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Choices & Connections

An Introduction to CommunicationThird Edition ©2020 Steven McCornack; Joseph Ortiz

Choices & Connections shows students that communication is an opportunity to connect their words and actions to their choice of who they want to be and what kind of community they want to live in. Every element in the text is designed to engage students in the study of communication

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Choices & Connections by Steven McCornack; Joseph Ortiz - Third Edition, 2020 from Macmillan Student Store

Be your best communicator

Choices & Connections shows students that communication is an opportunity to connect their words and actions to their choice of who they want to be and what kind of community they want to live in. Every element in the text is designed to engage students in the study of communication and help them become resilient, confident, and culturally conscious communicators. Choices & Connections helps students integrate and apply the most current scholarly research through scenario activities, real-life situations, and pop-culture examples designed to recursively develop communication skills best learned through practice, in context.

The third edition has been extensively revised to ensure that all students’ perspectives are represented. The coverage of gender communication has been overhauled, with a reimagined Chapter 3 on “Understanding Gender and Culture.” The mediated communication chapter has also been heavily revised with the latest research.

Features

Intuitive approach to connecting communication concepts. Based on decades of experience teaching introductory communication courses at both universities and community colleges, authors Steven McCornack and Joseph Ortiz carefully weave together different concepts and theory to provide a holistic view of communication. For example, connecting critical self-reflection skills to relationship management (Ch. 8), speech anxiety (Ch. 15), and interview preparation (Appendix) shows students how different components of communication are interconnected.

Emphasis on practical communication skills and self-assessment that promote student engagement. Accessible and appealing, Choices & Connections provides streamlined content, built-in study aids to guide reading, a variety of pop-culture and real-life examples, and a clean, eye-catching design.

Engaging student experience. Choices & Connections provides streamlined content, built-in study aids to guide reading, and a variety of pop-culture and real-life examples. In conjunction with a focus on technology and online messages (Chapter 4: Mediated Communication), the text meets students where they are.

Appendix on interviewing includes strategies for informational interviews, employment interviews, and more. The Appendix includes all of the features of a regular book chapter—including Advance the Conversation—plus two sample student resumes and a sample cover letter.

LaunchPad’s multifaceted, immersive digital experience, now with video assessment powered by GoReact. LaunchPad for Choices & Connections comes fully loaded with the e-book, assessment, videos, and more. It was designed from the ground up to use the best aspects of both print and digital to create a superior, individualized learning experience for students. Videos in LaunchPad bring concepts from the book to life, model speech behaviors, and give students a chance to reflect on their own communication experiences. Students can further master theories and their application through the adaptive and personalized quizzing program LearningCurve. LaunchPad seamlessly integrates with campus learning management systems and can be purchased on its own or packaged with the print book.

New to This Edition

Our Editorial Board for Diversity, Inclusion, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy has helped create a better, more inclusive learning experience. With their help, our goal is to promote the fundamental place of diversity, inclusiveness, and culturally responsive pedagogy in Choices & Connections and its companion media. Photos and text examples throughout the book have been extensively revised in response to the board’s feedback, ensuring that the perspectives in each chapter truly reflect the diversity of students in today's classrooms. Learn more about this group here.

Chapter 3 has been overhauled as “Understanding Gender and Culture” and now incorporates the latest research in gender communication. The chapter's new gender coverage supplements the existing coverage of culture, which has also been updated with the latest research. This revised chapter is unique in the market—the first to take an integrated approach to gender and culture, exploring the ways these two forces intersect and influence one another and how they both work to shape our communication. New topics covered include gender fluidity, transgender and cisgender individuals, gender socialization, and gender identity. Gender coverage throughout all other chapters has also been revised with a more inclusive, non-binary approach.

Reimagined “Advance the Conversation” scenario features help students master communication skills. Each chapter contains two Advance the Conversation features, one with a video component in LaunchPad and one without video, which get students applying communication skills to challenging situations. The first activity presents students with a challenging communication scenario, then prompts them to engage with the most current research and choose how best to respond. Then, at the end of each chapter, students draw on the skills they have learned to give advice to characters in a second scenario. Finally, students can go to LaunchPad to watch videos of other possible ways the characters might have communicated. Advance the Conversation systematically guides students through how to apply communication skills to difficult situations and better adapt to daily demands in their own lives.

New video assessment program powered by GoReact helps students develop effective public speaking skills. Students can record speeches directly into their assignment via the Macmillan Mobile Video iOS/Android apps, a laptop, or webcam. Instructors and peers can assess the speech using rubrics, commenting features, and customizable marker sets. Afterward, students have immediate access to their speech paired with time-based feedback to help them start preparing for their next speech.

“Choices & Connections is a concise, well-written text that is perfect for the introductory course. The text provides a nice combination of application and theory while addressing the needs of both students and instructors.”
—Tasha Davis, Austin Community College

“I have described this book as ‘student-friendly.’ Students can open a chapter and immediately understand what is important.”
—Mary Staci Fritzges, University of Central Arkansas

“Choices & Connections has really relevant and timely examples throughout. The illustrations are helpful, and each chapter starts with a poignant example that the body of the chapter helps explain and elucidate.”
—Danielle Harkins, Germanna Community College

“The text is great because of currency and relevance. The examples are up to date, and many of our students can relate to how the text is written.”
—Tenisha Baca, Glendale Community College

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Table of Contents

Preface

Part 1: Communication Foundations

Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication

     What Is Communication?
          Defining Communication
          Why You Communicate
          Communication Models
     Studying Communication
          A Brief History of Communication
          Types of Communication
     Communication Competence
          Understanding Communication Competence
          Putting Competence into Practice
     Choices and Connections
          Communication Skills
     Advance the Conversation: Time for Payback?
          Communication Connections
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Competent Conversations
     Chapter 1 Review

Chapter 2: Self and Perception
     The Nature of Self
          Self-Awareness
          Self-Concept
          Self-Esteem
          Gender, Sexual Orientation, Culture, and Self
     Presenting Your Self
          Creating Faces and Masks
          Losing Face
          Maintaining Face
     Advance the Conversation: Distorting Online Self-Presentation
     Perceiving Others
          The Perception Process
          Attributions and Perceptual Errors
     Forming Impressions
          Gestalts
          Algebraic Impressions
          Stereotypes
     Improving Your Perception
          Perception-Checking
          Empathy
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Empathy for a Group Member
     Chapter Review

Chapter 3: Understanding Gender and Culture
     What Is Gender?
          Gender Defined
     Gender and Communication
          Gender and Verbal Communication
          Gender and Nonverbal Communication
     Moving Beyond Gender Stereotypes
     Advance the Conversation: Challenging Binary Judgments
     What Is Culture?
          Culture Defined
          Co-Cultures
          Intersectionality
          Prejudice
     Culture and Communication
          Dimensions of Difference
          Communication Accommodation
     Creating Intercultural Competence
          World-Mindedness
          Attributional Complexity
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Adapting to Cultural Differences
     Chapter Review

Chapter 4: Mediated Communication
     What Is Mediated Communication?
          Types of Mediated Communication
          Functions of Mediated Communication
          Characteristics of Mediated Communication
     Self-Presentation and Mediated Communication
          Creating Your Online Face
          Managing Your Online Face
     Mediated Communication Challenges
          Perceived Social Isolation
          Online Disinhibition
          Digital Deception
     Using Mediated Communication Competently
     Advance the Conversation: Friends Don't Let Friends Text and Talk
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Removing an Embarrassing Post
     Chapter Review

Chapter 5: Verbal Communication
     The Nature of Verbal Communication
          Language Is Symbolic
          Language Is Governed by Rules
          Language Conveys Meaning
          Language and Culture Are Intertwined
     Verbal Communication Skills
          Create Understandable Messages
          Use "I" and "We" Language
          Avoid Gender-Based Presumptions
          Be Mindful of Cultural Differences
     Verbal Communication Challenges
          Prejudiced Language
          Verbal Aggression
          Deception
     Advance the Conversation: Protecting a Friend from Harm
          Defamation
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Disagreement with Family
     Chapter Review

Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication
     Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
          Nonverbal Communication Uses Multiple Channels
          Nonverbal Communication Conveys More Meaning Than Verbal Communication
          Nonverbal Communication Blends with Verbal Communication
          Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Gender
          Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Culture
     Types of Nonverbal Communication
          Body Movement
          Voice
          Touch
          Personal Space
          Appearance
          Environmental Features
     Functions of Nonverbal Communication
          Conveying Meaning
          Expressing Emotion
          Presenting Self
          Managing Interactions
     Advance the Conversation: I Wasn't Being Sarcastic!
          Defining Relationships
     Strengthening Your Nonverbal Communication Skills
          Enhancing Your Nonverbal Expressiveness
          Inhibiting Your Nonverbal Behaviors
          Checking Your Nonverbal Attributions
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Perceiving Nonverbal Messages
     Chapter Review

Chapter 7: Active Listening
     The Listening Process
          Stages of the Listening Process
          Motives for Listening
          Multitasking and Listening
     Advance the Conversation: To Multitask or Not, That Is the Question!
     Listening Styles
          Four Listening Styles
          Gender and Listening Styles
          Culture and Listening Styles
     Barriers to Active Listening
          Selective Listening
          Pseudo-Listening
          Aggressive Listening
     Improving Your Active Listening Skills
          Manage Your Feedback
          Adapt Your Listening
          Recognize the Value of Silence
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Active Listening
     Chapter Review

Part 2: Interpersonal Communication

Chapter 8: Principles of Interpersonal Communication
     What Is Interpersonal Communication?
          Interpersonal Communication Is Transactional
          Interpersonal Communication Is Dynamic
          Interpersonal Communication Is Relational
          Interpersonal Communication Is Impactful
     Why Form Relationships?
          Proximity
          Resources
          Similarity
          Reciprocal Liking
          Physical Attractiveness
     Types of Relationships
          Romantic Relationships
          Family Relationships
          Friendships
     Advance the Conversation: When a Good Friend Changes
          Workplace Relationships
     Relationship Stages
          Coming Together
          Coming Apart
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Ending a Relationship
     Chapter Review

Chapter 9: Managing Interpersonal Relationships
     Self-Disclosure in Relationships
          Self-Disclosure and Relationship Development
          Communicating Self-Disclosure
      Self-Disclosure Skills
     Advance the Conversation: I Don't Want to Hear This!
     Managing Relationship Tensions
          Openness versus Protection
          Autonomy versus Connection
          Novelty versus Predictability
     Sustaining Your Relationships
          Relational Maintenance
          Supportive Communication
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Relationship Maintenance at Work
     Chapter Review

Chapter 10: Managing Conflict
      Defining Conflict
          Conflict Begins with Perception
          Conflict Involves Clashes between Goals or Actions
          Conflict Is a Process
     Selecting an Approach to Conflict
          Avoidance
          Accommodation
          Competition
     Advance the Conversation: I Didn't Lie!
          Collaboration
     Conflict Endings
          Separation
          Domination
          Compromise
          Integrative Agreements
          Structural Improvements
     Barriers to Constructive Conflict
          Attributional Errors
          Destructive Messages
          Cultural Differences
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Conflict with a Roommate
     Chapter Review

Part 3: Small Group Communication

Chapter 11: Small Group Communication
     Defining Small Groups
          Characteristics of Small Groups
          Types of Small Groups
          Development of Small Groups
     How Small Groups Communicate
          Balancing Group Roles
          Building Cohesiveness
          Establishing Positive Norms
          Sharing Responsibility
          Managing Physical Space
     The Self's Influence on Small Group Communication
          Communication Traits
          Gender
          Culture
     Advance the Conversation: You're Not Funny
     Virtual Groups and Teams
          Challenges of Virtual Groups
          Improving Communication in Virtual Small Groups
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Conflict with a Group Member
     Chapter Review

Chapter 12: Leadership in Group Communication
     Perspectives on Leadership
          Traits View
          Style View
          Situational View
          Functional View
     Leading with Communication
          Supporting Gender and Cultural Diversity
          Creating a Communication Climate
          Preventing Groupthink
          Dealing with Conflict
     Advance the Conversation: The Bearer of Bad News
     Leading Problem Solving
          Structured Problem Solving
          Group Brainstorming
     Leading Decision Making
          Decision by Authority
          Decision by Vote
          Decision by Consensus
     Leading Meetings
          Planning Meetings
          Conducting Meetings
          Following Up On/Evaluating Meetings
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Handling Complaints
     Chapter Review

Part 4: Public Communication

Chapter 13: Preparing Your Speech
     Preparing Your Speech: First Steps
     Choosing Your Speech Topic
          Identifying Your General Purpose
          Considering Speech Topics
          Deciding on Your Topic
     Analyzing Your Audience
          Understanding Your Audience
          Developing Your Audience Analysis
     Advance the Conversation: Speaking Your Mind
          Writing Your Specific Purpose Statement
     Planning Your Research Strategy
          Identifying Your Information Needs
          Drawing on Your Personal Knowledge
          Talking with Librarians
          Documenting Your Research Findings
     Conducting Your Research
          Primary and Secondary Resources
          Internet Resources
          Library Resources
          Interpersonal Resources
          Evaluating Your Resources
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Relationship Maintenance at Work
     Chapter Review

Chapter 14: Composing Your Speech
     Developing Your Speech Thesis
     Identifying and Supporting Your Main Points
          Identifying Your Main Points
          Supporting Your Main Points
     Organizing Your Speech
          Selecting an Organizational Pattern
          Using Connectives
          Keeping Listeners Engaged
     Advance the Conversation: But the Video Went Viral!
     Introducing and Concluding Your Speech
          Introducing Your Speech
          Concluding Your Speech
     Putting It All Together: Speech Outlines
          Preparation Outline
          Delivery Outline
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Elevator Speeches
     Sample Preparation and Delivery Outlines
          Preparation Outline
          Delivery Outline
     Chapter Review

Chapter 15: Delivering Your Speech
     Speech Delivery Modes
          Impromptu Speaking
          Manuscript Speaking
          Extemporaneous Speaking
     Managing Your Speech Anxiety
          Conveying Immediacy
          Projecting a Powerful Speech Style
     Advance the Conversation: This Is How I Talk
          Managing Your Delivery in Online Speeches
     Managing Speech Anxiety
     Choosing and Using Presentation Aids
          Types of Presentation Aids
          Presentation Software
          Tips for Using Presentation Aids
     Evaluating Speeches and Managing Feedback
          Giving Effective Feedback
          Using Feedback to Improve Your Speech Performance
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Delivering a Speech
     Chapter Review

Chapter 16: Informative Speaking
     What Is Informative Speaking?
          Functions of Informative Speeches
          Specific Purposes for Informative Speeches
          Informative versus Persuasive Speaking
     Types of Informative Speeches
          Expository Presentations
          Process or Demonstration Presentations
          Narrative Presentations
          Comparison/Contrast Presentations
     Guidelines for Informative Speaking
          Choose a Topic You Care About
          Capture—and Hold—Your Listeners’ Attention
     Advance the Conversation: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid
          Use Everyday Language
          Make Your Speech Understandable
          Help Your Audience Remember Your Message
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Responding to Audience Questions
     Sample Informative Speech: Going Carbon Neutral on Campus
     Chapter Review

Chapter 17: Persuasive Speaking
     What Is Persuasive Speaking?
          Types of Persuasive Propositions
          Audience Analysis for Persuasive Speeches
          Credibility in Persuasive Speeches
     Organizing and Supporting Persuasive Speeches
          Organizing Persuasive Speeches
     Advance the Conversation: Do or Die: Using Scare Tactics to Persuade Others
          Reasoning for Persuasive Speeches
          Avoiding Fallacies
     Appealing to Your Audience's Needs and Emotions
          Connecting to Your Audience's Needs
          Providing Testimony and Stories
          Using Descriptive Language
     Guidelines for Persuasive Speaking
          Establish Goodwill with Your Audience
          Keep Your Specific Purpose Realistic
          Decide How to Present Your Issue
          Maintain High Ethical Standards
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Emotional Appeals
     Sample Persuasive Speech: Becoming a Socially Conscious Consumer
     Chapter Review

Appendix: Interviewing
     What Is Interviewing?
          Types of Interviews
          Preparing for an Interview
     Essential Communication Skills for Interviewing
          Being an Active Listener
          Building Rapport and Demonstrating Cooperation
          Using Mediated Communication during Interviews
     Information Interviewing
          Preparing for an Information Interview
          Managing an Information Interview
     Employment Selection Interviewing
          Preparing for an Employment Selection Interview
     Advance the Conversation: Well… to Be Totally Honest With You
          Managing an Employment Selection Interview
     Advance the Conversation Video Activity: Managing Stress Questions
 Appendix Review

Glossary
References
Index
Pop Quiz Answers

Steven McCornack

Dr. Steven McCornack is Professor and Basic Course Director in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama Birmingham. His scholarly interests include deceptive discourse production and deception detection. Steven teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on public speaking, interpersonal communication, relational communication, and language/discourse. He has received several awards for undergraduate teaching excellence, including the Amoco Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, the Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellowship, and the National Communication Association Donald H. Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education.​

Joseph Ortiz

Dr. Ortiz has taught for over 30 years, beginning in 1983 at Clovis Community College (NM). He joined the Scottsdale Community College faculty in 1989, where he teaches courses on human communication, interpersonal and small group communication, and digital storytelling. In support of student learning, Dr. Ortiz is heavily involved in the use of classroom assessment tools, service learning, collaborative learning methods, and the use of online technology. A campus leader, he has served as chair of the Fine Arts Division, faculty senate president, and interim Associate Dean of Instruction. Dr. Ortiz is the recipient of peer-nominated outstanding teaching awards at Clovis Community College (formerly Eastern New Mexico University at Clovis) and Scottsdale Community College. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Master Teacher by the National Institute of Staff and Organization Development. Dr. Ortiz holds a BS degree in Speech from Lamar University (TX), an MA in Communication from Eastern New Mexico University, and an Ed D in Higher and Adult Education from Arizona State University.

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