Communicating Effectively in an Information Age or Soft News Goes to War

Communicating Effectively in an Information Age

Author: William H Bonner

A brief review of grammar, punctuation, numbers, and other communication fundamentals is provided in the end of chapter material for seven early chapters. Exercises students use to verify and to expand their understanding of these fundamentals, follow most of the chapters, with additional exercises in the study guide. Topics include nonverbal communication, ethical considerations, groups/teams, modern technology, graphics preparation, business etiquette, intercultural communication, and verbal communication. Instruction is provided for preparing -mail messages, letters, reports, and oral presentations.

Booknews

In this text, management experts Bonner (Tennessee Technological U.) and Chaney (U. of Memphis) discuss nonverbal communication, ethical considerations, groups/teams, modern technology, graphics messages, letters, reports, etiquette and intercultural understanding, employee communication, and oral presentation. Six appendices contain answers to self-check exercises and also cover punctuation principles, business document formats, addresses and salutations for special letters, and grammar review. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

Part 1	Theory, Ethics, Groups/Teams, Technology, And Style
Chapter 1	Effective Verbal and Nonverbal Communications	1
	The Communication Process	2
	Barriers To Communication	8
	Requirements For Effective Communication	9
	Organizational Communication	11
	References	14
	Activities And Discussion Questions	15
Chapter 2	Ethical and Legal Considerations in Business Communication	1
	Ethical Considerations In Written Communication	3
	Ethical Considerations In Oral Communication	7
	Ethical Considerations In Nonverbal Communication	7
	Legal Considerations	8
	Conclusion	10
	References	11
	Activities And Discussion Questions	11
	Case	12
Chapter 3	Group/Team Communication	1
	Characteristics Of Groups/Teams	2
	Team Structure	2
	Benefits Of Group/Team Work	3
	Problems Associated With Group/Team Work	4
	Strategies For Designing Effective Teams	5
	Team Roles And Rewards	5
	Conflict Resolution	7
	Virtual Teams	11
	References	12
	Activities And Discussion Questions	12
	Problems	13
Chapter 4	Contemporary Technology	1
	Telecommunication	2
	Trends	8
	Activities And Discussion Questions	11
Chapter 5	Style of Expression	1
	Conversational Tone	2
	Sexist Language	10
	Positive And Specific Statements	11
	Sentences	13
	Paragraphs	20
	Readability Measures	21
	Activities And Discussion Questions	22
	Exercises	22
	Problems	23
Part 2	Oral Communication
Chapter 6	Speaking and Listening	1
	Oral Communication Skills	2
	Speaking	2
	Conversations	6
	Interviews	7
	Telecommunications	7
	Presenter Introductions	8
	Head-Table Guest Introductions	10
	Presentations	10
	Oral Reports	13
	Demonstrations	14
	Instructions	14
	Briefings	15
	Meetings	15
	Discussions	16
	Dictation	17
	Listening	18
	Listening Barriers	19
	Tips For Improvement	24
	Listening Management	28
	The Speaking And Listening Relationship	28
	Conclusion	28
	References	29
	Activities And Discussion Questions	29
	Exercises	30
	Problems	30
Part 3	Reports
Chapter 7	Business Reports	1
	Writing The Report	2
	Formats	11
	References	12
	Activities And Discussion Questions	12
	Exercises	12
	Problems	13
Chapter 8	Information Sources and Documentation	1
	Primary Data	2
	Secondary Data	11
	Source Documentation	13
	Styles Of Citing Sources	15
	References	18
	Activities And Discussion Questions	18
	Exercises	19
	Problems	19
Chapter 9	Graphics	1
	Constructing Graphics	2
	Interpreting Graphics	16
	Activities And Discussion Questions	19
	Exercises	19
	Problems	20
Chapter 10	Informal Reports, Formal Reports, and Proposals	1
	Informal Reports	2
	Formal Reports	14
	Proposals	40
	Format And Appearance	47
	Conclusion	48
	Activities And Discussion Questions	48
	Exercises	49
	Problems	49
	Case	52
Part 4	Written Business Messages
Chapter 11	E-mail Messages, Memorandums, and Letters	1
	Writing Guidelines	2
	Electronic Mall Messages	7
	Memorandums	8
	Letters	9
	Activities And Discussion Questions	10
	Exercises	13
Chapter 12	Routine and Favorable Messages	1
	Complying With Requests	2
	Expressing Appreciation	4
	Sending Greetings	5
	Inviting Applicants To An Interview	8
	Offering Employment	8
	Welcoming New Employees	10
	Congratulating Friends	10
	Expressing Sympathy	11
	Activities And Discussion Questions	14
	Exercises	14
	Problems	14
Chapter 13	Persuasive and Negative Messages	1
	Arrangement Of Persuasive Messages	2
	Types Of Persuasive Messages	3
	Arrangement Of Negative Messages	12
	Types of Negative Messages	12
	Activities and Discussion Questions	19
	Exercises	19
	Problems	20
Part 5	Employment Communication
Chapter 14	Resumes	1
	Sources Of Employment Information	2
	Resume Styles	4
	Resume Headings	5
	Resume Appearance	8
	Electronic Resumes	8
	Sample Resumes	9
	Trends In Resume Writing	10
	References	17
	Activities and Discussion Questions	17
	Exercises	17
	Problems	17
Chapter 15	Employment Messages	1
	Requests For Permission to Use Names As References	2
	Application Letter	3
	Following Up Applications	8
	Sending References List	8
	Confirming Plans	8
	Thanking The Interviewer	10
	Accepting A Job Offer	12
	Declining A Job Offer	12
	Resigning	13
	Activities And Discussion Questions	16
	Exercises	16
	Problems	16
Chapter 16	Employment Interviews	1
	Preparing For The Interview	2
	Participating In The Interview	6
	References	9
	Activities And Discussion Questions	9
	Exercises	9
	Problems	10
Part 6	Etiquette And Intercultural Understanding
Chapter 17	Business Etiquette	1
	Greetings And Introductions	2
	Small Talk Or Chitchat	4
	Business Dress And Grooming	5
	Table Manners	7
	Tipping	13
	Business Gifts	14
	Social Sensitivity	14
	Telephone And Electronic Communication	17
	Office Etiquette	21
	Meeting Manners	22
	Travel Etiquette	24
	Conclusion	25
	References	26
	Activities And Discussion Questions	26
	Problems	26
Chapter 18	Intercultural Communication	1
	Cultural Values	3
	Customs And Etiquette	8
	Nonverbal Communication	13
	Written Communication	18
	Translations And Translators	22
	Preparation For Intercultural Encounters And Travel	23
	Conclusion	24
	References	25
	Activities And Discussion Questions	26
	Problems	26
	Appendixes And Index
Appendix A	Answers to Self-Check Exercises	1
Appendix B	Punctuation, Numbers, and Word Usage	1
	Punctuation	2
	End-Of-Line Divisions	16
	Capitalization	16
	Numbers	19
	Abbreviations	21
	Similar Words	22
Appendix C	Business Document Formats	1
	Letters	2
	Envelopes	12
	Ways To Fold Letters	15
	Memorandums	16
	Reports	19
Appendix D	Special Letters	1
	Addresses And Salutations For Special Letters	2
Appendix E	Grammar Review	1
Lesson 1	Nouns	2
Lesson 2	Phrases, Clauses, And Gerunds	4
	Fundamentals Self-Test 1	6
Lesson 3	Verbs	7
	Fundamentals Self-Test 2	9
Lesson 4	Pronouns	10
Lesson 5	Adjectives	12
Lesson 6	Adverbs	15
Lesson 7	Conjunctions And Prepositions	17
	Fundamentals Self-Test 3	19
Appendix F	Solutions to Grammar Review	1
Lesson 1	Nouns	2
Lesson 2	Phrases, Clauses, And Gerunds	4
	Fundamentals Self-Test 1	6
Lesson 3	Verbs	7
	Fundamentals Self-Test 2	9
Lesson 4	Pronouns	10
Lesson 5	Adjectives	12
Lesson 6	Adverbs	15
Lesson 7	Conjunctions And Prepositions	17
	Fundamentals Self-Test 3	19
	Index	1

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Soft News Goes to War: Public Opinion and American Foreign Policy in the New Media Age

Author: Matthew A Baum

The American public has consistently declared itself less concerned with foreign affairs in the post-Cold War era, even after 9/11, than at any time since World War II. How can it be, then, that public attentiveness to U.S. foreign policy crises has increased? This book represents the first systematic attempt to explain this apparent paradox. Matthew Baum argues that the answer lies in changes to television's presentation of political information. In so doing he develops a compelling "byproduct" theory of information consumption. The information revolution has fundamentally changed the way the mass media, especially television, covers foreign policy. Traditional news has been repackaged into numerous entertainment-oriented news programs and talk shows. By transforming political issues involving scandal or violence (especially attacks against America) into entertainment, the "soft news" media have actually captured more viewers who will now follow news about foreign crises, due to its entertainment value, even if they remain uninterested in foreign policy.

Baum rigorously tests his theory through content analyses of traditional and soft news media coverage of various post-WWII U.S. foreign crises and statistical analyses of public opinion surveys. The results hold key implications for the future of American politics and foreign policy. For instance, watching soft news reinforces isolationism among many inattentive Americans. Scholars, political analysts, and even politicians have tended to ignore the soft news media and politically disengaged citizens. But, as this well-written book cogently demonstrates, soft news viewers represent a largely untapped reservoir of unusuallypersuadable voters.