To observe that certain words are central to communication research is to prompt interesting questions about their influence. In taking such key words—or keywords—as its organising theme, this book invites a careful reconsideration of several premises underpinning the vocabulary we use to document, describe and critique the world around us.

Under close scrutiny here is a selection of keywords—including aesthetics, authenticity, citizenship, city, communication, difference, discourse, effects, framing, identity, message, public sphere, technology and urban, among others—criss-crossing the terrain of the field in a manner that is subtly complex and consistently intriguing.

Each of the book’s contributors makes the case for an enhanced awareness of the ways in which words shape the nature of our inquiries. Their shared aim is to illuminate unexpected contours of our otherwise familiar terms in order to encourage fresh perspectives, and thereby reinvigorate current thinking. Words matter, these contributors show us, and sometimes for reasons that prove to be rather surprising.