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.

Table of Contents

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