Praised for its “teachability,” Thinking Through Communication provides an excellent, balanced introduction to basic theories and principles of communication, making sense of a complex field through a variety of approaches.
In an organized and coherent manner, Thinking Through Communication covers a full range of topics–from the history of communication study to the methods used by current communication scholars to understand human interaction. The book explores face-to-face communication in a variety of traditional contexts: interpersonal, group, organizational, public, intercultural, computer-mediated communication and the mass media
Written in a clear, lively style, Trenholm's overall approach—including her use of examples and interesting illustrations—helps develop a better understanding of communication as a field of study and an appreciation for ways in which communication impacts our daily lives.
I. INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION
1. The Communication Tradition
A Brief History of Communication Study
Communication Today: Contemporary Departments of Rhetoric and Communication Theory
2. Definitions, Models, and Perspectives
Defining Communication
How Models Help Us Understand Communication
It All Depends on Your Point of View: Four Perspectives
What to Look for When You Look at Communication
II. LISTENING AND LANGUAGE
3. Decoding Messages: Listening and Perception
What Is Listening?
The Listening Process
Designing Messages That Are Easy to Listen to
4. Encoding Messages: Spoken Language
What is Language
The Subsystems of Language
Pragmatic Styles and Structures
Language and Social Identity
Language Choices and Pragmatic Effects
5. Encoding Messages: Nonverbal Communication
What Is Nonverbal Communication?
The Nonverbal Codes
Increasing Nonverbal Skills
III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXTS
6. Interpersonal Communication
What Is Interpersonal Communication?
Managing Interpersonal Communication
Relational Development: Stages in Intimate Dyads
Increasing Relational Skills
Understanding Mediated Relationships
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
7. Group Communication
What Is a Group?
Managing Group Communication
Group Development: Phases in Problem-Solving Groups
Strengthening Group Discussion Skills
Communicating in Virtual Groups
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
8. Organizational Communication
What is an Organization?
Managing Organizational Communication
Increasing Organizational Skills
Using Organizational Technology
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
9. Public Communication
What Is Public Communication?
Why is Public Communication Important?
Evaluating Public Communication
Strengthening Critical Reception Skills
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
10. Preparing and Presenting Public Speeches
What is a Public Speech?
Planning the Public Speech
Managing Delivery
Increasing Public Speaking Skills
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
11. Communication and the Mass Media
The Traditional Mass Media
New Media: Going Global and Mobile
Convergence: the Intersection of New Media and Old
Becoming a More Responsible Communicator
12. Intercultural Communication
What Is Culture?
Barriers to Intercultural Communication
Adapting to New Cultures
Becoming a More Open Communicator
13. Methods of Discovery
How Is Communication Research Done?
Five Popular Research Methods
Learning More about Communication