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Excellence in Business Communication, 14th edition

Published by Pearson (January 6, 2023) © 2024

  • John V. Thill
  • Courtland L. Bovee

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For business communication courses.

Sharpen your professional communication skills

Excellence in Business Communication takes a close look at the fundamental skills and principles of business communication. Featuring practical advice, time-tested processes, and real-world examples, Excellence is the premier text for helping students hone and develop essential communication skills.

The 14th Edition continues to set new standards for currency and innovation. The authors performed extensive research to ensure up-to-date coverage of diversity, equity, and inclusion in communication skills, innovative technology usage, and contemporary business practices.

Hallmark features of this title

  • The latest techniques and an emphasis on business-English improvements help students succeed. The text presents the full range of on-the-job skills that today's communicators need, from writing printed reports to using the latest digital, social, mobile and visual media.
  • A unique pedagogy and presentation of practices include the 9 compositional modes required to succeed with digital and social media, and a proven 3-step process (Plan>Write>Complete), showing students how to move a project forward.
  • Build Your Career activities help students create employment-communication packages.
  • Apply Your Skills Now boxes help students apply skills in class and their personal lives.
  • 5-Minute Guides list the steps needed to complete a variety of fundamental communication tasks.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: Coverage of the latest business communication concepts and techniques includes the role of communication in diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (Ch. 4); online meetings, online collaboration, and etiquette in the virtual workplace; and new developments in intelligent communication technology.
  • NEW: 7 On-the-Job Chapter-Opening Vignettes and End-of-Chapter Simulations show students how professionals apply the skills they're reading about.
  • NEW and UPDATED: 70+ new images and nearly 50 revised figures. The visual aspects of the text were thoroughly revised for currency, diverse representation, student interest, and image quality.
  • 80 REVISED: Annotated Model Documents feature communications from real companies and break down how the messages can be improved.
  • EXPANDED: Improve Your Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage exercises at the end of every chapter provide practice opportunities with writing and editing fundamentals.
  • 300 NEW: Realistic exercises, activities, and cases let students practice vital communication skills and put newfound knowledge to immediate use.

Features of MyLab Business Communication for the 14th Edition

  • Interactive quizzes at the end of chapters provide timely student feedback and quickly address learning gaps.
  • Writing assignments include both individual journaling prompts and shared writing activities. AI-assisted and auto-graded writing prompts allow educators to integrate critical-thinking exercises without significantly adding to their grading tasks.
  • 28 NEW: Communication Mini Sims place students in real-world communication scenarios across digital, social, and other written media. They let students edit and improve their business writing in an interactive, step-by-step setting.
  • EXPANDED: Mini Sims put students in business professional roles and give them the opportunity to apply course concepts as they make decisions about real business challenges.
  • UPDATED: Video Assignments with accompanying assessment questions are included for each chapter.
  • UPDATED: Dynamic Study Modules allow students to test their existing knowledge and identify topics and concepts where they need more review.

PART 1: UNDERSTANDING THE FOUNDATIONS OF BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

  1. Professional Communication in a Digital, Social, Mobile World
  2. Interpersonal Communication Skills
  3. Collaboration and Business Etiquette
  4. Communication Challenges in a Diverse, Global Marketplace

PART 2: APPLYING THE THREE-STEP WRITING PROCESS

  1. Planning Business Messages
  2. Writing Business Messages
  3. Completing Business Messages

PART 3: CRAFTING BRIEF BUSINESS MESSAGES

  1. Crafting Messages for Digital Channels
  2. Writing Routine and Positive Messages
  3. Writing Negative Messages
  4. Writing Persuasive Messages

PART 4: PREPARING REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

  1. Planning Reports and Proposals
  2. Writing and Completing Reports and Proposals
  3. Developing and Delivering Business Presentations

PART 5: WRITING EMPLOYMENT MESSAGES AND INTERVIEWING FOR JOBS

  1. Building Careers and Writing Résumés
  2. Applying and Interviewing for Employment

APPENDICES

  1. Format and Layout of Business Documents
  2. Documentation of Report Sources

About our authors

John V. Thill and Courtland L. Bovée have been leading textbook authors for more than 2 decades, introducing millions of students to the fields of business and business communication. Their award-winning texts are distinguished by proven pedagogical features, extensive selections of contemporary case studies, hundreds of real-life examples, engaging writing, thorough research, and the unique integration of print and digital resources. Each new edition reflects the authors' commitment to continuous refinement and improvement, particularly in terms of modeling the latest practices in business and the use of technology.

Mr. Thill is a prominent communications consultant who has worked with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 multinationals to entrepreneurial start-ups. He formerly held positions with Pacific Bell and Texaco. Professor Bovée has 22 years of teaching experience at Grossmont College in San Diego, where he has received teaching honors and was accorded that institution's C. Allen Paul Distinguished Chair.

John Thill and Courtland Bovée were recently awarded proclamations from the Governor of Massachusetts for their lifelong contributions to education and for their commitment to the summer youth baseball program that is sponsored by the Boston Red Sox.

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