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Communication in Everyday Life
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Communication in Everyday Life
A Survey of Communication

Fifth Edition
July 2025 | 400 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Communication in Everyday Life explores fundamental concepts, theories, and skills, enabling students to apply the material to their personal and professional lives. With a thematic integration of the relational perspective and a focus on demonstrating its direct relevance to their own everyday communication, authors Steve Duck and David T. McMahan help students build a strong foundation in communication concepts, theory, and research, while developing practical skills such as listening, critical thinking, effective use of technology, understanding nonverbal communication, creating persuasive strategies, and managing group conflicts. With updated coverage of media and technology, new examples, and updated references, the Fifth Edition offers timely insights into modern communication topics central to everyday life.
 
Preface
 
A Personal Note to Readers
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part I: Communication Foundations
 
Chapter 1: An Overview of Communication
Exploring Communication: Everyday Communication and the Relational Perspective

 
Communication Is Symbolic

 
Communication Requires Meaning

 
Communication Is Cultural

 
Communication Is Relational

 
Communication Involves Frames

 
Communication Is Both Presentational and Representational

 
Communication Is a Transaction

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Part II: Communication Skills
 
Chapter 2: Identities, Perceptions, and Communication
Basic Assumptions of Identity Creation

 
Identities and Perceptions

 
Transacting Identities: Communication and Performance

 
Transacting Identities: Self-Disclosure

 
Transacting Identities: Other People

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 3: Verbal Communication
Verbal Communication Is Symbolic

 
Verbal Communication Is Cultural

 
Verbal Communication Is Relational

 
Verbal Communication Involves Frames

 
Verbal Communication Is Both Presentational and Representational

 
Kenneth Burke’s Pentad

 
Verbal Communication Is a Transaction

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 4: Nonverbal Communication
What Is Nonverbal Communication?

 
The Functions of Nonverbal Communication

 
Types of Nonverbal Communication

 
Misconceptions About Nonverbal Communication

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 5: Culture and Communication
Points to Consider When Studying Culture

 
Culture as Structure

 
Structure-Based Cultural Characteristics

 
Transacting Culture

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 6: Listening
Why Is Listening Important?

 
Types of Listening

 
Styles of Listening

 
Recognizing and Overcoming Listening Obstacles

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Part III: Communication Contexts
 
Chapter 7: Personal Relationships
What Are Personal Relationships?

 
Why Do People Form Relationships?

 
Initiating Relationships: Attraction And The Relationship Filtering Model

 
Developing Relationships

 
Maintaining Relationships

 
Coming Apart

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Terms

 
Communication And You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 8: Family Communication
Families as Structures

 
Families as Systems

 
Families as Transacted

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 9: Groups and Leaders
What Is a Group?

 
Characteristics of Groups

 
Group Development and Decision Making

 
Group Decision Making Is About Relationships

 
Leadership

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 10: Communication and Work
Learning About Work

 
Work as a Special Frame

 
Work as a Culture

 
Work as Relationships

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 11: Health Communication
Health Communication

 
Patient–Provider Relationships

 
Social Networks and the Primary Health Goals of Support

 
Media, Technology, and Health

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 12: Technology and Media in Everyday Life
Perceptions of Technology and Media

 
The Relational Uses of Technology and Media

 
Phones and Relationships

 
Maintaining Relationships and the Internet

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 13: Public and Interpersonal Influence
Presentations: Understanding Audiences

 
Presentations: Convince and Actuate

 
Sequential Persuasion

 
Emotional Appeals

 
Compliance Gaining: Goals

 
Compliance-Gaining: Strategies

 
Fallacious Arguments

 
Learning Outcomes Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Chapter 14: Interviewing
Interviews

 
Cover Letters and Résumés

 
Pre-Interview Responsibilities for an Employment Interview

 
Beginning an Employment Interview

 
Asking the Questions During an Employment Interview

 
Answering the Questions During an Employment Interview

 
Concluding an Employment Interview

 
Learning Objectives Revisited

 
Key Concepts

 
Glossary

 
Communication and You

 
Technology Connections

 
 
Appendix A: The Discipline of Communication
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

A solid broad overview of the communication discipline that is very accessible to students.

Alyssa Davis
Clemson University

One of the most user-friendly, conversational, and relatable introductions to communication texts I've ever used.

Donna L. Halper
Lesley University

It is a very straightforward and easy to follow textbook that introduces the field to students. I like that students don't find the textbook daunting to read and everything is written in a very accessible and friendly tone.

Rosie Jahng
Wayne State University
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.
  • New coverage of media and technology throughout the book has been updated to reflect important developments, including changes in use and platform name changes.
  • Streamlined writing, new examples, and updated references.
  • Learning objectives and outcomes have been updated and modified.
  • Communication and Career boxes present students with guides to integrate the material into their careers, helping them understand how the material applies to career success.
  • Communication and Social Engagement boxes examine the material in connection to social and civic engagement and activism.
  • Diverse Voices boxes expand discussion of content to a multicultural perspective, preparing students for today’s diverse world.
KEY FEATURES:
  • A conversational and engaging writing style makes the book accessible to readers across varying levels of academic preparedness and diverse life experiences.
  • A unifying theme of a relational perspective recognizes that relationships are central to people’s understanding of the world.
  • Focus on everyday communication recognizes that while most communication is seemingly ordinary, it is also the place where most interpersonal and life situations take place.
  • Learning Outcomes identify for readers what they should be able to complete after reading the chapter.
  • Disciplinary Debate boxes encourage critical thinking by asking students to consider competing views within communication scholarship or positions that counter those presented in the text.
  • Ethical Issue boxes address an increasingly important area of focus in the discipline by urging students to contemplate and develop a position regarding ethical quandaries that arise in communication.
  • Technology Connections features lead students to draw from media to further explore the issues discussed in each chapter.
  • Learning Outcomes Revisited encourages review of chapter material through a pedagogical structure rather than a simple chapter summary.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Ch1-2

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