Waveland Press - Oral Communication - Skills, Choices, and Consequences, Fourth Edition, by Kathryn Sue Young, Howard Paul Travis

Every day we communicate in our professional and personal lives to initiate or improve relationships, get what we want, function in teams, and learn new things. The success of these interactions depends on the ability to be effective in conveying messages. The Fourth Edition of this widely used text presents indispensable skills to encode and decode messages, guiding readers to develop their own communication style. Retaining its concise yet comprehensive coverage, the latest edition explores digital-age communication techniques and includes sections on communication privacy management theory and affection exchange theory.

Oral Communication, 4/E presents a wide range of introductory topics in an affordable, straightforward, and fun format. Each chapter opens with clear learning objectives and ends with key terms and discussion questions. Interactive exercises throughout the book engage readers as they are asked to reflect on previous experiences, experiment with tools provided to them in the text, react to hypothetical scenarios, and think critically. Readers will benefit from professional sidebars that illustrate how academic concepts fit into the careers they will soon enter.

"I was particularly drawn to this book because it discusses oral communication beyond simply the aspects of public speaking. I especially appreciate that the topic of perception is presented early on in the book since it is an important concept for understanding how we (as humans) interpret messages. . . . Additionally, each chapter provides simple exercises that could easily be integrated into class time. Overall, an excellent book for an introductory course about oral communication." —Tiffani Luethke, University of Nebraska Kearney

“The book is comprehensive, realistic, and affordable.” — Connie Kitzinger, Harper College

“With each edition, Young & Travis demonstrate their commitment to students: accessible and effective content at affordable prices.” — John Karnatz, College of DuPage

“I am enjoying using this text in my Oral Communication class. It has clear explanations of terms and good examples and questions to foster class discussion.” — Diane Hetson, ETI Technical College

“This is a great introductory text for our Fundamentals of Communication course. It covers all of the major topics and is straightforward and accessible for students. It’s also a great price—something the students can afford!” — Deborah Wertanen, Minneapolis Community & Technical College

“Good introductory course text—brief, concise, no-nonsense!” — David W. Fetzer, Moody Bible College

1. Communicating for Life
Communication Basics / Why Is Communication Important? / Communication Process / Types of Communication / Basic Communication Principles / Adapting

2. Perception
The Perceptual Process / Perception Management / Varying Perceptions / Stereotyping / Fact versus Inference / Attributing Meaning / Perception Checking / Perception Related to Self-Concept / Perception Related to Self-Esteem

3. Language
Symbols / Denotative and Connotative Meanings / Content and Relationship Levels of Meaning / The Influence of Language / Rhetorical Sensitivity

4. Nonverbal Communication
Four Functions of Nonverbals / Types of Nonverbal Communication / Time Communication—Chronemics / Smell Communication—Olfactics / Touch Communication—Haptics / Paralanguage / Space Communication—Proxemics / Artifacts

5. Communicating Interpersonally
Self-Disclosure / Conversation / Listening / Communicating with Technology

6. Navigating Relationships and Conflict Resolution
Affection Exchange Theory (AET) / Communication Privacy Management Theory (CPM) / Stages of Relationships / “I” Messages / Conflict and Conflict-Resolution Styles

7. Initial Speech Preparation
The Speech Design Process / Step 1: Select a General Purpose / Step 2: Select a Topic / Step 3: Narrow the Topic / Step 4: Finding the Key / Step 5: Writing the Specific Goal Statement / Step 6: Writing the Thesis Statement / Step 7: Audience Analysis

8. Constructing the Speech
Step 8: Research / Places to Find Research / Step 9: Organizing / Step 10: Outlining

9. Presenting the Speech
Step 11: Delivery Style, Visual Aids, and Practicing / Critiquing Another Person

10. Understanding the Principles of Persuasion
Defining Persuasion / Contexts of Persuasion / Types of Persuasive Messages

11. Constructing the Persuasive Presentation
Preparing for Persuasion / Reasonable Goals / Audience Analysis / Building Block #1: Credibility (Ethos) / Building Block #2: Logical Appeals (Logos) / Building Block #3: Emotional Appeal (Pathos)

12. Interviewing
Résumés / Interviews

13. Working in Teams
An Effective Beginning / Members’ Needs / Team Contract / Styles of Leadership / Selecting a Leader / Task versus Social Elements of Teamwork / Motivating Team Members / Planning for Meetings / Keeping Proper Records / Meeting Dos and Don’ts / Technology and Groups / The Reflective-Thinking Process / Types of Group Presentations

14. Moving Forward

Appendix: Writing the Final Report