This book demonstrates how an understanding of the fundamental principles of communication will help in evaluating the effects, effectiveness, truthfulness and ethics of every kind of communication from traditional `soapbox' speeches to reading a magazine, talking to a friend, watching court proceedings or television news. Jodi R Cohen's informally written, critical guide introduces classical theories of rhetoric at the beginning of each chapter, then expands the discussion with contemporary postmodern theories, and concerns such as aesthetics and cultural bias. There are question- and-answer sections in each chapter as well as many examples.