Page 14 - Essentials of Human Communication

WELCOME TO

essentials of human

Communication

It’s a pleasure to write a preface to this eighth edition of Essentials of Human Communication.
This book continues to be responsive to the need for a brief, interesting, but serious text that
emphasizes the essential skills of human communication, including interpersonal communi-
cation, small group communication, and public speaking. I continue to try my best to follow
Einstein’s directive that “things should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” This
new, eighth-edition remains true to that central purpose. The overriding theme and goal of this
textbook is to help you build greater competence in interpersonal, group, and public commu-
nication. You should emerge from this course a more effective interpersonal communicator,
group member and leader, and public speaker.
This eighth edition of Essentials of Human Communication is divided into three parts:
Part One, Foundations of Human Communication, includes five chapters that cover the con-
cepts and principles of human communication: the communication process, the self and per-
ception, listening, verbal messages, and nonverbal messages. Part Two, Interpersonal and
Small Group Communication, also includes five chapters; chapters 6, 7, and 8 cover the con-
cepts and skills of interpersonal communication and conversation, interpersonal relation-
ships, and managing interpersonal conflict and chapters 9 and 10 focus on small group inter-
action, the types of small groups, and the principles of effective group membership and
leadership. Part Three, Public Speaking (Chapters 11–14), explains the nature of public
speaking and the principles and skills for preparing and presenting effective informative
and persuasive speeches.

What’s New in the Eighth Edition?

NEW and ENHANCED CONTENT and THEMES reflect the latest research in human
communication:
● New discussions throughout the book focus on how all communication forms incorpo-
rate the varied social media that are now an essential part of our everyday lives.
● Additional attention to the importance of effective workplace communication in all com-
munication contexts includes a wide variety of examples.
● The newest research on the role of culture in communication in a world defined by cul-
tural diversity is emphasized
● Because of the importance of choice throughout all your communication interactions,
we’ve made the concept of choice a recurring theme in this new edition.
[See page xviii to see how these themes fit into the book’s organization as a whole.]
NEW LEARNING AIDS help you learn more efficiently and prepare for exams:

● Learning objectives now highlight the major concepts of the chapter through knowl-
edge, application, and problem solving. At the end of each major section a series of
questions ask you to test yourself to see if you can, in fact, accomplish the objectives
for that section.

xiii