There is disclosed a method of setting up, manipulating, and taking down communication connections. The telephone instrument would include a graphics screen, such as a PC, and a series of call appearance boxes would be represented on the screen. Each possible party to a connection would be represented by a picture (icon generated upon request for a particular party) and an associated label (the party's name). The icon representative of a party is moved, by use of a cursor, inside a communication appearance box on the screen to place that party on the call. The icon would be moved out of the box to drop the party from the call. In this manner, two-party, as well as conference, calls can be established.