Written for the introductory communication course, Communication Works presents communication principles, interpersonal communication, and public speaking in an engaging and highly interactive manner. Its use of questions in the narrative, margins, boxes, and captions support instructors who prefer to lead a discussion-oriented course. Recognizing the challenges that our world presents for the communication students of the 21st century, the new edition includes enhanced coverage of ethical, cultural, and technological issues, while maintaining its focus on skill-building.

The ninth edition has been updated and streamlined to enhance the text's friendly language to promote ease of usability and help students focus on the most relevant aspects of communication. A revised service-learning component and new part-ending case studies have been added to help students assess and apply their knowledge.