The Fundamentals of Speech Communication in the Digital World
Edition: 4
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 588
Edition: 4
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 588
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The Fundamentals of Speech Communication in the Digital World prepares students to communicate confidently and ethically in a world where speech, identity, and technology are deeply intertwined. Organized into four units, HyperCommunication, HyperPerception, HyperRelationship, and HyperProfessionalComm, the text moves students from the foundational mechanics of vocal delivery and public speaking through the layers of perception, culture, and relationships that shape how we connect with others, both online and off.
Students will come away with practical, transferable skills: how to structure and deliver a speech, read nonverbal and cultural cues, navigate interpersonal and romantic relationships (including intimate partner violence awareness), work effectively within groups, and apply persuasion and argumentation in professional and healthcare settings. Each chapter pairs concept with practice through study guides and hands-on activities, reinforcing not just what students learn but how they'll use it. Written for introductory speech and communication courses at the college level, the book speaks directly to a generation of learners shaped by social media and digital connection.
What sets this text apart is its unapologetic engagement with the digital and cultural realities students actually live in, from social media's influence on identity and perception to the emerging role of artificial intelligence in communication and career pathways. Authored by Dr. Regina M. Williams Davis and Dr. Deana Lacy McQuitty, the book brings together multiple voices and areas of expertise to address communication with both academic rigor and real-world relevance, equipping students not just to pass a course, but to communicate with purpose in their personal, professional, and digital lives.
Foreword by Regina Williams Davis
Acknowledgements
UNIT I
HyperCommunication: Essential Concepts and Guidelines
CHAPTER 1
Building Blocks of Communication and Cognition . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Organizing Your Thoughts . . . by Regina Williams Davis
The Interactive Bases of Communication: Foundation in the Cognitive Principles of Learning . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Thanks for Listening . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 2
Breath, Voice, and Clarity: Th e Mechanics and Habits of Eff ective Speaking . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Voice and Diction . . . by Johnetta Chavis
The Speaking and Listening Human: A Case for Communication Wellness . . . by Carolyn M. Mayo and Deana Lacy McQuitty
Delivery Methods . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
UNIT II
HyperPerception: Perception, Culture, and Society
CHAPTER 3
Perception: Why We Don’t All See the Same Thing
Perception as Making Sense of the World . . . by Myra M. Shird
Definition of a Redneck . . . by Stephanie Sedberry Carrino
There’s a Redneck in My Backyard, HELP! A Case Study Perspective . . . by Sheila M. Whitley, Ph.D.
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 4
Why We Explain Things the Way We Do: Attribution, Errors, and Biases . . . by Myra M. Shird
Perceptual Differences Based on Gender . . . by Myra M. Shird and Regina Williams Davis
Measuring Objectivity . . . by Dwight Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 5
Social Media: What It Is, How Much We Use It, and Why It Works . . . by Kim Smith
Not Having a Cell Phone is a Disability! . . . by Zakeya Renay Mitchell
Perception and Social Media Influences on Political Communication with the Masses . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Social Media Reflection . . . by Brianna Bazile
Improving Perception Competencies . . . by Myra M. Shird
The Portrayal of African American Males in the Media . . . by Jordan N. Silverthorne
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 6
Intercultural Communication . . . by Stephanie Sedberry Carrino
Globalization and Intercultural Communication: Interwoven Themes . . . by Andrea Patterson
Intercultural Communication . . . by Stephanie Sedberry Carrino
The Japanese Business Card Exercise . . . by Daniel Richardson
Cultural Perspectives of Political Understandings . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 7
Nonverbal Communication . . . by Myra M.Shird
You Don’t Have to Say a Word! . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 8
Ethics, Ethical Communication, and Freedom of Speech . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Is It Ethical? . . . by Zakeya Renay Mitchell
Family- or Foster-Care? . . . by Zakeya Renay Mitchell
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
UNIT III
HyperRelationship: Communication with Self, Relationships, and Groups
CHAPTER 9
Who Am I? Really? . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 10
Interpersonal Communication: How We Connect, Understand, and Grow . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty, Carl McQuitty, and Claretha Lacy
The Close-Knit Family . . . by Alexis Haynes
A father’s love needed no words . . . by Dwight Davis
Family Communication: Another Interesting Perspective on Group Dynamics . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Family Communication and the Influence of Mother Interactions Based on Socioeconomic Class . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Formation of Initial Communication Patterns: The Emergence of Gender Communication . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Is It a Girl or Boy? . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Peer Modeling and the Continued Development of Gender Communication . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 11
Romantic Communication & Relationship Dynamics . . . by Marissa Dick
Diversity in Romantic Communication . . . by Jasmine Blue
Love Languages . . . by Marrissa R. Dick, PhD
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 12
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) . . . by Ingram Land-Deans
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 13
Friendship & Peer Communication . . . by Tracey Booth Snipes
Friends and Peers . . . by Jabria Jackson
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 14
Elocution, Writing, and Cultural Voice . . . Faye Spencer Maor
Inclusivity, Not Exclusivity, of the African-American Vernacular English (AAVE) . . . by Hope Jackson
African American Language Structure . . . Let’s Explain and Think Further . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Code Switching: The Communication Accommodation Theory into Practice . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Communicating a Socially Acceptable Identity in the Workplace: Lesbian Passing . . . by Amanda M. Gunn
CHAPTER 15
Group Communication, Servant Leadership, and Collaboration in Modern Teams . . . by Regina Williams Davis and Stephanie Carrino
Interpersonal Communication: An Exercise in Group Dynamics . . . by Daniel Richardson
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
UNIT IV
HyperProfessionalComm: Persuasion, Argumentation, Business Communication, and Careers in Communication
CHAPTER 16
Symbols, Persuasion, and “Hyper-”Culture . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 17
Argumentation . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 18
Interpersonal Communication (Business Focus) . . . by Regina Williams Davis
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 19
The Speech Process: Self, Audience, and Communication . . . by Myra M. Shird
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 20
Communication Fields Today Studies, CSD, and the “Sign of the Times” . . . by Stephanie Sedberry Carrino and Regina Williams Davis
Careers in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology “The Caring Professions: Helping People Speak and Hear” . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
CHAPTER 21
Bedside Manner, Workplace Relationships, and Ethical Endings
The importance of Bedside Manner in Healthcare . . . by Dr. Tracy Carr-Marcel
Cultural Differences in Patients and Providers . . . by Dr. Khalyn J. Solomon
Initiating, Maintaining, and Terminating Relationships . . . by Kyara Sherman
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
CHAPTER 22
Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and Ethics in Communication
I Became a Successful Content Creator and Didn’t Realize It . . . by Camille McQuitty, Deana McQuitty
AI and ChatGPT in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology: Opportunities, Challenges, and Why It Matters for Speech Fundamentals . . . by Deana Lacy McQuitty
Navigating Artificial Intelligence as a Writer and Journalist . . . by Adrianne Murchison
The Neurocognitive Impact of Social Media and Implications for Health Communication in Speech Fundamentals . . . by Cedric Jones
Study and Activity Guide . . . by Jordan Silverthorne
APPENDIX
Compare and Contrast
Cause & Effect
Pros & Cons Chart
Policy Debate Format
Negative Strategy in Policy Debate
References
INDEX