A field guide to communication : for students in the humanities and social sciences / Pamela Shaw.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 263-268) and index.

Part I. Writing Skills -- Part II. Research Skills -- Part III. Presentation Skills -- Part IV. Illustrations and Mapping -- --

Part I. Writing Skills -- -- 1. Write to Communicate -- Plain Language: What Does That Mean? -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 2. Academic and Professional Writing -- Approaches to Academic and Professional Writing -- 10.Tips to Improve the Clarity of Writing -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 3. Writing Formats for Academics -- Abstracts -- Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews -- Term Papers -- Research Proposals -- Theses and Dissertations -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 4. Writing Formats for Professionals -- Press Releases -- Newsletters -- Briefing Notes -- Proposals -- Internal Memos -- Business Letters -- E-Mail -- Resumes -- Cover Letters -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 5. More on Writing -- Sources and Citations -- Plagiarism -- The Ethical Writer -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- Part II. Research Skills -- -- 6. Research and Knowledge -- Sources of Knowledge -- Cultural Knowledge -- Authoritarian Knowledge -- Superstitious or Stereotyped Knowledge -- Experiential Knowledge -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 7. Research Basics -- Doing Research -- Who Does Research? -- How To Conduct Research -- Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches -- Research Methods -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 8. Recording Research -- Observational Reports -- Experimental Reports -- Field Reports -- Use of Technology in Research -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- Part III. Presentation Skills -- -- 9. The Fear of Public Speaking -- The Fear Response -- Fear Reactions -- Calming Techniques -- Relaxation and Tension -- Increasing Confidence -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 10. Speech Production -- Vocal Production -- The Elements of Speaking -- How To Change Your Voice -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Exercises -- -- 11. Non-Verbal Communication -- The Forms of Non-Verbal Communication -- Improving Non-Verbal Communication -- Reading the Audience -- Effective Non-Verbal Communication -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 12. Creating a Great Presentation -- Purpose -- Know Your Audience -- Venue and Technology -- Creating and Designing the Presentation -- Formats -- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare -- Practise, Practise, Practise -- Delivering the Presentation -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 13. Engaging the Audience and Developing Your Own Style -- Kinds of Questions -- Final Tips on Engaging the Audience -- Is There a 'Right' Way To Present -- Developing Your Personal Presentation Style -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- Part IV. Illustrations and Mapping -- -- 14. Visual Design -- Why Is Design Important? -- Perceptions of a Page -- Contrast -- Consistency -- Connections -- Closeness -- Colour and Symbols -- Bringing It All Together -- When Not To Use the Guidelines -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 15. Visual Aids -- Kinds of Visual Aids -- A Final Word on Visual Aids -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 16. Presenting Numbers -- Issues To Consider in Using Numbers -- Presenting Numbers for Understanding -- Norms for Numbers -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- -- 17. Basics of Mapping -- The Use of Maps -- Types of Maps -- Features of the Map -- The Appearance of the Map -- Data Collection and Accuracy -- What Is the Purpose of Your Map? -- The Role of the Map Maker -- Chapter Review -- Review Questions and Activities -- Afterword.

"A Field Guide to Communication is an indispensable source on writing, research, presentations, and graphics for university students in the social sciences. Written to be accessible and straightforward, the text offers helpful advice on how to communicate with confidence in a variety of contexts - reports, press releases, essays, and speeches are just some of the diverse topics covered. Key principles are illustrated using engaging real-life examples frequently drawn from Canadian sources. Practical and versatile skills are reinforced with exercises throughout the text. A Field Guide to Communication will equip students with the essential tools for professional positions in the social science and humanities fields. "--Publisher's website.