Abstract

taught in two chapters.The other eight chapters teach how to listen to the listeners and assess their needs, strengthen the speaker's ability, and enhance communication in any setting.So that students in a college speech class can practice the patterns explained in abstract terms, Frank and Ray offer speech exercises, called enactments.They set the communica tion scene, list the characters, and explain their purpose.Some students are to role-play while the others watch.To critique the enactment, the watchers are to answer trouble shooting questions listed in the text.In their critiques they are to explain and show how to improve communication in that setting.So that a reader at home can think about the same patterns, Frank and Ray offer open-ended questions, called inventories.They state truisms, add the word because, and leave blank lines for the reader to fill in from insight.For example, "A public presentation is remembered longer, because "; "I do/don't always know what to say, because "; "I would present a briefing of a problem to a small group by speaking/ performing with a low/medium/high degree of spontaneity, because _."This textbook is highly readable.Its layout is attractive with bold headings, short paragraphs, indented lists, and graphics related to the text.Despite the abstract terms, the sentences bounce in concise phrasing.I commend the authors and their editors for caring enough about their readers to present the material so readably.In addition to facts, this book should be read for a fueling, an attitude of professionalism in communication.