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Beyond Texting: The Fine Art of Face-to-Face Communication for Teenagers
Adults should buy this book for a teen as teenagers sign up for phone plans with unlimited text messages and 200 talk minutes, yet can't carry on an ordinary dinner conversation. Beyond Texting is the first book for teens to explain how to be plugged in without neglecting the necessity and power of physical, human interaction. Sure, MySpace and Facebook are wonderful ways to communicate with friends or stay in touch with a far off relative. Yet success in the online world does not transfer to success in the art of conversation. Even the most outgoing teen may find a job interview, first date, or meeting with a teacher to be challenging because of lack of skills. Beyond Texting presents communication tools and conversation skills to boost confidence, survive AND thrive. This book describes how to develop the ability to have a 3-D conversation while gaining interpersonal communication skills. Offering practical advice and cheat sheets Beyond Texting strives to help teens balance their digital and real world image and relationships. Beyond Texting is a reminder to a teenager that you do have the courage to speak up at school, that you should feel confident going on a date, that you can attend a school organization meeting alone and that you are capable of a successful job interview all without the crutch of technology. Authored by Debra Fine, bestselling author of The Fine Art of Small Talk, a nationally recognized conversation and communication guru. Any adult from parent/teacher, camp counselor and mentor to clergy and scout leader will help teens succeed both personally and professionally by buying this book for a teen.
136 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2014
14 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Debra Fine
32 books40 followersDebra Fine is an internationally recognised speaker and trainer. As a member of the National Speakers Association she travels extensively giving lectures and conducting workshops on the topic.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 12, 2014
Review from Catherine:
Debra Fine has created a concise, highly readable guide for teens seeking to navigate the tricky world of conversation. It has the potential to be particularly helpful to teens on the cusp of adulthood. I especially appreciated the chapter on honesty and being true to yourself. "[B]eing yourself is more conducive to long-term relationships than trying to impress others by being someone you're not." Her advice on improving relationships with adults was also insightful, pointing out that not every adult is "someone whose respect is worth attaining." While it offers many great suggestions, it is not without flaws. Many of the author's attempts to sound current or recreate actual teen conversations feel forced and I fear many of the references will quickly become dated. One of my major complaints is that Fine often over-generalizes, i.e. stating that people who fold their arms are seen as arrogant or know-it-alls and shy people are far less likely to have success in life or may seem pretentious. One of the books major challenges will be reaching its intended audience. I can see this being a popular graduation gift, but the chances of a teen picking it up on their own are much more remote.
Review from Bridget:
If you have a job-hunting, college preparing, or enterprising teen in your life, you might want to pick up this book. It's about talking your way into better relationships, from the professional to the casual, and it's full of practical tips. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about approaching others, as there's a great moment where Fine reminds readers that judgment and rejection can happen, but that doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything to deserve it. Superficial things like your clothes (or age!) might turn people off: "People can be that shallow," she says. And it's true. Whether you're a teen navigating school cliques or an adult entering a new workplace, sometimes how people react to you is all about their bad day and has nothing to do with you at all, and it was nice to find that reminder tucked in among the tips about icebreakers and introductions.
Debra Fine has created a concise, highly readable guide for teens seeking to navigate the tricky world of conversation. It has the potential to be particularly helpful to teens on the cusp of adulthood. I especially appreciated the chapter on honesty and being true to yourself. "[B]eing yourself is more conducive to long-term relationships than trying to impress others by being someone you're not." Her advice on improving relationships with adults was also insightful, pointing out that not every adult is "someone whose respect is worth attaining." While it offers many great suggestions, it is not without flaws. Many of the author's attempts to sound current or recreate actual teen conversations feel forced and I fear many of the references will quickly become dated. One of my major complaints is that Fine often over-generalizes, i.e. stating that people who fold their arms are seen as arrogant or know-it-alls and shy people are far less likely to have success in life or may seem pretentious. One of the books major challenges will be reaching its intended audience. I can see this being a popular graduation gift, but the chances of a teen picking it up on their own are much more remote.
Review from Bridget:
If you have a job-hunting, college preparing, or enterprising teen in your life, you might want to pick up this book. It's about talking your way into better relationships, from the professional to the casual, and it's full of practical tips. I particularly enjoyed the chapter about approaching others, as there's a great moment where Fine reminds readers that judgment and rejection can happen, but that doesn't necessarily mean you've done anything to deserve it. Superficial things like your clothes (or age!) might turn people off: "People can be that shallow," she says. And it's true. Whether you're a teen navigating school cliques or an adult entering a new workplace, sometimes how people react to you is all about their bad day and has nothing to do with you at all, and it was nice to find that reminder tucked in among the tips about icebreakers and introductions.
December 29, 2019
Good for those starting out with a rocky understanding of the art of conversation. Would not recommend for in depth read. Also, It is slightly dated in the section that talks about technology and will likely become more abysmal as time goes on. The majority of the book is on conversation tips, however, so this books (in my opinion) still holds a trove of wisdom.
Read if you’re a newbie to self-help and non-fiction books.
Read if you’re a newbie to self-help and non-fiction books.
July 17, 2017
Basic principles of conversation...how to start it, keep it going and end it...good for middle school kids. Chapter titles tie into social media and lots of examples are given. The examples sometimes have easy resolutions.
October 10, 2014
This book is a guide to teenagers about conversation making and being social when you are not texting. From the author of The Fine Art of Small Talk, it gives teenagers ways to engage in conversation depending on the situation. Subjects like how to be assertive, beginning and ending a conversation, and asking deeper questions are covered with names like "Entering a chat room, and Logging Off." Cute but unnecessary for most kids to understand. I'm not sure teenagers would read it but it would be an easy, informative read for most.
January 4, 2015
I found these tips helpful and realistic. I think that it can be used by adults as well as teenagers, and that it assists readers in navigating those annoying social norms. I think it's a good little book about communication and about how to be more personable and social with others and I think it can aid a reader in most typical social settings like school or the workplace.
October 7, 2015
Good resource for teens, with some teen-speak versions of the most valuable interpersonal com skills. I wish it wasn't QUITE so teen-speak in places though, this the four vs. five stars. The handful of teens I've given this to seem to like it. Planning on using the book as a whole class nonfiction selection with my 10th graders.
October 4, 2015
This is an easy to read book with decent practical advice for improving communication skills among teenagers. This could be adapted for use in a classroom or youth group to teach conversational skills.
July 12, 2015
Great advice for Millennial's. Perfect for anyone 24-25 and younger. I will probably recommend this to every teen/tween I know.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews