Through the use of timely theories and research, Communication in Our Lives helps you strengthen your skills as a communicator in personal and public settings. Author Julia Wood demonstrates that communication is relevant to virtually every aspect of daily life and shows you the importance of increasing your effectiveness in interpersonal social and professional interactions. Communication in Our Lives is based on the premise that effective practice begins with understanding theory - the knowledge of how and why the communication process works and what is likely to result from different kinds of communication. Each chapter highlights the experiences of diverse people and discusses commonalities and differences among us.