Reviewer Praise for DeVito's Essentials of Human Communication

“I marvel at the ease with which Professor DeVito synthesizes the communication literature into coherent and easy to read chapters for our undergraduate communication students.”
Carole A. Barbato, Kent State University

“I find the material on culture well integrated into the book at appropriate times...I think this material is extremely relevant in our ever-shrinking world and that students really benefit from its inclusion.”
Thomas D. Bovino, Suffolk Community College

“The strength of this text is a basic, well organized approach to human communication with a clear, concise writing style that flows well and makes for an easy read.”
Kathleen Perri, Valencia Community College

“The mix of theoretical discussion and skill development exercises is appreciated by students as they find it to be a 'friendly' text compared to other college level texts they read. Also, the layout and design of the text encourages students to interact with the work.”
Joseph Ortiz, Scottsdale Community College

“The intercultural thread was one of the original qualities that drew me to the text and I find the updates to be excellent. The full integration of this theme is especially effective and is much preferred to treating the concept in one chapter only.”
“I like the attention paid to diversity. My students come from very diverse backgrounds and I am especially sensitive to a text that will include photos and examples of people similar to them. This text accomplished that goal.”
Elizabeth O'Brien, Phoenix College

“The writing style is excellent, literate without pretension and very well focused. I think that the students, and the lecturers, will find it very accessible, without feeling as if they are being spoon-fed the information.”
Karen Tanski, Portland Community College

“I very much like the cultural teachings section. This is essential information, not often covered directly in other texts.”
Sheryll Hirschberger, Cape Cod Community College

• Critical thinking principles are integrated into the text and in the marginal questions, self-tests, box scenarios, and photos' “ViewPoints” captions where students are asked to apply their skills to specific situations to better understand, resolve or improve them.

• Strong emphasis on skills is integrated throughout the text in the end of chapter “Summary of Concepts and Skills,” in the skills-development exercises, which emphasize the application of specific communication skills, and in the photos' “ViewPoint” captions (accompanying all photographs) that challenge the student to use the skills acquired in the chapter to approach everyday communication situations.

• Cultural issues are fully integrated within the text to promote cultural sensitivity and understanding, while developing skills to effectively understand students' own cultural beliefs and values.

• Helpful boxed features are included to raise awareness about current communication issues, enhancing students' understanding and application of communication and allowing them to enrich their experience in the course:

  • “Listen to This” boxes apply listening principles to the chapter topic and ask students to offer suggestions for a variety of listening situations.

  • “Communicating with Power” boxes explain how power operates all forms of communication and ask students to develop skills to understand the vital connection between power and effective communication.

  • “Communicating Ethically” boxes present real-life ethical issues and asks the student, “What Would You Do?” personally to respond to the issue at hand.

  • “Self-Test” boxes now include two series of questions—“How Did You Do?” and “What Will You Do?”—to provide students an assessment of their skills while prompting them to use this analysis to improve their skills in these key areas of communication.

• The text's Companion Website offers over 100 interactive exercises and self-tests written by the author for students to apply and enhance the skills they have studied in the text. These resources can be found at www.ablongman.com/devito and are referenced throughout each chapter.