This is the first introductory communication textbook to explore fundamental communication concepts, theories, skills, and contexts with a thematic integration - the relational perspective. The book's approach is to make the topics covered-self-development, interpersonal communication, group communication, public speaking, media/technology, etc. - coalesce by exploring the relational basis of all communication as a major feature of students' lives. This text provides a basic introduction to the usual topics, but does so in a number of different ways by emphasizing the importance of relationship contexts in the enactment of social life. The authors explore the ways relationships (between each other, between family members, between media and end-user or consumer) affect communication, and vice versa. The underlying theme of relationships usefully connects many aspects of a basic text that will give it a coherence and a relevance to students that has been previously missing, obscure, or under-emphasized.