The Skillbuilder Workbook contains 125 activities and exercises designed to help students understand the principles and develop competency for the communication concepts introduced in the course and in the text. The activities are arranged by chapter, and can be completed outside of class to practice skills and develop awareness. Study Questions and Vocabulary Flash Cards are included for each chapter to help the student with both test preparation and learning vocabulary words for clear understanding of the communication concepts discussed in class.

The exercises focus on application and analysis and encourage the student to connect the course information to his or her own life to see the relevancy of the material and be motivated to learn. Most exercises are followed by questions to encourage critical thinking and analysis about the exercise and the application to “real” relationships. Assigning the exercises prior to class gives students the opportunity to enter class discussions with well-prepared examples.