The Communication Playbook

Designed for today’s active learnersThe Communication Playbook moves students beyond the classroom by helping them develop a strong communication skillset that will benefit them throughout their lives. With a focus on effective communication skills and career success, bestselling authors Teri Kwal Gamble and Michael W. Gamble give students clear explanations of core concepts followed by practical learning activities—encouraging students to think critically about why good communication is important and how the concepts can be applied to today’s classroom, workplace, and community. Perfect for the hybrid communication course with coverage of public speaking, this concise text has been strategically separated into tabbed chapters—making it easier for readers to navigate, digest, revisit, and review the content. As good communication is the foundation of everyday lifeThe Communication Playbook primes students for success in both their courses and their careers.

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Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Start Right Here
What Is Communication Presence
What Is Communication?
Essentials of Communication
Visualizing the Communication Process in Action
How Good a Communicator Are You?
Why Do We Communicate?
Chapter 2: Having Communication Presence in a Multicultural Society and World
Cultures’ Many Faces
What Happened to the Melting Pot?
Culture and Communication
Cultures Within Cultures
Dimensions of Culture in Action
Technology and Community
Chapter 3: The “I” Behind the Eye: Perception and the Self
Perception of the Self, Others, and Experience
Perceiving the “I” Affects Perception of You
The Connection Between Self-Concept and Behavior
Factors Affecting Self-Concept and Outlook
How to Enhance Self-Awareness
Barriers to Perceiving Yourself and Others Clearly
Gender, Self-Concept, and Perception
Culture, Self-Concept, and Perception
Chapter 4: Communicating With Words: Helping Minds Meet
Language Is Alive: We Use Words to Share Meaning
Problems With the Communication of Meaning
Barriers to Understanding: Patterns of Miscommunication
Culture and Language
Gender and Language
Words and Power
Profanity and Obscenity
Technology and Language Use
Chapter 5: Nonverbal Messages Speak
Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Truth, Deception, and Nonverbal Cues
Gender and Nonverbal Behavior
Culture and Nonverbal Behavior
Technology and Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 6: Listening, Feedback, and Critical Thinking
Listening and Communication
Types of Listening
The Stages of Listening: More Than Meets the Ear
More on the Ethics of Listening: Identifying Problem Behaviors
Responding With Feedback
The Importance of Critical Thinking
Gender and Listening Style
Cultural Influences on Listening
Technology’s Influence on Listening and Critical Thinking
Chapter 7: Understanding Relationships
What Is An Interpersonal Relationship?
Conversing: Connecting Through Interpersonal Dialogue
Relationships Differ in Breadth and Depth
Analyzing Relationships
Lying, Trust, and Relationships
Laughter as Interpersonal Tool
Gender and Relationships
Culture and Relationships
More on Technology and Relationships
Chapter 8: Person to Person: Handling Emotions and Conflict
Five Factors Contributing to Relationship Interest
Understanding the Uncertainty Factor
Types of Relationships
Emotions and Relationships
Expressing and Sharing Feelings
Experiencing Relational Conflict
Technology, Relationships, and the Communication of Emotion
Chapter 9: Teamwork: Strategies for Decision Making and Problem Solving
Groups, Teams, and You
Characteristics and Components of Groups
Using Groups to Make Decisions and Solve Problems
Understanding the Roles Group Members Play
Understanding Group Member Relationships
Decision Making In Groups: Reaching Goals
Gender, Culture, Technology, and Group Interaction
Chapter 10: Leading Others and Resolving Conflict
APPROACHES TO LEADERSHIP: THE LEADER IN YOU
Theories of Leadership
Leading the Way Through Conflict Management
The Influence of Gender, Culture, and Technology on Leadership and Conflict Management
Chapter 11: Public Speaking and You
BUILDING PUBLIC SPEAKING CONFIDENCE
Approaching Speech Making Systematically: A Primer for Giving Your First Speech
Analyze Yourself
Analyze Your Audience
Analyze the Occasion
Select Your Topic
Narrow The Topic and Clarify Your Purpose
Chapter 12: Researching, Supporting, and Outlining Your Speech
Research Your Topic
Select the Best Support Possible
Linear and Configural Formats
Outlining Your Speech: Building a Speaking Framework
Beginnings and Endings
Chapter 13: Using Presentation Aids and Delivering Your Speech
Selecting and Preparing Presentation Aids
Preparing to Speak
Rehearsing
Presenting: Keys to Remember
Beyond the Presentation: Assessing Your Effectiveness
Chapter 14: Informative Speaking
Sharing and Conceptualizing Information
Types of Informative Presentations
Guidelines for Informative Speakers
Chapter 15: Persuasive Speaking
The Purpose of Persuasion
Types of Persuasive Speeches
Understanding Monroe’s Motivated Sequence
Persuading Responsibly, Strategically, and Credibly
Guidelines for Persuading Effectively
Appendix: Interviewing and Developing Professional Relationships
The Employment Interview: Beyond Casual Communication
Securing the Interview: Tools and Tasks
Conducting an Interview
Impression Management and Interviewee Presence
Looking at the Law: Illegal Interview Questions
Diversity, Technology, and the Interview
Answer Key
Glossary
Notes
Index