Think Communication
Communication in Action:  analyzes communication behavior that students might observe in their everyday lives and the lives of others, providing valuable insight into contemporary communication practices (Some examples include: “Is Twittering theNextNew Frontier?” (Chapter 1), “How Does Language Shape Stereotypes?” (Chapter 3), “Can Tattooing and Body Piercing Hurt Your Image?” (Chapter 6), and “Difficult Behavior at Work” (Chapter 9)).In-text assessment materials:help students learn, understand, and apply the course material.Communication Assessment: offers students a communication situation and asks them to assess how well they can understand and apply a specific chapter’s discussion of basic communication concepts.Know Thy Self: features self-assessment exercises that ask students to consider and understand their own communication behaviors.Stop and Think:tests students’ ability to observe, describe, and analyze communication behaviors in multiple situations.Test Your Knowledge:tests students on their general comprehension of a specific chapter’s discussion of communication concepts and theories.Communication and Culture:addresses communication behaviors across cultures, within subcultures, and between genders with the goal of breaking down communication stereotypes and fostering interpersonal and intercultural understanding.Think about Theory:explains classic and recent trends in communication research, and how they manifest in everyday communication.Ethical Communication:focuses on how to communicate in a way that honors, respects, and adheres to cultural and social rules of acceptable communication behavior.Strategies: lists best practices of communication behaviors and concepts, offering students specific guidelines to improve their own communication. Examples include: “Strategies to Improve Your Self Esteem” (Chapter 2), “Strategies for Effective Self Disclosure” (Chapter 8) “Strategies for Modeling Effective Leadership” (Chapter 10), and “Strategies for Proper Breathing during a Presentation” (Chapter 14).Sample Speeches:  excerpts from a multitude of sample speeches appear throughout the text as well as a complete sample speech outline providing robust resources for students as they work on their own speeches.  Additionally, two annotated sample speeches demonstrate good speech practices in both informative and persuasive speaking; annotations highlight speech concepts in action, including effective use of previews, oral citation of sources, transitions, and the use of various types of supporting material.Annotated Readings: annotated readings selected fromCommunication Currents, a communication journal published by the National Communication Association promote critical thinking and focus on communication key terms, concepts, trends, and research discussed throughout the book.