Communication : embracing difference / Daniel M. Dunn, Lisa J. Goodnight.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 401-404) and index.

An overview of communication -- The communication process -- Functions of communication -- Types of communication -- Understanding difference, diversity, and communication -- Perception -- The process of perception -- Perceptions of ourselves -- Perception of others -- Developing accurate perceptions of ourselves and others -- Listening -- Hearing and listening -- Factors that interfere with listening -- Effective listening -- Verbal communication -- The nature of language and meaning -- The meaning of words -- Factors that influence our language use -- Problems with language -- Improving verbal skills -- Nonverbal communication -- The nature of nonverbal communication -- Types and functions of nonverbal communication -- Improving nonverbal communication -- Understanding ourselves and others -- The nature of interpersonal relationships -- Self-disclosure within relationships -- Theoretical explanations of interpersonal communication -- Conflict within relationships -- Improving our efforts to resolve conflicts -- Creating a positive communication climate -- Understanding defense mechanisms -- Coping with defensiveness -- Stepping back from defensiveness -- Interviewing -- Interview questions -- Organizing the interview -- Types of interviews -- The employment interview -- Preparing for an interview -- Improving your interviewing skills -- Communicating in small-groups -- An overview of small-group communication -- Types of small groups -- Variables in small-group communication -- Participating in small-group discussions -- Decision-making methods -- Communication skills within small groups -- Solving problems using small groups -- Solving problems as a group -- Types of problem-solving formats -- The process of problem solving -- Leadership -- Effective leadership communication -- Selecting a speech topic and adapting to the audience -- Selecting a topic -- Yourself -- The situation -- The audience -- Demographic factors -- Audience characteristics -- Brainstorming -- Adapting to the audience -- The speech purpose -- Thesis statement -- Researching and using supportive material for your speech -- Sources of information -- Finding sources : the library -- Using the Internet : World Wide Web -- Citing sources -- Forms of support for your speech -- Anecdotes and stories -- Presentational aids -- Using presentational aids -- Organizing your speech -- The body -- The introduction -- The conclusion -- Transitions -- Preparing the speech outline -- Delivering your speech -- Oral and written communication -- Understanding speech anxiety -- Types of delivery -- Sharing ideas -- Using your body -- Using your voice -- Practicing your speech -- The informative speech -- The nature of the informative speech -- Informative speech topics -- Organizing the informative speech -- Methods of presenting an informative speech -- Sample informative student speech -- The persuasive speech -- Developing a persuasive speech objective -- Topics for a persuasive speech -- Organizing your persuasive speech -- Developing persuasive appeals -- Techniques for enhancing your credibility -- Sample student persuasive speech.