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The Communication Playbook
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The Communication Playbook

Third Edition
Available with:
Learning platform
January 2026 | 656 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Designed for today's active learners, The Communication Playbook moves students beyond the classroom by helping them develop a strong communication skillset that will benefit them throughout their lives. With a focus on effective communication skills and career success, bestselling authors Teri Kwal Gamble and Michael W. Gamble provide clear, accessible explanations of key concepts paired with hands-on learning activities, encouraging students to think critically about why good communication matters and how to apply it in the classroom, workplace, and community. The new Third Edition tackles timely topics and trends, including artificial intelligence (AI), social media, misinformation and disinformation, and expanded insights into communication and health. Recognizing that strong communication is the cornerstone of everyday life, this text primes students to excel in their studies, careers, and beyond.

This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I: Fundamentals of Communication
 
Chapter 1: Communication in Your Life
Build Communication Presence

 
The Nature and Essentials of Communication

 
Key Communication Principles

 
Why Work to Improve Communication Skills?

 
Communication Skills: Practice Effective Communication

 
Complete this Chapter 1 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 2: Culture and Communication
The Link Between Communication and Culture

 
Culture, Communication, and Difference

 
Cultural Identity: Cultures within Cultures

 
Dimensions of Culture in Action

 
Digital Technology, Community, and Connectivity

 
Communication Skills: Practice Communicating Interculturally

 
Complete this Chapter 2 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 3: Perception and the Self
The Nature of Perception

 
The “I” Affects Perception of You

 
Self-Perception, Outlook, and Performance

 
Common Perceptual Barriers

 
Gender, Culture, Self-Concept, and Perception

 
Social Media, Self-Concept, and Perception

 
Communication Skills: Practice Improving Perception of the Self and Others

 
Complete this Chapter 3 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Part II: Communication Messages and Skills
 
Chapter 4: Words and the Communication of Meaning
The Nature of Language and Meaning

 
Problems With Language

 
Culture, Gender, and Language

 
The Expression of Power and Offensive Language

 
The Digital Dimension and Language Use

 
Communication Skills: Practice Thinking Critically About Language Use

 
Complete this Chapter 4 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 5: Nonverbal Messages Speak
Characteristics and Functions of Nonverbal Communication

 
Types of Nonverbal Communication

 
Additional Nonverbal Messages

 
Gender, Culture, and Nonverbal Behavior

 
Nonverbal Communication in the Digital Dimension

 
Communication Skills: Practice Using and Observing Nonverbal Cues

 
Complete this Chapter 5 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 6: Ethical Listening
Listening and the Communication Connection

 
The Types and Stages of Listening

 
Mindful Listening

 
Gender, Culture, and Listening

 
Digital Media Influences on Listening and Critical Thinking

 
Communication Skills: Practice Listening Skills

 
Complete This Chapter 6 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Part III: Interpersonal Communication (Person-to-Person)
 
Chapter 7: Understanding Personal and Professional Relationships
Reasons to Seek Interpersonal Relationships

 
Types of Relationships

 
Conversation and Connection

 
How Sex, Gender, and Culture Impact Relationships

 
Digital Media and Our Relationships

 
Communication Skills: Practice Improving Interpersonal Relationships

 
Complete This Chapter 7 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 8: Emotions and Relational Conflict
Handling Relationships

 
Lying, Trusting, and Laughing in Relationships

 
Communicating Emotional Intelligence in Relationships

 
Handling Emotions During Relational Conflict

 
Understanding the Role of Sex, Gender, and Culture in Emotional Expression and Conflict

 
Expressing Emotions and Conflict with Technology

 
Communication Skills: Practice Handling Feelings Effectively

 
Complete This Chapter 8 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Part IV: Group Communication
 
Chapter 9: Team Building, Group Decision-Making, and Problem Solving
Groups, Teams, and You

 
Making the Decision to Use a Group

 
Decision Making in Groups: Reaching Goals

 
Gender, Culture, and Group Interaction

 
Technology and Group Interaction

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Improving Group Communication

 
Complete this Chapter 9 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 10: Group Membership, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution
Performing Group Membership and Leadership

 
Leadership Theories

 
Cooperative and Supportive Group Work

 
Group Conflict

 
The Influence of Gender and Culture on Leadership and Conflict Management

 
Demonstrating Effective Leadership and Conflict Management in Virtual Groups

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Ethical Conflict Management

 
Complete This Chapter 10 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Part V: Public Communication
 
Chapter 11: Public Speaking and You
Step Up and Speak With Confidence

 
Learn a Step-by-Step System for Readying Your First Speech

 
Start With You

 
Understand Your Audience

 
Analyze the Occasion

 
Select and Develop Your Topic

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Improving Speech Preparation

 
Complete This Chapter 11 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 12: Research, Support, and Outline Your Speech
Research Your Topic

 
Feature the Best Support Available

 
Choose an Organizational Format: Linear or Configural Arrangement

 
Build the Speech Framework: Outlining Your Speech

 
Add Beginnings and Endings

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Speech Design and Organization

 
Complete This Chapter 12 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 13: Presentation Aids and Speech Delivery
Selecting and Preparing Presentation Aids

 
Evaluating Delivery Best Practices

 
Rehearsing Your Presentation

 
Assessing the Speaker’s Performance

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Evaluating Your Speech

 
Complete This Chapter 13 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 14: Informative Speaking
Sharing and Conceptualizing Information

 
Types of Informative Presentations

 
Best Practices for Informative Speakers

 
Assessing an Informative Speech

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Achieving Informative Speaking Goals

 
Complete this Chapter 14 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Chapter 15: Persuasive Speaking
The Purpose of Persuasion

 
Types of Persuasive Speeches

 
Follow Best Practices for Persuading Effectively and Responsibly

 
Assessing a Persuasive Speech

 
Communication Skills: Practice Tips for Achieving Persuasive Speaking Goals

 
Complete this Chapter 15 Checklist

 
Key Terms

 
 
Appendix A: Communicating Professionalism When Interviewing
 
Answer Key
 
Glossary
 
Endnotes
 
Index
Key features
NEW TO THIS EDITION:
  • The new edition is available in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support.
    • Flashcards and note-taking tools help students better prepare for class.
    • NEW! Audiobook Player allows students to listen to text content, boosting comprehension and retention. It offers flexible, on-the-go access, engaging both reluctant readers and auditory learners, improving the overall reading experience.
    • The Offline Reading option in the Student Dashboard offers greater accessibility to Vantage’s reading content, regardless of where students are or how strong their internet connection may be.
  • Updated chapter openings to ensure they appeal to students, capturing their attention and engaging them in the chapter’s content.
  • Integrated new content and discussion of artificial intelligence (AI), social media, and other technological communication advances.
  • Increased coverage of contemporary communication challenges such as misinformation and disinformation.
  • Broadened coverage of present day ethical and cultural influences on each type of communication.
  • Enhanced discussion around communication and health.
  • Updated examples throughout the text for currency and relevance.
KEY FEATURES:
  • "Skill-Builders" learning activities empower students to practice and improve their communication skills by placing students in everyday situations, encouraging students to assess their own and others’ face-to-face and digital communication practices, and offering strategies that students can practice to communicate more effectively.
  • "Career-Builders" exercises and checklists connect communication skills to careers success by providing insights into the types of skills employers seek such as the ability to speak so that others listen, listen when others speak, adapt to differences in cultural perspectives, handle conflicts and solve problems, and make sound decisions.
  • "Exploring Diversity" activities encourage students to think critically about how different cultures and genders communicate and puts these differences into context so students develop a more global perspective.
  • "Ethics and Communication" discussions help students define for themselves the meaning of "ethical communication" by guiding them through various ethical quandaries that question the moral principles, values, and beliefs of society.
  • "Self-Assessments" within each chapter encourage students to complete a self reflective questionnaire of their communication behaviors and attitudes to determine their level of proficiency and identify areas for growth.
Vantage Reference: 
The Communication Playbook - Vantage Learning Platform

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