most relevant applications of these concepts. This is one of the major pieces that sets this book apart from the current publisher textbooks that I've used previously in my course.

The textbook is written in a clear and appropriate tone. I also like the repetition of major concepts in each unit. For example, the chapter on family communication processes includes a discussion of two major communication processes in family communication literature: conversation and conformity orientations. The text also provides a visual image of these processes. They also come up again in the key takeaways section and are reinforced in the exercises at the end of the unit. This clarity and consistency is wonderful for students and instructors alike.

The book has a consistent structure throughout the units. The book is also consistent in highlighting important terminology. Related to modulation (below), the way that each unit was presented was consistent: learning objectives, content, key takeaways, and exercises.

Overall the break down of the content makes sense. The topics are also appropriately split within each unit. My only suggestion would be to include a symbol for the subheadings within each unit. For example, in section 6.4 Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Communication there are three subheadings: Theories, Process, and Effects. It would be nice if each of these sections also had a numerical indicator: 6.4.1, 6.4.2, and 6.4.3 for example. This would make it easier to assign short reading for each of these sections if I were to take more than one class period to discuss self disclosure.

The public speaking sections seems to come in the middle of the textbook. I would suggest moving these units to the end. The learning objectives at the beginning of each unit and the discussion questions at the end are very helpful.

The interface is easy to use and visually stimulating. The mobile interface is very impressive and easy to use.

The book appears to be free from grammatical errors.

The book is very sensitive to include examples of diversity and culture throughout the textbook and was not restricted to only chapter 8 which discusses culture and communication.

This is a great textbook for a class seeking to cover communication studies with a public speaking component. You could also use this as a foundation for a human communication course, but would need to supplement this book with other reading material. I really appreciate the ease in accessing this textbook on mobile devices - this is a huge advantage of the online platforms that publishers offer for their textbooks which I have found to not be very good.

Reviewed by Berkey Timothy, Instructor, Taylor University on 3/4/19

I appreciate the inclusion of materials chosen for this text. read more

I appreciate the inclusion of materials chosen for this text.

Well within the boundaries of discipline specific knowledge.

I do not foresee this text becoming out of date and any changes would be minimal.

I think my students will value the conversational tone set by the author.

The consistency of this text should add clarity for students.

The sections are consistent with other popular texts.

The flow fits nicely with the construction of the course and material can be presented in a nonlinear fashion well.

Very clean and easy to use.

None noticed.

I see many attempts at cultural sensitivity.

Reviewed by Leigh Kelley, Instructor, Radford University on 2/19/19

I use this textbook in an Introduction to Communication course that covers both Communication and Mass Communication. It does a good job providing an overview of such topics such as history, process, perception, listening, verbal, nonverbal, group... read more

I use this textbook in an Introduction to Communication course that covers both Communication and Mass Communication. It does a good job providing an overview of such topics such as history, process, perception, listening, verbal, nonverbal, group and other areas that align with program objectives for our academic unit. This resource ensures all students have immediate access to the content from the first day of class, and allows the instructor to focus on supplementing the material with lectures, discussions and in-class exercises. As mine is a large class I do not use the public speaking chapters. In addition, I use other resources for the Mass Communication topics because of the nature of the discipline.

The content is accurate. I have not noticed any errors, and the author has an unbiased approach to the content, with research supporting the information presented.

The text provides useful and relevant content but will need updates from those who choose to use it. Instructors need to be mindful of current events as they relate to the content. An example would be Including discussion of events such as the 2018 Charlottesville riots, during which marchers carried Nazi symbols and Confederate battle flags, which are an important coda to the "history/past-present/future dialectic” and discussion of controversy over what the Confederate flag symbolizes in the chapter dealing with Intercultural Communication. This can be achieved by updating examples in the text and providing up-to-date content in lectures. Also worth note: I was pleasantly surprised that there were fewer 404 errors than anticipated in the links to external references.

Key takeaways, definitions, highlighted and hyperlinked text provide a great resource for students navigating an introduction to the study of communication. It makes the text accessible, clear and easy to understand. Example and illustrations help communicate key points, and terms are clearly defined.

The organization helps guide readers through the content, lets students focus and organize their studies, and facilitates instructor updates. The organization of content areas into subchapters, learning objectives, key takeaways, suggested exercises, and well-cited sidebars provides a clear and consistent format for the material presented.

There is continuity in the way the text is structured, so that a linear progression through the text allows students to build on prior knowledge. At the same time, important topics have sufficient repetition and reinforcement so that instructors can effectively teach select chapters, and teach chapters out of sequence.

The order of the chapters themselves, as well as the content within chapters, provides a clear and logical presentation of the material. The content builds and extends ideas presented elsewhere in the text.

While students could use any format, I used the .epub file. Charts and images were clear, and digital reading tools made it easy to mark the text, make notes, and reference content as needed. I did not notice any problems with the interface or in navigating through the content.

I did not notice nor was I distracted by grammatical or spelling errors.

This text may limited by freely available photography; instructors should be aware that images in the text heavily features Caucasian subjects. Instructors using this text may want to specifically seek out presentation/lecture images that are more representative. Textual content and examples selected strive to be inclusive.

The textbook is appropriate for an introductory level course in communication. This is a fantastic contribution to the field and is a great resource to ensure students have affordable access to a resource that provides a solid foundation for the study of communication.

Reviewed by Merissa Bunton (Brown), Lecturer of Speech and English, Leeward Community College on 2/14/19

I plan to begin using this book for my Human Communication course. All of the topics I address are adequately covered in this text. When I began my initial review of the book, I loved the online glossary with the easy to navigate "dropdown" menu... read more

I plan to begin using this book for my Human Communication course. All of the topics I address are adequately covered in this text. When I began my initial review of the book, I loved the online glossary with the easy to navigate "dropdown" menu that quickly links users to the desired topics. Additionally, the learning objectives outlined at the beginning of each section are especially helpful.

The writer's adherence to inclusive language throughout the text demonstrated best practices in modern communication. No glaring errors distracted me from the content.

I appreciated that the book had two separate chapters addressing media and communication. The first of the two, Chapter 15, provided a general, history and overview of the development of media over time (especially as related to technology), theories associated with media, and a section on ethics. The second, Chapter 16, looked specifically at new media. Separating the chapters in this way, I believe, will make the book easier to update and media continues to evolve.

Clarity rating: 4

I like that the wording is approachable for most readers. I would prefer the author(s) not use "we" in the discussions because that word inherently discriminates against those who do not share the same experience as the author(s). Additionally, although key words are highlighted in the text, I would also like to see those same key words defined in the margin or at the end of chapters to help students study as they build their lexicon. The "Key Takeaways" listed at the end of each section are nice.

The writer(s) did a lovely job scaffolding the information throughout the text. Terminology was consistent.

I really appreciate the attention to detail employed when preparing the various sections of the text. As I build my resources for both my online and face to face sections I will be able to embed links easily in my online classroom and handouts for student reading/reference/discussion.

The organization of the first six chapters align exactly with the way I prefer to teach. I love being able to assign chapters to students in sequential order. The division of the two chapters about media and communication, at the end of the book, is perfect for updating. Listing learning objectives at the beginning of each section and key takeaways at the end of each chapter is extraordinarily useful.

Navigation is simple, intuitive, and user-friendly for both digital natives and digital immigrants. The option to download and print a pdf of the entire book is also helpful.

Apart from an occasional error, the book is well edited for grammar and clarity.

The book employs inclusive language throughout with no instances, I perceived, of direct cultural insensitivity.

I look forward to using this book for not only my introduction to human communication course, but as a supplementary resource for many of the English courses I teach as students approach group projects. Specifically, I plan to use the information from Chapter 5 (listening) and Chapter 13 (small group communication).

Reviewed by Valerie Young, Associate Professor, Communication, Hanover College on 1/25/19

Each chapter supports both the "typical" topics in similar breadth and depth as the traditional hybrid Intro to Communication text and I was pleasantly surprised to see the integration of topics within and between chapters. For example, rarely to... read more

Each chapter supports both the "typical" topics in similar breadth and depth as the traditional hybrid Intro to Communication text and I was pleasantly surprised to see the integration of topics within and between chapters. For example, rarely to Communication texts engage with the National Communication Association resources in the way that this one does. The chapters reference NCA's work in learning outcomes, skills, ethics, and employment in the field.

The content is very accurate, from my perspective and background. For instructors who find something missing, it should be easy to supplement with a journal article or two. Personally, the major content areas are fully covered and there are plenty of references to content that is omitted from other Intro texts due to space constraints. I did not notice many (any?) errors or bias in the content during my initial read. The Chapter 16 acknowledges that new tech changes occur rapidly. The author links to a personal blog (no thanks; not my favorite way to update textbook content), and the blog is not written in English.

Plenty of examples are embedded into the text, up to the Obama/2012 election era. It would be fantastic to update the political and social references again to connect with readers and contemporary examples in media.

The book is written in a conversational, approachable writing style that should be appealing to lower-level undergraduate students; it makes for an “easy read” even though chapters are broken down into several sections and the text is plenty lengthy. I could easily assign this text in a 100-200 level course without reservation, based on the clarity of writing. I don't love the occasional use of first-person language/writing, but that's a minor, personal annoyance.

Like a traditional text, each chapter begins with a list of learning outcomes; ends with takeaway summaries and a list of discussion prompts, rhetorical questions, or activities appropriate for the classroom. The learning outcomes and content is consistent with those used in the broader communication field. The text provides a broader scope for the historical framework of our discipline, couching the discipline in rhetoric, as many Intro texts mention the ancient evolution of the field (including technical and mediated communication) rather flippantly. There are not as many journal article source citations as I’d like, and it would be fantastic to link some web content or other content into the citations or as video examples earlier in the text. Some of the chapters have videos embedded; others do not.

I appreciate that the lengthy chapters are easy to divide into sections. Each section is easy to navigate on screen and would allow an instructor to divide reading assignments by chapter subsection, based on the pacing of the course reading assignments. Sometimes, reading the entire nonverbal chapter (for example) can be overwhelming; yet dividing the content into an overview, a focus on types, then competence and context makes the chapter easier to approach in subsections. Each subsection contains subheadings for readability. My complaint here is still praise: even the subsections are very detailed and lengthy. I'd much rather have too much content than too little; however, my students may feel overwhelmed if asked to read more than one or two subsection per class period. With that said, if you've ever hesitated to assign a full chapter of reading per day for fatigue reasons, this modular format will allow you to break apart each chapter and cover content as students keep up with reading subsections.

Excellent organization and flow between topics. Very similar to the previous texts I have used for this level of class. The chapters are presented in a nearly identical order. There are two topics- culture and organizational communication- that are *typically* reserved for separate chapters in other Intro texts. Here, I appreciate that concepts regarding culture and organizational communication are interwoven into several chapters, where relevant- and cultural communication and leadership development have their own chapters, as well. Makes for seamless organization (and plenty of content!).

Interface rating: 3

It is fairly easy to navigate through the pages and subheadings using links at the bottom of the pages. The subheadings would be easier to navigate if a list of chapter subheadings/content appeared on the upper left side of the screen and followed the reader, so that as I read subsection 4.3, I can easily click back to content in 4.2 and 4.4 without scrolling to the bottom of the page. (like the content dropdown menu bar, but one that follows the page and only pertains to the chapter open).This is a minor concern. I do appreciate the links embedded into the chapters; however, as I link backward or forward to content that is already covered (for example, Chapter 15 references Chapter 9; I click on the link and I'm tossed to the beginning of Chapter 9, but it's not simple to navigate back to the area of Chapter 15 where I was at). The cheesy stock photos could be improved. Chapter 16 ends rather abruptly. It would be helpful to have a final page/glossary that links and reviews each chapter's content or learning objectives.

No issues encountered

No issues encountered. I appreciate how several topics are separated out from other chapters and linked in to the chapters where appropriate. We often want our students to draw these links, but it is impossible (literally) in a print copy to do this while reading or studying. Stock photos could be improved. Additional research on under-served / under-studied and non-Western populations, also, could enhance chapters beyond cultural communication.

Reviewed by Christy Takamure, Associate Professor of Speech, CC, Leeward Community College on 1/18/19

This text clearly covers all subject areas and concepts that may be found in most communication textbooks. It is very comprehensive and does not leave out any key terms pertinent in a speech communication course yet, it does not provide too much... read more

This text clearly covers all subject areas and concepts that may be found in most communication textbooks. It is very comprehensive and does not leave out any key terms pertinent in a speech communication course yet, it does not provide too much information to overwhelm the reader.

The content is accurate, unbiased, and contains supporting research findings. Data and information are current and contextually appropriate.

The content is straightforward with clear definitions. Examples are not clearly dated so modifications or changes can be easily made to the content. Dated information can be easily added to increase relevance to your current students. After teaching communication courses for over twenty years, I have found this text to be all that you would need since you can add any of your own material to supplement the material.

Terms and concepts are clearly defined. There are appropriate explanations if jargons or technical terminology are used. It is easy to understand and straightforward. At the end of each section there are “key takeaways” which summarizes concepts to help the reader identify and remember the main points. It is the perfect text for students at all reading levels.

The textbook is written in the same format and organization from chapter-to-chapter. It is clearly organized and easy to follow. Every chapter is divided into separate sections. Each section includes the learning objectives at the very beginning; text covering the subject; a "getting real" section that connects the topics to the readers to make it more meaningful and relevant; a summary of the "key takeaways"; and exercises to engage the reader with the information.

Every chapter is divided into separate sections that allows the reader to fully comprehend the material. Each section includes the learning objectives at the very beginning; text covering the subject; a "getting real" section that connects the topics covered to the readers to make it more meaningful; a summary of the "key takeaways"; and exercises to engage the reader with the information.

The organization of the text follows a clear, consistent, and logical fashion. Learning objectives before each section helps the reader to identify the key points so that they know what to focus on. The reader will appreciate the straightforward structure of this text.

The text is clear and easy to read. Pictures and illustrations add interest and breaks up lengthy text sections. It is visually appealing.

The text is free of grammatical errors. Terms are clear and technical/jargons are defined.

At the end of each section, there are exercises to possibly use in the classroom. These exercises help to engage the reader to make the concepts more relevant to their lives to make it more meaningful. My student population is very diverse and the exercises allows for open discussions and self-reflections.

I have been teaching communication courses for over twenty years and was ecstatic to discover this textbook that is comprehensive and satisfies the learning outcomes of my communication course. I am certain that my colleagues will appreciate this textbook because of its simplicity, compatibility, and accessibility.

Reviewed by Jonathan Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 1/16/19

This textbook offers a broad look at communication theory, particularly through a rhetorical lens. While the social scientific theoretical side may be a bit lacking, the book makes up for this in the breadth of topics it covers. I appreciated... read more

This textbook offers a broad look at communication theory, particularly through a rhetorical lens. While the social scientific theoretical side may be a bit lacking, the book makes up for this in the breadth of topics it covers. I appreciated the depth at which it covers issues related to public speaking, like communication competence, speech anxiety, and outline and organizing speeches.

The book definitely has some weak areas, especially as communication theory connects with other social science disciplines like psychology and sociology. However, for introductory communication courses, there are few things that are of concern.

Most of the content of this text is and will be useful for all freshman communication courses for the foreseeable future. The focus is generally on timeless ways humans have connected.

While the content is rich and broad, the overall sense when reading the text is that it's a firehose of content: the reader is often pummeled with term after term. Often, I find that the best communication texts are those that are more narrative in style, which helps many freshman connect with new terms and ideas, especially when they should be connected to what we see in everyday life.

The structure of the book is solid and consistent across chapters. Especially helpful are the key takeaway blocks at the end of every sub-chapter. These unfailingly offer strong summary statements of the important points for each page.

While the text as a whole is too large to be assigned in a semester-long class, the chapters are divided into easily assigned readings that can be arranged as necessary.

I think that as a whole the organization works, although the communication theory - public speaking sections don't seem to mesh well together. One point that I appreciated about this book was that they included the research chapter before the chapter headings on speech organization and outlining. It's a pet peeve of mine when public speaking textbooks begin with organization and outlining and then treat research as a supplemental procedure to support your ideas after you've decided what you want to say.

Overall the text interface is fine and is easy to navigate. When it comes to images, some of the free images used are less than ideal. I would also find a further grounding in actual data and graphs to be more useful than some of the generic imagery.

There are a few typos here and there, but nothing too shocking.

I think the text is acceptable, however there is much to be improved with the strength of examples provided.

This is a decent textbook for communication theory/public speaking hybrid courses. I think it's a solid starting point, but I tend to supplement with my own materials, particularly when it comes to anything on perception or social psychology. I also tend to supplement with a lot of my own material for the persuasion section. However, the public speaking sections are fairly strong as well as the work on interpersonal and group communication. If a bit more work is put into the graphics and images, this book would be much stronger!

Reviewed by Kelly Young, Associate Professor, Wayne State University on 11/30/18

The text does a nice job of discussing most of the common communication areas covered in other similar textbooks. I wish the text would include discussion of health communication and public and personal persuasion or influence, as I feel that the... read more

The text does a nice job of discussing most of the common communication areas covered in other similar textbooks. I wish the text would include discussion of health communication and public and personal persuasion or influence, as I feel that the book is rather light on humanistic (critical/rhetorical) and social scientific perspectives on persuasion.

Content appears to be accurate and error-free. The examples are benign and do not suggest any bias.

I enjoyed the numerous examples given throughout the book. I felt as though they were timely but not obsolete. The content was similarly up-to-date. Not much of the material is at risk of being dated other than the chapter on mass media and technology. However, at this moment, the material seems current, but that could change in a few years.

Clarity in prose and structure is one of the greatest strengths of this textbook. The prose is straightforward and defines keywords in easily understandable ways. The short sections within each unit aids reading comprehension, as each section covers one main idea rather than several concepts or keywords.

The text does not appear inconsistent in its use of terms or framework.

Another strength of this textbook is how well it is organized into smaller units. Each chapter consists of 3 or more units, which allows an instructor to include or exclude units given the flavor of the course. The internal organization of the units are very nicely broken into separate sections that focus on one central idea at a time without significant self-reference.

The individual chapters are well organized. I like how the units within the chapters are organized, in that there is usually a broad opening unit, then a discussion of key concepts, how communication problems occur, then a ‘how to improve your communication’ units. This is very helpful if your aim is to teach a broad course to improve many facets of students’ communication. I do not find this as helpful if you aim is to teach an open survey of communication theory course, but the “improvement” units could be avoided in that case. I found the placement of the public speaking chapters odd. I know the opening of the book lists 5 “forms” of communication (really, they are levels, not forms) and the organizational choice follow these levels. However, given the specificity of these units and how out of place they are with the nature of the survey of the field, it might make sense for them to be located at the end of the book.

In terms of its production value, the book has clean imagines and is well constructed. It is easy to navigate given its table of contents. Hyperlinked table of contents to the chapters and units would be a nice feature, but the lack of it does not seem to limit the book.

The textbook appears to use proper grammar and is free of writing mistakes.

I did not encounter any material that I deemed insensitive or offensive. Indeed, I appreciated that the textbook, in several of its “improving communication competence” units, went out of its way to suggest how students’ can correct their culturally insensitivity or offensive remarks. The only shortcoming of the text in this regard is that most of the communication discipline, we date the beginning of the study of communication to ancient Greece rather than earlier Egyptian culture. But that’s a much wider cultural bias of our field and not unique to this textbook.

This is a very good textbook if you are teaching a hybrid public speaking/communication competence course. Each chapter contains at least one unit that stresses how to improve communication in the 5 “forms” of communication outlined in the first chapter of the book. Also, the book would work well as an introductory survey to communication theory text if you chose to avoid the improvement units and much of the public speaking chapters. I wish the text included more about persuasion theory (either from humanistic or social science perspectives). If it did, it would be a stronger introductory survey book. However, if you are interested in teaching an introduction to the field of communication studies course, the text’s lack of discussion of research perspectives, communication research questions, or the research process at all would require the instructor to include supplemental material in these areas. I wish Chapter 3 on verbal language included more rhetorical/humanistic notions like framing, metaphors, symbolic action, constitutive effect, etc. I was surprised that it lacked this material.

Reviewed by Yuxiang Du, Assistant Professor, Fort Hays State University on 11/29/18

This textbook is more comprehensive than the ones I have used in my basic course classes. It is an ideal textbook for these hybrid courses (interpersonal and public speaking). I am very impressed with its scope and comprehensiveness. Within each... read more

This textbook is more comprehensive than the ones I have used in my basic course classes. It is an ideal textbook for these hybrid courses (interpersonal and public speaking). I am very impressed with its scope and comprehensiveness. Within each topic (chapter), you can find most of important and relevant concepts and theories covered. The challenge for instructors and students might be getting through all the materials in each chapter within a week. However, it is better to have more materials to choose from than having less.

The authors did a great job in achieving accuracy in the text. Theories and concepts covered in the book were accurately cited and discussed.

It is clear to me that the authors made an effort to make this book relevant for students by including examples and stories that the students could relate to. Many of these examples are real world ones which could help students to apply what they learned in real life. These “getting real”, “getting critical”, and “getting plugged in” sections are quite helpful in this regard. As for longevity, there are some dated references and historical timelines in the book that should be updated in the future.

The authors were very clear and straightforward in their writing.

The book showed great consistency in writing, chapter characteristics (length, details), tones, and flow.

Other than the first chapter, each chapter covers a different topic with chapters covering related topics located together. It is easy to pick a chapter or a group of chapters for a particular topic.

Placing public communication related chapters in the middle of the book is somewhat different from the ones I have used before. Usually you would find these chapters located at the end of the book. I also find four chapters are not enough for public speaking centered courses. At least, separate informative and persuasive speaking in two chapters.

I am satisfied with its interface. The only problem I have experienced is the hyperlinked materials in the book. I used a digital PDF copy and found that after I clicked and viewed a photo or a video, it could only return to the title page, not where I clicked in the text.

I have not detected grammatical errors.

The authors’ effort in promoting cultural relevance in the book should be praised. The chapter on culture and communication was well written and consisted of important concepts and examples that could help students to build their cultural competence. The notion of culture and culture as a context was also frequently mentioned and discussed in other chapters such as verbal communication and communication in relationships.

This book is a good textbook option for communication basic courses especially hybrid courses. Its comprehensiveness and real world examples can help students to understand basic communication concepts and apply them in real world situations. My only suggestion is to increase the portion on public speaking.

Reviewed by Stacie Mariette, Mass Communication instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 6/19/18

This textbook is very comprehensive. I have used it in my Intro to Communication Studies (both seated and online sections) for two semesters. I always omit a few chapters because it is so comprehensive and is too detailed for this particular... read more

This textbook is very comprehensive. I have used it in my Intro to Communication Studies (both seated and online sections) for two semesters. I always omit a few chapters because it is so comprehensive and is too detailed for this particular course in the timeframe of a single semester.

And that's a great thing!

Additional details and thought-provoking comments come up in class discussions and papers, based on the depth and context of the textbook. It also prompts thoughtful research into the solid concepts that are covered in our reading, week to week. I really like this textbook for this reason!

This textbook is very accurate. I used a hard-copy resource previously and all the theories, models and concepts – and then some – are covered in this book... and covered quite thoroughly!

This textbook is fabulously relevant in terms of the tried-and-true concepts and the bulk of it will hold up quite nicely, I predict. But some examples and language are a bit dated when it comes to technology as our language evolves so quickly for our online culture (e.g., "flaming" vs. "trolling"). The technology references often are not embedded in the text, but rather in the discussion questions at the end of each chapter and as standalone chapters toward the end of the textbook. A savvy move, making it easy for those of us who may update/remix the OER itself, but the core chapter readings occasionally seem a bit flat without the inclusion of these up-to-date examples.

The writing is clear and very easy to follow. The bulleted lists and charts with tips and guidelines for real-life communication scenarios are definitely the easiest to follow.

In fact, the information is a bit dense/prose-heavy in the chapters without these visual aids, which may be intimidating for some students (despite the ease of reading overall). The subheads do break up the topics well and the images lighten things up, as well.

The consistency of this book is great. I knew just what to expect from the beginning in terms of the format of the chapters/sub-chapters. I like the end-of-chapter discussion questions and summaries and use them frequently when refreshing my memory from semester-to-semester or after a break as I head into lectures.

I teach this textbook in a different from the textbook and that's OK! I only do it because I teach public speaking early in the semester. This book is so modular, though, it's very easy to tailor to the flow of your own course. It does refer readers to different chapters within the text itself from time to time, so beware of that if you remix the chapters in your PDF (or other type of file) to be in the same order as your syllabus.

The book is easy to follow and the sub-chapters make it easy to assign reading to line up with specific topics/class presentations or to mix and match the content for tailoring your own readings.

The only thing on my wishlist is that technology topics be more integrated into the core of each chapter, rather than at the end of each. (Though I see the practical reasons, for update purposes, with how quickly technology evolves.)

For example, Chapter 2 covers online self-presentation in a call-out box at the end of the chapter, but online personas on Instagram/Facebook are often the conversation starter my students need on the topic of impression management. Chapter 6 handles social media and self-disclosure in a similar way – and, again, these online examples are where my students most often and most readily draw comparisons to their real lives when we chat in person.

Online use is very easy. My students typically review the PDF because they can view it on their phones. The links within the Table of Contents easily jumps them from topic to topic. The PDF file itself is a quick download in most cases. I haven't ever had an issue providing it on my learning portal to my students.

The images are black-and-white-print-out-conscious and don’t lose any of their meaning when my budget-conscious students don't want to pay to print a color copy. I love this … it's the small things, right?

I was a copy editor for many years so I am hard-wired to notice grammatical errors. I haven't seen any in this textbook. This makes for an added level of credibility and expertise and clearly indicates that the authors put in the time and care needed.

I also appreciated the tips in the textbook for editing written communication, as they're the same tips I have always shared with my students.

This book does an excellent job of being culturally aware and relevant – and not just in the Cultural Communication chapter. For example, Chapter 2 covers self-perception in individualistic vs. collectivistic societies and over racial/gender differences. Chapter 3, on Language, covers neologisms and slang (an important, fast-moving part of my students' lives). Chapter 4 covers language as culture examples from many countries – some that I hadn't heard before! The book also covers accent bias, code-switching and other real-life examples that my students (particularly those who are bilingual) experience daily. The LGBTQ+/same-sex marriage sections are a bit outdated, due to the publication date of the version of this book that I've been using.

If you have previously used any of the most popular and often-used Comm Studies books, you won't be disappointed. I love this book, both for how it supports the courses I had previously developed and also for how it adds to them with new concepts and examples. The online availability is a big benefit for my students and they let me know how much they appreciate the free option every semester. Even those who print hard copies find that the cost is comparably low, as well.

Reviewed by Heidi Croatt, Professor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 5/21/18

I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this text. In addition to including all of the typical topics taught in an introductory hybrid course, the text includes chapters on mass media and technology, as well as how new media impacts our self and our... read more

I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this text. In addition to including all of the typical topics taught in an introductory hybrid course, the text includes chapters on mass media and technology, as well as how new media impacts our self and our relationships. These topics are increasingly important for students in Communication courses, and I'm happy to see it included in this text.

All content is consistent with well-known and credible research for each topic.

The content is relevant for today's students. There are some examples that might date the content to the 2000's and 2010's, but I don't anticipate that being a problem in the near future. While I appreciate the addition of the media chapters, those will need to be updated more frequently to reflect our evolving technological and social world. Finally, some links throughout the text do not work which can be frustrating for students and give the perception that the text is not up-to-date.

The accessible prose is one of the most attractive features of this text. For students in an introductory course, the text needs to be readable and interesting. The language used to discuss most of the topics is academic yet informal. I think students will appreciate and enjoy the colloquial approach throughout the text.

There is consistency throughout this text. Each chapter is framed similarly which makes it user-friendly and easy to read. I like the learning objectives to start each chapter, and the key takeaways and exercises at the end of each chapter. Some chapters have more images and links than others. The ones with more included media are likely preferred by students.

This is a big textbook, with some long chapters. However, the sub-headings make it easy to assign certain topics at different points throughout the course. It would be fairly easy to rearrange chapters, and even some topics within chapters, without disrupting the reading flow for students.

I am used to teaching the Introductory course in a different order than it is presented in this textbook. I think many instructors rearrange the topics in this course to meet their scheduling needs, assignment needs, and individual preferences. So while I would reorder the chapters, I find this textbook to be in line with existing Intro textbooks.

I appreciate the interface of this text and the different options for reading. Moving from chapter to chapter, or topic to topic is easy with this interface. Some of the links do not work, though.

The text contains no significant grammatical errors.

A variety of perspectives are included in this text, and the language is inclusive. Like most other texts, it could include more diversity in authors quotes, images used, and videos presented.

This is a very good option for an Introductory course textbook. I would have no hesitation adopting this book and I believe students would benefit from the comprehensive content, user-friendliness, and cost savings.

Reviewed by Courtney Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 3/27/18

This text appears to cover all general areas and ideas within the communication field appropriate for an introductory level course. Although the goal of an introductory text is to provide just that -- an introduction -- I felt as though some... read more

This text appears to cover all general areas and ideas within the communication field appropriate for an introductory level course. Although the goal of an introductory text is to provide just that -- an introduction -- I felt as though some topics were too surface-level and could have benefitted from a bit more detail. There is not an index or glossary, but I cannot speak to how often those are used in online texts, particularly when the text can be downloaded as a PDF and searched.

The text appears accurate and includes credible, relevant sources.

I feel as though the textbook content is up-to-date and has high relevance, as well as potential for longevity. Some areas of the text will need to be updated (e.g., current examples used), but that is par for the course. It seems as though the text is arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy to implement.

The text is written in lucid, accessible prose with a college student audience in mind. Jargon is adequately defined. In teaching my students the benefit of using non-technical language in their essays and speeches, I point to the language used in the textbook as a good example.

The text appears to have high internal consistency in the terminology used throughout. Additionally, I appreciated the consistency in chapter organization from start to finish.

I appreciate the ability to assign smaller sections of this text without it reading as if my students have missed something. Given that the PDF of the text is 800+ pages, I do not want my students reading this text from cover to cover. Therefore, assigning small sections has been beneficial to making it more digestible for my students.

The overall organization, structure, and flow of the text is fine. However, I do not like how closely formatted some of the headings/subheadings are. It can often be difficult for my students to determine whether a section is a heading or subheading (or sub-subheading).

I really like the online interface. The PDF is a bit unwieldy, but that's to be expected due to its size.

I did not find any grammatical issues during my review.

In general, I did not find the text to be culturally insensitive or offensive. However, it could strive to be a bit more diverse in its examples and in choosing the individuals to include in photographs throughout the text.

Reviewed by Candice Thomas-Maddox, Professor, Ohio University Lancaster on 2/1/18

The text contains 16 chapters that cover all of the basic content typically included in most of the well-known hybrid introductory communication textbooks currently on the market. Each section/topic area within each of the chapters begin with its... read more

The text contains 16 chapters that cover all of the basic content typically included in most of the well-known hybrid introductory communication textbooks currently on the market. Each section/topic area within each of the chapters begin with its own set of objectives that provide students with an overview of the topics to be covered - these could also serve as useful study questions for exams. In addition to the concepts and theories presented in each chapter, the text includes text boxes that encourage students to apply content to contemporary examples - each box concludes with Discussion Questions that could be assigned as homework or utilized in online course formats for virtual discussions. Each of the 3-4 sections within each chapter concludes with its own summary (Key Takeaways) and 2-3 suggested activities for students to apply the content during in-class assignments or completed out-of-class. The format of the text provides sufficient content to cover a 16-week class in either face-to-face or online contexts.

All of the content included in the chapters appears to be accurate. Information from both a historical perspective and contemporary research is included to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the topic. At the conclusion of each topic area within each chapter, 8-20 references are provided to allow students to conduct additional research on the topic. These sources range from scholarly journal articles to contemporary news articles published in the popular press to expose students to a variety of sources on each topic area.

Descriptions of the concepts and theories are relevant and applicable to the majority of students - regardless of their status (traditional/non-traditional), age, or other demographic distinctions that contribute to class diversity. Areas that may need periodic updates include the text boxes that are dedicating to providing contemporary examples of topics covered within the chapter. Overall, the text provides a solid foundation of the core concepts that instructors could easily apply contemporary examples as they tailor the course to meet the specific needs of their own student populations. While the discussion questions are written in a way that appeals to a diverse student population, they may occasionally need to be updated to address contemporary issues.

The clarity of the writing style of the text is one of its strongest selling points. Concepts are defined/described in layman's terms that most students can easily relate to their own experiences. Examples that are provided are relatable to the the majority of students. While the key concepts are highlighted in blue font, it would be useful if the text also included a Glossary that students could quickly access by clicking on hyperlinks within the chapters. A unique feature of the book is that topics covered in later chapters (e.g., Media) include a discussion of how the information is related to topics covered in earlier chapters in the text - hyperlinks are provided within the text to direct students back to the earlier chapters for a review/recall of content.

Students will be pleased to find that each chapter is organized and presented in a consistent manner. Each chapter begins with Learning Objectives, followed by content (with key terms highlighted), and concludes with a contemporary example highlighted in a textbox with discussion questions and a chapter summary. Topics are presented in a way so that they build on one another - there is a logical progression from one chapter topic to the next. As mentioned before, chapters that appear later in the text include hyperlinks to direct students back to earlier content - this helps showcase the connections between content areas.

A unique feature of this text is that each chapter is organized into distinct subsections that allow instructors to "select/choose" which topics they want to include in their class. For schools where students may also be taking a separate public speaking class, there is just enough information in the four (4) chapters on the topic to provide them with the necessary foundation to understand the key elements of speeches. Instructors can pick and choose the sections within these (and other) chapters to include. If an instructor wishes to alter the order in which the chapters are included in the course schedule, they can be interchanged or assigned in any order without altering the flow of the text.

While most introductory human communication texts place the public speaking chapters at the end of the book (to allow instructors to skip over them if students are already required to take a separate public speaking class), this text includes the speech chapters in the middle (Chapter 9-12) before covering topics such as small group communication and media in the last four chapters. While the chapter/topic order may not strictly adhere to the typical format of most communication textbooks on the market, this is not a "deal-breaker" when adopting this text because chapters can be presented in any format desired without impacting the readability and flow of the text.

All of the charts, hyperlinks to articles included in the reference lists, and the photos appeared to be clear and in working order. Some of the photos appear to be somewhat dated, but this could be viewed as a positive feature for ensuring the longevity of the book. It does not require frequent revisions to the photos. It might be beneficial to include more "SmartArt" that graphically represents/lists/summarizes the core concepts to appeal to visual learners using charts or tables.

The writing style is clear and concise without excessive examples or confusing details. It is written in a conversational tone that students can easily relate to as they consider how the concepts apply to their own personal examples. No writing or grammatical errors were discovered during my review.

Examples and content covered in the book are respectful of diversity. I would not consider any of the content to be culturally insensitive or offensive. Topics that are of a sensitive nature are presented in a fair and objective way to encourage students to think critically about the communication implications (e.g., hate speech, culturally sensitive language choices, ethical decisions associated with communicating with diverse others). The core content provides a foundation that instructors can build upon as they address diversity topics that are directly relevant to their own student populations. While there is diversity represented in the photos included in the text, it could provide a more comprehensive reflection of diversity (cultural, racial, age, economic).

Reviewed by Jade Olson, Lecturer, University of Maryland on 2/1/18

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of key areas of communication studies. It is an appropriate introduction to the discipline, and would be suitable for an introduction to communication theory course, a public speaking course, or a hybrid... read more

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of key areas of communication studies. It is an appropriate introduction to the discipline, and would be suitable for an introduction to communication theory course, a public speaking course, or a hybrid model. It covers foundations of communication theory (perception, language and meaning, etc.) as well as a chapter each on listening, interpersonal, nonverbal, verbal, small group, leadership, media, and new media. As well, it offers several chapters oriented toward public/presentational speaking, covering the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in a variety of contexts. It does not contain an index or glossary, but given that most students will access it in a format that allows for a text search, this is not necessarily a major issue. It would benefit from a chapter on communication apprehension/anxiety -- this is treated very briefly toward the end of Chapter 1.

The book is accurate when it comes to objective aspects of communication theory and practice -- in other words, I found almost nothing to be blatantly incorrect, and did not perceive any overt political biases. (The one blatantly incorrect sentence is: "The term transgender includes other labels such as transsexual, transvestite, cross-dresser, and intersex, among others" in Chapter 8). I appreciate that there is a chapter dedicated to communication and culture, prompting students to consider the rest of the book's contents (as well as their own work) through the lens of social constructivism and to think critically about their own biases. Yet, it (like most communication textbooks) is reflective of the dominant western worldview when it comes to concepts like persuasion and reasoning.

The book is relatively up-to-date, though some political references are already somewhat outdated. For example, the first subsection is entitled, "From Aristotle to Obama: A Brief History of Communication." Updating references like these would be very easy to implement. The book's author offers to supplement the chapter on new media on his personal website, but when I followed the included link the site did not load. This chapter in particular already feels a bit outdated -- in the section on new media and interpersonal relationships there is no mention of Snapchat or Instagram (Twitter and Facebook are referenced), and I suspect that students may already find the book to be out of touch in this regard. Table 8.3, displaying "Developments Related to Sexuality, Identity, and Communication" needs to be updated to include the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges and other recent events.

The writing is clear and accessible for students who are reading at an appropriate college level. Jargon is explained well. My students enjoy the author's use of the first person in many cases, telling anecdotes in plain language that illustrate and animate the concepts being discussed in a more immediate way.

The text maintains consistent vocabulary and structural frameworks. I have not found any internal inconsistencies in the book's language use or explanation of theories/concepts. There are a couple of minor inconsistencies that should not impede student understanding (e.g., references to the "Gay Rights Movement" and also to the "gay and lesbian rights movement").

The book is highly modular. I have adapted it for use in a public speaking course in which my students are reading the chapters related to presentational speaking as well as those on listening and culture. They have read the chapters, and in some cases the sections, out of order with no problem. The book is rarely self-referential, and when it is, the reader does not need to have internalized much of the section being referred to in order to understand the present section.

The structure flows logically. It can be understood as unfolding in six major sections that make sense sequentially or in modules: foundations (Chapters 1-2), basic components of the communication process (Chapters 3-5), communication in context (Chapters 6-8), presentational/public speaking (Chapters 9-12), communicating in groups/organizations (Chapters 13-14), and media (Chapters 15-16).

I have not encountered any problems with the book's interface. I have read it online and downloaded the PDF with no such issues.

The text contains no grammatical errors that I am aware of.

The book strives for cultural relevance and, for the most part, achieves it. In the photographs, people depicted are overwhelmingly white, which is a strike against it in terms of representing communicators from a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds. I would like to see updates to the section on sexuality, as the standards for inclusive language in this arena change rapidly and the text does currently utilize terms that many consider to be problematic such as "homosexual" (the text explains that this word "can be appropriate in some instances, but it carries with it a clinical and medicalized tone" -- I would argue that the word is not considered appropriate in any context except an historical one). I would also suggest that the large image of the Confederate flag is not a necessary inclusion in section 8.3 -- as a hate symbol, this could be jarring to many readers, to say the least. Finally, the text does occasionally utilize ableist language (e.g., an example speech topic in Chapter 9 is "My Craziest Adventure").

My students have expressed positive reviews of this text. On the whole, they find it to be relevant, accessible, and straightforward. They especially appreciate the author's use of personal observations and stories from the classroom. I have identified in my comments above a few changes that I think would be useful in bringing the text up-to-date and making it more inclusive, and I think instructors who value inclusivity and recency can easily supplement their syllabi and lessons to fill these gaps. In general I do recommend this text, and I find it superior to comparable books from for-profit textbook companies that I have reviewed.

Reviewed by Jessica Martin, Professor, Portland Community College on 8/15/17

After reviewing this text, I believe that it does provide an effective index and glossary. The table of contents are easily able to be found at the very beginning of the online textbook. What is especially nice is that you can easily click over... read more

After reviewing this text, I believe that it does provide an effective index and glossary. The table of contents are easily able to be found at the very beginning of the online textbook. What is especially nice is that you can easily click over back to the table of contents when you are in the middle of the textbook, making it easy to flip around and move from section to section. I found it helpful that at the beginning of each chapter, the textbook provides a "Learning Objectives" section, where one can easily read what the expected learning outcomes are for the chapter. This will make it easy for both the Professor and the students as to what they are expected to get out of each chapter. I also believe that this textbook accurately covers all necessary areas of Comm 100, as I currently teach this class with a physical book copy that covers the same chapters.

After reviewing the online textbook, I do believe that the information to be accurate. The text accurately covers all of the same type of content that is also covered in my textbook. I wasn't able to notice nearly any errors at all within the text, which was great. What I do especially appreciate about the accuracy of this text is that at the end of each section within each chapter, it has a "Key Takeaways" section, as well as a section for "Exercises." The Key Takeaways section discusses specific terms for students to remember, and the Exercises section is helpful for Professors, as they can use these exercises to create in-class activities.

I do believe that this textbook is up to date, especially because it has incorporated the Chapter titled "New Media and Communication," which a lot of the physical copies similar to this text (Comm 100) have incorporated as well based off of the evolving technology.

I believe that the text is written in lucid, accessible prose, and also provides adequate context for any jargon/technical terminology that is used. They stuck to the appropriate content for the text and everything flowed well.

I compared this text to the other text that I am using to teach my course, and it appeared to be consistent to that. There were no confusing terms that were used and everything made sense.

There are definitely no enormous blocks of texts without subheadings for this textbook. Each section is divided up appropriately and is also easy to follow along with. I found that everything flew together very nicely. Any time that the author goes into discussion of something new, there is a clear header to identify that.

This text is divided up similarly to the physical textbook that I am using to teach this course this summer. Everything is organized well and is easy to follow along with.

I do not believe that the text has any type of navigation issues. The navigation is easy to use, and it is simply to get from chapter to chapter. One thing I did notice is that it would have been more effective to have more charts available for different topics such as the communication process, non-verbal communication, and so fourth.

I was not able to identity any grammatical errors within this textbook.

I believe that this textbook is not culturally intensive in any way. The chapter that focuses on culture and communication included a variety of examples that are inclusive to a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. All of the other chapters were culturally sensitive as well, as they did not include any inappropriate terminology.

Reviewed by Scott Dunn, Associate Professor, Radford University on 4/11/17

This textbook covers virtually all of the main topics I would expect to see in an introductory communication textbook. The only exception I noted is that there is no chapter on organizational communication, although they do discuss communication... read more

This textbook covers virtually all of the main topics I would expect to see in an introductory communication textbook. The only exception I noted is that there is no chapter on organizational communication, although they do discuss communication in organizations throughout other chapters.

If anything some sections of the book are a little TOO comprehensive. The book itself is quite long, as are the individual chapters. Some chapters go into so much depth they almost feel like they don't belong in a general introductory textbook. For instance, the chapters on media feel like they could come from an introduction to media textbook. Of course, it's a good thing that the book is so comprehensive, but I could see students getting overwhelmed by the length of the chapters.

Likewise, the four chapters on public speaking would be the good basis for a public speaking textbook, but they feel a little out of place here. The rest of the book feels like it's designed for a lecture-based survey course, but the public speaking chapters are very prescriptive, seemingly designed for the kind of class where students are giving their own speeches. I wonder if the book might be too much of a survey for standard basic courses, but with too much emphasis on public speaking for survey courses.

In the PDF version, there is no glossary or index.

I did not note any outright factual errors or bias. There are, of course, some things that are open to interpretation, such as when the author goes into a historical perspective. Some people would likely disagree with the way the author divides up the eras of human history, but the book does make a good argument for the way it divides them up.

There are a few minor instances of outdated information. For instance, Table 8.3 provides a history of acceptance of the LGBT community, but stops with the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, suggesting that it was written before the recent Supreme Court cases recognizing same-sex marriages. Of course, that's not the author's fault, just the result of the book being a few years old.

I actually expected that the media chapters would have outdated information, but they turned out to be surprisingly up-to-date. The author must have been up-to-date enough at the time the book was published that it hasn't gotten dated.

The book is generally clear and easy to follow. It can be a little dry at times, but no more than any other textbook.The book does a good job of introducing major communication theories, but not nearly enough to overwhelm the students.

I didn't note any inconsistencies in the book.

I have actually used chapters from this book to complement another text in a media-heavy introductory class, so I can say from experience that the chapters work fine on their own. Even within chapters, the shorter subdivisions could be used to direct students to exactly what you want them to read.

Besides the chapters possibly being too long, I don't see any organizational problems.

Using the PDF version, I did note occasional white space between text and pictures, but I think that's unavoidable. I also noticed at least one instance in which a pictures was on one page and its caption was on the next page.

No problems that I saw

I found the book to be culturally sensitive. The book acknowledges the importance of culture to communication throughout.

I think this is about as good as any of the other introductory textbooks on the market. The coverage of media is much better than I've seen in other similar books. If you were using the book in a lecture-based survey class, the public speaking chapters probably wouldn't fit, but since it's an open textbook that's no loss.

Reviewed by Mackenzie Krzmarzick, Communication Instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 4/11/17

Overall, the comprehensiveness of this text is one of the main characteristics that attracted me to it. When teaching the communication studies basic course (interpersonal + public speaking + small group), textbooks often fall short in one or more... read more

Overall, the comprehensiveness of this text is one of the main characteristics that attracted me to it. When teaching the communication studies basic course (interpersonal + public speaking + small group), textbooks often fall short in one or more of the three topics usually taught in the course, perhaps due to limited space. This text is quite a bit longer than other texts I have used for the basic course, which gives it a greater chance to cover topics in more detail and provides me the opportunity to choose which topics (and how much of which topic) I want to cover in my courses (more so than other texts that only offer a limited discussion of topics). I also appreciate the inclusion of Chapters 15 and 16 about media, which are not always a part of similar texts from publishers.

I did not come across any info that contradicted what I know to be true about the field of communication studies. In addition, I appreciate the care the author took to incorporate credible outside sources and document them (in-text and reference page at the end of each chapter section).

Most of the chapters in this text likely have a reasonable level of longevity. The main chapters that I think will likely need revisions sooner than others are the chapters about media. However, it would be difficult to address the topic of media without needing revisions in the near future, so I do not see this as a weakness of the text. In addition, a few examples in the public speaking chapters (such as a sample speech outline about "going green") could use updates later on, as well.

The author's choice to use words such as "we" and "you" while explaining concepts helps the prose to be more understandable to the reader. However, more complex vocabulary is also used throughout, which can be a benefit or a deterrent, depending on the student population. Because I teach at a community college, my students have a wide range of reading comprehension. For example, they may look at pages 455-456 of the text and see the headings "systematic desensitization" and "cognitive restructuring" and feel overwhelmed, thinking that if they don't understand the heading, then they won't understand the rest of the text in that section. Contrastingly, students with higher reading level may enjoy this feature of the text.

Even though interpersonal/group communication are topics that are often discussed in a different way than public speaking, this author did a nice job of maintaining a consistent writing style throughout. Likewise, reading one chapter gave me an idea of what to expect when reading another.

The modularity of this text was designed in an effective manner. Because this text is longer than many texts produced through publishers (a nice benefit of this text), the length of the text required that the longer chapters be broken into smaller sub-chapters. I find this useful because I may not use the entire chapter and having the chapters broken into sub-chapters helps me to tell students on which parts of the chapter they should focus their attention. It appears as though the author has taken care to determine which sub-topics within chapters make the most sense to be their own sub-chapters.

If I were to use this text to teach my intro to communication basic course, I would likely teach the chapters in a different order than they are presented here. For example, I would teach Chapter 8 after Chapter 2 and Chapters 15/16 after Chapter 8. It's not too much of a problem to just around in the text like that, but I have found that it does tend to confuse students a little.

Aside from the order of the chapters, the content within the chapters does flow well and has been organized with care.

I appreciate that this text can be read on a cell phone (I think that will motivate more students to read it). I printed the text and noticed that students will need a 3" binder for it (something I would want to point out in my syllabus if I were to adopt this text). I did notice that when I printed the text, some of the pictures were too dark and printed in such a way that it was difficult to tell what the picture was showing.

I did not come across any grammatical errors during my review and the writing is done in a very professional manner.

While the content does not appear to be biased or insensitive/offensive, only about 1/3 of the photos of people in the text represented racial diversity (which likely isn't the author's intention; there may have been limited options for open-source images to use in the text). However, this representation of diversity was actually higher than some of the other texts I have been sent by publishers recently. In fact, the explanations and examples throughout the text show that the author has taken care to discuss culture in a fair and accurate manner.

Now that I have reviewed this text and considered each of the items in this review, plus the benefit to my students, I have decided to adopt this text for Fall 2017. I appreciate the hard work and efforts of this author to provide such a high-quality open education resource for students to use.

Reviewed by Shelby Bell, Faculty, North Hennepin Community College on 4/11/17

This text is designed for an introduction to communication course, but I am reviewing it as a possible text for an introduction to Interpersonal Communication course. For this purpose the text provides a useful foundation in communication theory... read more

This text is designed for an introduction to communication course, but I am reviewing it as a possible text for an introduction to Interpersonal Communication course. For this purpose the text provides a useful foundation in communication theory in research, covering communication models and various skillsets. For an intro to IP comm course the book, when compared to texts designed for that purpose, lacks research on specific fields of interpersonal communication, such as "Family," "Friends," "Workplace," and "Romantic Relationships." Even without these chapters I would use this book for an IP comm course as the benefits of an open textbook outweigh the missing chapters and I feel I could use supplemental materials to cover that information.

The text book does not have supplemental materials, an index, or glossary, which might make it more difficult to use for an intro to IP comm course if one is new to the material. However, the text is downloadable in several formats and is thus searchable negating the need for an index or glossary.

The book includes the key information on communication research and theory for an introduction to communications course. Much of this information would overlap with the needs of an Introduction to Interpersonal Communication course, though some specific terms, concepts, and theories may need to be supplemented by the instructor to adapt the text for that purpose.

This book may not be the most "up to date" but in many senses I don't think it should be as an introduction to the field. Most major perspectives in Comm are covered and an experienced instructor could easily build on the foundation laid out in the book to discuss recent research and developments. In this way, I believe the book presents a solid foundation for communication studies students.

I think the book it quite accessible. In comparison to the more expensive books it lacks the up to date media and cultural examples that make reading more engaging for many students. Overall, I actually see the lack of these examples a strong suit of the book as it is not easily dated.

The framework of the book is internally consistent, though I think it takes on too much to have true consistency. Compared to similar books on the market for introductory textbooks I think it may cover a bit too much to provide real consistency. For example, Chapters 1-8 provide common topics for an intro to comm course and cover different places/venues for communication, then Chapters 9-12 serve as a public speaking manual before returning to the kind of overview format for Chapters 13-16. However, as the book is totally free for students this would not at all prohibit me from assigning the book as I can easily choose not to assign those chapters.

Modularity rating: 3

Each chapter has 3-4 subheadings, but the chapters span as many as 50 pages. I think more sub-headings would make the book more approachable, especially for students still learning study skills or who are returning to the classroom later in life. I would mitigate this by discussing reading strategies with my students and assigning the chapters in smaller pieces.

I think the text is as logical and organized as a very broad overview can be. The problem is one of all texts which cover such a broad field.

I downloaded a PDF file of the text and have had no interface issues.

I have not noted a distracting number of erros.

The book is not culturally insensitive or offensive. As an instructor I would add examples to present the topics with more emphasis on social and racial justice than that text.

I think this book could be adapted for many intro-level communication courses. One concern I have is that I would want a hard copy for myself and at 752 pages printing is cost-prohibitive. I've read about instructors working with bookstores to loan out hard-copies of open texts when the copyright allows but with this text the sheer number of pages would make that difficult.

Reviewed by Galyn Carlile, Currently Adjunct Professor, Dean Emeritus, Former Chief Academic Officer, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass OR 97527 on 4/11/17

I currently teach both SP100 Basic Communication and SP 218 Interpersonal Communication and I feel the material is comprehensive enough that with modification and shuffling of chapter modules I could manage to use it for both courses. read more

I currently teach both SP100 Basic Communication and SP 218 Interpersonal Communication and I feel the material is comprehensive enough that with modification and shuffling of chapter modules I could manage to use it for both courses.

I feel the content is quit accurate the only concern is that many of the references are to somewhat dated material.: Example: "In fact, since the systematic study of communication began in colleges and universities a little over one hundred years ago, there have been more than 126 published definitions of communication (Dance & Larson, 1976).

Actually I think that the material is very well written in such a way that the instructor using it could rather easily con-temporize the content with supplemental material.

I very much like the content for the fact that it uses contemporary speak rather the egocentric academic jargon.

Very good flow from topic to topic!

Very well compiled and I could easily cherry pic content and flow.

Easy to follow transitions with well defined connections.

Same as stated above - well put together.

Seemed fine to me -but I may not be the judge!

I found no problems here!

I really do believe I could use this material in both intro and interpersonal courses.

Reviewed by Denise Tallakson, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/15/17

Comprehensive Individualized Curriculum and Instructional Design: Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorders covers a wide range of topics related to working with students with developmental... read more

Comprehensive Individualized Curriculum and Instructional Design: Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorders covers a wide range of topics related to working with students with developmental disabilities and ASD. There is no index or glossary but the chapter titles are clear and relate to the overall topic of the textbook.

The content in this textbook is accurate and research based. There are many reputable sources that are referenced and the information supports current information on the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The content is up-to-date, but many of the links were not accessible, which made it hard to get the additional information needed. If those links were updated it would make the text more relevant.

The text is clear and easy to follow, in particular Chapters 1-4. There are some technical terminology used but there are always explanations included. The specific behavioral examples given helped bring clarity and made it easy for teachers to see how to implement the plan with their own students. The templates and charts provided would be useful for educators to use as provided or to adapt to meet their individual needs.

The first part of the textbook was very consistent and had a nice flow. It seemed to change with the information regarding the use of technology. Chapter 5 read more like a technical manual with directions of how to use the technology for adaptive purposes.

The textbook is set up very well so that smaller reading sections could be used in courses. Each chapter has a complete topic that could be used in isolation. Together they offer a cohesive picture of working with students with special needs.

The textbook has a nice flow and starts off with the most comprehensive chapter that sets the tone for the rest of the book. The last two chapters seem the most different, but do offer important information regarding communication and technology.

The only interface problems I found is that some of the links are not live and may be inaccessible. For some chapters that seemed to be a lot of content that may be missing.

There were no grammatical errors.

The text was very culturally sensitive and shared strategies in a positive and productive way for working with students with developmental

This textbook is full of detailed strategies related to Curriculum and Instruction Design for students with developmental delays and students and ASD. Chapter 4 Developing Function-based Interventions is especially beneficial for teachers seeking management strategies.

Reviewed by Kyle Tusing, Associate Professor, University of Arizona on 2/8/17

This text covers the expected topics for an introductory hybrid (communication and public speaking) text, and in the order that those topics are customarily covered (1. introduction, 2. perception, 3. language, 4. nonverbal, etc.). The history of... read more

This text covers the expected topics for an introductory hybrid (communication and public speaking) text, and in the order that those topics are customarily covered (1. introduction, 2. perception, 3. language, 4. nonverbal, etc.). The history of communication going back to ancient times is covered briefly in chapter 1, but not in as much detail as I would prefer. However, few introductory communication texts cover the history of communication in much detail and many ignore history altogether. There are multiple chapters addressing public speaking, which is appropriate for a hybrid text.

The text does not have a glossary or index, but given that the text is available as a searchable .pdf file, a printed index would be redundant. I searched for a few terms and the search function worked well.

The accuracy of the book is excellent. In my reading there was nothing I encountered that caused concern as far as accuracy is concerned. The author(s) are objective, inclusive, and egalitarian in their treatment of topics, so it is fair to say the content is unbiased. The authors also do a nice job of representing communication scholarship from both a social scientific and humanistic perspective.

This version of the text was published in 2013 and the content is currently up-to-date as of early 2017. There are a number of specific instances that will need to be updated in coming years/decades to be accurate as a function of the passing of time, but those cases should be fairly easy to change out with new examples. On page 46 the text refers to the "first presentation" in this class, which supposes that speeches/presentations are a component of the class that uses this text. Other cases of information that may go out of date are references to "google" being a new term, pay stubs, the "recent" Obama/Romney presidential election, and the current ages of individuals who are members of the various generations (p. 678). The text uses a number of URLs. The vast majority of the URLs that I checked worked as intended, but a few of them redirected or were no longer working (e.g., the author's blog in chapter 16).

The clarity of the prose is good. At no point in my reading was there confusion with regard to communication content due to a lack of clarity. One meta-clarity issue concerns the identity of the authors. The authors have withheld their identity, which may present confusion due to the frequent use of the first person by the author(s). In chapter 16 the name of one of the authors is available in a URL that claims to be the author's personal blog. That URL no longer works. Perhaps a standard name could be assigned to the author (e.g., Alan Smithee) and references to the individual authors in the text could be removed.

The consistency of the text is remarkably high. Despite there being multiple authors of the text, the voice throughout the difference chapters and sub-sections is similar. The framework of the chapters is similar, which each chapter being broken down into multiple sub-sections, followed by the references. The photos used to supplement the text have a common theme - realistic, gritty, compelling.

The text rates high in terms of modularity. Each chapter is divided into a minimum of three distinct sub-sections. Within the sub-sections, headings are used frequently to divide up the ideas. The text does refer to/mention other chapters frequently. This occurs most frequently in chapter 1, which refers to all the other chapters, but it also occurs in other chapters (e.g., chapter 3 refers to chapter 1, chapter 15 refers to chapter 1, and chapter 16 refers to chapter 15).

The organization is typical of introductory texts, starting with an introduction and moving through perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, moving on to interpersonal communication and relationships, and then on to public, small-group, and mass communication. This order is logical as the text flows through the forms of communication in order (intrapersonal to mass).

Reading the text on a computer display took a little bit of time to get used to, but after getting used to it the reading went well. The fact that the text is searchable is a great advantage. All the graphics, photos, models, and figures displayed properly.

The grammar is excellent. It is written in a scholarly format but does not confuse readers with undefined jargon or superfluous words. Some texts are too conversational; this text is easy to relate too but does not do so at the expense of credibility.

Multiple potentially controversial topics, such as race, hate speech, disability status, and sexual orientation are covered by the text and are done so in an even-handed, fair manner. The text even points out how using certain specific terms (e.g., handicapped instead of disabled) can have an undesirable effect. Photos are inclusive in that people from various races and ethnicities are pictured, not to mention that people with tattoos (and without tattoos) are also featured.

All in all this is an excellent introductory communication text that would be ideal for a hybrid (introduction to communication + public speaking) communication class. It is comprehensive, well written, and well sourced. It could be used by either a social scientist or a humanist. The text would also work well in an introductory communication course that does not have a public speaking component; the multiple public speaking chapters could be covered in less detail. The text covers a number of recent events and technologies that will need to be updated in the coming years.

Reviewed by Tamara Watkins, Adjunct Instructor, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College on 2/8/17

The textbook provides a good overview of communication as a discipline. Notably, this text has two chapters that discuss media--"Media, Technology, and Communication" and "New Media and Communication." This in particular is an asset because it... read more

The textbook provides a good overview of communication as a discipline. Notably, this text has two chapters that discuss media--"Media, Technology, and Communication" and "New Media and Communication." This in particular is an asset because it provides further discussion of an important topic.

I found no major errors or issues in this text. It is written using inclusive language.

The text's content is fairly up-to-date and is unlikely to be rendered obsolete within a short period of time. Any advances/changes in new media and/or communication theory and research could be easily inserted into the text. Specifically, the "New Media and Democracy" chapter should be updated to include information about the promotion and presence of "fake news" on social media, and how one can develop skills to assess sources. However, as this issue (fake news on social media) has been of significant interest due, in part, to the 2016 US Presidential election, the omission of this information is understandable, and instructors could easily supplement the text with additional resources. The text's authors could also easily edit the content to include this update.

The text is written in a conversational tone that is accessible to readers.

The text is logically and consistently laid out, and each chapter follows the same general structure.

The content of this text could easily be divided into smaller readings assigned at different points during the semester without disrupting the students' progress in the course.

The text is organized in a logical manner that presents content in a way that is easy to read and understand. Chapters end with lists of key ideas, exercises for students to practice what they've learned, and references to cited texts.

Overall, the interface is good. However, some issues might cause reader confusion. For example, key terms (for example, "discriminative listening" in chapter 5) are in red. This is also the color of links in the text, but these terms are not links. Additionally, the use of red can present some issues with respect to accessibility.

This text contains no significant grammatical errors.

This text is written with inclusive language, and it includes examples with a variety of perspectives.

Reviewed by Amandajean Nolte, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/8/17

This is a comprehensive text that rivals textbooks in the traditional market. It contains the concepts often covered in a hybird/intro communication course. Having taught this course for ten years and reviewed dozens of textbooks, I would have... read more

This is a comprehensive text that rivals textbooks in the traditional market. It contains the concepts often covered in a hybird/intro communication course. Having taught this course for ten years and reviewed dozens of textbooks, I would have little hesitation in using this textbook in my oral communication course. Often these textbooks feel redundant of each other and being able to choose one that has the information and the best price point is persuasive.

In my estimation, I believe this text is accurate and error free.

The theory and concepts related to the course content are up-to-date and will most likely remain that way for a long time. Any shift in this area would occur for all texts in this area and would require updating all literature in the communication field. The examples and videos are currently great, but I can't help but think those will feel outdated very quickly. Same with any reference to social media that is constantly changing and evolving.

The text does a nice job of defining terms and offering relevant examples while formating the text in a way that makes it easy to read. I also found myself connecting to and enjoying sections, which is a bonus in the reading of a textbook.

The terminology follows itself consistently through chapters and there are frequent references to and from other chapters. One of the benefits of an online text like this one is the easy clickability between chapters and concepts that are much less disconnected than our organizational structure of chapters leads us to believe.

The modularity of the text lends itsself well to the particualr focus of an instructor teaching an intro communication course. It would be simple to piece out the chapters or sections based on one's specific focus.

The organization is consistent from chapter to chapter, which allows for a logical and clear reading of the text.

My biggest concern with the interface is the formatting of the outline chapter and therefore the references. I am a stickler for format, when it comes to this piece of my course and the improper outline numbering format and lack of hanging indent in the references is frustrating. Granted, I could say this is true of other books as well, and I could always supplement this chapter if need be.

I found no major grammatical probelms in the text.

This text does a respectable job of referencing multiple races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It also does a nice job of not allowing analysis of any of these groups to be locked into stereotyping.

Reviewed by Samuel Cook IV, Adjunct Lecturer, UNC Greensboro on 12/5/16

As compared to similar texts in the traditional textbook market, this book provides just as much comprehension for an introductory communication course/curriculum. All of the general concept areas taught in an introductory hybrid communication... read more

As compared to similar texts in the traditional textbook market, this book provides just as much comprehension for an introductory communication course/curriculum. All of the general concept areas taught in an introductory hybrid communication course are thoughtfully present, including chapter content geared to modern communication technology concepts and influences on social media. After teaching the hybrid course for almost fifteen years, I would have no issues using this text, relative to including the required concepts of such a course.

In reviewing this text, I have not found any major errors or issues with presented content. Not to say that I could not have missed a model or diagram that was incorrectly presented. Overall, I found the text error-free in my review. But I have found that errors in texts are usually discovered when actually applied in teaching situations. As for bias, there is no discernible concern in my view of a particular philosophy or worldview that would distract from the learning objectives of the text used in a class. Actually, I found myself really enjoying the style of writing, and to my chagrin, realized the textbook author was a graduate of my same MA program!

This text areas focusing on traditional content in the hybrid communication course are up to date, and any changes to field theory would likely occur over a span of years (allowing for effective inclusion in this text, assuming the author will continue to update the text). The chapters that likely will need to be updated sooner of course deal with social media and technology.

The writer presents theory and concepts in a straight forward fashion, without requiring the reader/student to have prior grounding in communication theory. It’s easy to understand, and even enjoyable to follow!

The text follows a consistent pattern for each chapter, with learning objectives noted at the start of each chapter, followed by chapter content, case studies, concept review questions, and exercises. I did find a few examples of printing errors across a few sections, with extra spaces between sections.

Yes, this text could be applied or configured using specific chapters for instruction, leaving out several areas and/or focusing on specific chapters by topic area.

This text is well organized, with learning objectives presented the start of each chapter, followed by chapter content, case studies, concept review questions, and exercises.

I did find a few examples of printing errors across a few sections, with extra spaces between sections.

From my review, I could not find major grammatical problems in the text.

There is nothing offensive or culturally insensitive in this text so far in my review of it. The text is sensitive to diversity and provides excellent examples of situations where people from various background could find challenges in communicating within diverse cultural environments.

Again, as compared to using a traditional textbook from the market, this text, as far as relative content, could be just as effective. It could help in saving students on costs for another textbook, especially one used for an introductory course. My two concerns: 1. There are no boldfaced or italics key terms identified in text, which could leave the student not seeking out the concepts/theories for class discussion or application in activities or tests. While the learning goals at the start of each chapter (just about) provides this service, I feel the author should include a key term or concept summary for each chapter. 2. Given the emphasis today (actually, make that requirement) in colleges on taking the traditional hybrid communication course and applying the course in completely online or partly web-based classes, it would be helpful to have some consideration for a delivery platform for speeches or online discussions. And, that is probably where the open textbook concept, at least in this case, has to rely on the school’s default learning management system platform or other learning software platform.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication Studies
• Chapter 2: Communication and Perception
• Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
• Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
• Chapter 5: Listening
• Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication Processes
• Chapter 7: Communication in Relationships
• Chapter 8: Culture and Communication
• Chapter 9: Preparing a Speech
• Chapter 10: Delivering a Speech
• Chapter 11: Informative and Persuasive Speaking
• Chapter 12: Public Speaking in Various Contexts
• Chapter 13: Small Group Communication
• Chapter 14: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups
• Chapter 15: Media, Technology, and Communication
• Chapter 16: New Media and Communication

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies overviews the time-tested conceptual foundations of the field, while incorporating the latest research and cutting-edge applications of these basics. Each chapter will include timely, concrete, and real-life examples of communication concepts in action.

A key feature of this book is the integration of content regarding diversity and organizational communication in each chapter through examples and/or discrete sub-sections. Discussions of diversity are not relegated to feature boxes. Also integrated into the content are examples that are inclusive in terms of race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, marital status, religion, and other diverse identity characteristics.

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Introduction to Communication Science

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

Instructor: Rutger de Graaf

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There are 4 modules in this course

Since Antiquity, scholars have appreciated the importance of communication: as social beings, we cannot exist without communication. We need to interact with people around us, to make sense of the world and to position ourselves in a wider social and cultural reality. In this course, we look at how and why communication evolved as a science and reflect on today’s dominant paradigms. The course also extends beyond the boundaries of communication science itself, exploring dimensions of history, sociology and psychology. Join our class, together with people all over the world.

Introduction to Communication Science explores some of the basic theories, models and concepts from the fields of mass, interpersonal and intrapersonal communication. The course begins with a consideration of several basic models, subsequently progressing to the history of communication theory, linear effect-oriented theories, the reception approach and, finally, exploring theories on the production and reinforcement of culture through communication. Upon completion of this course, students should: • have knowledge of the history and development of communication science; • have knowledge of the dominant theoretical approaches within communication science; • have knowledge and understanding of the most important models and concepts in this field. Beginning the week of February 16, 2015, you will be able to join Signature Track, a system that verifies your identity when you take an exam. This option will allow you to earn a Verified Certificate, which provides formal recognition of your achievements in the course and includes the University of Amsterdam logo. Before then, you can complete a “test run” of the exam. You can then re-take the exam after the Verified Certificate becomes available. For information regarding Verified Certificates, see https://courserahelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201212399-Verified-Certificates"

The Beginnings of Communication Science

In this introduction to the course I will briefly introduce the field of communication science and discuss some basic models that will serve as guidelines to the rest of the course. Also, they explore the historical roots of the science of communication. I will discuss the development of communication theory and the evolution of the media landscape in Antiquity, Medieval and Early Modern times.

What's included

16 videos 8 readings 2 quizzes

16 videos • Total 60 minutes

• Introduction • 2 minutes • Preview module
• What is Communication? • 3 minutes
• Concepts • 3 minutes
• Theories • 4 minutes
• Transmission • 2 minutes
• Reception, Signs, and Signification • 4 minutes
• Cultural Approach • 4 minutes
• Three Approaches • 2 minutes
• A Short History of Communication Science • 2 minutes
• Greek and Roman Rhetorica • 3 minutes
• Two Schools of Classical Communication Science • 3 minutes
• Rhetorical Theory • 5 minutes
• The Dark Ages of Communication • 4 minutes
• A Renaissance of our Field • 3 minutes
• The Printing Press as an Agent of Change • 3 minutes
• Towards a Modern Communication Science • 7 minutes

8 readings • Total 80 minutes

• Welcome to Introduction to Communication Science • 10 minutes
• About Us • 10 minutes
• About UvA • 10 minutes
• Transcripts • 10 minutes
• Research in this MOOC • 10 minutes
• Survey 1 • 10 minutes
• LBON: An Introduction to Communication Science • 10 minutes
• LBON: A Short History of Communication Science • 10 minutes

2 quizzes • Total 60 minutes

• An Introduction to Communication Science • 30 minutes
• History of Communication Science • 30 minutes

Technical Approaches to Communication Science

The linear effect-oriented approach is discussed and how it developed in the twentieth century. Evolving from a belief in all-powerful effects after World War I to a more nuanced negotiated effects perspective in the sixties.

16 videos 3 readings 2 quizzes

16 videos • Total 64 minutes

• Introduction • 3 minutes • Preview module
• The Power of Propaganda and the All-powerful Media Paradigm • 3 minutes
• Needles, Bullets, and Martians • 3 minutes
• Powerful Media Put to the Test • 5 minutes
• Minimal Effects • 4 minutes
• Powerful Media Rediscovered • 4 minutes
• A Revolution in the Media Landscape • 4 minutes
• Negotiated Effects • 3 minutes
• An Introduction to the Reception and Signification Perspective • 3 minutes
• Message Construction • 4 minutes
• Active Audiences • 4 minutes
• Selective Processing • 3 minutes
• Cognitive Shortcuts • 4 minutes
• Central and Peripheral Route • 2 minutes
• Getting Through the Filter • 4 minutes
• Encoding, Decoding, and the Construction of Meaning • 4 minutes

3 readings • Total 30 minutes

• LBON: The Linear Effect-Oriented Approach • 10 minutes
• Survey 2 • 10 minutes
• LBON: The Reception and Significance Perspective • 10 minutes
• The Linear Effect-Oriented Approach • 30 minutes
• The Reception and Signification Perspective • 30 minutes

Cultural and Social Approaches to Communication Science

This covers theoretical approaches that understand communication processes as social and cultural forces, as building blocks of reality, and a binding element of power in society.

16 videos 2 readings 1 quiz

16 videos • Total 66 minutes

• Introduction to the Cultural Approach • 3 minutes • Preview module
• Producing and Maintaining Culture • 4 minutes
• Making Sense of the World • 4 minutes
• Popular Culture: Reflection or Illusion? • 4 minutes
• Cultural Studies: Birmingham and Toronto • 5 minutes
• Cultural Groups • 4 minutes
• How To Fit In? • 5 minutes
• Conclusion: Cultural Conformity and Relativism • 4 minutes
• Introduction Question & Answers • 2 minutes
• Metaphors • 3 minutes
• The Role of Media in Society • 4 minutes
• More Metaphors on the Role of Media in Society • 3 minutes
• Primary and Secondary Research • 5 minutes
• What's New About New Media? • 5 minutes
• Globalization: Village vs. Tribes • 5 minutes
• About the Exam • 0 minutes

2 readings • Total 20 minutes

• LBON: The Cultural Approach • 10 minutes
• Survey 3 • 10 minutes

1 quiz • Total 30 minutes

• The Cultural Approach • 30 minutes

1 video 2 readings 4 quizzes

1 video • Total 3 minutes

• Thank you • 3 minutes • Preview module
• Survey 4 • 10 minutes
• Final notes • 10 minutes

4 quizzes • Total 120 minutes

• Exam Part 1 • 30 minutes
• Exam Part 2 • 30 minutes
• Exam Part 3 • 30 minutes
• Exam Part 4 • 30 minutes

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A modern university with a rich history, the University of Amsterdam (UvA) traces its roots back to 1632, when the Golden Age school Athenaeum Illustre was established to train students in trade and philosophy. Today, with more than 39,000 students, 5,000 staff and 285 study programmes (Bachelor's and Master's), many of which are taught in English, and a budget of more than 600 million euros, it is one of the largest comprehensive universities in Europe. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities and also maintains intensive contact with other leading research universities around the world.

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Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 1839

1,839 reviews

Reviewed on May 4, 2016

It was really fun studying this MOOC. I had a really wonderful experience even though I'm not a Communication Science major (I just took it out of curiosity to learn!).

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2020

Short and concise course to educate oneself about dynamics of communication in society. Quiz questions are very well adapted to check the understanding of the topics.

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2017

This course is good, however, it seems to much academic without practical experiences or exercises for learners to practice skills and knowledge.

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More questions

Communication and Speech Studies

Communication theory and models of communication, communication theory.

wikimedia commons

Communication theory-freely and openly licensed material.

Communication Theory -Survey of Communication-Wikibooks

Description :By the end of this chapter you should understand what communication theories are, their functions, how we evaluate them, and the five major theoretical paradigms shaping Communication study today. You’ll also discover just how important communication theory is to your everyday life.

Models of Communication

Models of communication  are conceptual models used to explain the human communication process. the first major model for communication came in 1948 by claude elwood shannon and published with an introduction by warren weaver for bell laboratories. following the basic concept, communication is the process of sending and receiving messages or transferring information from one part (sender) to another (receiver)., wikimedia commons.

Free and Openly Licensed Information About Models of Communication

Click on links below for more Information and images of Models of Communication

Communication in the Real World

Learning Objectives in above text:

Identify and define the components of the transmission model of communication. Identify and define the components of the interaction model of communication. Identify and define the components of the transaction model of communication. Compare and contrast the three models of communication. Use the transaction model of communication to analyze a recent communication encounter.

Introduction to Public Speaking Lumen Learning

Information about the Linear Model of Communication and Transactional Model of Communication.

Public Speaking Project

Chapter 1 page 3. Models of communication (Linear and Transactional models) described.

Communication Models a Theoretical Perspective-Open University

Learning Outcomes in above resource: 1. Identify important elements in the communication process. 2. Describe four models of communication. 3. Explain the significance of the roles of signs, symbols, and metaphors to meaning and interpretation.

Lumen-Introduction to Communication

Learning Objectives:

• Define the term “communication” and explain the primary types of communication.
• Define the term “communication competence” and explain attributes of communication competence.
• Identify differences between linear and transactional communication models.
• Identify the components of interpersonal communication.

International Association of Communication Activists

Various models of communication and their theorists described.

Linear Model of Communication.  

Activity 7: What is noise?   Purpose: to consider how communication messages can be interrupted.

  Free and Openly Licensed YouTube Videos (Creative Commons Licenses)

Communication models.

Published on Jan 10, 2015

Covers elements of the models, the Linear, Interactional, and Transactional models.

Published on Aug 16, 2016

An overview of some communication basics, including three common communication models: Action, Interactive, and Transactional.

Supplemental Material (Free to use for educational and instructional purposes but not openly licensed)

Models of Communication Process by Davis Foulger

Communication Models (Management Study Guide)

Communication Concepts, Theories and Models 1 (Suchitra Patnaik-Slideshare)

Models of Communication (Dhanalakshmi Chandran-Slideshare)

3 Models of Communication   (Diego Rodrigo-Slideshare)

Models of Communication (Alex Fish)

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Communication

Products by Course

Public speaking, introduction to communication, interpersonal communication, intro to mass communication, business communication, communication theory, small group communication.

Connect Master: The Basic Course in Communication

By McGraw Hill

1st Edition

The Art of Public Speaking: 2023 Release

By Stephen Lucas and Paul Stob

Public Speaking Matters

By Kory Floyd

3rd Edition

Public Speaking for College & Career

By Hamilton Gregory

12th Edition

Experience Communication

By Jeffrey Child, Judy Pearson and Paul Nelson

Communication Matters

4th Edition

Human Communication: 2024 Release

By Scott Titsworth and Angela Hosek

Human Communication

By Judy Pearson, Paul Nelson, Scott Titsworth and Angela Hosek

7th Edition

Interpersonal Communication: 2024 Release

Introduction to mass communications.

Introduction to Mass Communication

By Stanley Baran

Dynamics of Mass Communication: Media in Transition

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Communicating at Work

By Ronald Adler and Jeanne Marquardt Elmhorst

13th Edition

Business Communication: Developing Leaders for a Networked World

By Peter Cardon

5th Edition

Business and Professional Communication

By Kory Floyd and Peter Cardon

2nd Edition

By Kitty Locker, Jo Mackiewicz, Jeanine Elise Aune and Donna Kienzler

Business Communication: A Problem-Solving Approach

By Kathryn Rentz and Paula Lentz

Connect 1-Semester Online Access for Connect Master Business Communication

By Heidi Schultz and Patricia Lynn Harms

Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application, 2024 Release

By Richard West and Lynn Turner

A First Look at Communication Theory

By Em Griffin, Andrew Ledbetter and Glenn Sparks

11th Edition

Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application

Communicating in Groups: Applications and Skills

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Effective Group Discussion: Theory and Practice

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15th Edition

A Systems Approach to Small Group Interaction

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Intercultural Communication

Family communication, communication research methods, media writing.

Intercultural Communication in Contexts

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Experiencing Intercultural Communication: An Introduction

Perspectives on Family Communication

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Communication Research: Asking Questions, Finding Answers

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Mass Media Law

By Clay Calvert, Dan V. Kozlowski and Derigan Silver

21st Edition

Media Writer's Handbook: A Guide to Common Writing and Editing Problems

By George Arnold

6th Edition

Find the Right Communication Product for You!

All McGraw Hill Communication products are available with Connect®. With several options to choose from at the undergraduate and graduate level, you may not be sure about which product is right for YOU and YOUR STUDENTS! Take this this brief quiz to find your Communication fit and learn more about each product.

Video Capture powered by GoReact

Create your own custom Video Capture assignment, including in-class and online speeches and presentations, self-review, and peer review. With our customizable rubrics, time-coded comments, and visual markers, students will see feedback at exactly the right moment, and in context, to help improve their speaking, presentation skills and confidence!

Application-Based Activities are new with the 13th edition of The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas. They present students with realistic scenarios in which they must develop and apply the skills needed in a Public Speaking course.

Save time and gain student insights. Connect provides customizable reports on student performance, learning outcomes, at-risk students, and integrates easily with LMS gradebooks.

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Curious to know what your peers have to say about using McGraw-Hill products in the classroom? Meet our Digital Faculty Consultants: a network of passionate educators—just like you—who have experienced success in the classroom using our technology and products.

DFC for Communication & Public Speaking Northern Kentucky University

Kimberly OmniEssence

DFC for Communication & Public Speaking Milwaukee Area Technical College

Karyn Friesen

Professor of Speech Communication Lone Star College-Montgomery

Content and technology are ever-changing, and it is important that you can keep your course up to date with the latest information and assessments. That’s why we want to deliver the most current and relevant content for your course, hassle-free. Connect Master: Communication is evergreen, which means it is continuously evolving and relevant, with content updates delivered directly to your existing Connect course. Engage students and freshen up assignments with up-to-date coverage of select topics and new questions, all without having to switch editions or build a new course. These updates will be delivered every term; click here to view latest updates.

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Communication Theory

Communication is the essence of life. It is a necessity. To express themselves, human beings need to communicate. An individual has to communicate to express his feelings, pass on information to the other human beings and share his thoughts and feelings.

Communication theory was proposed by S. F. Scudder in the year 1980. It states that all living beings existing on the planet communicate although the way of communication is different.

Plants communicate their need to be taken care of and watered immediately through visible changes in the colour of the leaves, and the falling of leaves and flowers.

Animals communicate by sounds, several movements to indicate that they are hungry or unwell or need medical attention.

A mother would never understand that her child is hungry unless and until the child cries. Crying is again a form through which the child communicates that he is hungry and needs food. The same applies when he is injured, where he uses crying again as a tool to communicate his pain and need of urgent medical attention.

Thus the universal law of communication theory says that all living beings whether they are plants, animals, human beings communicate through sound, speech, visible changes, body movements, gestures or in the best possible way to make the others aware of their thoughts, feelings, problems, happiness or any other information.

Use the Emotions of your Team to Increase Innovation

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