Introduction

Nonverbal communication is a distinct form of communication, transcending the spoken word. It is communication through our gestures, eye behavior, vocalics, and body language. Nonverbal communication is often misinterpreted, though, because accurate interpretation depends on a variety of skills. This is not an easy or natural ability. However, with education, awareness, and training, errors can be minimized.

When we began converting our Communication Studies program entirely to Open Educational Resources (OER), I discovered that there was not an OER text dedicated exclusively to Nonverbal Communication. It turned out to be a wonderful conundrum, though, because it allowed me to write this book as a reflection of my teaching style. More Than What You Say is written simply to build both awareness and skill in nonverbal communication, drawing on the most current research from various disciplines. Each chapter begins with a true narrative. Other areas include some of the most up-to-date research, real world examples of student perspectives, a section devoted to cultural and co-cultural perspectives, and prompts to encourage further exploration and examination. My ultimate goal is that readers will be more effective at encoding and decoding nonverbal behavior.

Understanding, proper decoding, and effective encoding make nonverbal communication a powerful tool for navigating social interactions, both personally and professionally. It is my hope that you find this book both accessible and engaging, inspiring a love and deep appreciation for this fascinating area of communication.

Photo credit: David E. Montgomery

Chapter PowerPoints, Chapter 10: The Dark Side of Communication (trigger warning), or sample syllabus available upon request:  slmontgomery@una.edu.

Cover photo credit: David E. Montgomery