forms of communication essay

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1.1 Communication: History and Forms

Learning objectives.

Define communication.
Discuss the history of communication from ancient to modern times.
List the five forms of communication.
Distinguish among the five forms of communication.
Review the various career options for students who study communication.

Before we dive into the history of communication, it is important that we have a shared understanding of what we mean by the word communication . For our purposes in this book, we will define communication as the process of generating meaning by sending and receiving verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs that are influenced by multiple contexts. This definition builds on other definitions of communication that have been rephrased and refined over many years. In fact, since the systematic study of communication began in colleges and universities a little over one hundred years ago, there have been more than 126 published definitions of communication (Dance & Larson, 1976). In order to get a context for how communication has been conceptualized and studied, let’s look at a history of the field.

From Aristotle to Obama: A Brief History of Communication

While there are rich areas of study in animal communication and interspecies communication, our focus in this book is on human communication. Even though all animals communicate, as human beings we have a special capacity to use symbols to communicate about things outside our immediate temporal and spatial reality (Dance & Larson). For example, we have the capacity to use abstract symbols, like the word education , to discuss a concept that encapsulates many aspects of teaching and learning. We can also reflect on the past and imagine our future. The ability to think outside our immediate reality is what allows us to create elaborate belief systems, art, philosophy, and academic theories. It’s true that you can teach a gorilla to sign words like food and baby , but its ability to use symbols doesn’t extend to the same level of abstraction as ours. However, humans haven’t always had the sophisticated communication systems that we do today.

Some scholars speculate that humans’ first words were onomatopoetic. You may remember from your English classes that onomatopoeia refers to words that sound like that to which they refer—words like boing , drip , gurgle , swoosh , and whack . Just think about how a prehistoric human could have communicated a lot using these words and hand gestures. He or she could use gurgle to alert others to the presence of water or swoosh and whack to recount what happened on a hunt. In any case, this primitive ability to communicate provided an evolutionary advantage. Those humans who could talk were able to cooperate, share information, make better tools, impress mates, or warn others of danger, which led them to have more offspring who were also more predisposed to communicate (Poe, 2011). This eventually led to the development of a “Talking Culture” during the “Talking Era.” During this 150,000 year period of human existence, ranging from 180,000 BCE to 3500 BCE, talking was the only medium of communication, aside from gestures, that humans had (Poe, 2011).

The beginning of the “Manuscript Era,” around 3500 BCE, marked the turn from oral to written culture. This evolution in communication corresponded with a shift to a more settled, agrarian way of life (Poe, 2011). As hunter-gatherers settled into small villages and began to plan ahead for how to plant, store, protect, and trade or sell their food, they needed accounting systems to keep track of their materials and record transactions. While such transactions were initially tracked with actual objects that symbolized an amount—for example, five pebbles represented five measures of grain—symbols, likely carved into clay, later served as the primary method of record keeping. In this case, five dots might equal five measures of grain.

During this period, villages also developed class systems as more successful farmers turned businessmen prospered and took leadership positions. Religion also became more complex, and a new class of spiritual leaders emerged. Soon, armies were needed to protect the stockpiled resources from others who might want to steal it. The emergence of elite classes and the rise of armies required records and bookkeeping, which furthered the spread of written symbols. As clergy, the ruling elite, and philosophers began to take up writing, the systems became more complex. The turn to writing didn’t threaten the influential place of oral communication, however. During the near 5,000-year period of the “Manuscript Era,” literacy, or the ability to read and write, didn’t spread far beyond the most privileged in society. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1800s that widespread literacy existed in the world.

The end of the “Manuscript Era” marked a shift toward a rapid increase in communication technologies. The “Print Era” extended from 1450 to 1850 and was marked by the invention of the printing press and the ability to mass-produce written texts. This 400-year period gave way to the “Audiovisual Era,” which only lasted 140 years, from 1850 to 1990, and was marked by the invention of radio, telegraph, telephone, and television. Our current period, the “Internet Era,” has only lasted from 1990 until the present. This period has featured the most rapid dispersion of a new method of communication, as the spread of the Internet and the expansion of digital and personal media signaled the beginning of the digital age.

The evolution of communication media, from speaking to digital technology, has also influenced the field of communication studies. To better understand how this field of study developed, we must return to the “Manuscript Era,” which saw the production of the earliest writings about communication. In fact, the oldest essay and book ever found were written about communication (McCroskey, 1984). Although this essay and book predate Aristotle, he is a logical person to start with when tracing the development of the communication scholarship. His writings on communication, although not the oldest, are the most complete and systematic. Ancient Greek philosophers and scholars such as Aristotle theorized about the art of rhetoric , which refers to speaking well and persuasively. Today, we hear the word rhetoric used in negative ways. A politician, for example, may write off his or her opponent’s statements as “just rhetoric.” This leads us to believe that rhetoric refers to misleading, false, or unethical communication, which is not at all in keeping with the usage of the word by ancient or contemporary communication experts. While rhetoric does refer primarily to persuasive communication messages, much of the writing and teaching about rhetoric conveys the importance of being an ethical rhetor , or communicator. So when a communicator, such as a politician, speaks in misleading, vague, or dishonest ways, he or she isn’t using rhetoric; he or she is being an unethical speaker.

The study of rhetoric focused on public communication, primarily oratory used in discussions or debates regarding laws and policy, speeches delivered in courts, and speeches intended to praise or blame another person. The connections among rhetoric, policy making, and legal proceedings show that communication and citizenship have been connected since the study of communication began. Throughout this book, we will continue to make connections between communication, ethics, and civic engagement.

Much of the public speaking in ancient Greece took place in courtrooms or in political contexts.

Karen Neoh – Courtroom – CC BY 2.0.

Ancient Greek rhetoricians like Aristotle were followed by Roman orators like Cicero. Cicero contributed to the field of rhetoric by expanding theories regarding the five canons of rhetoric, which include invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory. Invention refers to the use of evidence and arguments to think about things in new ways and is the most studied of the five canons. Arrangement refers to the organization of speech, style refers to the use of language, and delivery refers to the vocal and physical characteristics of a speaker. Memory is the least studied of the five canons and refers to the techniques employed by speakers of that era to retain and then repeat large amounts of information. The Age of Enlightenment in the 1700s marked a societal turn toward scientific discovery and the acquisition of knowledge, which led to an explosion of philosophical and scientific writings on many aspects of human existence. This focus on academic development continued into the 1900s and the establishment of distinct communication studies departments.

Communication studies as a distinct academic discipline with departments at universities and colleges has only existed for a little over one hundred years (Keith, 2008). Although rhetoric has long been a key part of higher education, and colleges and universities have long recognized the importance of speaking, communication departments did not exist. In the early 1900s, professors with training and expertise in communication were often housed in rhetoric or English departments and were sometimes called “professors of speech.” During this time, tension began to build between professors of English who studied rhetoric as the written word and professors of speech who studied rhetoric as the spoken word. In 1914, a group of ten speech teachers who were members of the National Council of Teachers of English broke off from the organization and started the National Association of Academic Teachers of Public Speaking, which eventually evolved into today’s National Communication Association. There was also a distinction of focus and interest among professors of speech. While some focused on the quality of ideas, arguments, and organization, others focused on coaching the performance and delivery aspects of public speaking (Keith, 2008). Instruction in the latter stressed the importance of “oratory” or “elocution,” and this interest in reading and speaking aloud is sustained today in theatre and performance studies and also in oral interpretation classes, which are still taught in many communication departments.

The formalization of speech departments led to an expanded view of the role of communication. Even though Aristotle and other ancient rhetoricians and philosophers had theorized the connection between rhetoric and citizenship, the role of the communicator became the focus instead of solely focusing on the message. James A. Winans, one of the first modern speech teachers and an advocate for teaching communication in higher education, said there were “two motives for learning to speak. Increasing one’s chance to succeed and increasing one’s power to serve” (Keith, 2008). Later, as social psychology began to expand in academic institutions, speech communication scholars saw places for connection to further expand definitions of communication to include social and psychological contexts.

Today, you can find elements of all these various aspects of communication being studied in communication departments. If we use President Obama as a case study, we can see the breadth of the communication field. Within one department, you may have fairly traditional rhetoricians who study the speeches of President Obama in comparison with other presidential rhetoric. Others may study debates between presidential candidates, dissecting the rhetorical strategies used, for example, by Mitt Romney and Barack Obama. Expanding from messages to channels of communication, scholars may study how different media outlets cover presidential politics. At an interpersonal level, scholars may study what sorts of conflicts emerge within families that have liberal and conservative individuals. At a cultural level, communication scholars could study how the election of an African American president creates a narrative of postracial politics. Our tour from Aristotle to Obama was quick, but hopefully instructive. Now let’s turn to a discussion of the five major forms of communication.

Forms of Communication

Forms of communication vary in terms of participants, channels used, and contexts. The five main forms of communication, all of which will be explored in much more detail in this book, are intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. This book is designed to introduce you to all these forms of communication. If you find one of these forms particularly interesting, you may be able to take additional courses that focus specifically on it. You may even be able to devise a course of study around one of these forms as a communication major. In the following we will discuss the similarities and differences among each form of communication, including its definition, level of intentionality, goals, and contexts.

Intrapersonal Communication

Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself using internal vocalization or reflective thinking. Like other forms of communication, intrapersonal communication is triggered by some internal or external stimulus. We may, for example, communicate with our self about what we want to eat due to the internal stimulus of hunger, or we may react intrapersonally to an event we witness. Unlike other forms of communication, intrapersonal communication takes place only inside our heads. The other forms of communication must be perceived by someone else to count as communication. So what is the point of intrapersonal communication if no one else even sees it?

Intrapersonal communication is communication with ourselves that takes place in our heads.

Sarah – Pondering – CC BY 2.0.

Intrapersonal communication serves several social functions. Internal vocalization, or talking to ourselves, can help us achieve or maintain social adjustment (Dance & Larson, 1972). For example, a person may use self-talk to calm himself down in a stressful situation, or a shy person may remind herself to smile during a social event. Intrapersonal communication also helps build and maintain our self-concept. We form an understanding of who we are based on how other people communicate with us and how we process that communication intrapersonally. The shy person in the earlier example probably internalized shyness as a part of her self-concept because other people associated her communication behaviors with shyness and may have even labeled her “shy” before she had a firm grasp on what that meant. We will discuss self-concept much more in Chapter 2 “Communication and Perception” , which focuses on perception. We also use intrapersonal communication or “self-talk” to let off steam, process emotions, think through something, or rehearse what we plan to say or do in the future. As with the other forms of communication, competent intrapersonal communication helps facilitate social interaction and can enhance our well-being. Conversely, the breakdown in the ability of a person to intrapersonally communicate is associated with mental illness (Dance & Larson, 1972).

Sometimes we intrapersonally communicate for the fun of it. I’m sure we have all had the experience of laughing aloud because we thought of something funny. We also communicate intrapersonally to pass time. I bet there is a lot of intrapersonal communication going on in waiting rooms all over the world right now. In both of these cases, intrapersonal communication is usually unplanned and doesn’t include a clearly defined goal (Dance & Larson, 1972). We can, however, engage in more intentional intrapersonal communication. In fact, deliberate self-reflection can help us become more competent communicators as we become more mindful of our own behaviors. For example, your internal voice may praise or scold you based on a thought or action.

Of the forms of communication, intrapersonal communication has received the least amount of formal study. It is rare to find courses devoted to the topic, and it is generally separated from the remaining four types of communication. The main distinction is that intrapersonal communication is not created with the intention that another person will perceive it. In all the other levels, the fact that the communicator anticipates consumption of their message is very important.

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another. Interpersonal communication builds, maintains, and ends our relationships, and we spend more time engaged in interpersonal communication than the other forms of communication. Interpersonal communication occurs in various contexts and is addressed in subfields of study within communication studies such as intercultural communication, organizational communication, health communication, and computer-mediated communication. After all, interpersonal relationships exist in all those contexts.

Interpersonal communication can be planned or unplanned, but since it is interactive, it is usually more structured and influenced by social expectations than intrapersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is also more goal oriented than intrapersonal communication and fulfills instrumental and relational needs. In terms of instrumental needs, the goal may be as minor as greeting someone to fulfill a morning ritual or as major as conveying your desire to be in a committed relationship with someone. Interpersonal communication meets relational needs by communicating the uniqueness of a specific relationship. Since this form of communication deals so directly with our personal relationships and is the most common form of communication, instances of miscommunication and communication conflict most frequently occur here (Dance & Larson, 1972). Couples, bosses and employees, and family members all have to engage in complex interpersonal communication, and it doesn’t always go well. In order to be a competent interpersonal communicator, you need conflict management skills and listening skills, among others, to maintain positive relationships.

Group Communication

Group communication is communication among three or more people interacting to achieve a shared goal. You have likely worked in groups in high school and college, and if you’re like most students, you didn’t enjoy it. Even though it can be frustrating, group work in an academic setting provides useful experience and preparation for group work in professional settings. Organizations have been moving toward more team-based work models, and whether we like it or not, groups are an integral part of people’s lives. Therefore the study of group communication is valuable in many contexts.

Since many businesses and organizations are embracing team models, learning about group communication can help these groups be more effective.

RSNY – Team – CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Group communication is more intentional and formal than interpersonal communication. Unlike interpersonal relationships, which are voluntary, individuals in a group are often assigned to their position within a group. Additionally, group communication is often task focused, meaning that members of the group work together for an explicit purpose or goal that affects each member of the group. Goal-oriented communication in interpersonal interactions usually relates to one person; for example, I may ask my friend to help me move this weekend. Goal-oriented communication at the group level usually focuses on a task assigned to the whole group; for example, a group of people may be tasked to figure out a plan for moving a business from one office to another.

You know from previous experience working in groups that having more communicators usually leads to more complicated interactions. Some of the challenges of group communication relate to task-oriented interactions, such as deciding who will complete each part of a larger project. But many challenges stem from interpersonal conflict or misunderstandings among group members. Since group members also communicate with and relate to each other interpersonally and may have preexisting relationships or develop them during the course of group interaction, elements of interpersonal communication occur within group communication too. Chapter 13 “Small Group Communication” and Chapter 14 “Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups” of this book, which deal with group communication, will help you learn how to be a more effective group communicator by learning about group theories and processes as well as the various roles that contribute to and detract from the functioning of a group.

Public Communication

Public communication is a sender-focused form of communication in which one person is typically responsible for conveying information to an audience. Public speaking is something that many people fear, or at least don’t enjoy. But, just like group communication, public speaking is an important part of our academic, professional, and civic lives. When compared to interpersonal and group communication, public communication is the most consistently intentional, formal, and goal-oriented form of communication we have discussed so far.

Public communication, at least in Western societies, is also more sender focused than interpersonal or group communication. It is precisely this formality and focus on the sender that makes many new and experienced public speakers anxious at the thought of facing an audience. One way to begin to manage anxiety toward public speaking is to begin to see connections between public speaking and other forms of communication with which we are more familiar and comfortable. Despite being formal, public speaking is very similar to the conversations that we have in our daily interactions. For example, although public speakers don’t necessarily develop individual relationships with audience members, they still have the benefit of being face-to-face with them so they can receive verbal and nonverbal feedback. Later in this chapter, you will learn some strategies for managing speaking anxiety, since presentations are undoubtedly a requirement in the course for which you are reading this book. Then, in Chapter 9 “Preparing a Speech” , Chapter 10 “Delivering a Speech” , Chapter 11 “Informative and Persuasive Speaking” , and Chapter 12 “Public Speaking in Various Contexts” , you will learn how to choose an appropriate topic, research and organize your speech, effectively deliver your speech, and evaluate your speeches in order to improve.

Mass Communication

Public communication becomes mass communication when it is transmitted to many people through print or electronic media. Print media such as newspapers and magazines continue to be an important channel for mass communication, although they have suffered much in the past decade due in part to the rise of electronic media. Television, websites, blogs, and social media are mass communication channels that you probably engage with regularly. Radio, podcasts, and books are other examples of mass media. The technology required to send mass communication messages distinguishes it from the other forms of communication. A certain amount of intentionality goes into transmitting a mass communication message since it usually requires one or more extra steps to convey the message. This may involve pressing “Enter” to send a Facebook message or involve an entire crew of camera people, sound engineers, and production assistants to produce a television show. Even though the messages must be intentionally transmitted through technology, the intentionality and goals of the person actually creating the message, such as the writer, television host, or talk show guest, vary greatly. The president’s State of the Union address is a mass communication message that is very formal, goal oriented, and intentional, but a president’s verbal gaffe during a news interview is not.

Technological advances such as the printing press, television, and the more recent digital revolution have made mass communication a prominent feature of our daily lives.

Savannah River Site – Atmospheric Technology – CC BY 2.0.

Mass communication differs from other forms of communication in terms of the personal connection between participants. Even though creating the illusion of a personal connection is often a goal of those who create mass communication messages, the relational aspect of interpersonal and group communication isn’t inherent within this form of communication. Unlike interpersonal, group, and public communication, there is no immediate verbal and nonverbal feedback loop in mass communication. Of course you could write a letter to the editor of a newspaper or send an e-mail to a television or radio broadcaster in response to a story, but the immediate feedback available in face-to-face interactions is not present. With new media technologies like Twitter, blogs, and Facebook, feedback is becoming more immediate. Individuals can now tweet directly “at” (@) someone and use hashtags (#) to direct feedback to mass communication sources. Many radio and television hosts and news organizations specifically invite feedback from viewers/listeners via social media and may even share the feedback on the air.

The technology to mass-produce and distribute communication messages brings with it the power for one voice or a series of voices to reach and affect many people. This power makes mass communication different from the other levels of communication. While there is potential for unethical communication at all the other levels, the potential consequences of unethical mass communication are important to consider. Communication scholars who focus on mass communication and media often take a critical approach in order to examine how media shapes our culture and who is included and excluded in various mediated messages. We will discuss the intersection of media and communication more in Chapter 15 “Media, Technology, and Communication” and Chapter 16 “New Media and Communication” .

“Getting Real”

What Can You Do with a Degree in Communication Studies?

You’re hopefully already beginning to see that communication studies is a diverse and vibrant field of study. The multiple subfields and concentrations within the field allow for exciting opportunities for study in academic contexts but can create confusion and uncertainty when a person considers what they might do for their career after studying communication. It’s important to remember that not every college or university will have courses or concentrations in all the areas discussed next. Look at the communication courses offered at your school to get an idea of where the communication department on your campus fits into the overall field of study. Some departments are more general, offering students a range of courses to provide a well-rounded understanding of communication. Many departments offer concentrations or specializations within the major such as public relations, rhetoric, interpersonal communication, electronic media production, corporate communication. If you are at a community college and plan on transferring to another school, your choice of school may be determined by the course offerings in the department and expertise of the school’s communication faculty. It would be unfortunate for a student interested in public relations to end up in a department that focuses more on rhetoric or broadcasting, so doing your research ahead of time is key.

Since communication studies is a broad field, many students strategically choose a concentration and/or a minor that will give them an advantage in the job market. Specialization can definitely be an advantage, but don’t forget about the general skills you gain as a communication major. This book, for example, should help you build communication competence and skills in interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, group communication, and public speaking, among others. You can also use your school’s career services office to help you learn how to “sell” yourself as a communication major and how to translate what you’ve learned in your classes into useful information to include on your resume or in a job interview.

The main career areas that communication majors go into are business, public relations / advertising, media, nonprofit, government/law, and education. [1] Within each of these areas there are multiple career paths, potential employers, and useful strategies for success. For more detailed information, visit http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/communication-studies .

Business. Sales, customer service, management, real estate, human resources, training and development.
Public relations / advertising. Public relations, advertising/marketing, public opinion research, development, event coordination.
Media. Editing, copywriting, publishing, producing, directing, media sales, broadcasting.
Nonprofit. Administration, grant writing, fund-raising, public relations, volunteer coordination.
Government/law. City or town management, community affairs, lobbying, conflict negotiation / mediation.
Education. High school speech teacher, forensics/debate coach, administration and student support services, graduate school to further communication study.
Which of the areas listed above are you most interested in studying in school or pursuing as a career? Why?
What aspect(s) of communication studies does/do the department at your school specialize in? What concentrations/courses are offered?
Whether or not you are or plan to become a communication major, how do you think you could use what you have learned and will learn in this class to “sell” yourself on the job market?

Key Takeaways

Getting integrated: Communication is a broad field that draws from many academic disciplines. This interdisciplinary perspective provides useful training and experience for students that can translate into many career fields.
Communication is the process of generating meaning by sending and receiving symbolic cues that are influenced by multiple contexts.
Ancient Greeks like Aristotle and Plato started a rich tradition of the study of rhetoric in the Western world more than two thousand years ago. Communication did not become a distinct field of study with academic departments until the 1900s, but it is now a thriving discipline with many subfields of study.

There are five forms of communication: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication.

Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself and occurs only inside our heads.
Interpersonal communication is communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another and typically occurs in dyads, which means in pairs.
Group communication occurs when three or more people communicate to achieve a shared goal.
Public communication is sender focused and typically occurs when one person conveys information to an audience.
Mass communication occurs when messages are sent to large audiences using print or electronic media.
Getting integrated: Review the section on the history of communication. Have you learned any of this history or heard of any of these historical figures in previous classes? If so, how was this history relevant to what you were studying in that class?
Come up with your own definition of communication. How does it differ from the definition in the book? Why did you choose to define communication the way you did?
Over the course of a day, keep track of the forms of communication that you use. Make a pie chart of how much time you think you spend, on an average day, engaging in each form of communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass).

Dance, F. E. X. and Carl E. Larson, The Functions of Human Communication: A Theoretical Approach (New York, NY: Holt, Reinhart, and Winston, 1976), 23.

Keith, W., “On the Origins of Speech as a Discipline: James A. Winans and Public Speaking as Practical Democracy,” Rhetoric Society Quarterly 38, no. 3 (2008): 239–58.

McCroskey, J. C., “Communication Competence: The Elusive Construct,” in Competence in Communication: A Multidisciplinary Approach , ed. Robert N. Bostrom (Beverly Hills, CA: Sage, 1984), 260.

Poe, M. T., A History of Communications: Media and Society from the Evolution of Speech to the Internet (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2011), 27.

What Can I Do with This Major? “Communication Studies,” accessed May 18, 2012, http://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/communication-studies ↵

Communication in the Real World Copyright © 2016 by University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children

500+ words essay on importance of communication:.

Communication is one of the important tools that aid us to connect with people. Either you are a student or a working professional, good communication is something that will connect you far ahead. Proper communication can help you to solve a number of issues and resolve problems. This is the reason that one must know how to communicate well. The skills of communication essential to be developed so that you are able to interact with people. And able to share your thoughts and reach out to them. All this needs the correct guidance and self-analysis as well.

Meaning of Communication

The word communication is basically a process of interaction with the people and their environment . Through such type of interactions, two or more individuals influence the ideas, beliefs, and attitudes of each other.

Such interactions happen through the exchange of information through words, gestures, signs, symbols, and expressions. In organizations, communication is an endless process of giving and receiving information and to build social relationships.

Importance of Communication

Communication is not merely essential but the need of the hour. It allows you to get the trust of the people and at the same time carry better opportunities before you. Some important points are as follows –

Help to Build Relationships

No matter either you are studying or working, communication can aid you to build a relationship with the people. If you are studying you communicate with classmates and teachers to build a relationship with them. Likewise in offices and organizations too, you make relationships with the staff, your boss and other people around.

Improve the Working Environment

There are a number of issues which can be handled through the right and effective communication. Even planning needs communication both written as well as verbal. Hence it is essential to be good in them so as to fill in the communication gap.

Foster strong team

Communication helps to build a strong team environment in the office and other places. Any work which requires to be done in a team. It is only possible if the head communicates everything well and in the right direction.

Find the right solutions

Through communication, anyone can find solutions to even serious problems. When we talk, we get ideas from people that aid us to solve the issues. This is where communication comes into play. Powerful communication is the strength of any organization and can help it in many ways.

Earns more respect

If your communication skills are admirable, people will love and give you respect. If there is any problem, you will be the first person to be contacted. Thus it will increase your importance. Hence you can say that communications skills can make a big change to your reputation in society.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Don’t Go Overboard With Your Point

The conversation is about to express your thoughts. And to let the other person know what you feel. It is not mean to prove that your point is correct and the other person is wrong. Don’t Overboard other With Your Point.

Watch Your Words

Before you say something to Watch Your Words. At times, out of anger or anxiousness, we say somethings that we must not say. Whenever you are in a professional meeting or in some formal place, where there is a necessity of communicating about your product or work then it is advised to practice the same beforehand

Communication is the greatest importance. It is important to sharing out one’s thoughts and feelings to live a fuller and happier life. The more we communicate the less we suffer and the better we feel about everything around. However, it is all the more necessary to learn the art of effective communication to put across ones point well.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Effective Communication — Effective Communication: The Key to Building Strong Connections

Effective Communication: The Key to Building Strong Connections

Categories: Connection Effective Communication

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Published: Sep 12, 2023

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The importance of effective communication, key elements of effective communication, barriers to effective communication, strategies for improving communication, 1. building relationships:, 2. resolving conflicts:, 3. achieving goals:, 4. personal development:, 5. success in the workplace:, 1. clarity:, 2. active listening:, 3. empathy:, 4. nonverbal communication:, 5. respect:, 1. misunderstandings:, 2. lack of active listening:, 3. emotional barriers:, 4. assumptions and stereotypes:, 5. lack of feedback:, 1. practice active listening:, 2. foster empathy:, 3. be mindful of nonverbal cues:, 4. seek feedback:, 5. adapt to your audience: h3>, 6. practice constructive communication:, 7. educate yourself:.

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Reviewed by Elizabeth Johnson-Young, Associate Professor, University of Mary Washington on 6/14/24

This text provides excellent coverage of a variety of foundational communication material, subjects, and concepts. Easy to find what you need throughout the book and would serve well for an introductory course as a stand alone text or to be used... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 5 see less

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Accurate information and various viewpoints provided when necessary.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

Content is up to date both in examples used and in the historical portions of the text. The chapter on new media covers a variety of content and can likely continue to be used even as we move to other forms of new technology and serve as a starting point for understanding context and then for further discussion.

Clarity rating: 5

Very clear with examples and explanations of terminology. Relatable to students in many of courses.

Consistency rating: 5

Uses consistent terminology throughout, which makes for ease in understanding.

Modularity rating: 5

The modularity of the text is strong. I can easily see, and plan to, using various portions of the text in different classes, from campaigns, to health communication, to seminars when I'd like to cover some media history and theories. It's easy to find the material and chunking it into smaller sections is provided and simple to do.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Structure is clear and logical from beginning to end. The order makes sense--if one wanted to use the text as is they could and have a great course.

Interface rating: 5

All components seem to work well with no errors.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

Inclusive, diverse examples and photos.

Reviewed by Laura Seroka, Assistant Professor, Berea College on 3/25/24

The textbook covers everything that should be standard in an Introduction to Communication textbook. It has basic topics such as identity through communication, media, and foundational info which give a solid base for more specialized upper-level courses in small group communication, interpersonal communication, and rhetoric. More introductory information to prepare for organizational communication and social media would be helpful.

The text is easy to read and contains accurate up-to-date concepts. Some examples are becoming dated, however, they were accurate for when the book was written.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

This book is now becoming dated with examples. The world has changed a great deal since it was published and students are sure to notice the omission of discussions of the rhetoric of former President Trump and current President Biden. Several new social media platforms are out and Twitter is now X making the language clearly dated within this text. There is also new information about microagendasetters and the role of influencers which are now important communication concepts to include. Instructors could still easily use this text, however, they would need to provide updated examples and possibly some additional readings to give current relevancy.

This is very easy to read and digest and vocabulary terms are clearly labeled, explained and easy to look up again if needed.

This book meets the standards of other texts, has quality sources, and utilizes a clear epistemology.

The book has good modularity and would be easy to chunk out when creating a schedule. The chapter on Informative/Persusive Speaking is the most challenging due to its length. As many students will be doing each of these speech styles independently, it may help to separate the chapter. However, having it in one chapter means either presentation style could be done first.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 4

I wish that culture as well as new media were integrated throughout the text rather than assigned to specific chapters. For example, the chapter on culture comes in the middle of the text, after verbal, non-verbal, and interpersonal communication. As culture is deeply embedded in other topics, I think culture coming first or being discussed throughout the text would improve students' knowledge and they way they identify with the text.

I did not have any issues.

I see no blatant errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

As with many other texts, this text tries to provide inclusivity in examples and end-of-chapter questions. I think my previous comments about including cultural communication throughout would improve this as well as using content from more BIPOC authors.

Reviewed by Parameswari Mukherjee, Assistant Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 2/21/24

Comprehensiveness rating: 4 see less

This textbook is highly recommended for introductory-level Communication Studies courses. It provides a comprehensive overview of various topics, including verbal and non-verbal communication, listening skills, interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and various types of speeches. While the content is excellent, I've rated it four stars because some chapters tend to be overly lengthy.

The textbook delves into concepts such as the significance of finding common ground and comprehending diverse worldviews, which are influenced by various cultures. This inclusion of diverse perspectives makes the textbook inclusive.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

I find certain sections and exercises within the chapters remain highly relevant (such as handling communicative aggression/bullying at work, developing intercultural communication competence), despite the book being written approximately ten years ago. Additionally, I try to enhance its relevance by incorporating supplementary materials from both academic and non-academic sources.

My students have expressed appreciation for the textbook's ability to elucidate complex communicative phenomena in a clear and easily understandable manner.

The text maintains internal consistency both in its use of terminology and its framework.

In terms of modularity, every chapter is structured into manageable sections and subsections, each accompanied by key takeaways and exercises identified with a "Getting Integrated" label. This encourages both students and instructors to delve into how these concepts intersect across different aspects of our personal, professional, and public lives.

The text organizes its topics in a logical and coherent manner, beginning with an exploration of the history of communication studies, followed by discussions on models of communication, different forms of communication, and advancements in communication technology and new media. Additionally, each chapter includes concrete and pertinent examples drawn from various relationships (e.g., familial, friendly, professional, romantic) and communication contexts (e.g., interpersonal, organizational, academic, mediated, civic), enriching the understanding of diverse communication dynamics and contexts.

The text is devoid of any notable interface issues, such as navigation difficulties, distortion of images/charts, or any other display elements that could potentially distract or confuse the reader.

The text contains no grammatical errors.

Communication in Real World covers important topics such as intersectional reflexivity, critical listening, voice/representation, marginalization, communication and ethics, which contributes to its inclusivity as a textbook.

Reviewed by Yejin Shin, Assistant Professor, Northeastern Illinois University on 5/5/23

This textbook includes important aspects of basic communication courses. Chapter 1 - Introduction to communication studies highlights the history and different forms of communication, which should be the basis of a basic communication course. Overall, the chapters were well-developed in different fields of communication, which can be used for 100-level courses, and encouraging students to take higher-level courses in different areas of communication (e.g., verbal, nonverbal communication, culture and communication, media). One caveat for some instructors - chapters 9-12 focus on public speaking, so if your institution has a separate class for it, it might not be helpful. Overall, good coverage of topics.

Content Accuracy rating: 4

I do not have any problem with the accuracy of the textbook; References were used well, and most were from well-established journals or books. Even though there is a need for an update for better relevance, it is understandable, as it was published in 2016. Besides this issue, I found all the information accurate and provided accurate, effective discussions and exercises at the end of each sub-chapter. The contents were not biased, but the images should represent more diversity.

This book was published in 2016, and some areas change rapidly (e.g., intercultural communication, gender, new media technologies); some examples or terms should be updated. As this is not an issue of the textbook itself, the instructor can develop supplementary materials to encourage a discussion about "new" concepts or examples they experience (e.g., Tiktok, Zoom, gender identity, LGBTQIA), it will actually make the class more engaging.

This is one of the strengths of the textbook - the writing is not complicated and straightforward, precise for students who have never been exposed to any communication courses. I liked how new or essential terms were in bold and well-defined for the target students. If instructors were using this book for a basic communication course, students would understand the terms and why it is important to understand them as they are explained well with in-depth information or examples.

The text is internally consistent with a logical order; the first chapter is the introduction to communication studies and then provides the different fields in communication. I wish the public speaking chapters (Chapters 9-12) were separated to recognize the differences or more of an application framework, but in general, the terminology and the flow are all consistent. I also found key takeaways at the end of the sub-chapters beneficial for students to understand the sub-chapters separately.

The modularity of this textbook is great - each chapter was divided into small(sub) chapters, which were well divided by the objectives. Each sub-chapter has its learning objectives, so it was clear to readers how each has specific ideas and can be connected well across chapters. For example, it will not be a problem for the instructor to cover Chapter 1.4 (communication apprehension) and Chapter 10.1 (managing public speaking anxiety) together, as this text was easily divisible into smaller chapters.

This textbook is well-organized. It uses a simple but logical structure; it starts with the history of communication studies and ends with new media. All sub-chapters were also organized well within the frame of the chapter; each highlights the important concepts or ideas, breaking down into at least 3 or 4 sub-chapters.

I had no problem with this textbook's interface. It was user-friendly, and the layout (e.g., picture, different background colors for exercises or key takeaways, "previous" and "next" buttons on the bottom) was great for focusing on reading. The online version was easy to navigate; hyperlinks worked great for examples or supplemental materials. For example, students could take PRPSA online as the link was provided in Exercises: http://www.jamescmccroskey.com/measures/prpsa.htm. PDF and e-book forms are also available for students who prefer the printed version.

The textbook used effective grammar and was free of grammatical errors.

Generally, this textbook is culturally appropriate; it is not offensive. However, as this is a communication course textbook, I think the communication field has strengths in acknowledging and appreciating cultural differences, which is why this needs to be updated. Again, the images, photos, and examples should include more diverse perspectives to enrich what we value.

Overall, this is a good textbook for a basic communication course; it covers a wide variety of topics and fields, and covering them will guide students in which specific area they will consider taking classes at a higher level. It is also easy enough for the gen edu course. If your institution had combined basic communication and public speech courses, this book fits the purpose well. Students will take advantage of it, using different versions at no cost. Some areas need to be developed, such as providing more recent examples or concerns about diversity, but if instructors are prepared for open discussions with students, this book will do fine. One of the great, effective books Open Textbook Library.

Reviewed by Pleasant Karen, Adjunct Instructor, Rogue Community College on 3/10/23

The textbook covers the key aspects of basic communication and would serve as an excellent resource for students in an introductory course. From the historical elements of communication to current research and trends, the book is comprehensive in its coverage of basic communication pedagogy. Topics range from communication and perception, through verbal and nonverbal communication in a variety of relationships, to small group and media and technology in relation to communication concepts. Several chapters present the basics of public speaking in a variety of contexts as well.

The content seems accurate throughout the textbook, but since it was published in 2016 certain chapters could probably use an update. One such chapter is the one on cultural communication and identity. I feel additional up-to-date information about co-cultures would be pertinent to include in future editions, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, political viewpoints, ability/disability, age/generation, and socioeconomic status as well as a discussion about race and ethnicity.

The text is relevant and accessible to all levels of students. It contains very realistic and relatable examples and information to keep students interested, including a section of each chapter entitled "Getting Real." . Each chapter begins with learning objectives and ends with key takeaways and exercises. An update is needed for parts of the book since it was published in 2016. One chapter that needs updating is Chapter 15 regarding media, technology, and communication. It would be helpful if it included information about Zoom and online platforms. Periodic updates will insure that the relevance of the textbook continues. In between updates, instructors can supplement the textbook with outside readings, activities, and more. The chapter on communicating in relationships is very relatable and relevant because it discusses the "Dark Side of Relationships,"including lying, cheating, and anger issues. This is a topic that I have not encountered in other basic communication textbooks.

The book is written in an easy to follow format with terminology, given in bold, that is well-defined. It might be beneficial to have a glossary of terms. A times, images and diagrams help to clarify the information presented.

The book presents real world applications of the information in each chapter. I like how each chapter follows the same format and starts with learning objectives and ends with takeaways and exercises. This consistency makes it easy for both instructors and students to connect with the information while at the same time allowing instructors various opportunities for innovation in the activities they utilize in the classroom or online.

Readers can maneuver easily through the chapters and don't need to follow them in order. Each chapter includes foundational information and practical applications. However, I would like to see separate chapters for informative versus persuasive public speaking.

Each chapter can stand alone and they don't need to be followed in order for students to benefit from the book. As I've previously mentioned the consistency of the chapter organization lends itself well to making the book easy to navigate.

The layout of the book, and each chapter, is user-friendly and easy to access. The book is available in several formats as well, such as e-book, PDF, and more.

I didn't notice any grammatical issues as I perused the book.

The relevance of the cultural chapter would improve with the inclusion of information about co-cultures. It is important to keep up-to-date about intercultural and gender communication terms, too.

The title of the book, Communication in the Real World, is a very appropriate title for this book as it includes so many real and relatable communication issues. I think both college instructors and students would enjoy using this book as their classroom textbook. I am going to adopt it for my Basic Communication class.

Reviewed by Ibrahim Yoldash, Adjunct Professor, Prairie State College on 2/8/23

The text is very comprehensive, although there is not an in-depth chapter dedicated to ceremonial/commemorative speeches. I did like the sample speeches and topics that were offered within the chapters. I also think that students can benefit from what I consider to be "additional" chapters 6-8, 13-16 that focus on subjects that some public speaking textbooks do not. Overall, I think it's very thorough and would be an excellent choice to utilize in the classroom. My only suggestion would be to include a chapter about ceremonial/commemorative speeches.

From what I perused, it is well-written without errors.

I think relevancy is subjective ("Aristotle to Obama" instantly dates this textbook), and too many present references will date the text in the years ahead. This textbook does a good job at staying relevant while maintaining traditional communication pedagogy.

I feel, that, as educators in higher education, we cannot continue to "water down" information to make it "easier to digest." I think it is the student's responsibility to seek guidance if there is something that he/she is having difficulty understanding. This textbook is well-balanced between providing correctly defined terminology while also avoiding being too lofty and overwhelming.

Some may view this text as organizationally distinct, since it does not address speech organization and preparation until Chapter Nine; yet I find it appropriate in giving students the necessary foundation of communication history, concepts, and its applications before having them begin on speech presentations.

Modularity rating: 4

Perhaps Chapter Eleven could be divided into two separate chapters, one with Informative Speaking and the other with Persuasive Speaking. It is a very lengthy chapter, and I think students may benefit from separating the two.

Even though the chapters do somewhat build upon one another, I feel that they are also standalone in the sense that you do not necessarily need to understand the chapter unless you have read all of the ones before it (like its own self-contained unit).

I haven't had any issues with this.

Again, I haven't noticed any grammatical errors.

It does a good job of being objective by presenting information from a neutral standpoint instead of trying to take sides of an issue, historically or otherwise.

I would see no reason why this textbook shouldn't be used by many educators in this area of study.

Reviewed by Brian Healy, Lecturer, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 11/26/22

This book is an excellent foray into Communication Studies. Communication in the Real World runs the gamut from Intrapersonal Communication to Mass Communication while presenting content that reflects historical and current research trends. This textbook provides the reader with myriad opportunities for entrance into Communication theory. This book is acceptable for fundamental courses while also maintaining relevance as a companion reader to higher-level courses in communication. It is an excellent resource for any student moving through the discipline.

I find the book to be relatively accurate throughout. The foundational Communication theories are helpful and connected to the reader's lived experiences. However, I believe there are a few Intercultural Communication and Gender Communication terms that could use a touch-up and reexamination. This is to be expected as the cultural milieu changes over time, and I look forward to future iterations as the text continues to grow and develop.

The text, as a whole, speaks to the student well while maintaining its academic and terminological integrity. The overarching communication principles are presented in ways that are as relevant today as they were when I first learned them. As commented above, as the world shifts and our experiences and understandings deepen, so will the text, hopefully.

The writing in this textbook is accessible for all level students while maintaining an intellectual acuity. In addition, the terms are interconnected throughout the text allowing the student to grasp the more important terms, ideas, and theories at play as a whole. Each bold term presented is clear and well-defined.

The text follows an evident organizing pattern that makes referencing the text in class easy for students to recognize. The text also makes each important term bold so that the student can easily identify the key terms for each section.

With clear headings and short, consumable chapter sections, this text makes reading assignments comprehensible. Students can maneuver through each chapter section by section with ease.

The text is traditional in its information organization, from foundational communication theories in the first few chapters to practical applications in the latter chapters. This step-by-step style allows for a clearer understanding of how communication forms, shapes, and maintains our relationships with others in the myriad relationships students encounter.

The layout of this text is easily accessible and intuitive. Working through the text, the terms, supplemental images, and references are clear and easily discernible.

The text is grammatically clear and consistent.

This text provided a snapshot of the cultural time when it was compiled. As with any text in this ever-evolving and changing world, there are aspects like technological use and identity markers that will need updating soon and could use the support of more research as it becomes available.

After implementing this text in my class, students' responses have been very positive. I find the application of this text within differing web-based learning management systems to be a game changer as an instructor. My students have one space they need to go to read and do their homework, each working synergistically with the other. This text creates many opportunities for innovation in the classroom.

Reviewed by Michele Mahi, Assistant Professor, Leeward Community College on 3/11/22

Communication in the Real World is a comprehensive textbook for an introductory communication course. The textbook includes the standard topics addressed in typical 100-level speech courses. Something this textbook lacks is an index or glossary;... read more

The content reflects current communication research. This textbook provides a nice introduction to major communication concepts, theories, and principles and provides a solid foundation for class discussions and activities. I found the content to be error-free and unbiased.

This textbook was published in 2016, so an update with more contemporary examples would be nice. For instance, I think Chapters 15 and 16 (media, technology, communication) could use an update. A lot has changed in 6 years. However, instructors can easily develop supplementary materials with contemporary examples to increase relevancy for their students.

The writing of this textbook is clear and concise. All course terminology is properly explained.

The textbook is consistent in terms of terminology and framework. Additionally, I appreciated the consistent layout of each chapter. I liked how each chapter opened with the learning objectives and closed with key takeaways and exercises. I also liked how each chapter included a section that addressed real-world applications.

Communication in the Real World is divided into chapters with multiple sections. Instructors can obtain links for the entire textbook, specific chapter, or even specific sections within each chapter. I appreciated this functionality. I liked that the textbook is divisible and customizable. In addition to allowing instructors to choose with sections they address, instructors can easily reorder the sections to their liking.

The textbook uses a clear and consistent organizational pattern for each chapter. However, I think informative speaking and persuasive speaking should have been separate chapters instead of combined into one chapter. Additionally, I think this textbook would have benefited from an index or glossary.

Interface rating: 4

I found the interface user-friendly. I thought the textbook was easy to navigate. All links worked and I did not experience problems accessing the material. However, I think the textbook could be more visually appealing.

I did not notice any grammatical errors.

Generally, I found the textbook culturally appropriate. However, I think the textbook could use benefit from more inclusive examples.

Overall, I think this textbook is an appropriate choice for an introductory communication course.

Reviewed by Art Khaw, Professor, Kirkwood Community College on 12/13/21

The Communication in the Real World text is an effective textbook for students in two-year programs and introductory communication courses at four-year institutions. Too often, texts try to accomplish too much in one course. This textbook allows for a greater understanding and growth in the discipline of communication studies. One advantage of the text is the assessments, cases, discussion questions and exercises can be accomplished in a semester.

The major content areas are fully covered in an introduction communication studies course. The book is accurate, research-based and up-to-date with communication information supported with citations and references. The communication concepts, principles and theories are accurate which includes relevant sources. The text provides a nice foundation for class discussions and lectures. Sources are referenced at the end of every chapter. The author writes with consistent, inclusive language. There was no evidence of bias or errors that I detected, perhaps more diversity in photographs are encouraged.

The textbook includes the necessary content for an introductory communication course. The framework and organizational structure of the text is arranged in a manner that any updates could easily be implemented. Political and social references can easily be updated through contemporary examples and issues in media. Instructors can supplement contemporary information to increase relevance for their students.

Communication in the Real World - An Introduction to Communication Studies is a well-written text. The textbook’s approach helps students transfer and apply the skills learned from the text to their future academic and professional environments. In addition, the textbook emphasizes practical application and is written in a manner that is easily understood. The design of the book is inviting. The writing style is reader-friendly and the presentation is appropriate for my students. The major strength of the text is the user-friendly, conversational method/style of the text. I stress the need for my students to become critical consumers of communication, as well as producers, and this text helps with that task.

There is consistency in the layout of this text. The chapters are consistent in flow, language, organization and structure. Each chapter is arranged in a way that is well-organized. Each section is clearly labeled and begins with Learning Objectives and ends with Key Takeaways, Exercises, and a bibliography (references). I like "Exercise" sections where students are given activities and questions to promote application and understanding.

The outline of the book is impressive. The textbook is broken down into logical and manageable sections that could be divided for instructors and students. The text is readily divisible with reading sections and sub- headings that are precise and uncomplicated. The headings of each module provide structure to the text. The text has several headers and sub-headers that are logical and consistent across chapters, as well as "key takeaways" at the end of each section. An instructor could easily break down a chapter into smaller assignments for students without causing high levels of confusion. The text is divided into sections that can easily be reordered as desired, and the chapters make sense as arranged in each module. There are no areas with large “sections” of text with an overload of written material that require further subdivision. The learning objectives are implemented with ease and flow.

The book is thoughtfully organized with a clear and simple structure. The textbook is in line with existing Introduction to Communication textbooks. The book nicely aligns with how I already structure my own class. This is an effective book as it will allow you to provide information that consistently builds upon the information before it. Finally, the learning objectives at the beginning of each chapter and the discussion questions and key takeaways at the end assist with applying theory into practical application.

The interface is user-friendly. The textbook exhibits no interface issues. Images, illustrations and pictures are not distorted. They are appropriate and clear. Links are active and in working order at the time of review. Furthermore, illustrations and images add interest and divides lengthy text sections. The text is visually appealing. Navigation was easy and user-friendly. In summary, the book is well constructed and the various formats available are easily accessible to the reader.

The text is thorough and well-written. I did not note any grammatical errors during my review of the text.

The book is inclusive and is fairly appealing to all races, ethnicity, and backgrounds. The text is not culturally insensitive or offensive.

Students of, and practitioners in, the field of communication studies will find this text a valuable learning tool. The work is easy to follow and understand. Also, valuable information and learning arenas are presented. The exercises allow enough opportunity for the mind to expand and the student to become creative. Overall, this is a very good text for students enrolled in an introduction to communication studies course. I highly recommend the text.

Reviewed by Denny Morell, Adjunct Faculty, Massachusetts Bay Community College on 6/23/21

The textbook fulfils the objective of explaining effective and ethical communication as well as describing the function of the communication process. The exercises at the end of each chapter engage students in developing self-awareness and... read more

The textbook fulfils the objective of explaining effective and ethical communication as well as describing the function of the communication process.

The exercises at the end of each chapter engage students in developing self-awareness and stimulate critical thinking and perception.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

The images and photographs do not represent the cultural diversity of dominant and non-dominant groups.

Gender identity and perception in cultural and social settings should be included in the textbook The chapters should be revised to reflect current social and economic circumstances and practices.

The textbook is written in a clear and concise manner. The theories and examples are well constructed for reading comprehension.

The layout of the textbook connects the chapters in a logical order

The units are organized and consistent with specific descriptions, examples, and exercises for successful learning outcomes.

The chapters are arranged in a logical order and transition smoothly from the introduction to speech preparation and presentation.

The formats are easily accessible to the reader.

There are no grammatical errors in the textbook.

Cultural Relevance rating: 3

Reviewed by Madeleine Costa, Adjunct Faculty, Bristol Community College on 6/1/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

This book is very thorough and comprehensive as it begins discussing communication since 3500BCE up until today's new media components. It had areas that discussed how students could use this information in specific other courses and in the business world. I thought this was very effective. Each chapter had subsections that delved into the details of the overriding chapter topic. However, I did not see an index nor a glossary. These would have been very helpful if they had been included. I also would have liked an entire chapter written on the informative speeches and demonstration speeches since these are an important parts of my classwork.

I found the book's topics to be accurately discussed and error-free. It was also unbiased and offered chapters that covered ethics and sensitivity to culture and how to understand, communicate and appreciate diversity at all levels.

For the most part this book was very up-to-date. In the past I have had communication books directly quote current USA presidents or other popular political leaders of the time. I didn't see that here as much which in one way would make it less important for updating to more current political times. There was one mention of a popular TV program, law and Order which ended in 2010 so perhaps a more current reference could have been utilized.

I really enjoyed how clear the writing, chapter divisions and other components of this text were presented. The text provided many interesting features that kept my interest and would also keep the interest of students. There were clear explanations/definitions of terms especially in the chapter on new media. Key new phrases or terms are in bold and followed by definitions and more detailed explanations of the terms. There are also special sections entitled Getting Critical or Getting Competent where personal stories from the author are included to make the information clearer yet. In these sections there are questions for students to think critically about and respond to that would help clarify concepts and their application in various circumstances.

I like the way that each major chapter is divided into either 3, 4 or one includes 7 sub chapters that delve into more detailed information. Most of the chapters had four sub chapters. This made the book very detailed and comprehensive as mentioned before and the way it was divided into these specific frameworks made it consistent. Each chapter ended with a section called Key Take Aways which I thought was a great review of what the important concepts of the chapter were. Also, the chapters had "Exercise" sections where students were given activities and questions to help further their understanding.

As mentioned previously, the main chapters had 3, 4, or 7 sub chapters within them. Even these had many section divisions that were clearly indicated by a topic title in bold, larger font letters such as "Interpersonal Communication" or "Intrapersonal Communication" that would be followed with plenty of detailed information about those highlighted headings. This made the text easy to mentally digest as the smaller, clearly indicated sections were not too lengthy with too many new concepts introduced. I believe these could be easily reorganized and realigned within the course itself.

I found the book very well organized since it started with the historical background of communication and ended with new media, technology and communication in today's world. You could go to any chapter and be sure that it would be appropriately divided into the various sub chapters and headings that would further explain the major topic. There were 16 chapters that covered a multitude of communication circumstances, usages, situations and strategies that were all clearly and logically laid out for easy student comprehension. Each chapter had colorful photos, images or charts/graphs to further assist in students understanding.

I did not find any interface issues that would distract the student reader.

I did not find any grammatical errors in the text as far as I could see.

The book actually had chapters/sub chapters that dealt with handling diversity in audiences, groups and workplaces, so it was culturally sensitive. It had quite a few of the photos and images that included people of color although I think the majority of photos were of white people. The examples that included different ethnicities, races and backgrounds often had to do with actual topics that were covering race, biracial and interracial issues.

I think this would be a great book for a general communication course that dealt with the wide variety of communication types/topics as it provided a very detailed and broad coverage of many areas since 3500 BCE. However, I would not choose this book for my class on Public Speaking since it did not have enough detailed information on the various speeches that I teach, visual aids and components to be used in speech creation and delivery. It did have some of this particularly for the information and persuasive type of speeches, but I do more than those.

Reviewed by Nancyruth Leibold, Associate Professor, Southwest Minnesota State University on 5/3/21, updated 6/1/21

This textbook is an undergraduate-level textbook that is comprehensive about introductory communication with five primary types: intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. The contents were precise in the PDF version. The online version had a sidebar that included a clear list of the contents. An index and glossary would improve the comprehensiveness. The learning objectives at the start of each chapter are fabulous.

The textbook includes mostly accurate communication information with supporting evidence citations and references. Including more representation of cultures would improve the accuracy.

The textbook is up to date for the most part. Some of the media communication areas that are quickly evolving in society could use an update. The author could add detailed tips and information about web-based professional interviews and meetings could be added. An overall section about interviews would be helpful.

The Introduction to Communication textbook is clear and well-written.

Terminology, framework, and navigation are internally consistent in the text.

The format of the chapters throughout the Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies is consistent. Each chapter includes headings with sub-sections to organize the content into easy-to-read chunks of information. Each chapter starts with an introduction, then learning objectives, content, pictures, and ends with key takeaways, exercises, and references.

The topics in the text include a logical presentation. The text consists of a Table of Contents page that is helpful and easy to follow (sidebar on online version and front of text in PDF version). The learning objectives at the start of chapters are fabulous. Vocabulary words in the text are bolded. I like the use of videos per video link. Other strengths are the key takeaways, exercises, and references at the end of each chapter. Tables, images, and figures used are helpful to communicate the information.

The text is free of significant interface issues, including navigation problems, distortion of images/charts, and any other display features that may distract or confuse the reader. The links were all in working order.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text does include passive voice diction and split infinitives. Some nouns lack a determiner. However, writing styles vary from one discipline to another.

Cultural responsive pedagogy is an area for improvement. Some of the references to gender and race are less personal in the text than perhaps in reality. The images used of people are biased as most are of White people. Revising the text with the incorporation of a diverse mix of people in photos is a suggestion.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies is overall a good introductory textbook. Increasing the images to be diverse would improve the book overall. Many thanks for the work to create this text!

Reviewed by Scott Makstenieks, Instructor, Winona State University on 11/11/20

For any institution or educator looking for a textbook that covers both communication theory and skill-building, this book is an excellent resource. Beyond the initial discussions of communication as a concept and phenomenon, the text covers... read more

On the whole, the material in each chapter is clearly drawn from established communication research and theory. Quite obviously, as communication technologies and cultures change, some aspects of the material may need to be supplemented in class discussions or through supplemental readings. Likewise, chapter 8.2 (in the Culture and Communication section) is a bit problematic in its discussion of race, gender, sexuality, and ability, mainly in terms of its causal logics. In other words, the chapter seems to make an essentialist claim - race is itself a cultural identity, rather than being a product of culture (or discursively shaped by culture).

As noted above, the textbook covers a wide breadth of communicative forms and contexts, making it relevant for students, irrespective of the major or career trajectory. Likewise, the sections on mass communication do address the evolution of media, along with a sense of old versus new media technologies, but some minor updates in response to new trends may be helpful for students. In terms of public speaking skills, the textbook does include a section on speaking on radio and television that can be adapted to discussions about speeches and interviews via Zoom and other online platforms.

The textbook is certainly accessible to a range of learners, using vocabulary that retains complexity without losing conceptual integrity. In various ways, diagrams and images throughout the chapters often help to illustrate basic concepts, and sample outlines/speeches are provided in the later sections on public speaking.

Each chapter is structured well and organized in a consistent manner, generally begin with broad concepts and then covering more specific topics or theories. Chapters then end with clear summaries and discussion questions for class prompts or for homework.

The textbook is exceptionally divisible into a weekly or even daily units, and the subdivisions within chapters allows instructors to take a deep dive into a topic area (assigning all sections of a chapter) or lets them introduce basic concepts quickly (assigning only the first one or two chapter sections).

The organization of the textbook fit perfectly into the flow of my introductory communication studies course, splitting the semester into one half about theory and topics and the second half about public speaking skill-building. Within those sections, the structure makes sense as broad concepts first and then specific topics (or speaking genres) second.

I have only used the pdf version of the textbook, but the integrity of the document seemed perfect - text is clear, and images are not pixelated. The table of contents is also dynamic, allowing readers to click on page numbers and jump to sections of the textbook (without scrolling through entire document manually). Other versions of the text are available on the U of MN OER page, which would seem to allow for even greater functionality as well.

No grammar errors noticed.

As noted above, the chapter 8.2 section does have some potentially confusing or problematic discussion of race, gender, sexuality, and ability. However, throughout the textbook, it is clear that the author(s) is trying to include context and culture as a significant factor in human communication. The 8.2 section also seems to be intended to give time to these important identity positions, but it needs some revision or some class discussion to clarify the complexity of these subjects.

Reviewed by Amber Worthington, Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Alaska Anchorage on 10/21/20, updated 1/10/21

This book provides a great overview of many areas of communication. I use this book for an introductory communication course that covers interpersonal communication, public speaking, and small group communication. This book also covers more introductory areas including, for example, culture and communication, leadership, and media/technology and communication. I am not sure if there is an index/glossary, but the Table of Contents page is very easy to follow and navigate.

I believe most of the content in this textbook is accurate.

I think the textbook uses relevant and up-to-date examples. Any necessary updates can be included as additional examples, and I also think the text is organized in a way that will allow easy and straightforward updates to content areas as well.

I think the text is written clearly and in a way that is accessible to students.

I believe the textbook is internally consistent and follows a consistent framework and use of communication terminology.

I think the textbook does a great job dividing the sections into smaller subsections and so on. I assign many different subsections to my students, which I think works really well with this text. I think it is especially easy to navigate to different subsections when reading the textbook online. The PDF version of the textbook is somewhat more difficult to navigate to particular sections, but it is not too complicated and a simple "search" is often effective to jump to the correct section in the PDF.

I like the way the textbook is organized. I do, however, have my students read some chapters of the textbook out of order to align with my particular course, but I think that works quite well.

I have not had any problems with this. Students also seem to like the book and have not had any interface or navigation problems.

I have not found any major grammatical errors.

I think the examples in the text could include more examples that integrate diversity, but, generally speaking, I think the text does a good job covering culture and communication.

I think this is a great book for an introductory communication class.

Reviewed by JoAnne Breault, Adjunct Instructor of Communication, Bristol Community College on 6/30/20

The book did a great job of introducing new terms, giving a strong definition and providing a clear and concise example. read more

The book did a great job of introducing new terms, giving a strong definition and providing a clear and concise example.

The section entitled Key Takeaways encapsulated the main points of the chapter. The timelines were very helpful in understanding how information has evolved over time.

The book was up to date on the use of new technology and terminology pertaining to social media.

The writing is clear and concise and easy to understand.

The book is easy to navigate through.

The subheadings made it easy to find the information I was looking for.

The organization has a logical flow. It does a great job of providing background information, weaving research and data, and presenting new information in a logical, cohesive way.

The chapter learning objectives highlight what will be covered in the chapter effectively.

I found no problems with grammar or spelling.

It was very noticeable to me that the majority of photos are of white Anglo-Saxon looking people. More minorities need to be used in the photos.

This book covered a great deal of information in a very interesting way.

Reviewed by Carleen Yokotake, Professor of Speech, Leeward Community College on 6/25/20

The book does an excellent job covering all areas of the subject matter except for Interviewing. Interviewing is an important aspect of dyadic communication and taught in our Speech courses as one of several important communication skills. Interviewing is only briefly covered in section 9.1 and in the context of finding sources. I would love for the author to include more robust and comprehensive coverage of this concept. The history of communication in the first chapter was a little longer than necessary, albeit very informative.

Overall great content! The communication principles, theories, and concepts are very accurate. However, the pictures used throughout do suggest a strong bias toward white people and this is extremely problematic.

While the concepts covered are relevant and timeless, some of the research does need to be updated. Since technology continues to rapidly evolve, more current research needs to be included as far as how current technological trends, especially social media, etc... continues to shape our interactions and ultimately, our relationships. The text is written and arranged in a way that any updates could definitely be easy to implement/insert.

This is a well-written book. It is very easy to read and many important communication concepts are explained very clearly!

Consistency rating: 4

For the most part terminology and framework contain appropriate text consistent with the topic area. I do think the Motivated Sequence Pattern did not belong in the section on organizing your main points. I consider that to be an organizational structure in and of itself.

Overall the text is divisible into appropriate reading sections, although there are some sections that are a bit too long. However, what I really like about the way the text is organized is that some concepts covered in other chapters include a direct link to the chapter the concept is discussed in. I love that!

The chapters tended to be a bit long even though the topics were presented in a logical and clear manner. It was very helpful that the author included section breaks via key takeaways and exercises.

For the most part all text are presented clearly. However, there were some important concepts covered that got a bit "buried." Perhaps those concepts can be highlighted/bolded. For example in section 1.2 under "Communication is a Process," principles such as, communication messages vary in terms of their, "level of conscious thought and intention, communication is irreversible, and unrepeatable," should all be in bold. This would make it easier to read the larger patches of text that include important terms. Another area that could be adjusted a bit is in section 9.3 Organizing. All of the headings are the same size thus making it a little confusing and or difficult to distinguish sub points. It would be helpful the chance font sizes of headings to distinguish sub headings more clearly.

No problems here.

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

For the most part the content in the text reflect inclusivity of a variety of cultures. However, most of the pictures throughout the entire book are only of white people and should be updated and/or changed. One picture in particular in section 1.1 under the Group Communication heading, should be updated/changed. The picture shows a group of all white men and women and can be seen as biased especially given the recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd. I recommend changing this picture to reflect a more diverse group of individuals. This same issue is found in section 1.3 under the heading "Academic" there is a picture of three white men in regalia suggesting only white people pursue higher education. In subsequent chapters whether showing a classroom full of students or two people interacting, most of the pictures are of white people. Pictures of people of other ethnicities were grossly outnumbered. This really should be mitigated/updated.

I really like the "Key Takeaways" sections, it helps draw students back to the important points made in the chapter. The "Exercise" sections are also very helpful to stimulate class discussion or self reflection.

While it was helpful that the author included links to chapters that covered concepts more in depth, there was a tendency to cover more information than necessary when introducing a concept that was covered more comprehensively in another chapter. For example, in Chapter one, the concept of compliance gaining was introduced. Instead of listing the common tactics used for compliance gaining in this section, a one sentence definition along with the link to Chapter 11 would have been sufficient. Overall, a great textbook, well done!

Reviewed by David Rattigan, Adjunct Faculty, Northern Essex Community College on 6/19/20

The book is very comprehensive, and could be used in multiple classes as a supplemental text, or with supplemental texts. However, it was originally published in 2013, and there are some new developments that went uncovered particularly related to... read more

There was nothing that I could spot the was inaccurate or biased.

Necessary updates may be easy and straightforward to implement, but are due.

The text is academic, but the ideas are introduced, organized, and supported well.

The text is consistent for both framework and terminology.

This is one of the things that is most impressive. I read the text while considering whether to use it for my Mass Communications, Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication or Public Relations classes. I found that it is easily divided into smaller reading sections.

This book covers a wide area very competently, with a logical flow of topics that is easy to understand.

The interface is user friendly.

I noticed no grammatical errors.

This is an area where the information presented is excellent but a lot has happened since it was published in 2013.

An update is due, but I like the book and will add it as a required text for some classes in Fall 2020.

Reviewed by Brenden Kendall, Associate Professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver on 3/6/20

Subjects within the text are covered well, though the author is not particularly clear about the scope of their major sections (and reasons for those choices). Put another way, the text is framed as a neutral account of the field, when of course... read more

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

The text does not engage the major subfield of organizational communication in any way. Group and team communication are covered well enough. But the area of organizational communication is an obvious and serious omission. There are whole majors, disciplinary interest groups, conferences, and international/trans-disciplinary subjects in organizational communication.

No index, glossary, or cross-tabulation is available.

The text is accurate in what it covers, highlighting and spending appropriate time with emphasized content.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

What is covered in this text is covered accurately and in a conversational, student-friendly style appropriate to the level of course for which this text is intended. Significant, long-standing ideas are addressed.

The trouble here is that the references that form the basis of the text are quite outdated. Certainly, textbooks are not encyclopedias or literature reviews, but the major concepts and theories addressed are “classics” up until about 2000. I write this in 2020. As such, the text is somewhat imprecise when it comes to representing contemporary views on communication dynamics – the perspective is not consistent with some major recent disciplinary shifts. I think here of constitutive views on organizational discourse, representations of gender and transgender dynamics, etc.

That this text’s subsequent editions are in print with a for-profit publisher means it’s unlikely to be made more relevant or current anytime soon, nor very easily.

Clarity rating: 3

For a text to be clear at the basic level, I use Gerald Nosich’s SEE-I model for critical thinking: State, Explain, Exemplify, and Illustrate. This textbook varies in the degree to which it offers these elements of conceptual presentation and exploration. It is thus moderately good in terms of clarity. Some notes:

State: the book provides clear definitions, useful highlighting of significant concepts. Subsections are of greatly varying lengths, however. This provides some confusion when it comes to which parts of the text deserve students’ greatest attention, because these differences in length seem to be relevant to the author’s interest rather than the import to the reader.

Explain: I’ll note again the unevenness of the depth of attention to certain passages or ideas. Some concepts are bolded in passing, though important, and some receive detailed explanation. Not all things deserve the equal attention, sure, but these discrepancies seem problematic in the case of this book.

Exemplify: examples are often personal, interesting, and vivid. An update would deepen the range of examples regarding persons’ identities and lived experience (e.g., according to race, gender, socio-economic status, etc.).

Illustrate: the text is clear and concrete, but does not go much beyond the standard illustrative writing of the textbook genre: the extended story at the outset or closing of the chapter. Give students metaphors, more lively diagrams, media references… any creative analogy!

Consistency rating: 1

The most obvious example of problematic consistency is at the highest level, chapter organization. The media chapter addresses technology, and yet there’s also a chapter on “new” media and technologies. The team and group chapter covers some ‘workplace’ issues, but no chapter is presented on organizational communication, where there is more depth on this subject. Rhetoric isn’t present in a big way. And so forth. The content, overall, has little balance.

Because of the text's frequent use of subsections, this book can be remixed and rearranged quite readily at both granular and broad levels.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 1

Nope. The book articulates no specific logic or plan for the organization, and offers little in the way of bridging elements of the book. But, as noted in the modularity section, the book can be usefully chopped up in this format.

The book is easy enough to read, print, etc. The use of learning objectives for minor sections, combined with its formatting can make for odd on-line reading, with movement between sub-sections sometimes feeling like transitions between chapters. On the whole, the format works and the price is right!

Editing seems thorough and writing is generally effective. The text assumes both a familiar, colloquial voice and a more authoritative voice in different parts. This can make for a feeling of disjuncture re: being addressed as a reader. But this is a minor issue.

The text is culturally appropriate and includes important concepts in this area through 2010 or so. But concrete examples or example fictional narratives rarely engage lived experiences of persons of color, low socio economic status, and similar kinds of common marginalization. Narrative examples are often reserved for a more generic kind of concept, an attempt at normalization and generalization that can in a subtle way reinforce hegemonic depictions of communication. The book is not offensive or condemnation-worthy on this point, but it's limited.

This textbook should be used with complementary materials (e.g., borrowed chapters from other textbooks) in any class, especially for covering areas of significant omission relevant to the "intro course" in Communication Studies.

Reviewed by Thomas Townsend, Lecturer, East Tennessee State University on 10/31/19

The text is comprehensive within its publishing date. It covers the basics of Communication Studies and two chapters of Mass Communication. read more

The text is comprehensive within its publishing date. It covers the basics of Communication Studies and two chapters of Mass Communication.

The book is accurate. My only point of contingency was in the sample outlines which do not include traditional outlining with Roman numerals. As we would use the text i a first year gen. ed course, were we to teach that tradiaonl outlining message, we would need to redo the examples.

The text through 2016 is updated and relevant. In addressing the change in mediated communication from 2016, the text is obviously silent as it had not been written yet. Instructors hoping to address contemporary issues with social media, particularly in relation to current events, will need to supplement their course.

The book is clear, well-organized, and clear. Terms are well defined and presented succinctly. The chapter reviews are particularly helpful to readers.

The author(s) has written a text that reads the same from chapter to chapter. The information is equally accessible throughout. The organization of the "getting real," "key takeaways," and "exercises" reinforce the well-written chapters and engage the readers.

The modularity of the book makes using only selected chapters easy for instructors for adapting to any course.

The organization on the whole. The only drawback in organization is found in the chapters on public speaking. In the author's defense, I find the same issue with most beginning communication textbooks in that the way the public speaking chapters are included is a bit jarring I have no suggestion on how to avoid it.

The textbook exhibits no significant interface issues. The charts and images are not distorted. The images are appropriate and clear.

The textbook is well-written. I found no grammatical errors.

The author puts forward efforts towards making the text inclusive. The chapter on culture reinforces the tone of the text. Cultural competence is a theme of the text.

I am recommending us to replace our current text with this one.

Reviewed by Tim Ball, Associate Professor, James Madison University on 7/24/19

The textbook does cover all areas and ideas that are appropriate for an introductory human communication course (e.g., the communication process, perception, culture, verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, interpersonal and relationship communication, and public speaking). Chapters 14 and 15 focus on mass communication topics, so we would not include them in the version we would make available to our students. The textbook does have a table of contents, but I did not find a back-of-the-book index or a glossary of terms.

For the most part, the textbook is accurate and free of overt bias. However, I found some errors. For example, in 9.4 (Outlining) of Chapter 9, the speech outline examples were not formatted correctly. Roman numerals (which identify the main points), capital letters (which identify sub-points), and lower case letters (which identify supporting details) were missing. The outline examples only used Arabic numerals. This is an important error because my students do not know how to create an outline for their speeches. I can make those formatting changes, but I wish I did not have to.

Textbook content is generally up-to-date, but some sections are already obsolete. For example, 1.1 (Communication: History and Forms) provides a brief history of communication from Aristotle to President Obama. President Trump’s use of Twitter to communicate directly with the American public is new and needs to be acknowledged and addressed if we are going to use this textbook for years to come.

The prose throughout the textbook is accessible and the author provides adequate context for any jargon or technical terminology used. Accessibility is important in an introductory human communication textbook because we do not want to turn off the students with ideas and concepts that are not understandable because of jargon or technical terms.

Overall, the text framework demonstrates an agreement or harmony of parts/features to one another. For example, every chapter has at least four sub-sections in which the author describes the main idea of the chapter in detail. Not every introductory textbook author does this.

Each chapter includes at least four smaller reading sections. Each section can be edited for length, easily reorganized, and realigned without too much trouble.

The topics in the textbook are arranged in a logical fashion. The communication fundamentals, interpersonal communication, public speaking, small group communication, and new media chapters are grouped together. I would rearrange the order somewhat by placing the culture chapter with the other fundamentals chapters.

I did not find any significant interface issues. Navigation was easy and no images or charts were distorted. In short, I did not find any features that may distract or confuse readers.

For the most part, the textbook does not contain any grammatical errors. I did not find subject-verb agreement errors, sentence fragments, misplaced or dangling modifiers, vague pronoun references, or incorrect word usage. Occasionally, I would find a missing comma after an introductory element or a missing comma in a compound sentence.

I believe this introductory textbook is culturally sensitive and not offensive in any way. The examples used, especially those in the cultural communication chapter, are inclusive of a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

I wish that the references and the in-text citations of sources were written according to the American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines, but they are not. I want students to include references in APA style, but I cannot point to references in the textbook as examples. I can make those changes, but it adds to the workload.

Reviewed by Robert Jersak, Faculty Instructor, Communication Studies, Century College on 6/21/19

Communication in the Real World is fairly comprehensive. In eighteen chapters, interpersonal, intercultural, small group, leadership and media dynamics in our field are introduced discussed in beginning-level depth. That’s quite a breadth of... read more

Crucial COMM concepts are included for each sub-discipline and highlighted within the text, and a citation often follows immediately to give readers a sense of the origin of that particular concept. Discussions of these ideas are often useful and applicable to real life. Even if readers are less-than-captivated by the text itself, this would still be a resource for exploring these core concepts further through other assigned activities.

The text is general enough to give an overview of ideas that aren't tied exclusively to current events. However, any text that addresses communication through mediated channels will need frequent updating as research catches up with the impact of social media channels. As my needs for this text pertain to Interpersonal Communication, I spent less time reviewing Chapter 15. However, the timelines featured for different mediated channels may be useful in providing historical context for those being introduced to mass media.

Lucid, yes. The book is competently written. But accessible? The writing truly is dry and typically textbookish. The author has made the curious choice of occasionally speaking in first-person - “For example, I consider myself a puzzle lover” (p. 375) - but not offering a brief introductory biography or foreword. As a result, the text feels impersonal and a bit detached - and it may be quite hard to get into for those not comfortable with academic readings.

The book is consistent, yes, but there is room here for expansion and growth. Communication in the Real World is consistently academic in structure and tone, though it would have been marvelous to have short essays written by students/alumni who are using these skills and ideas in their "real worlds," so as to bring these ideas to life and to help readers see more clearly how communication skills are a benefit in practice.

The book's great strength is it's ability to be used in multiple beginning-level courses. It will be easy for me to separate the Interpersonal Communication content that I want my students to read.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

While there are subheadings within chapters, they aren’t quite as helpful as they could be, and instead often seemed a bit random and haphazard. A tighter outline would have been helpful to direct students to explore, or re-review, key ideas. I did appreciate the historical framing of the discipline itself at the start, though. Many faculty may choose to skip the introductory chapter in order to move into the specific course-related content, but I believe it is important for students to be exposed to the roots of the discipline early on, and why Communication Studies is a vital part of the Liberal Arts.

No significant interface issues that I could readily identify. The .pdf version was fully functional and clear.

The book appears to have been clearly written and proofread, yes.

While there are fundamentally important issues related to intercultural interaction and diversity in Communication in the Real World, these issues are undermined a bit by the choice of images. The book lacks representative images and voices, and often feels more like it’s talking about marginalized cultural groups, rather than talking to them or with them. This is perhaps the book's greatest weakness.

I’m very thankful that this text exists as a starting point for our discipline, and students will greatly appreciate the no-cost option. But I expect to do a good deal of work building supplementary material so that the negatives can be addressed and the positives can be strengthened for student learning. If you’re unsure in your decision to adopt Communication in the Real World, you may want to stick with your trusted, affordable resources until more supplements, or an updated edition, can be created.

Reviewed by Bradley Wolfe, Adjunct Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato on 5/21/19

The textbook covers all the basic topics for an introductory communication course. I've used the textbook for my introduction to communication course, along with selections of the text for small group communication. The book covers plenty of topic for a professor to customize what to cover in the semester and what to leave out. The book is easy to read and I've heard no complaints from students. Only positive comments about how it was free!

The book covers all the topics in good introductory detail. I like to supplement the text with diverse perspectives, such as voices from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds. Claiming an "unbiased" perspective puts a claim on what is "true" and what voice matters the most. We never can be free of bias, but the textbook does well at providing foundational information that can be agreed upon as the whole.

Some additions could be made to center diverse voices and perspectives. The information contained is relevant, but not fully inclusive to the full diversity of communication among and across cultures.

Students have no trouble reading and understanding the assigned readings. When I have used this book, students have comprehended everything well with limited follow up explanation needed from me. We were able to use class time apply what was learned from the readings.

The organization and flow is consistent throughout. Some sub-chapters are longer than others, but overall students know what to expect.

The book does a great job of having flexibility for what is assigned. The sub-chapters allow professors to customize the text for their class without much hassle. Some things I can cover myself in class so the section doesn't need to be assigned, but others I can have the students read beforehand to apply in class.

I use the textbook out of order, but the pattern is typical for introductory communication texts.

The textbook is easy for students to navigate. I ensure to hyperlinks the specific assignments on our learning management system to make it easy for students to find the assigned readings.

No issues that I found.

The text is fairly basic in covering introductory communication concepts. I've seen better work done in terms of including diverse voices and perspectives into the text. There is some diversity represented in the text, but those concepts are isolated and not integrated throughout. This is the one downside of this textbook.

Great book overall. Free and easy to use for students. I definitely recommend taking advantage of this resource.

Reviewed by Lucas Hackenburg, Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Nebraska - Lincoln on 4/3/19

This textbook includes the major ideas and topics as most other introductory communication studies texts. This text is appropriate for a 100/1000-level course. Four chapter are devoted to public speaking, so consider the structure of the course. In a class that requires a public speaking component, this would be appropriate; these sections may not be useful in large lecture settings.

There are no major content errors.

Videos and examples are still relevant. I imagine that they will need updated within the next five years or so (i.e. "Shows like The Office and The Apprentice..." may not be as easily recalled in a few years). The text focuses predominantly on larger theoretical ideas and themes. Updating the examples and images would be fairly easy.

This book presents theoretical ideas in ways that could be understood easily by underclassmen. The definitions are accessible through the reading and does not require prior knowledge of the subject area. One recommendation would be to include a glossary where bolded terms are easily accessible.

There are several instances where the author uses "I" to demonstrate experiences or ideas ("I argue... I suggest..."). Some sections do not have any of these anecdotes, whereas other sections have several. This inconsistent shifts from theory to personal account are distracting. Not detrimental, but it does disrupt the flow of reading.

This texts is divided well. As previously mentioned, there is a significant public speaking section in this book, but that could easily be removed or altered to align with course goals.

Overall, this book is organized well and similarly to other textbooks I have used in my course. I understand why the public speaking section is positioned where it is (after intercultural communication), but it is a difficult transition from communication theory and practice to public speaking. (I have had the same complaint for every textbook I have used, so this is not a unique situation, as the textbooks I have used are organized in the same way.) Breaking the course into units may help alleviate the tension of this transition.

Overall, the interface is user-friendly. An option to continue to the next section at the conclusion of each section would be more convenient than scrolling back to the top and selecting from the Table of Contents. Links to videos and other sites all appear active and in working order.

No major grammar issues to note.

The intercultural chapter is more engaging than other similar textbooks on the market! Overall, I think it provides a great opportunity to facilitate classroom discussion, especially when helping students apply the information they are learning outside of the classroom. It is important to remember that this textbook is written from an American perspective, and instructors should be prepared to engage in conversations about privilege when using this textbook.

Overall, I would use this text for an introductory communication course. For general education requirements across majors, this text covers theoretical and practical topics which students can easily translate outside of the classroom. For communication studies majors specifically, I would recommend supplementing the material with texts specifically related to the discipline.

Reviewed by Carolyn Weber, Communication Faculty, Minnesota State on 3/18/19

This text provides what it claims - an "an introduction" to range of communication concepts and focuses on skills, predominantly in the area of public speaking. I chose to use segments of this text for an online interpersonal communication course... read more

I have not encountered any glaring errors. The author writes with consistent, inclusive language.

The examples used are current - and based on the political references the text will become outdated in a few years. Supplementing these areas with current names and analogies will not be difficult. The last "generation group" identified is Generation Y. Again, the concepts are relevant and supplements will provide timely data.

The text is well-written and appropriate for an introductory college communication course. The text appears to follow the thesis driven, North American Writing style. The author presents the information in a format that flows well and holds my interest.

The text is constructed in an easy to follow-format with a consistent pattern. Learning objectives followed by modules, key takeaways, exercises, and references.

Each chapter contains a consistent number of modules to help the instructor deliver the content to the learner in a systematic manner. The headings of each module provide structure and agility to the text.

Does the term "New Media" fit? It may, however, I think that "the evolution of New Media" and the discussion of this mode of communication may fit better toward the beginning of the text.

A few of the images appear distorted or stretched. The format in which the text is available is abundant.

Well-written!

Although the language is "inclusive," as noted by other reviewers, the images are not diverse. A variety of ethnicities are not represented in pictures.

This text has been extremely helpful and, until there is an OER developed, I will continue to use the book for interpersonal communication. I will also consider using segments of the text for an online introductory public speaking course.

Reviewed by Skye Chernichky-Karcher, Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania on 3/14/19

The range of topics for this book is comparable to other leading textbooks of this area from popular publishers. This would be perfect for a course that seeks to cover communication studies with a public speaking component, but lacks topics that may be relevant for a course that is strictly communication studies without a speaking component. I echo other reviewers in that this book lacks emerging areas of communication studies such as health communication. This may, however, be a critique of the larger "brand" of introduction to communication studies textbooks and not this book specifically.

This textbook cites the appropriate literature for the major concepts covered. The strength here is citation and discussion of key literature that is the foundation of each topic (e.g., noise as a barrier to listening). I wish that the book would also consider adding in the most current applications of some of this literature as I will discuss below in the relevance section. Examples are unbiased.

The textbook includes the necessary content for the concepts covered. However, it lacks specific examples or current applications of some of this content. For example, in the discussion of Family Communication Patterns theory it would have been helpful to cite some of the more relevant literature using this theory. This textbook gives a great foundation for the most important concepts related to communication, but as an instructor, I need to fill in the gaps with the most relevant applications of these concepts. This is one of the major pieces that sets this book apart from the current publisher textbooks that I've used previously in my course.

The textbook is written in a clear and appropriate tone. I also like the repetition of major concepts in each unit. For example, the chapter on family communication processes includes a discussion of two major communication processes in family communication literature: conversation and conformity orientations. The text also provides a visual image of these processes. They also come up again in the key takeaways section and are reinforced in the exercises at the end of the unit. This clarity and consistency is wonderful for students and instructors alike.

The book has a consistent structure throughout the units. The book is also consistent in highlighting important terminology. Related to modulation (below), the way that each unit was presented was consistent: learning objectives, content, key takeaways, and exercises.

Overall the break down of the content makes sense. The topics are also appropriately split within each unit. My only suggestion would be to include a symbol for the subheadings within each unit. For example, in section 6.4 Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Communication there are three subheadings: Theories, Process, and Effects. It would be nice if each of these sections also had a numerical indicator: 6.4.1, 6.4.2, and 6.4.3 for example. This would make it easier to assign short reading for each of these sections if I were to take more than one class period to discuss self disclosure.

The public speaking sections seems to come in the middle of the textbook. I would suggest moving these units to the end. The learning objectives at the beginning of each unit and the discussion questions at the end are very helpful.

The interface is easy to use and visually stimulating. The mobile interface is very impressive and easy to use.

The book appears to be free from grammatical errors.

The book is very sensitive to include examples of diversity and culture throughout the textbook and was not restricted to only chapter 8 which discusses culture and communication.

This is a great textbook for a class seeking to cover communication studies with a public speaking component. You could also use this as a foundation for a human communication course, but would need to supplement this book with other reading material. I really appreciate the ease in accessing this textbook on mobile devices - this is a huge advantage of the online platforms that publishers offer for their textbooks which I have found to not be very good.

Reviewed by Berkey Timothy, Instructor, Taylor University on 3/4/19

I appreciate the inclusion of materials chosen for this text. read more

I appreciate the inclusion of materials chosen for this text.

Well within the boundaries of discipline specific knowledge.

I do not foresee this text becoming out of date and any changes would be minimal.

I think my students will value the conversational tone set by the author.

The consistency of this text should add clarity for students.

The sections are consistent with other popular texts.

The flow fits nicely with the construction of the course and material can be presented in a nonlinear fashion well.

Very clean and easy to use.

None noticed.

I see many attempts at cultural sensitivity.

Reviewed by Leigh Kelley, Instructor, Radford University on 2/19/19

I use this textbook in an Introduction to Communication course that covers both Communication and Mass Communication. It does a good job providing an overview of such topics such as history, process, perception, listening, verbal, nonverbal, group and other areas that align with program objectives for our academic unit. This resource ensures all students have immediate access to the content from the first day of class, and allows the instructor to focus on supplementing the material with lectures, discussions and in-class exercises. As mine is a large class I do not use the public speaking chapters. In addition, I use other resources for the Mass Communication topics because of the nature of the discipline.

The content is accurate. I have not noticed any errors, and the author has an unbiased approach to the content, with research supporting the information presented.

The text provides useful and relevant content but will need updates from those who choose to use it. Instructors need to be mindful of current events as they relate to the content. An example would be Including discussion of events such as the 2018 Charlottesville riots, during which marchers carried Nazi symbols and Confederate battle flags, which are an important coda to the "history/past-present/future dialectic” and discussion of controversy over what the Confederate flag symbolizes in the chapter dealing with Intercultural Communication. This can be achieved by updating examples in the text and providing up-to-date content in lectures. Also worth note: I was pleasantly surprised that there were fewer 404 errors than anticipated in the links to external references.

Key takeaways, definitions, highlighted and hyperlinked text provide a great resource for students navigating an introduction to the study of communication. It makes the text accessible, clear and easy to understand. Example and illustrations help communicate key points, and terms are clearly defined.

The organization helps guide readers through the content, lets students focus and organize their studies, and facilitates instructor updates. The organization of content areas into subchapters, learning objectives, key takeaways, suggested exercises, and well-cited sidebars provides a clear and consistent format for the material presented.

There is continuity in the way the text is structured, so that a linear progression through the text allows students to build on prior knowledge. At the same time, important topics have sufficient repetition and reinforcement so that instructors can effectively teach select chapters, and teach chapters out of sequence.

The order of the chapters themselves, as well as the content within chapters, provides a clear and logical presentation of the material. The content builds and extends ideas presented elsewhere in the text.

While students could use any format, I used the .epub file. Charts and images were clear, and digital reading tools made it easy to mark the text, make notes, and reference content as needed. I did not notice any problems with the interface or in navigating through the content.

I did not notice nor was I distracted by grammatical or spelling errors.

This text may limited by freely available photography; instructors should be aware that images in the text heavily features Caucasian subjects. Instructors using this text may want to specifically seek out presentation/lecture images that are more representative. Textual content and examples selected strive to be inclusive.

The textbook is appropriate for an introductory level course in communication. This is a fantastic contribution to the field and is a great resource to ensure students have affordable access to a resource that provides a solid foundation for the study of communication.

Reviewed by Merissa Bunton (Brown), Lecturer of Speech and English, Leeward Community College on 2/14/19

I plan to begin using this book for my Human Communication course. All of the topics I address are adequately covered in this text. When I began my initial review of the book, I loved the online glossary with the easy to navigate "dropdown" menu that quickly links users to the desired topics. Additionally, the learning objectives outlined at the beginning of each section are especially helpful.

The writer's adherence to inclusive language throughout the text demonstrated best practices in modern communication. No glaring errors distracted me from the content.

I appreciated that the book had two separate chapters addressing media and communication. The first of the two, Chapter 15, provided a general, history and overview of the development of media over time (especially as related to technology), theories associated with media, and a section on ethics. The second, Chapter 16, looked specifically at new media. Separating the chapters in this way, I believe, will make the book easier to update and media continues to evolve.

Clarity rating: 4

I like that the wording is approachable for most readers. I would prefer the author(s) not use "we" in the discussions because that word inherently discriminates against those who do not share the same experience as the author(s). Additionally, although key words are highlighted in the text, I would also like to see those same key words defined in the margin or at the end of chapters to help students study as they build their lexicon. The "Key Takeaways" listed at the end of each section are nice.

The writer(s) did a lovely job scaffolding the information throughout the text. Terminology was consistent.

I really appreciate the attention to detail employed when preparing the various sections of the text. As I build my resources for both my online and face to face sections I will be able to embed links easily in my online classroom and handouts for student reading/reference/discussion.

The organization of the first six chapters align exactly with the way I prefer to teach. I love being able to assign chapters to students in sequential order. The division of the two chapters about media and communication, at the end of the book, is perfect for updating. Listing learning objectives at the beginning of each section and key takeaways at the end of each chapter is extraordinarily useful.

Navigation is simple, intuitive, and user-friendly for both digital natives and digital immigrants. The option to download and print a pdf of the entire book is also helpful.

Apart from an occasional error, the book is well edited for grammar and clarity.

The book employs inclusive language throughout with no instances, I perceived, of direct cultural insensitivity.

I look forward to using this book for not only my introduction to human communication course, but as a supplementary resource for many of the English courses I teach as students approach group projects. Specifically, I plan to use the information from Chapter 5 (listening) and Chapter 13 (small group communication).

Reviewed by Valerie Young, Associate Professor, Communication, Hanover College on 1/25/19

Each chapter supports both the "typical" topics in similar breadth and depth as the traditional hybrid Intro to Communication text and I was pleasantly surprised to see the integration of topics within and between chapters. For example, rarely to Communication texts engage with the National Communication Association resources in the way that this one does. The chapters reference NCA's work in learning outcomes, skills, ethics, and employment in the field.

The content is very accurate, from my perspective and background. For instructors who find something missing, it should be easy to supplement with a journal article or two. Personally, the major content areas are fully covered and there are plenty of references to content that is omitted from other Intro texts due to space constraints. I did not notice many (any?) errors or bias in the content during my initial read. The Chapter 16 acknowledges that new tech changes occur rapidly. The author links to a personal blog (no thanks; not my favorite way to update textbook content), and the blog is not written in English.

Plenty of examples are embedded into the text, up to the Obama/2012 election era. It would be fantastic to update the political and social references again to connect with readers and contemporary examples in media.

The book is written in a conversational, approachable writing style that should be appealing to lower-level undergraduate students; it makes for an “easy read” even though chapters are broken down into several sections and the text is plenty lengthy. I could easily assign this text in a 100-200 level course without reservation, based on the clarity of writing. I don't love the occasional use of first-person language/writing, but that's a minor, personal annoyance.

Like a traditional text, each chapter begins with a list of learning outcomes; ends with takeaway summaries and a list of discussion prompts, rhetorical questions, or activities appropriate for the classroom. The learning outcomes and content is consistent with those used in the broader communication field. The text provides a broader scope for the historical framework of our discipline, couching the discipline in rhetoric, as many Intro texts mention the ancient evolution of the field (including technical and mediated communication) rather flippantly. There are not as many journal article source citations as I’d like, and it would be fantastic to link some web content or other content into the citations or as video examples earlier in the text. Some of the chapters have videos embedded; others do not.

I appreciate that the lengthy chapters are easy to divide into sections. Each section is easy to navigate on screen and would allow an instructor to divide reading assignments by chapter subsection, based on the pacing of the course reading assignments. Sometimes, reading the entire nonverbal chapter (for example) can be overwhelming; yet dividing the content into an overview, a focus on types, then competence and context makes the chapter easier to approach in subsections. Each subsection contains subheadings for readability. My complaint here is still praise: even the subsections are very detailed and lengthy. I'd much rather have too much content than too little; however, my students may feel overwhelmed if asked to read more than one or two subsection per class period. With that said, if you've ever hesitated to assign a full chapter of reading per day for fatigue reasons, this modular format will allow you to break apart each chapter and cover content as students keep up with reading subsections.

Excellent organization and flow between topics. Very similar to the previous texts I have used for this level of class. The chapters are presented in a nearly identical order. There are two topics- culture and organizational communication- that are *typically* reserved for separate chapters in other Intro texts. Here, I appreciate that concepts regarding culture and organizational communication are interwoven into several chapters, where relevant- and cultural communication and leadership development have their own chapters, as well. Makes for seamless organization (and plenty of content!).

Interface rating: 3

It is fairly easy to navigate through the pages and subheadings using links at the bottom of the pages. The subheadings would be easier to navigate if a list of chapter subheadings/content appeared on the upper left side of the screen and followed the reader, so that as I read subsection 4.3, I can easily click back to content in 4.2 and 4.4 without scrolling to the bottom of the page. (like the content dropdown menu bar, but one that follows the page and only pertains to the chapter open).This is a minor concern. I do appreciate the links embedded into the chapters; however, as I link backward or forward to content that is already covered (for example, Chapter 15 references Chapter 9; I click on the link and I'm tossed to the beginning of Chapter 9, but it's not simple to navigate back to the area of Chapter 15 where I was at). The cheesy stock photos could be improved. Chapter 16 ends rather abruptly. It would be helpful to have a final page/glossary that links and reviews each chapter's content or learning objectives.

No issues encountered

No issues encountered. I appreciate how several topics are separated out from other chapters and linked in to the chapters where appropriate. We often want our students to draw these links, but it is impossible (literally) in a print copy to do this while reading or studying. Stock photos could be improved. Additional research on under-served / under-studied and non-Western populations, also, could enhance chapters beyond cultural communication.

Reviewed by Christy Takamure, Associate Professor of Speech, CC, Leeward Community College on 1/18/19

This text clearly covers all subject areas and concepts that may be found in most communication textbooks. It is very comprehensive and does not leave out any key terms pertinent in a speech communication course yet, it does not provide too much... read more

The content is accurate, unbiased, and contains supporting research findings. Data and information are current and contextually appropriate.

The content is straightforward with clear definitions. Examples are not clearly dated so modifications or changes can be easily made to the content. Dated information can be easily added to increase relevance to your current students. After teaching communication courses for over twenty years, I have found this text to be all that you would need since you can add any of your own material to supplement the material.

Terms and concepts are clearly defined. There are appropriate explanations if jargons or technical terminology are used. It is easy to understand and straightforward. At the end of each section there are “key takeaways” which summarizes concepts to help the reader identify and remember the main points. It is the perfect text for students at all reading levels.

The textbook is written in the same format and organization from chapter-to-chapter. It is clearly organized and easy to follow. Every chapter is divided into separate sections. Each section includes the learning objectives at the very beginning; text covering the subject; a "getting real" section that connects the topics to the readers to make it more meaningful and relevant; a summary of the "key takeaways"; and exercises to engage the reader with the information.

Every chapter is divided into separate sections that allows the reader to fully comprehend the material. Each section includes the learning objectives at the very beginning; text covering the subject; a "getting real" section that connects the topics covered to the readers to make it more meaningful; a summary of the "key takeaways"; and exercises to engage the reader with the information.

The organization of the text follows a clear, consistent, and logical fashion. Learning objectives before each section helps the reader to identify the key points so that they know what to focus on. The reader will appreciate the straightforward structure of this text.

The text is clear and easy to read. Pictures and illustrations add interest and breaks up lengthy text sections. It is visually appealing.

The text is free of grammatical errors. Terms are clear and technical/jargons are defined.

At the end of each section, there are exercises to possibly use in the classroom. These exercises help to engage the reader to make the concepts more relevant to their lives to make it more meaningful. My student population is very diverse and the exercises allows for open discussions and self-reflections.

I have been teaching communication courses for over twenty years and was ecstatic to discover this textbook that is comprehensive and satisfies the learning outcomes of my communication course. I am certain that my colleagues will appreciate this textbook because of its simplicity, compatibility, and accessibility.

Reviewed by Jonathan Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 1/16/19

This textbook offers a broad look at communication theory, particularly through a rhetorical lens. While the social scientific theoretical side may be a bit lacking, the book makes up for this in the breadth of topics it covers. I appreciated the depth at which it covers issues related to public speaking, like communication competence, speech anxiety, and outline and organizing speeches.

The book definitely has some weak areas, especially as communication theory connects with other social science disciplines like psychology and sociology. However, for introductory communication courses, there are few things that are of concern.

Most of the content of this text is and will be useful for all freshman communication courses for the foreseeable future. The focus is generally on timeless ways humans have connected.

While the content is rich and broad, the overall sense when reading the text is that it's a firehose of content: the reader is often pummeled with term after term. Often, I find that the best communication texts are those that are more narrative in style, which helps many freshman connect with new terms and ideas, especially when they should be connected to what we see in everyday life.

The structure of the book is solid and consistent across chapters. Especially helpful are the key takeaway blocks at the end of every sub-chapter. These unfailingly offer strong summary statements of the important points for each page.

While the text as a whole is too large to be assigned in a semester-long class, the chapters are divided into easily assigned readings that can be arranged as necessary.

I think that as a whole the organization works, although the communication theory - public speaking sections don't seem to mesh well together. One point that I appreciated about this book was that they included the research chapter before the chapter headings on speech organization and outlining. It's a pet peeve of mine when public speaking textbooks begin with organization and outlining and then treat research as a supplemental procedure to support your ideas after you've decided what you want to say.

Overall the text interface is fine and is easy to navigate. When it comes to images, some of the free images used are less than ideal. I would also find a further grounding in actual data and graphs to be more useful than some of the generic imagery.

There are a few typos here and there, but nothing too shocking.

I think the text is acceptable, however there is much to be improved with the strength of examples provided.

This is a decent textbook for communication theory/public speaking hybrid courses. I think it's a solid starting point, but I tend to supplement with my own materials, particularly when it comes to anything on perception or social psychology. I also tend to supplement with a lot of my own material for the persuasion section. However, the public speaking sections are fairly strong as well as the work on interpersonal and group communication. If a bit more work is put into the graphics and images, this book would be much stronger!

Reviewed by Kelly Young, Associate Professor, Wayne State University on 11/30/18

The text does a nice job of discussing most of the common communication areas covered in other similar textbooks. I wish the text would include discussion of health communication and public and personal persuasion or influence, as I feel that the... read more

Content appears to be accurate and error-free. The examples are benign and do not suggest any bias.

I enjoyed the numerous examples given throughout the book. I felt as though they were timely but not obsolete. The content was similarly up-to-date. Not much of the material is at risk of being dated other than the chapter on mass media and technology. However, at this moment, the material seems current, but that could change in a few years.

Clarity in prose and structure is one of the greatest strengths of this textbook. The prose is straightforward and defines keywords in easily understandable ways. The short sections within each unit aids reading comprehension, as each section covers one main idea rather than several concepts or keywords.

The text does not appear inconsistent in its use of terms or framework.

Another strength of this textbook is how well it is organized into smaller units. Each chapter consists of 3 or more units, which allows an instructor to include or exclude units given the flavor of the course. The internal organization of the units are very nicely broken into separate sections that focus on one central idea at a time without significant self-reference.

The individual chapters are well organized. I like how the units within the chapters are organized, in that there is usually a broad opening unit, then a discussion of key concepts, how communication problems occur, then a ‘how to improve your communication’ units. This is very helpful if your aim is to teach a broad course to improve many facets of students’ communication. I do not find this as helpful if you aim is to teach an open survey of communication theory course, but the “improvement” units could be avoided in that case. I found the placement of the public speaking chapters odd. I know the opening of the book lists 5 “forms” of communication (really, they are levels, not forms) and the organizational choice follow these levels. However, given the specificity of these units and how out of place they are with the nature of the survey of the field, it might make sense for them to be located at the end of the book.

In terms of its production value, the book has clean imagines and is well constructed. It is easy to navigate given its table of contents. Hyperlinked table of contents to the chapters and units would be a nice feature, but the lack of it does not seem to limit the book.

The textbook appears to use proper grammar and is free of writing mistakes.

I did not encounter any material that I deemed insensitive or offensive. Indeed, I appreciated that the textbook, in several of its “improving communication competence” units, went out of its way to suggest how students’ can correct their culturally insensitivity or offensive remarks. The only shortcoming of the text in this regard is that most of the communication discipline, we date the beginning of the study of communication to ancient Greece rather than earlier Egyptian culture. But that’s a much wider cultural bias of our field and not unique to this textbook.

This is a very good textbook if you are teaching a hybrid public speaking/communication competence course. Each chapter contains at least one unit that stresses how to improve communication in the 5 “forms” of communication outlined in the first chapter of the book. Also, the book would work well as an introductory survey to communication theory text if you chose to avoid the improvement units and much of the public speaking chapters. I wish the text included more about persuasion theory (either from humanistic or social science perspectives). If it did, it would be a stronger introductory survey book. However, if you are interested in teaching an introduction to the field of communication studies course, the text’s lack of discussion of research perspectives, communication research questions, or the research process at all would require the instructor to include supplemental material in these areas. I wish Chapter 3 on verbal language included more rhetorical/humanistic notions like framing, metaphors, symbolic action, constitutive effect, etc. I was surprised that it lacked this material.

Reviewed by Yuxiang Du, Assistant Professor, Fort Hays State University on 11/29/18

This textbook is more comprehensive than the ones I have used in my basic course classes. It is an ideal textbook for these hybrid courses (interpersonal and public speaking). I am very impressed with its scope and comprehensiveness. Within each topic (chapter), you can find most of important and relevant concepts and theories covered. The challenge for instructors and students might be getting through all the materials in each chapter within a week. However, it is better to have more materials to choose from than having less.

The authors did a great job in achieving accuracy in the text. Theories and concepts covered in the book were accurately cited and discussed.

It is clear to me that the authors made an effort to make this book relevant for students by including examples and stories that the students could relate to. Many of these examples are real world ones which could help students to apply what they learned in real life. These “getting real”, “getting critical”, and “getting plugged in” sections are quite helpful in this regard. As for longevity, there are some dated references and historical timelines in the book that should be updated in the future.

The authors were very clear and straightforward in their writing.

The book showed great consistency in writing, chapter characteristics (length, details), tones, and flow.

Other than the first chapter, each chapter covers a different topic with chapters covering related topics located together. It is easy to pick a chapter or a group of chapters for a particular topic.

Placing public communication related chapters in the middle of the book is somewhat different from the ones I have used before. Usually you would find these chapters located at the end of the book. I also find four chapters are not enough for public speaking centered courses. At least, separate informative and persuasive speaking in two chapters.

I am satisfied with its interface. The only problem I have experienced is the hyperlinked materials in the book. I used a digital PDF copy and found that after I clicked and viewed a photo or a video, it could only return to the title page, not where I clicked in the text.

I have not detected grammatical errors.

The authors’ effort in promoting cultural relevance in the book should be praised. The chapter on culture and communication was well written and consisted of important concepts and examples that could help students to build their cultural competence. The notion of culture and culture as a context was also frequently mentioned and discussed in other chapters such as verbal communication and communication in relationships.

This book is a good textbook option for communication basic courses especially hybrid courses. Its comprehensiveness and real world examples can help students to understand basic communication concepts and apply them in real world situations. My only suggestion is to increase the portion on public speaking.

Reviewed by Stacie Mariette, Mass Communication instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 6/19/18

This textbook is very comprehensive. I have used it in my Intro to Communication Studies (both seated and online sections) for two semesters. I always omit a few chapters because it is so comprehensive and is too detailed for this particular... read more

And that's a great thing!

Additional details and thought-provoking comments come up in class discussions and papers, based on the depth and context of the textbook. It also prompts thoughtful research into the solid concepts that are covered in our reading, week to week. I really like this textbook for this reason!

This textbook is very accurate. I used a hard-copy resource previously and all the theories, models and concepts – and then some – are covered in this book... and covered quite thoroughly!

This textbook is fabulously relevant in terms of the tried-and-true concepts and the bulk of it will hold up quite nicely, I predict. But some examples and language are a bit dated when it comes to technology as our language evolves so quickly for our online culture (e.g., "flaming" vs. "trolling"). The technology references often are not embedded in the text, but rather in the discussion questions at the end of each chapter and as standalone chapters toward the end of the textbook. A savvy move, making it easy for those of us who may update/remix the OER itself, but the core chapter readings occasionally seem a bit flat without the inclusion of these up-to-date examples.

The writing is clear and very easy to follow. The bulleted lists and charts with tips and guidelines for real-life communication scenarios are definitely the easiest to follow.

In fact, the information is a bit dense/prose-heavy in the chapters without these visual aids, which may be intimidating for some students (despite the ease of reading overall). The subheads do break up the topics well and the images lighten things up, as well.

The consistency of this book is great. I knew just what to expect from the beginning in terms of the format of the chapters/sub-chapters. I like the end-of-chapter discussion questions and summaries and use them frequently when refreshing my memory from semester-to-semester or after a break as I head into lectures.

I teach this textbook in a different from the textbook and that's OK! I only do it because I teach public speaking early in the semester. This book is so modular, though, it's very easy to tailor to the flow of your own course. It does refer readers to different chapters within the text itself from time to time, so beware of that if you remix the chapters in your PDF (or other type of file) to be in the same order as your syllabus.

The book is easy to follow and the sub-chapters make it easy to assign reading to line up with specific topics/class presentations or to mix and match the content for tailoring your own readings.

The only thing on my wishlist is that technology topics be more integrated into the core of each chapter, rather than at the end of each. (Though I see the practical reasons, for update purposes, with how quickly technology evolves.)

For example, Chapter 2 covers online self-presentation in a call-out box at the end of the chapter, but online personas on Instagram/Facebook are often the conversation starter my students need on the topic of impression management. Chapter 6 handles social media and self-disclosure in a similar way – and, again, these online examples are where my students most often and most readily draw comparisons to their real lives when we chat in person.

Online use is very easy. My students typically review the PDF because they can view it on their phones. The links within the Table of Contents easily jumps them from topic to topic. The PDF file itself is a quick download in most cases. I haven't ever had an issue providing it on my learning portal to my students.

The images are black-and-white-print-out-conscious and don’t lose any of their meaning when my budget-conscious students don't want to pay to print a color copy. I love this … it's the small things, right?

I was a copy editor for many years so I am hard-wired to notice grammatical errors. I haven't seen any in this textbook. This makes for an added level of credibility and expertise and clearly indicates that the authors put in the time and care needed.

I also appreciated the tips in the textbook for editing written communication, as they're the same tips I have always shared with my students.

This book does an excellent job of being culturally aware and relevant – and not just in the Cultural Communication chapter. For example, Chapter 2 covers self-perception in individualistic vs. collectivistic societies and over racial/gender differences. Chapter 3, on Language, covers neologisms and slang (an important, fast-moving part of my students' lives). Chapter 4 covers language as culture examples from many countries – some that I hadn't heard before! The book also covers accent bias, code-switching and other real-life examples that my students (particularly those who are bilingual) experience daily. The LGBTQ+/same-sex marriage sections are a bit outdated, due to the publication date of the version of this book that I've been using.

If you have previously used any of the most popular and often-used Comm Studies books, you won't be disappointed. I love this book, both for how it supports the courses I had previously developed and also for how it adds to them with new concepts and examples. The online availability is a big benefit for my students and they let me know how much they appreciate the free option every semester. Even those who print hard copies find that the cost is comparably low, as well.

Reviewed by Heidi Croatt, Professor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 5/21/18

I appreciate the comprehensiveness of this text. In addition to including all of the typical topics taught in an introductory hybrid course, the text includes chapters on mass media and technology, as well as how new media impacts our self and our relationships. These topics are increasingly important for students in Communication courses, and I'm happy to see it included in this text.

All content is consistent with well-known and credible research for each topic.

The content is relevant for today's students. There are some examples that might date the content to the 2000's and 2010's, but I don't anticipate that being a problem in the near future. While I appreciate the addition of the media chapters, those will need to be updated more frequently to reflect our evolving technological and social world. Finally, some links throughout the text do not work which can be frustrating for students and give the perception that the text is not up-to-date.

The accessible prose is one of the most attractive features of this text. For students in an introductory course, the text needs to be readable and interesting. The language used to discuss most of the topics is academic yet informal. I think students will appreciate and enjoy the colloquial approach throughout the text.

There is consistency throughout this text. Each chapter is framed similarly which makes it user-friendly and easy to read. I like the learning objectives to start each chapter, and the key takeaways and exercises at the end of each chapter. Some chapters have more images and links than others. The ones with more included media are likely preferred by students.

This is a big textbook, with some long chapters. However, the sub-headings make it easy to assign certain topics at different points throughout the course. It would be fairly easy to rearrange chapters, and even some topics within chapters, without disrupting the reading flow for students.

I am used to teaching the Introductory course in a different order than it is presented in this textbook. I think many instructors rearrange the topics in this course to meet their scheduling needs, assignment needs, and individual preferences. So while I would reorder the chapters, I find this textbook to be in line with existing Intro textbooks.

I appreciate the interface of this text and the different options for reading. Moving from chapter to chapter, or topic to topic is easy with this interface. Some of the links do not work, though.

The text contains no significant grammatical errors.

A variety of perspectives are included in this text, and the language is inclusive. Like most other texts, it could include more diversity in authors quotes, images used, and videos presented.

This is a very good option for an Introductory course textbook. I would have no hesitation adopting this book and I believe students would benefit from the comprehensive content, user-friendliness, and cost savings.

Reviewed by Courtney Anderegg, Assistant Professor, George Fox University on 3/27/18

This text appears to cover all general areas and ideas within the communication field appropriate for an introductory level course. Although the goal of an introductory text is to provide just that -- an introduction -- I felt as though some topics were too surface-level and could have benefitted from a bit more detail. There is not an index or glossary, but I cannot speak to how often those are used in online texts, particularly when the text can be downloaded as a PDF and searched.

The text appears accurate and includes credible, relevant sources.

I feel as though the textbook content is up-to-date and has high relevance, as well as potential for longevity. Some areas of the text will need to be updated (e.g., current examples used), but that is par for the course. It seems as though the text is arranged in such a way that necessary updates will be relatively easy to implement.

The text is written in lucid, accessible prose with a college student audience in mind. Jargon is adequately defined. In teaching my students the benefit of using non-technical language in their essays and speeches, I point to the language used in the textbook as a good example.

The text appears to have high internal consistency in the terminology used throughout. Additionally, I appreciated the consistency in chapter organization from start to finish.

I appreciate the ability to assign smaller sections of this text without it reading as if my students have missed something. Given that the PDF of the text is 800+ pages, I do not want my students reading this text from cover to cover. Therefore, assigning small sections has been beneficial to making it more digestible for my students.

The overall organization, structure, and flow of the text is fine. However, I do not like how closely formatted some of the headings/subheadings are. It can often be difficult for my students to determine whether a section is a heading or subheading (or sub-subheading).

I really like the online interface. The PDF is a bit unwieldy, but that's to be expected due to its size.

I did not find any grammatical issues during my review.

In general, I did not find the text to be culturally insensitive or offensive. However, it could strive to be a bit more diverse in its examples and in choosing the individuals to include in photographs throughout the text.

Reviewed by Candice Thomas-Maddox, Professor, Ohio University Lancaster on 2/1/18

The text contains 16 chapters that cover all of the basic content typically included in most of the well-known hybrid introductory communication textbooks currently on the market. Each section/topic area within each of the chapters begin with its own set of objectives that provide students with an overview of the topics to be covered - these could also serve as useful study questions for exams. In addition to the concepts and theories presented in each chapter, the text includes text boxes that encourage students to apply content to contemporary examples - each box concludes with Discussion Questions that could be assigned as homework or utilized in online course formats for virtual discussions. Each of the 3-4 sections within each chapter concludes with its own summary (Key Takeaways) and 2-3 suggested activities for students to apply the content during in-class assignments or completed out-of-class. The format of the text provides sufficient content to cover a 16-week class in either face-to-face or online contexts.

All of the content included in the chapters appears to be accurate. Information from both a historical perspective and contemporary research is included to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the topic. At the conclusion of each topic area within each chapter, 8-20 references are provided to allow students to conduct additional research on the topic. These sources range from scholarly journal articles to contemporary news articles published in the popular press to expose students to a variety of sources on each topic area.

Descriptions of the concepts and theories are relevant and applicable to the majority of students - regardless of their status (traditional/non-traditional), age, or other demographic distinctions that contribute to class diversity. Areas that may need periodic updates include the text boxes that are dedicating to providing contemporary examples of topics covered within the chapter. Overall, the text provides a solid foundation of the core concepts that instructors could easily apply contemporary examples as they tailor the course to meet the specific needs of their own student populations. While the discussion questions are written in a way that appeals to a diverse student population, they may occasionally need to be updated to address contemporary issues.

The clarity of the writing style of the text is one of its strongest selling points. Concepts are defined/described in layman's terms that most students can easily relate to their own experiences. Examples that are provided are relatable to the the majority of students. While the key concepts are highlighted in blue font, it would be useful if the text also included a Glossary that students could quickly access by clicking on hyperlinks within the chapters. A unique feature of the book is that topics covered in later chapters (e.g., Media) include a discussion of how the information is related to topics covered in earlier chapters in the text - hyperlinks are provided within the text to direct students back to the earlier chapters for a review/recall of content.

Students will be pleased to find that each chapter is organized and presented in a consistent manner. Each chapter begins with Learning Objectives, followed by content (with key terms highlighted), and concludes with a contemporary example highlighted in a textbox with discussion questions and a chapter summary. Topics are presented in a way so that they build on one another - there is a logical progression from one chapter topic to the next. As mentioned before, chapters that appear later in the text include hyperlinks to direct students back to earlier content - this helps showcase the connections between content areas.

A unique feature of this text is that each chapter is organized into distinct subsections that allow instructors to "select/choose" which topics they want to include in their class. For schools where students may also be taking a separate public speaking class, there is just enough information in the four (4) chapters on the topic to provide them with the necessary foundation to understand the key elements of speeches. Instructors can pick and choose the sections within these (and other) chapters to include. If an instructor wishes to alter the order in which the chapters are included in the course schedule, they can be interchanged or assigned in any order without altering the flow of the text.

While most introductory human communication texts place the public speaking chapters at the end of the book (to allow instructors to skip over them if students are already required to take a separate public speaking class), this text includes the speech chapters in the middle (Chapter 9-12) before covering topics such as small group communication and media in the last four chapters. While the chapter/topic order may not strictly adhere to the typical format of most communication textbooks on the market, this is not a "deal-breaker" when adopting this text because chapters can be presented in any format desired without impacting the readability and flow of the text.

All of the charts, hyperlinks to articles included in the reference lists, and the photos appeared to be clear and in working order. Some of the photos appear to be somewhat dated, but this could be viewed as a positive feature for ensuring the longevity of the book. It does not require frequent revisions to the photos. It might be beneficial to include more "SmartArt" that graphically represents/lists/summarizes the core concepts to appeal to visual learners using charts or tables.

The writing style is clear and concise without excessive examples or confusing details. It is written in a conversational tone that students can easily relate to as they consider how the concepts apply to their own personal examples. No writing or grammatical errors were discovered during my review.

Examples and content covered in the book are respectful of diversity. I would not consider any of the content to be culturally insensitive or offensive. Topics that are of a sensitive nature are presented in a fair and objective way to encourage students to think critically about the communication implications (e.g., hate speech, culturally sensitive language choices, ethical decisions associated with communicating with diverse others). The core content provides a foundation that instructors can build upon as they address diversity topics that are directly relevant to their own student populations. While there is diversity represented in the photos included in the text, it could provide a more comprehensive reflection of diversity (cultural, racial, age, economic).

Reviewed by Jade Olson, Lecturer, University of Maryland on 2/1/18

This book offers a comprehensive treatment of key areas of communication studies. It is an appropriate introduction to the discipline, and would be suitable for an introduction to communication theory course, a public speaking course, or a hybrid model. It covers foundations of communication theory (perception, language and meaning, etc.) as well as a chapter each on listening, interpersonal, nonverbal, verbal, small group, leadership, media, and new media. As well, it offers several chapters oriented toward public/presentational speaking, covering the preparation and delivery of oral presentations in a variety of contexts. It does not contain an index or glossary, but given that most students will access it in a format that allows for a text search, this is not necessarily a major issue. It would benefit from a chapter on communication apprehension/anxiety -- this is treated very briefly toward the end of Chapter 1.

The book is accurate when it comes to objective aspects of communication theory and practice -- in other words, I found almost nothing to be blatantly incorrect, and did not perceive any overt political biases. (The one blatantly incorrect sentence is: "The term transgender includes other labels such as transsexual, transvestite, cross-dresser, and intersex, among others" in Chapter 8). I appreciate that there is a chapter dedicated to communication and culture, prompting students to consider the rest of the book's contents (as well as their own work) through the lens of social constructivism and to think critically about their own biases. Yet, it (like most communication textbooks) is reflective of the dominant western worldview when it comes to concepts like persuasion and reasoning.

The book is relatively up-to-date, though some political references are already somewhat outdated. For example, the first subsection is entitled, "From Aristotle to Obama: A Brief History of Communication." Updating references like these would be very easy to implement. The book's author offers to supplement the chapter on new media on his personal website, but when I followed the included link the site did not load. This chapter in particular already feels a bit outdated -- in the section on new media and interpersonal relationships there is no mention of Snapchat or Instagram (Twitter and Facebook are referenced), and I suspect that students may already find the book to be out of touch in this regard. Table 8.3, displaying "Developments Related to Sexuality, Identity, and Communication" needs to be updated to include the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges and other recent events.

The writing is clear and accessible for students who are reading at an appropriate college level. Jargon is explained well. My students enjoy the author's use of the first person in many cases, telling anecdotes in plain language that illustrate and animate the concepts being discussed in a more immediate way.

The text maintains consistent vocabulary and structural frameworks. I have not found any internal inconsistencies in the book's language use or explanation of theories/concepts. There are a couple of minor inconsistencies that should not impede student understanding (e.g., references to the "Gay Rights Movement" and also to the "gay and lesbian rights movement").

The book is highly modular. I have adapted it for use in a public speaking course in which my students are reading the chapters related to presentational speaking as well as those on listening and culture. They have read the chapters, and in some cases the sections, out of order with no problem. The book is rarely self-referential, and when it is, the reader does not need to have internalized much of the section being referred to in order to understand the present section.

The structure flows logically. It can be understood as unfolding in six major sections that make sense sequentially or in modules: foundations (Chapters 1-2), basic components of the communication process (Chapters 3-5), communication in context (Chapters 6-8), presentational/public speaking (Chapters 9-12), communicating in groups/organizations (Chapters 13-14), and media (Chapters 15-16).

I have not encountered any problems with the book's interface. I have read it online and downloaded the PDF with no such issues.

The text contains no grammatical errors that I am aware of.

The book strives for cultural relevance and, for the most part, achieves it. In the photographs, people depicted are overwhelmingly white, which is a strike against it in terms of representing communicators from a variety of racial/ethnic backgrounds. I would like to see updates to the section on sexuality, as the standards for inclusive language in this arena change rapidly and the text does currently utilize terms that many consider to be problematic such as "homosexual" (the text explains that this word "can be appropriate in some instances, but it carries with it a clinical and medicalized tone" -- I would argue that the word is not considered appropriate in any context except an historical one). I would also suggest that the large image of the Confederate flag is not a necessary inclusion in section 8.3 -- as a hate symbol, this could be jarring to many readers, to say the least. Finally, the text does occasionally utilize ableist language (e.g., an example speech topic in Chapter 9 is "My Craziest Adventure").

My students have expressed positive reviews of this text. On the whole, they find it to be relevant, accessible, and straightforward. They especially appreciate the author's use of personal observations and stories from the classroom. I have identified in my comments above a few changes that I think would be useful in bringing the text up-to-date and making it more inclusive, and I think instructors who value inclusivity and recency can easily supplement their syllabi and lessons to fill these gaps. In general I do recommend this text, and I find it superior to comparable books from for-profit textbook companies that I have reviewed.

Reviewed by Jessica Martin, Professor, Portland Community College on 8/15/17

After reviewing this text, I believe that it does provide an effective index and glossary. The table of contents are easily able to be found at the very beginning of the online textbook. What is especially nice is that you can easily click over back to the table of contents when you are in the middle of the textbook, making it easy to flip around and move from section to section. I found it helpful that at the beginning of each chapter, the textbook provides a "Learning Objectives" section, where one can easily read what the expected learning outcomes are for the chapter. This will make it easy for both the Professor and the students as to what they are expected to get out of each chapter. I also believe that this textbook accurately covers all necessary areas of Comm 100, as I currently teach this class with a physical book copy that covers the same chapters.

After reviewing the online textbook, I do believe that the information to be accurate. The text accurately covers all of the same type of content that is also covered in my textbook. I wasn't able to notice nearly any errors at all within the text, which was great. What I do especially appreciate about the accuracy of this text is that at the end of each section within each chapter, it has a "Key Takeaways" section, as well as a section for "Exercises." The Key Takeaways section discusses specific terms for students to remember, and the Exercises section is helpful for Professors, as they can use these exercises to create in-class activities.

I do believe that this textbook is up to date, especially because it has incorporated the Chapter titled "New Media and Communication," which a lot of the physical copies similar to this text (Comm 100) have incorporated as well based off of the evolving technology.

I believe that the text is written in lucid, accessible prose, and also provides adequate context for any jargon/technical terminology that is used. They stuck to the appropriate content for the text and everything flowed well.

I compared this text to the other text that I am using to teach my course, and it appeared to be consistent to that. There were no confusing terms that were used and everything made sense.

There are definitely no enormous blocks of texts without subheadings for this textbook. Each section is divided up appropriately and is also easy to follow along with. I found that everything flew together very nicely. Any time that the author goes into discussion of something new, there is a clear header to identify that.

This text is divided up similarly to the physical textbook that I am using to teach this course this summer. Everything is organized well and is easy to follow along with.

I do not believe that the text has any type of navigation issues. The navigation is easy to use, and it is simply to get from chapter to chapter. One thing I did notice is that it would have been more effective to have more charts available for different topics such as the communication process, non-verbal communication, and so fourth.

I was not able to identity any grammatical errors within this textbook.

I believe that this textbook is not culturally intensive in any way. The chapter that focuses on culture and communication included a variety of examples that are inclusive to a variety of races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. All of the other chapters were culturally sensitive as well, as they did not include any inappropriate terminology.

Reviewed by Scott Dunn, Associate Professor, Radford University on 4/11/17

This textbook covers virtually all of the main topics I would expect to see in an introductory communication textbook. The only exception I noted is that there is no chapter on organizational communication, although they do discuss communication... read more

If anything some sections of the book are a little TOO comprehensive. The book itself is quite long, as are the individual chapters. Some chapters go into so much depth they almost feel like they don't belong in a general introductory textbook. For instance, the chapters on media feel like they could come from an introduction to media textbook. Of course, it's a good thing that the book is so comprehensive, but I could see students getting overwhelmed by the length of the chapters.

Likewise, the four chapters on public speaking would be the good basis for a public speaking textbook, but they feel a little out of place here. The rest of the book feels like it's designed for a lecture-based survey course, but the public speaking chapters are very prescriptive, seemingly designed for the kind of class where students are giving their own speeches. I wonder if the book might be too much of a survey for standard basic courses, but with too much emphasis on public speaking for survey courses.

In the PDF version, there is no glossary or index.

I did not note any outright factual errors or bias. There are, of course, some things that are open to interpretation, such as when the author goes into a historical perspective. Some people would likely disagree with the way the author divides up the eras of human history, but the book does make a good argument for the way it divides them up.

There are a few minor instances of outdated information. For instance, Table 8.3 provides a history of acceptance of the LGBT community, but stops with the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, suggesting that it was written before the recent Supreme Court cases recognizing same-sex marriages. Of course, that's not the author's fault, just the result of the book being a few years old.

I actually expected that the media chapters would have outdated information, but they turned out to be surprisingly up-to-date. The author must have been up-to-date enough at the time the book was published that it hasn't gotten dated.

The book is generally clear and easy to follow. It can be a little dry at times, but no more than any other textbook.The book does a good job of introducing major communication theories, but not nearly enough to overwhelm the students.

I didn't note any inconsistencies in the book.

I have actually used chapters from this book to complement another text in a media-heavy introductory class, so I can say from experience that the chapters work fine on their own. Even within chapters, the shorter subdivisions could be used to direct students to exactly what you want them to read.

Besides the chapters possibly being too long, I don't see any organizational problems.

Using the PDF version, I did note occasional white space between text and pictures, but I think that's unavoidable. I also noticed at least one instance in which a pictures was on one page and its caption was on the next page.

No problems that I saw

I found the book to be culturally sensitive. The book acknowledges the importance of culture to communication throughout.

I think this is about as good as any of the other introductory textbooks on the market. The coverage of media is much better than I've seen in other similar books. If you were using the book in a lecture-based survey class, the public speaking chapters probably wouldn't fit, but since it's an open textbook that's no loss.

Reviewed by Mackenzie Krzmarzick, Communication Instructor, Anoka-Ramsey Community College on 4/11/17

Overall, the comprehensiveness of this text is one of the main characteristics that attracted me to it. When teaching the communication studies basic course (interpersonal + public speaking + small group), textbooks often fall short in one or more of the three topics usually taught in the course, perhaps due to limited space. This text is quite a bit longer than other texts I have used for the basic course, which gives it a greater chance to cover topics in more detail and provides me the opportunity to choose which topics (and how much of which topic) I want to cover in my courses (more so than other texts that only offer a limited discussion of topics). I also appreciate the inclusion of Chapters 15 and 16 about media, which are not always a part of similar texts from publishers.

I did not come across any info that contradicted what I know to be true about the field of communication studies. In addition, I appreciate the care the author took to incorporate credible outside sources and document them (in-text and reference page at the end of each chapter section).

Most of the chapters in this text likely have a reasonable level of longevity. The main chapters that I think will likely need revisions sooner than others are the chapters about media. However, it would be difficult to address the topic of media without needing revisions in the near future, so I do not see this as a weakness of the text. In addition, a few examples in the public speaking chapters (such as a sample speech outline about "going green") could use updates later on, as well.

The author's choice to use words such as "we" and "you" while explaining concepts helps the prose to be more understandable to the reader. However, more complex vocabulary is also used throughout, which can be a benefit or a deterrent, depending on the student population. Because I teach at a community college, my students have a wide range of reading comprehension. For example, they may look at pages 455-456 of the text and see the headings "systematic desensitization" and "cognitive restructuring" and feel overwhelmed, thinking that if they don't understand the heading, then they won't understand the rest of the text in that section. Contrastingly, students with higher reading level may enjoy this feature of the text.

Even though interpersonal/group communication are topics that are often discussed in a different way than public speaking, this author did a nice job of maintaining a consistent writing style throughout. Likewise, reading one chapter gave me an idea of what to expect when reading another.

The modularity of this text was designed in an effective manner. Because this text is longer than many texts produced through publishers (a nice benefit of this text), the length of the text required that the longer chapters be broken into smaller sub-chapters. I find this useful because I may not use the entire chapter and having the chapters broken into sub-chapters helps me to tell students on which parts of the chapter they should focus their attention. It appears as though the author has taken care to determine which sub-topics within chapters make the most sense to be their own sub-chapters.

If I were to use this text to teach my intro to communication basic course, I would likely teach the chapters in a different order than they are presented here. For example, I would teach Chapter 8 after Chapter 2 and Chapters 15/16 after Chapter 8. It's not too much of a problem to just around in the text like that, but I have found that it does tend to confuse students a little.

Aside from the order of the chapters, the content within the chapters does flow well and has been organized with care.

I appreciate that this text can be read on a cell phone (I think that will motivate more students to read it). I printed the text and noticed that students will need a 3" binder for it (something I would want to point out in my syllabus if I were to adopt this text). I did notice that when I printed the text, some of the pictures were too dark and printed in such a way that it was difficult to tell what the picture was showing.

I did not come across any grammatical errors during my review and the writing is done in a very professional manner.

While the content does not appear to be biased or insensitive/offensive, only about 1/3 of the photos of people in the text represented racial diversity (which likely isn't the author's intention; there may have been limited options for open-source images to use in the text). However, this representation of diversity was actually higher than some of the other texts I have been sent by publishers recently. In fact, the explanations and examples throughout the text show that the author has taken care to discuss culture in a fair and accurate manner.

Now that I have reviewed this text and considered each of the items in this review, plus the benefit to my students, I have decided to adopt this text for Fall 2017. I appreciate the hard work and efforts of this author to provide such a high-quality open education resource for students to use.

Reviewed by Shelby Bell, Faculty, North Hennepin Community College on 4/11/17

This text is designed for an introduction to communication course, but I am reviewing it as a possible text for an introduction to Interpersonal Communication course. For this purpose the text provides a useful foundation in communication theory in research, covering communication models and various skillsets. For an intro to IP comm course the book, when compared to texts designed for that purpose, lacks research on specific fields of interpersonal communication, such as "Family," "Friends," "Workplace," and "Romantic Relationships." Even without these chapters I would use this book for an IP comm course as the benefits of an open textbook outweigh the missing chapters and I feel I could use supplemental materials to cover that information.

The text book does not have supplemental materials, an index, or glossary, which might make it more difficult to use for an intro to IP comm course if one is new to the material. However, the text is downloadable in several formats and is thus searchable negating the need for an index or glossary.

The book includes the key information on communication research and theory for an introduction to communications course. Much of this information would overlap with the needs of an Introduction to Interpersonal Communication course, though some specific terms, concepts, and theories may need to be supplemented by the instructor to adapt the text for that purpose.

This book may not be the most "up to date" but in many senses I don't think it should be as an introduction to the field. Most major perspectives in Comm are covered and an experienced instructor could easily build on the foundation laid out in the book to discuss recent research and developments. In this way, I believe the book presents a solid foundation for communication studies students.

I think the book it quite accessible. In comparison to the more expensive books it lacks the up to date media and cultural examples that make reading more engaging for many students. Overall, I actually see the lack of these examples a strong suit of the book as it is not easily dated.

The framework of the book is internally consistent, though I think it takes on too much to have true consistency. Compared to similar books on the market for introductory textbooks I think it may cover a bit too much to provide real consistency. For example, Chapters 1-8 provide common topics for an intro to comm course and cover different places/venues for communication, then Chapters 9-12 serve as a public speaking manual before returning to the kind of overview format for Chapters 13-16. However, as the book is totally free for students this would not at all prohibit me from assigning the book as I can easily choose not to assign those chapters.

Modularity rating: 3

Each chapter has 3-4 subheadings, but the chapters span as many as 50 pages. I think more sub-headings would make the book more approachable, especially for students still learning study skills or who are returning to the classroom later in life. I would mitigate this by discussing reading strategies with my students and assigning the chapters in smaller pieces.

I think the text is as logical and organized as a very broad overview can be. The problem is one of all texts which cover such a broad field.

I downloaded a PDF file of the text and have had no interface issues.

I have not noted a distracting number of erros.

The book is not culturally insensitive or offensive. As an instructor I would add examples to present the topics with more emphasis on social and racial justice than that text.

I think this book could be adapted for many intro-level communication courses. One concern I have is that I would want a hard copy for myself and at 752 pages printing is cost-prohibitive. I've read about instructors working with bookstores to loan out hard-copies of open texts when the copyright allows but with this text the sheer number of pages would make that difficult.

Reviewed by Galyn Carlile, Currently Adjunct Professor, Dean Emeritus, Former Chief Academic Officer, Rogue Community College, Grants Pass OR 97527 on 4/11/17

I currently teach both SP100 Basic Communication and SP 218 Interpersonal Communication and I feel the material is comprehensive enough that with modification and shuffling of chapter modules I could manage to use it for both courses. read more

I feel the content is quit accurate the only concern is that many of the references are to somewhat dated material.: Example: "In fact, since the systematic study of communication began in colleges and universities a little over one hundred years ago, there have been more than 126 published definitions of communication (Dance & Larson, 1976).

Actually I think that the material is very well written in such a way that the instructor using it could rather easily con-temporize the content with supplemental material.

I very much like the content for the fact that it uses contemporary speak rather the egocentric academic jargon.

Very good flow from topic to topic!

Very well compiled and I could easily cherry pic content and flow.

Easy to follow transitions with well defined connections.

Same as stated above - well put together.

Seemed fine to me -but I may not be the judge!

I found no problems here!

I really do believe I could use this material in both intro and interpersonal courses.

Reviewed by Denise Tallakson, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/15/17

Comprehensive Individualized Curriculum and Instructional Design: Curriculum and Instruction for Students with Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorders covers a wide range of topics related to working with students with developmental disabilities and ASD. There is no index or glossary but the chapter titles are clear and relate to the overall topic of the textbook.

The content in this textbook is accurate and research based. There are many reputable sources that are referenced and the information supports current information on the Autism Spectrum Disorder.

The content is up-to-date, but many of the links were not accessible, which made it hard to get the additional information needed. If those links were updated it would make the text more relevant.

The text is clear and easy to follow, in particular Chapters 1-4. There are some technical terminology used but there are always explanations included. The specific behavioral examples given helped bring clarity and made it easy for teachers to see how to implement the plan with their own students. The templates and charts provided would be useful for educators to use as provided or to adapt to meet their individual needs.

The first part of the textbook was very consistent and had a nice flow. It seemed to change with the information regarding the use of technology. Chapter 5 read more like a technical manual with directions of how to use the technology for adaptive purposes.

The textbook is set up very well so that smaller reading sections could be used in courses. Each chapter has a complete topic that could be used in isolation. Together they offer a cohesive picture of working with students with special needs.

The textbook has a nice flow and starts off with the most comprehensive chapter that sets the tone for the rest of the book. The last two chapters seem the most different, but do offer important information regarding communication and technology.

The only interface problems I found is that some of the links are not live and may be inaccessible. For some chapters that seemed to be a lot of content that may be missing.

There were no grammatical errors.

The text was very culturally sensitive and shared strategies in a positive and productive way for working with students with developmental

This textbook is full of detailed strategies related to Curriculum and Instruction Design for students with developmental delays and students and ASD. Chapter 4 Developing Function-based Interventions is especially beneficial for teachers seeking management strategies.

Reviewed by Kyle Tusing, Associate Professor, University of Arizona on 2/8/17

This text covers the expected topics for an introductory hybrid (communication and public speaking) text, and in the order that those topics are customarily covered (1. introduction, 2. perception, 3. language, 4. nonverbal, etc.). The history of communication going back to ancient times is covered briefly in chapter 1, but not in as much detail as I would prefer. However, few introductory communication texts cover the history of communication in much detail and many ignore history altogether. There are multiple chapters addressing public speaking, which is appropriate for a hybrid text.

The text does not have a glossary or index, but given that the text is available as a searchable .pdf file, a printed index would be redundant. I searched for a few terms and the search function worked well.

The accuracy of the book is excellent. In my reading there was nothing I encountered that caused concern as far as accuracy is concerned. The author(s) are objective, inclusive, and egalitarian in their treatment of topics, so it is fair to say the content is unbiased. The authors also do a nice job of representing communication scholarship from both a social scientific and humanistic perspective.

This version of the text was published in 2013 and the content is currently up-to-date as of early 2017. There are a number of specific instances that will need to be updated in coming years/decades to be accurate as a function of the passing of time, but those cases should be fairly easy to change out with new examples. On page 46 the text refers to the "first presentation" in this class, which supposes that speeches/presentations are a component of the class that uses this text. Other cases of information that may go out of date are references to "google" being a new term, pay stubs, the "recent" Obama/Romney presidential election, and the current ages of individuals who are members of the various generations (p. 678). The text uses a number of URLs. The vast majority of the URLs that I checked worked as intended, but a few of them redirected or were no longer working (e.g., the author's blog in chapter 16).

The clarity of the prose is good. At no point in my reading was there confusion with regard to communication content due to a lack of clarity. One meta-clarity issue concerns the identity of the authors. The authors have withheld their identity, which may present confusion due to the frequent use of the first person by the author(s). In chapter 16 the name of one of the authors is available in a URL that claims to be the author's personal blog. That URL no longer works. Perhaps a standard name could be assigned to the author (e.g., Alan Smithee) and references to the individual authors in the text could be removed.

The consistency of the text is remarkably high. Despite there being multiple authors of the text, the voice throughout the difference chapters and sub-sections is similar. The framework of the chapters is similar, which each chapter being broken down into multiple sub-sections, followed by the references. The photos used to supplement the text have a common theme - realistic, gritty, compelling.

The text rates high in terms of modularity. Each chapter is divided into a minimum of three distinct sub-sections. Within the sub-sections, headings are used frequently to divide up the ideas. The text does refer to/mention other chapters frequently. This occurs most frequently in chapter 1, which refers to all the other chapters, but it also occurs in other chapters (e.g., chapter 3 refers to chapter 1, chapter 15 refers to chapter 1, and chapter 16 refers to chapter 15).

The organization is typical of introductory texts, starting with an introduction and moving through perception, verbal and nonverbal communication, moving on to interpersonal communication and relationships, and then on to public, small-group, and mass communication. This order is logical as the text flows through the forms of communication in order (intrapersonal to mass).

Reading the text on a computer display took a little bit of time to get used to, but after getting used to it the reading went well. The fact that the text is searchable is a great advantage. All the graphics, photos, models, and figures displayed properly.

The grammar is excellent. It is written in a scholarly format but does not confuse readers with undefined jargon or superfluous words. Some texts are too conversational; this text is easy to relate too but does not do so at the expense of credibility.

Multiple potentially controversial topics, such as race, hate speech, disability status, and sexual orientation are covered by the text and are done so in an even-handed, fair manner. The text even points out how using certain specific terms (e.g., handicapped instead of disabled) can have an undesirable effect. Photos are inclusive in that people from various races and ethnicities are pictured, not to mention that people with tattoos (and without tattoos) are also featured.

All in all this is an excellent introductory communication text that would be ideal for a hybrid (introduction to communication + public speaking) communication class. It is comprehensive, well written, and well sourced. It could be used by either a social scientist or a humanist. The text would also work well in an introductory communication course that does not have a public speaking component; the multiple public speaking chapters could be covered in less detail. The text covers a number of recent events and technologies that will need to be updated in the coming years.

Reviewed by Tamara Watkins, Adjunct Instructor, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College on 2/8/17

The textbook provides a good overview of communication as a discipline. Notably, this text has two chapters that discuss media--"Media, Technology, and Communication" and "New Media and Communication." This in particular is an asset because it... read more

I found no major errors or issues in this text. It is written using inclusive language.

The text's content is fairly up-to-date and is unlikely to be rendered obsolete within a short period of time. Any advances/changes in new media and/or communication theory and research could be easily inserted into the text. Specifically, the "New Media and Democracy" chapter should be updated to include information about the promotion and presence of "fake news" on social media, and how one can develop skills to assess sources. However, as this issue (fake news on social media) has been of significant interest due, in part, to the 2016 US Presidential election, the omission of this information is understandable, and instructors could easily supplement the text with additional resources. The text's authors could also easily edit the content to include this update.

The text is written in a conversational tone that is accessible to readers.

The text is logically and consistently laid out, and each chapter follows the same general structure.

The content of this text could easily be divided into smaller readings assigned at different points during the semester without disrupting the students' progress in the course.

The text is organized in a logical manner that presents content in a way that is easy to read and understand. Chapters end with lists of key ideas, exercises for students to practice what they've learned, and references to cited texts.

Overall, the interface is good. However, some issues might cause reader confusion. For example, key terms (for example, "discriminative listening" in chapter 5) are in red. This is also the color of links in the text, but these terms are not links. Additionally, the use of red can present some issues with respect to accessibility.

This text contains no significant grammatical errors.

This text is written with inclusive language, and it includes examples with a variety of perspectives.

Reviewed by Amandajean Nolte, Instructor, University of Northern Iowa on 2/8/17

This is a comprehensive text that rivals textbooks in the traditional market. It contains the concepts often covered in a hybird/intro communication course. Having taught this course for ten years and reviewed dozens of textbooks, I would have little hesitation in using this textbook in my oral communication course. Often these textbooks feel redundant of each other and being able to choose one that has the information and the best price point is persuasive.

In my estimation, I believe this text is accurate and error free.

The theory and concepts related to the course content are up-to-date and will most likely remain that way for a long time. Any shift in this area would occur for all texts in this area and would require updating all literature in the communication field. The examples and videos are currently great, but I can't help but think those will feel outdated very quickly. Same with any reference to social media that is constantly changing and evolving.

The text does a nice job of defining terms and offering relevant examples while formating the text in a way that makes it easy to read. I also found myself connecting to and enjoying sections, which is a bonus in the reading of a textbook.

The terminology follows itself consistently through chapters and there are frequent references to and from other chapters. One of the benefits of an online text like this one is the easy clickability between chapters and concepts that are much less disconnected than our organizational structure of chapters leads us to believe.

The modularity of the text lends itsself well to the particualr focus of an instructor teaching an intro communication course. It would be simple to piece out the chapters or sections based on one's specific focus.

The organization is consistent from chapter to chapter, which allows for a logical and clear reading of the text.

My biggest concern with the interface is the formatting of the outline chapter and therefore the references. I am a stickler for format, when it comes to this piece of my course and the improper outline numbering format and lack of hanging indent in the references is frustrating. Granted, I could say this is true of other books as well, and I could always supplement this chapter if need be.

I found no major grammatical probelms in the text.

This text does a respectable job of referencing multiple races, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It also does a nice job of not allowing analysis of any of these groups to be locked into stereotyping.

Reviewed by Samuel Cook IV, Adjunct Lecturer, UNC Greensboro on 12/5/16

As compared to similar texts in the traditional textbook market, this book provides just as much comprehension for an introductory communication course/curriculum. All of the general concept areas taught in an introductory hybrid communication course are thoughtfully present, including chapter content geared to modern communication technology concepts and influences on social media. After teaching the hybrid course for almost fifteen years, I would have no issues using this text, relative to including the required concepts of such a course.

In reviewing this text, I have not found any major errors or issues with presented content. Not to say that I could not have missed a model or diagram that was incorrectly presented. Overall, I found the text error-free in my review. But I have found that errors in texts are usually discovered when actually applied in teaching situations. As for bias, there is no discernible concern in my view of a particular philosophy or worldview that would distract from the learning objectives of the text used in a class. Actually, I found myself really enjoying the style of writing, and to my chagrin, realized the textbook author was a graduate of my same MA program!

This text areas focusing on traditional content in the hybrid communication course are up to date, and any changes to field theory would likely occur over a span of years (allowing for effective inclusion in this text, assuming the author will continue to update the text). The chapters that likely will need to be updated sooner of course deal with social media and technology.

The writer presents theory and concepts in a straight forward fashion, without requiring the reader/student to have prior grounding in communication theory. It’s easy to understand, and even enjoyable to follow!

The text follows a consistent pattern for each chapter, with learning objectives noted at the start of each chapter, followed by chapter content, case studies, concept review questions, and exercises. I did find a few examples of printing errors across a few sections, with extra spaces between sections.

Yes, this text could be applied or configured using specific chapters for instruction, leaving out several areas and/or focusing on specific chapters by topic area.

This text is well organized, with learning objectives presented the start of each chapter, followed by chapter content, case studies, concept review questions, and exercises.

I did find a few examples of printing errors across a few sections, with extra spaces between sections.

From my review, I could not find major grammatical problems in the text.

There is nothing offensive or culturally insensitive in this text so far in my review of it. The text is sensitive to diversity and provides excellent examples of situations where people from various background could find challenges in communicating within diverse cultural environments.

Again, as compared to using a traditional textbook from the market, this text, as far as relative content, could be just as effective. It could help in saving students on costs for another textbook, especially one used for an introductory course. My two concerns: 1. There are no boldfaced or italics key terms identified in text, which could leave the student not seeking out the concepts/theories for class discussion or application in activities or tests. While the learning goals at the start of each chapter (just about) provides this service, I feel the author should include a key term or concept summary for each chapter. 2. Given the emphasis today (actually, make that requirement) in colleges on taking the traditional hybrid communication course and applying the course in completely online or partly web-based classes, it would be helpful to have some consideration for a delivery platform for speeches or online discussions. And, that is probably where the open textbook concept, at least in this case, has to rely on the school’s default learning management system platform or other learning software platform.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication Studies
Chapter 2: Communication and Perception
Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
Chapter 5: Listening
Chapter 6: Interpersonal Communication Processes
Chapter 7: Communication in Relationships
Chapter 8: Culture and Communication
Chapter 9: Preparing a Speech
Chapter 10: Delivering a Speech
Chapter 11: Informative and Persuasive Speaking
Chapter 12: Public Speaking in Various Contexts
Chapter 13: Small Group Communication
Chapter 14: Leadership, Roles, and Problem Solving in Groups
Chapter 15: Media, Technology, and Communication
Chapter 16: New Media and Communication

Ancillary Material

About the book.

Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies overviews the time-tested conceptual foundations of the field, while incorporating the latest research and cutting-edge applications of these basics. Each chapter will include timely, concrete, and real-life examples of communication concepts in action.

A key feature of this book is the integration of content regarding diversity and organizational communication in each chapter through examples and/or discrete sub-sections. Discussions of diversity are not relegated to feature boxes. Also integrated into the content are examples that are inclusive in terms of race, gender, sexuality, ability, age, marital status, religion, and other diverse identity characteristics.

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communication

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Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Meaning and Communication
Social Science LibreTexts - An Introduction to Communication Theory
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The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction - Communication
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Table Of Contents

communication , the exchange of meanings between individuals through a common system of symbols.

This article treats the functions, types, and psychology of communication. For a treatment of animal communication , see animal behaviour . For further treatment of the basic components and techniques of human communication, see language ; speech ; writing . For technological aspects, including communications devices and information systems, see broadcasting ; dictionary ; encyclopaedia ; information processing ; information theory ; library ; printing ; publishing, history of ; telecommunications media ; telecommunications network ; telecommunications system .

The subject of communication has concerned scholars since the time of ancient Greece . Until modern times, however, the topic was usually subsumed under other disciplines and taken for granted as a natural process inherent to each. In 1928 the English literary critic and author I.A. Richards offered one of the first—and in some ways still the best—definitions of communication as a discrete aspect of human enterprise:

Communication takes place when one mind so acts upon its environment that another mind is influenced, and in that other mind an experience occurs which is like the experience in the first mind, and is caused in part by that experience.

Richards’s definition is both general and rough, but its application to nearly all kinds of communication—including those between humans and animals (but excluding machines)—separated the contents of messages from the processes in human affairs by which these messages are transmitted. More recently, questions have been raised concerning the adequacy of any single definition of the term communication as it is currently employed. The American psychiatrist and scholar Jurgen Ruesch identified 40 varieties of disciplinary approaches to the subject, including architectural, anthropological, psychological, political, and many other interpretations of the apparently simple interaction described by Richards. In total, if such informal communications as sexual attraction and play behaviour are included, there exist at least 50 modes of interpersonal communication that draw upon dozens of discrete intellectual disciplines and analytic approaches. Communication may therefore be analyzed in at least 50 different ways.

A young boy dressed in retro 1980s attire, with bow tie and eyeglasses, wears a light bulb idea invention machine to help him think of the next big idea. (nerd, nerdy, thinker) SEE CONTENT NOTES.

Interest in communication has been stimulated by advances in science and technology, which, by their nature, have called attention to humans as communicating creatures. Among the first and most dramatic examples of the inventions resulting from technological ingenuity were the telegraph and telephone, followed by others like wireless radio and telephoto devices. The development of popular newspapers and periodicals, broadcasting, motion pictures, and television led to institutional and cultural innovations that permitted efficient and rapid communication between a few individuals and large populations; these media have been responsible for the rise and social power of the new phenomenon of mass communication . ( See also information theory ; information processing ; telecommunication system .)

Since roughly 1920 the growth and apparent influence of communications technology have attracted the attention of many specialists who have attempted to isolate communication as a specific facet of their particular interest. Psychologists , in their studies of behaviour and mind, have evolved concepts of communication useful to their investigations as well as to certain forms of therapy. Social scientists have identified various forms of communication by which myths , styles of living, mores, and traditions are passed either from generation to generation or from one segment of society to another. Political scientists and economists have recognized that communication of many types lies at the heart of the regularities in the social order. Under the impetus of new technology—particularly high-speed computers—mathematicians and engineers have tried to quantify and measure components of communicated information and to develop methods for translating various types of messages into quantities or amounts amenable to both their procedures and instruments. Numerous and differently phrased questions have been posed by artists, architects, artisans, writers, and others concerning the overall influences of various types of communication. Many researchers, working within the relevant concerns of their disciplines, have also sought possible theories or laws of cause and effect to explain the ways in which human dispositions are affected by certain kinds of communication under certain circumstances, and the reasons for the change.

In the 1960s a Canadian educator, Marshall McLuhan , drew the threads of interest in the field of communication into a view that associated many contemporary psychological and sociological phenomena with the media employed in modern culture . McLuhan’s often repeated idea, “the medium is the message,” stimulated numerous filmmakers, photographers, artists, and others, who adopted McLuhan’s view that contemporary society had moved (or was moving) from a “print” culture to a “visual” one. The particular forms of greatest interest to McLuhan and his followers were those associated with the sophisticated technological instruments for which young people in particular display enthusiasm—namely, motion pictures, television, and sound recordings.

In the late 20th century the main focus of interest in communication drifted away from McLuhanism and began to centre on (1) the mass communication industries, the people who run them, and the effects they have upon their audiences, (2) persuasive communication and the use of technology to influence dispositions, (3) processes of interpersonal communication as mediators of information, (4) dynamics of verbal and nonverbal (and perhaps extrasensory) communication between individuals, (5) perception of different kinds of communications, (6) uses of communication technology for social and artistic purposes, including education in and out of school, and (7) development of relevant criticism for artistic endeavours employing modern communications technology.

In short, a communication expert may be oriented to any of a number of disciplines in a field of inquiry that has, as yet, neither drawn for itself a conclusive roster of subject matter nor agreed upon specific methodologies of analysis.

Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life Essay

To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
As a template for you assignment

The concept of communication is primarily about exchanging various types of information between the subjects of communication. Even at the origins of sociality, the formation of community, and interaction, like communication, played a significant role. In the modern world, technologies and, consequently, the technological development of communications have begun to play an important role. The achievement of people’s understanding of one another is in many ways a condition for the development of both society and an individual.

A person’s need for communication is determined by natural life and constant presence in society, whether a family, a team of employees, a school, or a student class. If a person were deprived of an opportunity to communicate from birth, one would never grow up as a social person, civilized and culturally developed. Simply put, communication is the interaction of people in the process of their joint activities. It is the exchange of ideas, opinions, thoughts, feelings, the exchange of information (Flanagin, 2017). Without communications, no organizational group of people can exist.

The most critical components of communication are verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal communication is the transmission of information through spoken words and is necessary to convey information content. Non-verbal communication is a form of communication, including gestures, facial expressions, poses, eye contact, touch (Bambaeeroo, & Shokrpour, 2017). Verbal communication is the universal means of communication since when transmitting information using speech, the message’s meaning is least lost. As for non-verbal communication, the most popular non-verbal communication tools are gestures and facial expressions. Verbal communication is not always able to convey the emotional component of information, and this ability differs in different “sound” languages (Bambaeeroo & Shokrpour, 2017). Additional ways of non-verbal communication are poses, as well as touching. Such gestures can also tell much about person’s thoughts and attitude to what is happening.

Communication in itself is one of the main attributes of human activity. All means are essential: both verbal communication and non-verbal communication. Each means expresses its “share” of information, and the ability to read different “codes” helps assess the situation as a whole. Extra-verbal communication, in particular, becomes necessary when verbal mutual understanding is impossible. For example, if the interlocutors speak different languages or one of them is deaf and dumb. It is noted that a person perceives the most significant part of the information through non-verbal communication, and the least – with the help of spoken speech.

The factor of understanding plays an essential role in the conditions of interpersonal communication. In psychology, understanding is considered, first of all, as the ability to comprehend the meaning or meaning of something and a result achieved due to this. Barriers to misunderstanding arose when the information that the communicator was trying to convey was misunderstood for some reason. Misunderstanding can be caused by too quiet or too fast speech, cultural characteristics, features of a particular language. Misunderstanding can also be caused by the emotional experiences of the communication participants when one takes out negative emotions on the other. Thus, the developed skills of verbal and non-verbal communication play a huge role in a person’s life. Effective and pleasant communication is possible only if there is understanding and respect of the interlocutor.

Bambaeeroo, F., & Shokrpour, N. (2017). The impact of the teachers’ non-verbal communication on success in teaching. Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism , 5 (2), 51.

Flanagin, A. J. (2017). Online social influence and the convergence of mass and interpersonal communication. Human Communication Research , 43 (4), 450-463. Web.

Non-Verbal Communication in "When They See Us" TV Show
Non-Verbal Communication: Sender to Receiver Effectiveness
The Psychology of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
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The Kind of World We All Want Article by Cohen
Teaching Community Skills Through Practice
Interpersonal Communication in Jewish Community
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IvyPanda. (2022, October 27). Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life. https://ivypanda.com/essays/communication-and-its-importance-in-everyday-life/

"Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life." IvyPanda , 27 Oct. 2022, ivypanda.com/essays/communication-and-its-importance-in-everyday-life/.

IvyPanda . (2022) 'Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life'. 27 October.

IvyPanda . 2022. "Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life." October 27, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/communication-and-its-importance-in-everyday-life/.

1. IvyPanda . "Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life." October 27, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/communication-and-its-importance-in-everyday-life/.

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IvyPanda . "Communication and Its Importance in Everyday Life." October 27, 2022. https://ivypanda.com/essays/communication-and-its-importance-in-everyday-life/.

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1.1 What is Communication: Types and Forms

Andrea Chute, Sharon Johnston & Brandi Pawliuk and Brock Cook

Learning Objectives

define communication
explain intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group communication
explain types and forms of communication.

Talking to or texting someone might come to mind first when you think of communication. However, while talking and texting are communication delivery methods, they do not represent a comprehensive definition of communication.

A more comprehensive understanding of communication refers to sharing information, ideas, and feelings, typically aimed at mutual understanding . In this way, you must consider the sender, the recipient, and the transaction. Simply put, the sender is the person sharing the message, the recipient is the person receiving and interpreting the message, and the transaction is how the message is delivered and the factors that influence the context and environment of the communication. As you can see, communication is a complex process. It involves more than just what you say, as reflected in Figure 1.1.1, where communication between mother and baby occurs via touch rather than words.

Client communication involves verbal, nonverbal and written communication (Ogbogu et al., 2022).

Verbal communication

Verbal communication is oral communication through spoken words, sounds, vocal intonation, and pace. It can occur face-to-face, one-on-one or in groups, over the telephone, or via video conferencing (Ratna, 2019). As a health studies student, you might communicate verbally with clients, families, colleagues, and interprofessional teams.

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication is a type of communication that occurs through facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, and body positions and movements (Ratna, 2019). As a health studies student, you will learn that nonverbal communication is important because it can reinforce or contradict what is said verbally. Additionally, nonverbal communication is used more often than verbal communication. Thus, you must become aware of your nonverbal communication.

Written communication

Written communication is a type of communication that occurs through written words, symbols, pictures, and diagrams . You are probably familiar with some informal, written types of communication, such as texting or emailing someone, posting a picture on Instagram, or using an emoji on X. You may also have engaged in more scholarly forms of written communication, such as letters and papers. In health studies, written communication involves legal documentation and scholarly writing, such as essays, peer-reviewed publications, protocols, practice standards, and best practice guidelines.

Activity: Check Your Understanding

Forms of communication.

Forms of communication vary in terms of participants, channels used, and contexts. The five main forms of communication are intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. This resource introduces you to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group communication. In the following sections, we will discuss the similarities and differences between each form of communication, including their definitions, level of intentionality, goals, and contexts.

Intrapersonal Communication

Young woman with coffee sitting outdoors in a contemplative pose.

Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself using internal vocalisation or reflective thinking. Like other forms of communication, intrapersonal communication is triggered by internal or external stimuli. We may, for example, communicate with ourselves about what we want to eat due to the internal stimulus of hunger, or we may react intrapersonally to an event we witness. Unlike other forms of communication, intrapersonal communication occurs only inside our heads. The other forms of communication must be perceived by someone else as communication. So what is the point of intrapersonal communication if no one else even sees it?

Intrapersonal communication serves several social functions. Self-talk, acts of imagination, visualisation, and even recall and memory can help us achieve or maintain social adjustment (McLean, 2005). For example, a person may use self-talk to calm themselves down in a stressful situation, or a shy person may remind themselves to smile during a social event. Intrapersonal communication also helps build and maintain our self-concept. We understand who we are based on how other people communicate with us and how we process that communication intrapersonally. The shy person in the earlier example probably internalised shyness as a part of their self-concept because other people associated their communication behaviours with shyness and may have even been labelled as “shy” before they had a firm grasp on what that meant. We also use intrapersonal communication or “self-talk” to let off steam, process emotions, think through something, or rehearse what we plan to say or do. As with the other forms of communication, competent intrapersonal communication helps facilitate social interaction and enhance well-being.

Sometimes we intrapersonally communicate for the fun of it. I am sure we have all had the experience of laughing aloud because we thought of something funny. We also communicate intrapersonally to pass the time. There is a lot of intrapersonal communication in waiting rooms and meeting rooms worldwide right now. In these cases, intrapersonal communication is usually unplanned. We can, however, engage in more intentional intrapersonal communication. Deliberate self-reflection can help us become more competent communicators as we become more mindful of our behaviours. For example, an individual’s internal voice may praise or scold based on a feeling, thought or action.

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another. Interpersonal communication builds, maintains, and ends our relationships, and we spend more time engaged in interpersonal communication than in other communication forms. Interpersonal communication occurs in various contexts and is addressed through intercultural, organisational, health, and computer-mediated communication. After all, interpersonal relationships exist in all those contexts.

Instrumental needs are focused on the goal of achieving a specific outcome. For example, you may speak with your roommate about what to cook for dinner or speak with a professor about how to position yourself for success in a course.
Relational needs are focused on the goal of evolving a relationship or communicating the uniqueness of a specific relationship. This goal usually involves meeting a person’s needs and the parties’ shared needs. For example, two colleagues may have a conversation to resolve a conflict they have been having.

To be a competent interpersonal communicator, you should demonstrate effective conflict management skills and listening skills, among others, to maintain positive relationships.

Group Communication

Group communication is communication among three or more people to achieve a shared goal. You have likely worked in groups in high school or university; if you are like most students, you did not enjoy it. Even though it can be frustrating, group work in an academic setting provides useful experience and preparation for group work in professional settings. Organisations have been moving toward more team-based work models, and whether we like it or not, groups are an integral part of people’s personal and professional lives. Therefore the study of groups and group communication is valuable in many contexts.

From previous experience working in groups, you likely know that having more communicators usually leads to more complicated interactions. Some of the challenges of group communication relate to task-oriented interactions, such as deciding who will complete each part of a larger project. However, many challenges stem from interpersonal conflict or misunderstandings among group members. Since group members also communicate with and relate to each other interpersonally and may have preexisting relationships or develop them during group interaction, elements of interpersonal communication occur within group communication too. As you enter the professional world, you will probably be on a work “team,” a specialised group. In other words, group communication is a part of life.

Key Takeaways

Communication generates meaning by sending and receiving symbolic cues influenced by multiple contexts. There are three types of communication: verbal, nonverbal, and written.

Intrapersonal communication is communication with oneself and occurs only inside our heads.
Interpersonal communication is communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another and typically occurs in dyads, which means in pairs.
Group communication occurs when three or more people communicate to achieve a shared goal.
Write down your definition of communication. How does your definition differ from the definition in this book? How does it differ from other peers in class? Why did you choose to define communication the way you did?
Over a day, keep track of the forms of communication that you use. Make a pie chart of how much time you spend on an average day engaging in each form of communication (intrapersonal, interpersonal, or group).

McLean, S. (2005). The basics of interpersonal communication . Allyn & Bacon.

Ogbogu, P. U., Noroski, L. M., Arcoleo, K., Reese, B. D., & Apter, A. (2022). Methods for cross-cultural communication in clinic encounters. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 10 (4), 893-900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2022.01.010

Ratna, H. (2019). The importance of effective communication in healthcare practice. Harvard Public Health Review, 23 , 1-6. https://doi.org/10.54111/0001/W4

Attribution Statement

Content adapted, with editorial changes, from:

Chute, A., Johnson, S., & Pawliuk, B. (2023). Professional communication skills for health s tudies . MacEwan Open Books. https://doi.org/10.31542/b.gm.3 . Used under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.

Lapum, J., St.-Amant, O., Hughes, M., & Garmaise-Yee, J. (Eds.). (2020). Introduction to communication in nursing. Toronto Metropolitan University Pressbooks. https://pressbooks.library.ryerson.ca/communicationnursing/ . Used under a CC BY-NC 4.0 licence.

University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing. (2013). Communication in the real world [Adapted]. https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/ . Used under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.

1.1 What is Communication: Types and Forms Copyright © 2024 by Andrea Chute, Sharon Johnston & Brandi Pawliuk and Brock Cook is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Essay Samples on Communication

Communication in the 21st century: navigating the digital age.

The 21st century has witnessed an unprecedented transformation in the way people communicate. Rapid technological advancements have reshaped the landscape of communication in the 21st century, enabling instant global connectivity, diverse modes of expression, and new challenges and opportunities. This essay explores the multifaceted nature...

21St Century
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The Discipline of Communication: Forging Connections

The **discipline of communication** is a powerful force that underpins human interactions, enabling us to connect, collaborate, and share ideas. It encompasses more than the mere exchange of words; it involves understanding, empathy, and effective conveyance of thoughts and emotions. In this essay, we delve...

How Has Communication Changed Over Time

Communication serves as the cornerstone of human interaction, connecting individuals and shaping societies. From ancient forms of language to modern digital platforms, the evolution of communication reflects technological advancements, societal shifts, and the constant quest for connection. This essay explores hoe communication has changed over...

The Case Of Communication Error In Healthcare

INTRODUCTION Communication is the process of sharing information, opinions, or facts by speech or writing from one person to another. Good communication can reduce anxiety and build confidence, an effective exchange between people helps them see what the other person thinks and feels, and forms...

Maintaining Trust: Importance of Telling the Truth

Have you ever wondered if lying is right or wrong? Have you ever lied and been tricked into telling the truth? Most people have been tricked by pretty much everyone. Lying according to research is always wrong. Most people feel guilty about lying and almost...

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The Selected Need for Uniqueness Dimensions

A cellular communication system is essentially designed to bring common voice between two individuals, sending text messaging and executing primary functions, though cell phone had gone through sever transformations, making its functionalities growing fantastically towards time resulted from the altering needs of mobile cell phone...

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Advocacy and Inquiry Model as A Communication Tool

Advocacy and inquiry model is a tool of communication which includes different skills; “listen to understand, suspend judgment, respect all and speak your voice.” It facilitates the conversation and task to move forward. Advocacy means to be a voice of someone which helps to provide...

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Best topics on Communication

1. Communication in the 21st Century: Navigating the Digital Age

2. The Discipline of Communication: Forging Connections

3. How Has Communication Changed Over Time

4. The Case Of Communication Error In Healthcare

5. Maintaining Trust: Importance of Telling the Truth

6. The Selected Need for Uniqueness Dimensions

7. Advocacy and Inquiry Model as A Communication Tool

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Communication - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Communication involves the imparting or exchanging of information or news. Essays on communication could explore different types of communication (verbal, non-verbal, written), the role of communication in personal and professional relationships, or the impact of digital technology on modern communication. Theories of communication and barriers to effective communication could also be discussed. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Communication you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Interpersonal Communication and Cultural Stereotypes

Abstract In recent years interactions between people from different cultures have increased, and this has been primarily due to globalization. Nowadays, many of us are living in a globalized society, and we must be able to understand other cultures better to connect with them. Cultural stereotypes and interactions can be difficult to navigate for the individual who's part of this particular culture and those from a different one. This paper will take an in-depth look at how interpersonal communications help […]

Communication as Component of Life

Communication is a very important component in every aspect of life. Human beings coexist because of their ability to communicate with each other. The same applies in the medical field. Communication between physicians and the patients is every important in helping them understand whatever procedure they will be taken through or the medicine prescribed. There are a number of ways a radiologist can effectively communicate with his/her patients. First, it is important to think about what you want say then […]

Negative Effects of Social Media

Social media is a vast platform, luring us in with a lot of different content. The amount of interaction one can have with people online within the span of a day is surreal. So, it becomes self-evident that platforms that have so much impact on our lives should be truly understood, and this research will seek to educate people on the negative impact of social media on society. So why is social media bad? To say good doesn’t exist without […]

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Communication Skills Quiz: a Self-Assessment

Before taking the quiz How Good Are Your Communication Skills? I believed myself to be an excellent communicator. Since I speak to many people daily for my employment, I have always prided myself on being able to speak well and effectively communicate with others. Therefore, I was surprised when I took the quiz, after answering the questions truthfully, that it determined that I was just a "capable" communicator. My score was 45 out of 75 and I thought that I […]

Studying Elon Musk’s Leadership through Communication

In 2017 Glassdoor, one of the leading job and recruiting sites published their annual list of the best CEOs in the United States where Elon Musk placed 8th for his space exploration company, SpaceX, reaching a 98% employee approval rating. The importance of this ranking regarding leadership communication is that the rank is based on employee approval where it can be argued that this is as a result of Elon Musk's interpersonal skills and intellect as a leader. Therefore through […]

Influence of Social Media on Youth

Media is quickly evolving, especially social media that has captured the attention of many children. There are new forms of media that are coming up with the rapid rise in technology. It is clear that media has been influential factors on how it benefits children's interaction. Media is not only an essential part in influencing socialization among children, especially the peer group but now it has become part of the community marketing and motivation of people. However, it has been […]

A Comparitive Study of LTE Based M M Communication Technologies for Internet of Things

Abstract With the technological advancement at its peak, the world has seen as massive increase in the number applications in the field of Internet of Things. With a rapid increase in the number of connected devices, there comes a big need for new communication protocols that are lightweight and efficient in terms of power consumption, speed and coverage. M2M communication protocols devised by 3GPP aims to achieve the same with the introduction of NB-IoT and eMTC in their release 13. […]

Interpersonal Communication with Photography

Siegfried Kracauer was a German-born theorist who wrote and published cultural criticism. In his essay titled “Basic Concepts,” he discusses film and its interpersonal relationship with photography. Kracauer also discusses how film is evolving throughout time. He divided the tendencies of films into different main groups: realistic and formative. During this time period, film created a flexible sense of realism. In Kracauer’s essay, he seems conflicted as to whether film can be fully considered as an art form. In his […]

Advantages and Disadvantages of Active Listening

Active listening it a type of communication used in a learning environment. It entails getting the finest details from the spoken language. It has been used in counselling, conflict resolution, and training. The art requires increased concentration understanding and responding to the sentiments made. The method is used to impact the knowledge. Advantages Understanding better Active listening makes the learner have an increased understanding of the factors discussed in the topic. It enhances the concentration of the audience. It makes […]

Language Barrier as a Challenge of Intercultural Communication

Modern academic environment is becoming increasingly multicultural, therefore higher educational faculty have the added responsibility to learn more about students’s cultural, educational, linguistic background. Since Englishes spoken in the classroom can vary greatly from Standard British English norms, it is essencial for educators to be aware of possible deviations in order to enhance communication and boost student achievement. The phonetic alterations in the Nigerian English are being discussed as the one widely represented in Ukraine. Key words: intercultural education, language […]

Written Communication / Critical Thinking

The presidency and American policy were permanently influenced by Andrew Jackson. Jackson's national fame as a military hero became his leadership in the conflict of 1812 and in the 1820s and 1830s became the most important, polarizing, American political figures. Jackson returned four years later after his loss to John Quincy Adams when the presidential election was contentious, he defeated Adams and became the seventh nation's president. In contrast to other renowned, strong presidents, Jackson defined himself by opposing one […]

Dominance of English in the World

1. Introduction As English has established its position as the commonest language in the world, its imperialistic and dominant aspects have been often discussed among scholars. It is even argued that the world has been dominated by English and its speakers and English has had strong power. Indeed, English is spoken by a variety of speakers all over the world not only in English speaking countries which are called 'inner circle countries' but also in other countries which have other […]

Leadership, Conflict Resolution and Communication in Sports

Whether through high school or a club team, sports consume the majority of teenagers’ lives. Teens actively involve themselves in fall, winter, spring and even summer sports on top of school. Due to the time requirements of both, many argue whether or not society should promote playing a sport (or multiple sports) in high school. Many also argue that sports are dangerous but there are many benefits to teen participation in sports that outweigh the potential danger. As a result […]

Intercultural Communication in Film Crash

Crash (2004) is American drama film directed and produced by Paul Haggis. The film focuses on racial and ethnic tensions in the Los Angeles area involving a diverse group characters from all different backgrounds. The film shows how all walks of life are subscribed to a stereotype and that these stereotypes affect how we interact with one another. In Chapter 2 of “An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community” Jandt explains how stereotypes, prejudice, and racism are […]

Strong Effective Communication

It is rightly said that leaders are not born but they are made. Leadership quality is something that is not present from birth but is developed. 'Effective leadership is providing the vision and motivation to a team so they work together toward the same goal, and then understanding the talents and temperaments of each individual and effectively motivating each person to contribute individually their best toward achieving the group goal.' Was defined by Stan Kimer, president, Total Engagement Consulting by […]

Basic Essential Part of Effective Communication

The SANDF is an organisation based on systems that can be managed or sustained through effective communication. In the broader sense we can say that communication is the heart, the engine or the nervous system of an effective Defence force. We can define communication as the process of generating a meaning, by sending and receiving verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs that are influenced by multiple contexts. Now we can agree that all systems of the Defence force are based […]

Internet Censorship should it be Allowed

One of the latest media inventions is internet. It has introduced a completely new way of communicating and expressing ideas and views on a great range of topics because it offers a lot of updated information, people prefer to deal with internet instead of any other media such as television or radio. Nowadays billions of people all over the world have access to the internet, simply, through a dial-up connection. In addition, everybody is able to create his/her homepage on […]

Conflicts and Effective Communication

Conflict is everywhere and is very hard to avoid. It exists in schools, hospitals, church, prison and major businesses. It could happen between employer-to-employer, employer-to-employee, and even employee-to-employee. When we hear the word conflict, we automatically think that something really bad is going on. In Managing Conflict in Organizations, M. Afzalur Rahim (200) explains that conflict has the potential for both positive and negative consequences. The main reason that conflict exists in the workplace is because we fail to actively […]

Intimacy, Personal Connection and Interpersonal Communication in Today’s Culture

In today’s culture we see too often that online interactions and casual intercourse are valued far above intimacy and personal connection. Intimacy in 2018 is hard to find, it seems almost extinct. There are many factors that have lead to this reality, but if we don’t fight back for intimacy and love now I fear that the future will be a bleak and lonely experience. It’s up to feminists and feminism to lead this love revolution ?it’s time to fight […]

Research Related to Agenda Setting and Interpersonal Communication

This section will examine a few of the different issues that agenda setting has been applied to. The section will also discuss some of the extension that have been made to the theory as well as other theories that have been argued to be an extension of agenda setting. Yang and Gerald (2003), examined how agenda setting can be applied to interpersonal situations. They found that although agenda setting refers to how the media can influence the public agenda, people […]

Developing and Testing Photorealistic Avatar with Body Motions and Facial Expressions for Communication in Social Virtual Reality Applications

Developing and Testing Photorealistic Avatar with Body Motions and Facial Expressions for Communication in Social Virtual Reality Applications Abstract Providing effective communication in social virtual reality (VR) applications requires a high level of avatar representation realism and body movement to convey users’ thoughts and behaviours. In this research, we investigate the influence of avatar representation and behaviour on communication in an immersive virtual environment (IVE) by comparing video-based versus model-based avatar representations. Additionally, we introduce a novel VR communication system […]

Demonstrative Speech of American Sign Language Phrases

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Information and Communication Technologies

Introduction Over the past few decades, information and communication technologies (ICTs) have played an important role as a key solution for comprehensive development, poverty elimination, and the empowerment of groups discriminated against in society. The ICT sector presents tremendous opportunities for women. However, for women to seize these opportunities equally as men, the gender stereotypes and biases that prevent them from pursuing or making it big in STEM-related fields need to be addressed. Women are still under-represented in this sector. […]

Risk Policy, Management and Communication

I would like to thank the Municipal Administration and Water Supplies Department, State Government of Tamil Nadu, India for inviting me to speak about the current scenario and to give my recommendations for making P.N.Palayam a model town with regard to Sanitation. I am Priscilla, an Environmental Scientist, representing Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, India. I have done my master’s in environmental science in 1996 and completed my Doctoral degree in Environmental Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public […]

Communication is a Key to Teamwork

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Good Communication through Teamwork in Business Communication and Organization

A crucial element of business communication and organization, is good communication through teamwork. Team work can bring diverse skills into your group. When working together every person can contribute in their own way. Having to work together so everyone can agree in the same way can be very helpful to your team. Being in a team can make you stay on top of your work. Teamwork is one of the most important concepts of an everyday life. Being in a […]

Internet Censorship in China

An original supporter of internet censorship was Deng Xiaoping, a Chinese politician. Deng Xiaoping had a famous saying that "If you open a window for fresh air for longer than 10 hours, you have to expect some flies to blow in". Deng Xiaoping, as well as many other Chinese politicians, were the main reason internet censorship exists today. Using this analogy, the Communist Party of China decided that it would be best for them to be proactive in "swatting flies". […]

Interpersonal Communication is an Essential Piece to a Successful Project

A leader must use advanced communication skills in order to facilitate new implementations in the healthcare environment. Interpersonal communication is vital to building relationships to ensure a project’s success. Open and transparent communication effectively drives a project forward while creating an environment of learning and development. Communication is essential to project management to facilitate a smooth transition between project stages. (Culo & Skendrovi, 2010) The purpose of this scholarly paper is to discuss the communication plan of the Left Without […]

Communication Process

Every organization has a culture. Culture is defined by the way people communicate, how information is shared, and how decisions are made. Communication is a social process based on openness, sharing, and participation. Communication starts with the sender, who is the initiator of the message. After generating an idea, the sender encodes it in a way that can be comprehended by the receiver. It must encourage and utilize user-created content. Good communication is a result of deliberate actions and intentions […]

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Effective communication is essential to the success of any organization whether its government, the private section or non-profit, it is necessary to use the communication channel and the proper resources according to the audience. The efficiency of the communication process is put to the test in times of crisis. Depending on the culture of the organization, the process of communication can either be complicated or simplified. At either rate, the situation must be dealt with in the most efficient manner […]

Essay on Communication

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Communication stands as a pivotal pillar in the construction of a society that thrives on understanding and connectivity. This essay delves into the intricate nature of communication, exploring its various forms, importance, and the role it plays in fostering relationships and societal harmony.

Communication

Communication is the process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings. It bridges the gap between individuals, enabling them to share their thoughts and emotions. This exchange can take various forms:

Verbal Communication : This involves the use of spoken words and is the most direct method of conveying messages. It includes face-to-face conversations, telephone calls, and public speaking.
Non-Verbal Communication : Often overlooked, non-verbal communication includes body language, facial expressions, and gestures. These cues can sometimes convey more than words themselves.
Written Communication : Encompassing letters, emails, texts, and social media posts, written communication allows for record-keeping and distant communication.
Visual Communication : This includes photographs, videos, signs, and symbols. It’s a powerful tool in today’s digital age, transcending linguistic barriers.

Importance of Effective Communication

Certainly! Here are some points highlighting the importance of effective communication:

Clarity of Information: Effective communication ensures that information is conveyed clearly, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings or confusion.
Building Trust: It fosters trust and credibility among individuals or within organizations, as open and transparent communication promotes honesty and reliability.
Conflict Resolution: Good communication skills are essential for resolving conflicts peacefully and finding mutually agreeable solutions.
Enhanced Relationships: It strengthens personal and professional relationships by enabling individuals to express themselves, listen actively, and understand one another better.
Increased Productivity: In a workplace setting, effective communication streamlines tasks, reduces errors, and improves overall productivity.
Effective Leadership: Successful leaders are often excellent communicators who can articulate their vision, motivate their team, and inspire others to follow their direction.
Innovation and Creativity: Open communication encourages the sharing of ideas and sparks innovation, as individuals feel comfortable contributing their unique perspectives.
Customer Satisfaction: In businesses, effective communication with customers leads to better service, increased customer satisfaction, and loyalty.
Time Management: Clear communication helps in setting priorities, delegating tasks, and managing time efficiently, preventing wasted efforts.
Personal Development: Improved communication skills can lead to personal growth and better self-expression, boosting confidence and self-esteem.
Global Connectivity: In a globalized world, effective communication transcends language barriers and cultural differences, facilitating international collaboration and understanding.
Decision-Making: It plays a pivotal role in decision-making processes, as informed and well-communicated decisions are more likely to be successful.
Negotiation Skills: Effective communication is crucial in negotiation situations, where parties must convey their interests, compromise, and reach mutually beneficial agreements.
Emotional Well-being: Expressing emotions and feelings through communication can provide emotional relief and reduce stress and anxiety.
Career Advancement: Strong communication skills are often a key factor in career success, as they are highly valued by employers.
Adaptability: Effective communicators are more adaptable to changing circumstances, as they can convey their needs and adjust to new situations.
Education: It is essential for effective teaching and learning, as educators must convey knowledge and students need to understand and engage with the material.

Barriers to Communication

Despite its importance, several barriers can hinder effective communication:

Cultural Differences : Different cultural backgrounds can lead to misunderstandings due to diverse norms and communication styles.
Language Barriers : Not sharing a common language can significantly impede communication.
Emotional Barriers : Personal feelings like anger or sadness can affect how one communicates.
Physical Barriers : Physical distance and lack of access to communication tools can be a hurdle.
Perceptual Barriers : Preconceptions and stereotypes can lead to biased interpretations of messages.

Overcoming Communication Barriers

To surmount these obstacles, one can:

Practice Active Listening : Pay full attention to the speaker, understand their message, and respond thoughtfully.
Be Clear and Concise : Use simple language and get straight to the point to avoid confusion.
Be Empathetic : Understanding the emotions and perspectives of others can greatly enhance communication.
Use Feedback : Feedback, both giving and receiving, is essential for improving communication skills.
Leverage Technology : In today’s digital age, technology offers numerous tools to bridge communication gaps, especially over long distances.

The Role of Technology in Modern Communication

Technology has revolutionized communication. The internet, social media, and smartphones have made it easier and faster to connect with others, regardless of distance. However, this comes with challenges like information overload and the loss of personal touch in conversations.

Instant Communication: Technology has revolutionized communication by enabling instant messaging, emails, and real-time chat applications, allowing people to connect globally within seconds.
Accessibility: The widespread availability of smartphones and internet connectivity has made communication accessible to a larger population, bridging geographical gaps.
Efficiency: Technology streamlines communication processes, making it more efficient and reducing the time and effort required to convey messages.
Collaboration Tools: Tools like video conferencing, project management software, and collaborative platforms enable effective teamwork and remote work, improving productivity.
Information Sharing: Technology facilitates the rapid sharing of information, breaking news, and knowledge dissemination on a global scale.
Privacy and Security: With the rise in digital communication, concerns about privacy and security have emerged, leading to the development of encryption and cybersecurity measures.
Business and Marketing: Communication technology is pivotal in modern business operations, enabling marketing, customer support, and e-commerce, among other functions.
Education: Technology has transformed education through online learning platforms, making education more accessible and flexible.
Healthcare: Telemedicine and remote monitoring tools have improved healthcare communication, enabling patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely.
Future Trends: Emerging technologies like AI-driven chatbots, virtual reality, and augmented reality are shaping the future of communication by offering novel ways to connect and interact.

In conclusion, communication is an art that requires practice, patience, and understanding. It is a vital tool in bridging the human divide, fostering relationships, and building a cohesive society. By acknowledging its importance, understanding its forms, overcoming barriers, and harnessing technology, we can improve our communication skills, thereby enhancing our personal, educational, and professional lives. As the world continues to evolve, the art of communication will remain a constant necessity, guiding us towards a more connected and understanding society.

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Expository Writing: The Value of Clear, Factual Communication

Discover the essence and techniques of expository writing, a foundational skill for effective communication.

Expository writing is a fundamental skill that underpins effective communication across various fields, from education to professional environments. This form of writing focuses on delivering information in a clear, concise, and factual manner, making it indispensable for conveying ideas and knowledge accurately.

In this article, we will explore the essence of expository writing and uncover the techniques that make it a vital tool for anyone looking to enhance their communication skills. Mastering expository writing enables individuals to inform, educate, and engage their audiences precisely and clearly.

What Is Expository Writing?

Expository writing centers on providing factual and clear information to inform or explain a topic thoroughly and accurately. This writing style avoids personal opinions or biases, instead relying on evidence, examples, and logical reasoning to convey its message.

The primary objective is to ensure that the reader fully understands the subject matter straightforwardly and comprehensively. It provides readers with a deeper understanding of a subject matter by breaking down complex ideas into manageable parts. The primary purpose of expository writing is to:

Clarify Information: Expository writing ensures that information is conveyed in a manner that is easily understood by the audience. It strives to eliminate ambiguity and confusion, presenting facts and explanations in a logical sequence.

Educate and Inform: Through expository writing, authors seek to educate readers about a topic, process, or issue. This form of writing often appears in textbooks, manuals, and academic papers, where the goal is to impart knowledge and foster understanding.

Explain Relationships: Another goal of expository writing is to explore the relationships between different ideas or concepts. It may involve comparing and contrasting, cause and effect analysis, or providing step-by-step instructions.

Characteristics Of Expository Writing

Expository writing is distinguished by several key characteristics that set it apart as a method of conveying information effectively. These characteristics make expository writing an invaluable tool in academic, professional, and informational contexts, enabling clear and credible communication of complex ideas and concepts. Some of the main characteristics are:

Objective Tone and Style: Expository writing maintains a neutral and impartial tone. It avoids personal biases, emotions, and opinions, focusing instead on presenting information straightforwardly and factually. This objective approach enhances credibility and reliability, appealing to a wide range of readers who seek reliable information.

Factual, Evidence-Based Content: Central to expository writing is its reliance on factual information and evidence. Writers meticulously research their topics, gathering data from credible sources to support their claims. This evidence-based approach not only substantiates the information presented but also encourages critical thinking and informed decision-making among readers.

Clarity and Conciseness : Expository writing prioritizes clarity, aiming to convey information straightforwardly so it is easily understandable to the audience. It avoids ambiguity and complex language, ensuring that the message is clear and accessible.

Structure and Organization : Structurally, expository writing follows a logical sequence. It typically includes an introduction that introduces the topic and thesis statement, body paragraphs that develop main ideas with supporting evidence, and a conclusion that summarizes key points and reinforces the thesis.

Educational and Informative : The primary purpose of expository writing is to inform, explain, or instruct. It seeks to impart knowledge and deepen understanding of a subject, making it suitable for educational materials, technical manuals, reports, and academic papers.

No Personal Opinion : Unlike persuasive or argumentative writing, expository writing does not advocate for a particular viewpoint or persuade the reader to take a specific stance. Instead, it focuses on presenting information objectively and letting readers draw their conclusions based on the presented evidence.

Types Of Expository Writing

Expository writing or essays take on different forms, each designed to effectively communicate specific information and ideas:

Descriptive Essays

Descriptive essays are a genre of expository writing designed to vividly depict a person, place, object, or event through detailed language and sensory imagery. Their primary aim is to stimulate sensory experiences and emotions in the reader through the use of descriptive adjectives, vivid adverbs, and figurative language that appeal to the senses of sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.

Structurally, these essays typically introduce the subject in the introduction, develop its description in the body paragraphs using a logical sequence of sensory details, and conclude by summarizing the overall impression or emotional impact.

Through the integration of narrative elements and emotive language, descriptive essays effectively immerse readers in the subject matter, leaving a memorable and profound impression.

Here are some examples of descriptive essays:

A Day at the Beach : Describing the sights, sounds, and sensations experienced during a relaxing day at the beach.
My Favorite Place : Painting a vivid picture of a special place, such as a childhood home or a serene mountain retreat.
The Haunted House : Creating an eerie atmosphere by detailing a spooky old house and the mysterious events that occur within.
The City at Night : Capturing the bustling energy and unique atmosphere of a city after dark, with its illuminated streets and diverse people.
A Memorable Journey : Recounting a memorable travel experience, from the landscapes and cultures encountered to the emotions felt along the way.

Process Essays

Process essays are instructional pieces of expository writing that systematically outline the steps of a procedure or process to elucidate its execution or functionality. These essays facilitate reader comprehension and enable replication of the process at hand with a clear, step-by-step guide. Commonly found in technical manuals and instructional literature, process essays educate audiences on effectively completing tasks or operations through structured and accessible explanations.

Here are some examples of process essays:

How to Bake a Cake : A step-by-step guide explaining the process of baking a delicious cake, from gathering ingredients to decorating the final product.
How to Change a Tire : Describing the necessary steps to safely change a flat tire on a vehicle, including tools needed and proper techniques.
How to Write a Resume : Providing a detailed process for crafting an effective resume, from organizing personal information to formatting and editing.
How to Make Homemade Pizza : Explaining the process of making pizza dough, selecting toppings, assembling the pizza, and baking it to perfection.
How to Perform CPR : Detailing the steps and techniques required to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

Comparison Essays

Comparison essays are analytical pieces of writing that explore the similarities and differences between two or more subjects, ideas, or phenomena. These essays meticulously examine and highlight the key characteristics, attributes, or aspects of each subject under consideration.

Comparing these elements, comparison essays aim to uncover insights into their relationships, revealing similarities that may not be immediately apparent and highlighting contrasting features that distinguish them from one another.

This process of analysis helps in achieving a deeper understanding of the subjects being compared, offering valuable perspectives on their nuances and implications. Comparison essays not only illuminate shared traits but also emphasize unique qualities, encouraging readers to contemplate the significance of these similarities and differences within a broader context.

Here are some examples of comparison essays:

Comparison of Two Literary Works : Analyzing the similarities and differences between two novels, poems, or plays, focusing on themes, characters, and literary techniques.
Comparison of Two Historical Events : Exploring the similarities and differences between two significant historical events, such as World War I and World War II, examining causes, impacts, and outcomes.
Comparison of Two Theoretical Frameworks : Comparing and contrasting two theories or models in psychology, sociology, or economics, discussing their principles, applications, and implications.

Related article: Understanding What is Theoretical Framework

Comparison of Two Political Leaders : Analyzing the leadership styles, policies, and impacts of two political leaders from different eras or countries, such as Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.
Comparison of Two Technologies : Evaluating the similarities and differences between two technological innovations, such as smartphones and tablets, in terms of features, usability, and market impact.

Cause And Effect Essays

Cause and effect essays are focused on investigating the relationships between actions and their outcomes. These essays carefully examine the reasons why certain events or situations occur (causes) and the effects or consequences that result from these causes.

Cause and effect essays explore these connections, revealing the underlying factors behind specific outcomes and demonstrating how one event can directly influence or trigger another. This analytical approach helps readers understand the chain of events, patterns of behavior, and broader implications of the phenomena being studied. Explore more cause-and-effect essay intricacies, examples, and expert tips: Connecting The Dots: The Power Of Cause-And-Effect Essay .

Here are some examples of cause-and-effect essays:

Causes and Effects of Air Pollution : Analyzing the factors contributing to air pollution (e.g., industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust) and exploring their effects on human health, ecosystems, and climate change.
Causes and Effects of Social Media Addiction : Investigating the reasons behind social media addiction (e.g., constant connectivity, fear of missing out) and examining its effects on mental health, relationships, and productivity.
Causes and Effects of Global Warming : Discussing the causes of global warming (e.g., greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation) and exploring its effects on sea levels, weather patterns, and biodiversity.
Causes and Effects of Stress in the Workplace : Examining the factors leading to workplace stress (e.g., workload, lack of job security) and discussing its effects on employee well-being, productivity, and turnover rates.
Causes and Effects of Childhood Obesity : Identifying the reasons for childhood obesity (e.g., poor diet, sedentary lifestyle) and evaluating its effects on physical health, psychological well-being, and long-term health outcomes.

Problem And Solution Essays

Problem and solution essays are focused on identifying important issues or challenges and proposing effective solutions. These essays begin by presenting a specific problem or issue, and thoroughly analyzing its causes and consequences. Subsequently, they offer practical strategies or solutions aimed at addressing the problem.

This type of expository essay aims to raise awareness, stimulate critical thinking, and motivate individuals or communities to take action in resolving societal, environmental, or personal concerns. Through thoughtful analysis and innovative proposals, these essays contribute to broader discussions and initiatives aimed at positive change.

Here are some examples of problem and solution essays:

Climate Change : Identifying the issue of climate change and proposing solutions such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing international agreements.
Obesity Epidemic : Addressing the problem of obesity through solutions such as promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity in schools and communities, and regulating food marketing to children.
Homelessness : Discussing the issue of homelessness and proposing solutions such as providing affordable housing options, expanding access to supportive services, and implementing employment programs for homeless individuals.
Traffic Congestion : Analyzing the problem of traffic congestion in urban areas and suggesting solutions such as improving public transportation systems, implementing congestion pricing, and promoting telecommuting and flexible work hours.
Cyberbullying : Examining the issue of cyberbullying and proposing solutions such as educating students and parents about online safety, implementing stricter laws and regulations, and fostering a positive online culture in schools and communities.

Each type of expository essay has a distinct purpose in conveying information, analyzing concepts, and presenting ideas systematically and logically. Understanding these essay types helps writers effectively engage readers, present valuable viewpoints, and contribute informed perspectives to discussions and decision-making processes.

Crafting An Expository Essay

Crafting an expository essay involves several essential steps to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in conveying information:

Selecting a Topic

Choosing the right topic is crucial. Consider selecting a subject that interests you and aligns with the essay’s purpose. Ensure the topic is specific enough to explore in-depth but broad enough to offer ample information. Guidelines for choosing a subject include relevance, clarity of scope, and potential for engaging your audience.

Researching Your Topic

Thorough research is essential for gathering reliable sources and information. Utilize reputable sources such as academic journals, books, credible websites, and expert interviews. Evaluate the credibility and relevance of each source to ensure the accuracy and depth of your essay’s content.

Writing a Thesis Statement

The thesis statement is the core idea or argument that your essay will explore and support. Craft a clear, concise thesis that outlines the main point of your essay. It should be specific and focused, guiding the reader on what to expect in terms of the essay’s content and direction.

Structuring Your Essay

Organize your thoughts and information into a logical sequence. Typically, an expository essay follows a structured format:

Introduction: Introduce the topic, provide background information, and present the thesis statement.

Body Paragraphs : Develop each main point or aspect of the thesis statement in separate paragraphs. Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph’s main idea and provide supporting evidence, examples, and explanations.

Conclusion : Summarize the main points of the essay and restate the thesis statement in different words. Avoid introducing new information in the conclusion and leave the reader with a lasting impression or thought.

Writing Techniques and Tips

Effective expository writing relies on specific techniques and strategies to ensure clarity, coherence, and engagement. Here are some essential tips for crafting a successful expository piece:

Clear and Concise Language

Use language that is straightforward and easily understandable. Eliminate unnecessary words, phrases, and jargon that may confuse or distract the reader. Focus on conveying your ideas in a direct and precise manner to enhance clarity and readability.

Using Supporting Evidence

Incorporate factual information, statistics, examples, and expert opinions to support your points. Reliable evidence strengthens your arguments and provides credibility to your writing. Ensure that all sources are properly cited and relevant to the topic at hand.

Transition Between Ideas

Maintain a smooth flow of information by using transitions between paragraphs and ideas. Transitions such as “however,” “in addition,” “furthermore,” and “on the other hand” help connect different parts of your essay and guide the reader through your thought process. This cohesive structure enhances the overall coherence of your writing.

Revision and Editing

Self-editing strategies.

Refining your draft begins with reviewing your content for clarity, coherence, and relevance. Start by checking for logical flow and organization. Eliminate unnecessary words, phrases, or repetitive information. Ensure that your thesis statement is clear and supported by strong evidence. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to enhance readability.

Peer Review and Feedback

Utilize the perspectives of others to improve your essay. Seek feedback from peers, instructors, or mentors who can offer valuable insights and constructive criticism. Consider their suggestions for improving clarity, strengthening arguments, or addressing any information gaps. Peer review helps you identify blind spots and refine your writing before finalizing your draft.

Finalizing Your Essay

Polish your work for submission by focusing on the finer details. Double-check spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Ensure consistency in formatting, citations, and referencing style (if applicable). Review the introduction and conclusion to ensure they effectively frame and summarize your main points. Take the time to proofread your essay thoroughly to present a polished and professional piece of writing.

In summary, expository writing plays a crucial role in effectively communicating clear and factual information. By emphasizing clarity, objectivity, and the use of evidence, expository writing educates readers and facilitates a deeper understanding of complex subjects. Whether in academic, professional, or everyday contexts, its structured approach ensures information is presented accurately, encouraging critical thinking and informed decision-making. Embracing expository writing principles enhances communication skills, promotes knowledge dissemination, and contributes to a more informed society overall.

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Chapter 6: 21st-century media and issues

6.10.2 Social media and communication (research essay)

Lindsey Matier

English 102, April 2021

Communication is extremely important in today’s world, whether it be verbal or nonverbal. It can take place through many different forms such as through writing, speaking, listening and physical actions. These forms of communication evolve and continue to improve over time. As humans, we rely on communication for almost everything and it is a way of life. Communication has evolved from talking to writing letters to texting or talking over the phone. Every time a new form of communication is brought up and becomes more popular, we have to adapt and evolve to that new lifestyle. Throughout all the new forms of communication and ways of evolving, social media has been one of the most influential so far. Social media has allowed us to create new ways of communicating, such as texting or posting through different apps. It can connect us with people all over the world and give us a platform to express ourselves in ways that have not been possible before. While social media started off as a small form of technology, it has morphed into aspects of our everyday life. Now there are apps for everything from social media profiles to online shopping. While social media and technology itself has evolved, this has also affected our communication with each other and the world. Social media has created a fast track for information in a matter of seconds. It can give people a platform with millions of followers overnight for doing practically anything. It can help people express themselves in new ways and connect with people who have similar interests. The end goal of social media is to make people happy and ultimately make lives easier.

Introduction

With all this being said, it is evident that social media is in our everyday lives and will continue to change. It has a very strong grip on society as social media usage continues to rise throughout the years. Generalizing social media, we are exposed to forms of media at almost all times of the day. Answering the question of what media is will help give a better understanding of social media as a whole. Media can be defined as a way of mass communication. This could include siting in the car listening to ads on the radio all the way to scrolling on twitter. We are exposed to social media less often than generalized media, but it tends to come in greater quantities when exposed. For example, for people that wake up and check twitter it is an instant flood of information with every scroll. Everything from politics to sports to celebrity news is available at the fingertips. The concern is not all focused on the overwhelming information, but also the overwhelming number of comments and opinions. If we wanted to debate or talk about something before social media it had to be done in person, face to face. Now with social media, we are able to fight with people in comment sections on a backup account with a different name and no connection to who we really are. This new form of communication takes away the vulnerability of speaking to people and having genuine conversation, and makes up for it in internet trolls. Overall, social media is impacting the way we communicate with each other and the real questions are: Is social media impacting us in a positive or negative way? Do the positive aspects outweigh the negative aspects? Is social media hindering the way we communicate in person with each other? Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life?

Personal Research

Along with the other studies that I found from the sources I chose, I also conducted my own study to determine more accurate and recent data. I asked students mostly within high school and college range questions relating to social media and communication. I tried to get a wide range of data dealing with social media apps, screen time, and overall communication as a result of social media. I expected to see almost all negative responses about social media and communication. I figured that most people would respond saying that it has affected them negatively rather than positively, but the results were different compared to what I expected.

The first questions I asked had to do with social media itself. I asked questions about their most used social media apps, screen time, what age they were allowed to start using social media, and whether or not they think social media has had a negative or positive impact on them. As expected, most of the social media apps were some of the most popular ones like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. Overall, the average screen time for all apps was evenly split between 4-6 and 6-8 hours, which I also expected. Something that did surprise me was the amount of time spent on certain social media apps. The data was split pretty evenly three ways and all between 1-4 hours. The next two questions dealt with when they group surveyed started using social media. I asked these questions because a lot of the points I want to discuss later in my paper have to deal with age and whether younger generations are suffering when it comes to communication. More than half the people surveyed said that they wished that they had waited to get social media until they were older. Some said that it is not appropriate for younger kids and that it is just toxic in general. Something that I really like that a couple people mentioned was that in reality, social media at a young age is stupid and useless. A lot of people said they wish they would have enjoyed their childhood more and they would be more extroverted now if they had not been exposed that early. The last question of this section that I asked was if they thought social media has had a more positive or negative impact on them. Overall, the data was split but leaning slightly towards the more positive side. The positive answers mostly dealt with being able to talk to stay in contact with people and meeting new friends. The negative answers all related to mental health and feeling bad about themselves. A lot of people said it is toxic and very controlling and takes up too much of our time.

The next set of questions I asked had to do more with communication and interaction with and without social media. I asked questions like how they feel about social media and how it has impacted their communication, their mental health, and if it has made our lives easier. I decided to ask questions like these because I figured I would get a wide range of responses and a lot of people’s different opinions. I started off by asking if people are an introvert or an extrovert to get an idea of what the responses would be like, and 66% said somewhere in between the two. The response for the next question really shocked me because I received such a one-side response. I asked if they think social media has impacted their communication and the way they interact with others and 75% (18/24 people) said yes. This is the information that I was looking for along with the next two questions. The next question asked if they think social media has negatively impacted their mental health and 50% said yes. I also plan on using this as a research question to show that social media can affect our mental health and therefore affect the way we interact with and around other people. The last two questions are similar but the responses were both very good. Almost everyone answered yes to the question asking if social media has made our lives easier. Everyone that answered yes said they think so because it helps them talk to friends, stay in touch with people they do not see as much, and meet new people that they are comfortable talking to. The people that said no also made good points such as it takes over our lives and it is filled with too much hate and cancel culture. I agree with both sides and am very happy that people can feel a positive response especially when it comes to communicating with other people online. The last question I asked was used to wrap up the whole survey and topic. I asked if they think social media has made our generation’s communication improve or worsen. The data was pretty evenly split, and most people gave a positive and a negative. The people that said improve gave that answer because they said it broadens our communication and allows us to talk to people at a wider range. The people who said it has made it worse all said that it is ruining our face-to-face interaction and causing us to lose emotion. They said that some people do not even know how to have a proper in person conversation and that they are too dependent on their phones. Overall, I agree with both arguments that people made but I do think that the positives outweigh the negatives in most of these situations and questions.

Research Questions

The first question I want to ask has to deal with the overall social media and communication connection and has multiple other questions I would like to cover within it. The main question is: Is social media hindering the way we communicate with each other? I also want to touch on questions like: Is social media impacting us in a positive or negative way? Do the positives outweigh the negatives? The second set of research questions I have is: Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication?

Research Question One

Social media and communication have a direct connection to each other and both have a strong impact on the outcome of the other. My first research question has to do with that. My questions center around how social media has impacted our communication, and whether or not it is positive or negative. First, I think it is important to note the changes and different characteristics that come into play when talking about this. Things like age and problems going on in our world can affect our social media usage and communication. While we connect to people on a deeper level when talking to the in person, social media has also given us a newer and more broad way of communicating. The article “How Social Media Affects Our Ability to Communicate” by Stacey Hanke, talks about different ways social media has impacted our communication. Social media has become so relevant in our day to day lives and Hanke describes it in a couple different ways. She describes it as information binging and the fear of missing out, social graces and conversational boredom. Within these, she explains how social media has become an excuse and escape to talk to people face to face. Hanke also talks about how even though it is limiting our in person communication, it can sometimes make communicating in general easier, by being able to talk to each other in just a few words (Hanke 1). In another article by Ryan J. Fuller titled “The Impact of Social Media Use on Our Social Skills”, he discusses similar topics to Hanke’s article but also brings up more positive attributes of social media. Fuller starts of his article by giving some statistics, stating that 75% of teens own cellphones and 25% of them using it for social media, and also says that they use 7.5 hours a day using it (Fuller 1). I am glad that this was brought up because it is important to know how much time is spent on social media, scrolling through feed. Next, Fuller starts to discuss some of the benefits of social media. He briefly explains how social media is beneficial because we are able to stay in touch with our friends and family, and share important parts of our lives with them. He also explains how it helps people reach out to new friends and provide themselves with more opportunities (Fuller 1). Overall, I really like that he mentioned these because it is important to keep in mind the vast majority of social media and communication. While some use it for more simpler purposes likes just keeping up to date with what is going on in the world, others use it to make new friends, find new job opportunities, and stay in touch with people. Another topic I find important when it comes to answering this research question is how Covid affected everything. With the pandemic, we were left inside with nothing to do but what was at our fingertips. This pandemic increased social media usage drastically. The article “Social Media Insights Into US Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analysis of Twitter Data” by Danny Valdez et al, shows extensive research into determining just how much social media usage in the United States increased during the pandemic. They did experiments and surveys to determine multiple responses to research questions and show how much we rely on social media to communicate with each other. During the pandemic, everyone spent more time on their social media and their phone in general, probably more than they would like to admit. The article helps give more insight into this claim. There is the idea that social media was meant as an addition to our lives. For some people, it has become an addiction and a new piece of their life. The article focuses on how social media could be a toxic place and have a negative effect on our mental health. The time period for this information focuses around the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from Twitter, Valdez created a study to determine the mood of people during the pandemic and the usage throughout (Valdez et al 2). Collecting tweets with certain hashtags and during time periods, the goal was to determine how much the pandemic affected people’s moods, and how much they put out and shared on social media. They used hashtags, timeline data, and tweets from different periods such as the first lockdown, different stay at home orders, etc. Given the responses to the data, they were able to determine the increase in social media usage. We cannot determine if this had a positive or negative effect on the people who were using Twitter, but we can infer that social media is becoming a key part of our lives. Not being able to talk to people as much in person during the first few months of the pandemic greatly affected communication, in positive and negative ways. Communication over the phone increased due to the amount of free time that people had and were able to spend talking to others. Contrary to that, in person communication also decreased given that people were not really allowed to leave the house. The next article by Tayebi et al, “The Role of Information Systems in Communication Through Social Media” focuses a lot about how we have evolved over time with social media and communication. They start off by talking about how social networks are like social media societies. They explain it by resembling it to a human society, as it is filled with people communicating, regardless of time or place. They also exemplify other aspects such as emotional support, information, emotions (Tayebi 2). Social media is constantly looked at through such a negative light due to some of the major bad events that have taken place. While it can be difficult at times to look past the negatives, it is important to recognize and acknowledge the positives. The growth of scientific research would not be possible without the amount of information received from the media (Tayebi 3). Without social media and media in general, we would not be where we are today as a society. As mentioned earlier, it is so easy to get lost in the negative aspects of social media and discard the positive ones. Positive parts of social media such as widespread communication and unlimited access to information makes it all worth it. Staying on topic with positive aspects of social media and communication, social media in the workplace has also broken down barriers for communication. The article “A Guide to the Successful Use of Social Media in the Workplace” by Clark Boyd gives insight into how social media has improved the workplace, and ultimately communication and interaction as a whole. Companies can use social media as a form of branding and way to communicate their products (Boyd 4). Boyd states, “Harvard Business Review finds that 82% of employees believe social media improves work relationships. Left to their own devices, your teams will connect and communicate on social networks, both inside and outside the office.” This directly relates to the research question asking whether social media hinders our communication with each other. Social media also helps when it comes to dealing with complaints placed online. By seeing these through social media, it can help the company communicate either with the person or their company the concerns that are being stated (Boyd 9). Overall, it is safe to say that social media has directly affected communication throughout different aspects of our lives.

Research Question Two

My second set of research questions has a lot to do with the future and how we can improve. Questions such as: Is their more room for improvement when it comes to dealing with communication in the social media spectrum? How can we help improve our communication skills on social media and in real life? How is social media impacting younger generation’s communication versus older generation’s communication? The article “What is Literacy” by James Paul Gee talks a lot about the basics of communication. I find this an important article to talk about before I go into more detail with this second research question. Gee explains discourse as a socially accepted way of speaking, thinking, and acting (Gee 1). It is important to note this because social media has changed that discourse for us. We no longer communicate and interact the same way in which we use to therefore almost giving us a new discourse. Another thing Gee discusses is identity kits. Gee explains identity kits as “appropriate costumes and instructions on how to act and talk” (Gee 2). This relates to social media because there is a certain way we communicate online that we wouldn’t do in person. For example, we use emojis and abbreviations to communicate on social media or over text, but this is something we would not do when communicating face-to-face. There are also some basic well-known rules of social media that follow along the lines of an identity kit. Such as, for Instagram it is a common idea not to like people’s pictures from too long ago. When you say this aloud it sounds like it is not a big deal and silly almost, but for people that use social media it is something that makes sense. The next article is going to focus more on the question that has to do with room for improvement of communication. The article “The Positive Effect of Not Following Others on Social Media” by Francesca Valsesia, Davide Proserpio, and Joseph C. Nunes involves how we deal with social media and how we react to it. The article has a lot to do with pyramid schemes and marketing schemes on social media, simply due to follower count. Social media has a lot of power over us and the content we see. Influencers have too much impact on what we see every day and this overall effects our communication (Valsesia 1). Social media feeds us information at our fingertips, whether it be true or false. Valsesia is trying to get the point across that social media has no impact on our lives without the phone and therefore, having a smaller follower count is better for our communication and overall wellbeing in the first place. Leading into my next article, social media can have a huge impact on the younger generation. This leads into part of my second research question dealing with the younger generation and their communication. The article “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities” by Jacqueline Nesi shows how social media is a very complex brand of information and makes it complicated for everyone. Younger kids having access to it and multiple devices like computers and phones makes it that much more difficult. There are a lot of positives and negatives for younger kids having access to social media and the internet in general. It has an impact on their mental health and studies show it leads to signs of depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders (Nesi 2). It can also affect their communication and outward identity due to things such as bullying, internet drama, and behavioral problems. While it does have serious negative risks, social media also can bring a lot of new positive ones. Things like creative ideas, humor and entertainment, and being able to explore their identity are all really great positives that social media gives us (Nesi 4). Most of them using it as a way to connect with friends and family and help them feel a sense of acceptance and belonging (Nesi 4). Similarly to this, social media has given a great outlet for kids and young adults to speak out on issues going on in the world. The article “Building Bridges: Exploring the Communication Trends and Perceived Sociopolitical Benefits of Adolescents Engaging in Online Social Justice Efforts” by Mariah Elsa Kornbluh goes into detail about the racial injustices in the world and how they are communicated through social media. Social media networks can help connect kids to different backgrounds and aspects of their lives (Kornbluh 1). Kornbluh expresses how a society only can flourish under civic engagement and being able to express ourselves, and social media is helping us do that. It is helping the younger generation prepare for the civic role that they will undergo (Kornbluh 2). Social media helps play a major role in participating in political movements and bringing awareness to topics (Kornbluh 3). This all is done by the younger generation and would not be possible without them. So, while it is easy to look at the negative parts of social media and how it effects the younger generation, it also brings great awareness to real life problems in our world. This last article I wanted to go over dealing with this research question has to do with the pandemic. The article “Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries” by Abu Elnasr E. Sobaih, Ahmed M. Hasanein and Ahmed E. Abu Elnasr briefly talks about communication with social media in higher education systems. Education systems had to switch from in person learning and communication to online learning, which was a struggle for everyone. Throughout the time that this took place, results showed that social media had a positive effect on students dealing with this (Sobaih 1). Students used social media to build a community and help support each other through this rough time. Through these results, proper usage of social media can be shown as a positive result for a new era of learning (Sobaih 1). This is just one more reason why social media can help us improve our future.

After answering my research questions, it has become clear to me that while social media does have negative aspects, the positive aspects outweigh them. Between the articles and my own research, I have enough evidence to prove that social media does effect communication, but in a more positive way. The way we act and present ourselves is heavily influenced by social media and communication between generations are different and can be seen that way. It is important to note the accomplishments we have made as a society with social media and the media in general. It has helped connect families, provide support groups, and provide entertainment in desperate times. Our communication has changed because of social media but has changed and helped us for the better in the long run. Keeping social media a positive place and staying away from the toxic people on it will only help us grow and learn new things about ourselves.

Works Cited

Boyd, Clark. “A Guide to Using Social Media in the Workplace in 2021.” The Blueprint , The Blueprint, 13 May 2020, www.fool.com/the-blueprint/social-media-in-the-workplace/.

https://www.fool.com/the-blueprint/social-media-in-the-workplace/

D, Valdez, et al. “Social Media Insights Into US Mental Health During the Covid-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Analysis of Twitter Data.” Journal of Medical Internet Research , vol. 22, no. 12, 14 Dec. 2020, pp. 1438–8871.

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/detail/detail? vid=8&sid=ff59b04c-b868-44cd-b864-4538e112a2ea%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=33284783&db=mnh

J, Nesi. “The Impact of Social Media on Youth Health: Challenges and Opportunities.” North Carolina Medical Journal , vol. 81, no. 2, 2020, pp. 116–121.

http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/detail/detail?vid=10&sid=ff59b04c-b868-44cd-b864-4538e112a2ea%40sessionmgr103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=32132255&db=mnh

Gee, James Paul. “What is literacy.” Negotiating academic literacies: Teaching and learning across languages and cultures (1998): 51-59.

https://academic.jamespaulgee.com/pdfs/Gee%20What%20is%20Literacy.pdf

Hanke, Stacey. “How Social Media Affects Our Ability to Communicate.” Thrive Global , 13 Sept. 2018, thriveglobal.com/stories/how-social-media-affects-our-ability-to-communicate/.

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/how-social-media-affects-our-ability-to-communicate/

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu:2050/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&sid=467b825c-34f8-4e47-95df-e5b2b61bbaf4%40sessionmgr4006

Kornbluh, Mariah Elsa. “Building Bridges.” Youth & Society , vol. 51, no. 8, 2017, pp. 1104–1126., doi:10.1177/0044118×17723656.

https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy.ulib.csuohio.edu/doi/pdf/10.1177/0044118X17723656

Retchin, Sarah, et al. “The Impact of Social Media Use on Social Skills.” New York Behavioral Health , 1 Dec. 2020, newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/the-impact-of-social-media-use-on-social-skills/.

https://newyorkbehavioralhealth.com/the-impact-of-social-media-use-on-social-skills/

Sobaih, Abu Elnasr E., et al. “Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Social Media Usage for Sustaining Formal Academic Communication in Developing Countries.” MDPI , Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 12 Aug. 2020, www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/16/6520/htm.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/16/6520/htm

Tayeb, Seyed Mohammad, et al. “The Role of Information Systems in Communication through Social Media.” International Journal of Data and Network Science , vol. 3, no. 3, 2019, pp. 245–268., doi:10.5267/j.ijdns.2019.2.002.

http://www.growingscience.com/ijds/Vol3/ijdns_2019_15.pdf

Valsesia, Francesca, et al. “The Positive Effect of Not Following Others on Social Media .” Journal of Marketing Research , vol. 57, no. 6, Dec. 2020, pp. 1152–1168.

https://www.francescavalsesia.com/uploads/1/0/5/1/105151509/the_positive_effect_of_not_following_others_on_social_media.pdf

Understanding Literacy in Our Lives by Lindsey Matier is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Communication Essay

Communication is sending and receiving information via phone calls, emails, and in-person conversations. When information is conveyed effectively, the receiver may understand it extremely well and there is no room for misunderstandings. Here are a few sample essays on communication.

100 Words Essay On Communication

Every one of us uses a medium to communicate our daily experiences; this might be an expression, a gesture, a speech pattern, etc. These are all many forms of communication. Communication is a way for people to share their opinions with one another. Being a good communicator is useful in many facets of life, whether one in a school/university, in the workplace, or in personal relationships. Miscommunication results from poor communication skills. The widespread use of smartphones has resulted in a whole new culture of communication. Due to the cameras on smartphones, video calls are now more common, and group conference calls are also now an option.

200 Words Essay On Communication

500 words essay on communication.

The notion of communication has undergone a significant alteration in just a few years since technology's invention. Earlier forms of communication required people to discuss their thoughts, feelings, and emotions while seated next to one another or in a group. Thanks to technology, it is possible to deliver a message to a large group via email. For both commercial and personal communication, this generation of millennials is adjusting to social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Flow of Communication

People's attitudes, beliefs, and even methods of thinking can change as a result of communication. In daily life, communication is essential. It is possible to transmit knowledge through conversation. It transfers knowledge from one area, individual, or group to another. Communication serves as a way or means for connecting people and places. It has expanded to relate to diverse perspectives.

Every kind of communication conveys a message. Communication that flows from superiors to subordinates is downward communication like from principal to teachers or from teachers to students. Communication that flows from subordinates to superiors is upward communication like from students to teachers or teachers to principal. Horizontal communication takes place between two equals, that is, between two teachers or between two students.

There are two sides to every conversation. There is a sender and a recipient involved. A message may be sent in the form of facts, instructions, questions, feelings, opinions, ideas, or in any other way. Only when the sender and the recipient have a shared understanding can communication take place. Common elements such as culture, language, and environment are included in the commonness. For persons with comparable cultural origins, words, phrases, idioms, proverbs, gestures, and expressions have tremendous potential for communication.

Importance of Communication

The idea that effective communication is the only thing that will get the work done is still true despite the tremendous advancements in technology. Understanding the components and varieties of communication is necessary before learning how to communicate with people more effectively. The sender generates the message, followed by the message itself, which should be extremely clear and understood, and the recipient’s responsibility is to decode the message. There is a good chance that two distinct persons will have completely different perspectives on the same message. The sender can prevent this issue if they are aware of the communication channel.

Types of Communication

Verbal, non-verbal, written, visual, formal, and informal communication are different forms of communication that exist.

Verbal communication includes both the sender and the recipient using voice and language. Here, words are used to communicate the message.

The body language of the individuals engaged in communication or debate is crucial in nonverbal communication. Since the conversation is not particularly loud, it is probable that the indicators may be overlooked or misunderstood. To be able to decipher the subtleties of non-verbal communication, one must be an astute observer.

The written mode of communication is incredibly important. One must very carefully construct the words in a written form as this can be documented for years to come. Professional documents including circulars, memoranda, letters, and bank statements are examples of written communication.

Information may be communicated visually by using graphical images like pie charts, bar graphs, and statistical statistics. This should all be supported by actual data, not just conjecture.

With teachers and principals, the formal method of communication is observed, where the students convey everything in a formal manner.

Informal communication takes place among groups of peers and friends and can be relaxed with no rules, commitments, or formality.

The effects of poor communication skills might vary in severity for various people. Therefore, one must master the principles and value of effective communication.

How To Be A Good Communicator

The first and most important stage is understanding the audience one is targeting. If there is a younger audience, the language ought to be straightforward and tailored to them. In this situation, it is pointless to demonstrate one's skill using complex language and big words.

Speak confidently.

Nonverbal communication may be used quite successfully like making eye contact when speaking, this can help you gauge how much of what you're saying is being understood by the audience.

Before speaking, preparation is crucial. The significance and goal of the message to be given must be well understood.

If necessary, one must explain the use of photos and drawings since they might provide the audience with a new perspective.

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Essay on Communication in 100, 200 and 300 Words: The Essence of Survival

Updated on
Oct 20, 2023

Do you know how important it is to communicate with others? Communication is the primary means through which individuals share information, ideas and thoughts. Communication fosters strong relationships. In this essence, writing an essay on communication becomes important where you highlight the importance of communication, how it affects our everyday lives and what skills are required to become a communication professional . Let’s explore all these questions with some essays on communication.

Table of Contents

1 Essay on Communication in 100 Words
2 Essay on Communication in 200 Words
3 Essay on Communication in 300 Words

Essay on Communication in 100 Words

Communication is the cornerstone of human interaction and is crucial to sharing ideas, thoughts and information. By communicating, people foster relationships, which is vital for personal and professional growth. Effective communication facilitates understanding, resolves conflicts, and promotes collaboration. Whether verbal or nonverbal, it forms the basis of successful teamwork, decision-making, and social integration.

Clear communication is key to a harmonious society, nurturing empathy, and building trust. It encourages brainstorming, creative thinking, and the development of new solutions to complex problems. Its impact is profound, shaping the way we interact, learn, and evolve, making it an indispensable tool for human connection and progress.

Essay on Communication in 200 Words

What makes communication important is that it serves as the bedrock for exchanging ideas, information, and emotions. It is the essence of human interaction, enabling us to convey our thoughts, beliefs, and intentions to others. Effective communication is essential in every aspect of life, whether in personal relationships, professional environments, or social interactions.

Effective communication can form the basis of trust and mutual understanding and understanding. In personal relationships, communication fosters understanding and empathy, allowing individuals to express their feelings and needs, while also listening to and acknowledging others.

In the professional realm. Communication allows the smooth functioning of organizations. With communication, individuals can disseminate information, set clear expectations and encourage collaboration among team members. Moreover, effective communication in the workplace enhances productivity and promotes a positive work culture.

The uses and benefits of communication are not limited to just personal and professional realms. In social environments also, communication allows diverse groups to understand each other’s cultures, beliefs, and values, promoting inclusivity and harmony in society.

You can call communication a fundamental pillar of human existence, as it helps in shaping our relationships, work environments, and societal interactions. Its effective practice is essential for nurturing empathy, building trust, and fostering a more connected and understanding world.

Also Read: Essay on the Importance of English Language

Essay on Communication in 300 Words

How crucial communication is can be explained by the fact that it allows the smooth transfer of ideas, thoughts, feelings and information. Communication is the lifeblood of human interaction, playing a crucial role in the exchange of ideas, information, and emotions. It serves as the cornerstone of relationships, both personal and professional, and is integral to the functioning of society as a whole.

In personal relationships, it is essential to have effective communication for clear understanding and empathy. It allows individuals to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs, while also providing a platform for active listening and mutual support. Strong communication fosters trust and intimacy, enabling individuals to build meaningful and lasting connections with others.

Without communication, you might struggle for organizational success in the professional world. Clear and effective communication within a team or workplace ensures that tasks are understood, roles are defined, and goals are aligned. It enables efficient collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making, contributing to a positive and productive work environment. Moreover, effective communication between employers and employees promotes a sense of transparency and fosters a healthy work culture.

In a broader sense, communication is vital for social integration and cultural understanding. It bridges the gaps between diverse groups, facilitating the exchange of values, beliefs, and perspectives. Effective communication fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural differences, contributing to a more harmonious and cohesive community.

However, communication is not just about sharing information and ideas. It also encompasses nonverbal cues such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, all of which play a significant role in conveying meaning and emotions. It is the glue that binds individuals and communities together, fostering understanding, empathy, and collaboration. Practicing clear and empathetic communication is vital for creating a more connected, inclusive, and harmonious world.

Communication is the process of exchanging ideas, information, thoughts and feelings between individuals or groups through the use of verbal and nonverbal methods.

To write an essay on communication, you need to describe what communication is, what the importance of communication in our lives and how it can help us know different aspects of life.

To become an effective communicator, you must become an active listener and understand what others have to say. You must learn to express your thoughts clearly and concisely. You also need to ensure your body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice perfectly align with your ideas.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu .

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Modern Forms Of Communication: IELTS Essay Writing

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Updated on 17 April, 2024

Mrinal Mandal

Study abroad expert.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has an entire portion dedicated to the speaking and in one of the speaking parts, there is an activity where a cue card is provided to the candidate and one is asked to speak on a topic continuously for two to three minutes. Every student must write a comprehensive and explanatory answer that explains every aspect of the question.

In the present scenario, the question requires the student to discuss and elaborate upon the modern forms of communication. Their answer must cover the following points:

List down some essential and modern forms of communication
Are these modes of communication a boon or bane for the people?
Navigating a balance between the in-person and virtual communication modes
The concluding opinion

Discuss whether you are in favor of or against the prevalence of modern forms of communication: question 1, what do you prefer- connecting on social media or talking in person: question 2, frequently asked questions, important ielts exam resources.

The modern world has evolved over the years due to the progress made in the field of technology. Communicating with your loved ones in a world like this shouldn't be difficult. Thanks to the modern forms of communication like messaging and video calling, you can now stay in close touch with your clan.

People from the older generation are often found not favoring these advancements. They believe that newer modes of communication have eradicated the possibility of one-on-one discussions. Mechanizing the process of connecting with someone has erased the presence of human feelings. It is very difficult to understand the tone and emotion through mere texts.

However, I believe that having access to each other via texts, calls, and video chats has made the world more compact. Today, I can talk to a friend that may be sitting miles away. It has allowed more human bonds to forge and relationships to not fall apart due to a lack of communication, especially in a pandemic.

With that said, I also understand the value of human touch or being physically around the people you love. Finding this balance between the two is essential.

So, talk to people around you, in your college or office. Reach out to them, exchange your views, celebrate with them, laugh with them, and share your sorrows. Nothing beats having someone around physically. If that's not possible, you can always call and text to fill the void. In my opinion, these communication modes are a boon if used properly.

Tentative Band Score- 6

Word Count- 255

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As the world moves forward, the ways of our communication have evolved. There was a time when we were young and would meet up with our friends in the colony playground every evening. That was how we stayed in the loop with each other's life. Today, that connection is replaced by watching each other's posts on social media platforms.

The modern forms of communication like texts, calls, emails, and social media have brought the people in our lives closer. Those who live miles away feel next to us when you video call. Technology has allowed us to never lose touch with people we love. Hence, it’s a boon, in my opinion.

With that said, sometimes the line gets blurry. People cancel meeting each other only to watch their friends have fun on the social media posts later. We live more in the curated reality present virtually rather than what we have in the present. This can be dangerous if we lose touch with our lives and those around us.

Virtual connections are a suitable replacement only when there is no choice but to use them more, as in a pandemic or if you cannot leave your house owing to having been sick or similar exceptions. Otherwise, if you do have the access, then going over to meet someone in-person, having a quick chat, a hug, and a shared goodbye is always more meaningful.

So, if I had to pick one mode of communication over the other, I'd choose to be around someone physically unless faced with an event that renders me incapable.

Word Count- 262

How have the modes of communication evolved?

Ten to fifteen years back, the primary mode of communication was going to someone's house, sitting in their living room while sharing a hot cup of tea as you talk. The idea sounds so simple and lovely. Yet, today, it's no more standard practice. Today, a person has to first call or text another person, make small talk, ask where they are, and then perhaps, make plans to meet each other. The modes of communication have evolved and have made us more distant as much as they have made reaching out more accessible. It's truly ironic.

In the face of modern communication channels, has writing letters lost its meaning?

Letter writing was a primary practice that was prevalent before the advent of technology. People from our parents' generation often wrote letters to each other, giving details of their day and life. Writing down how you feel and sending it to someone close was a personalized act. Texting, on the other hand, lacks the same effect. There are always a few texts lying unread, and the conversations have become superficial. Unfortunately, today, it is the fundamental way of communication, and letter writing is not as prevalent as it used to be a long time ago.

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IELTS Exam Overview

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IELTS Score Validity

The IELTS score validity for General and Academic is two years across the globe. The IELTS result validity for Canada is two years.

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Home / Essay Samples / Sociology / Communication Skills / The Importance of Effective Communication: The Key to Success

The Importance of Effective Communication: The Key to Success

Category: Sociology
Topic: Communication Skills , Effective Communication , Interpersonal Communication

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From Aristotle to Obama: A Brief History of Communication

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Intrapersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication

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Public Communication

Mass Communication

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Essay on Importance of Communication for Students and Children

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Importance of Communication

Help to Build Relationships

Improve the Working Environment

Foster strong team

Find the right solutions

Earns more respect

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