Reaching Audiences, 6th edition

A brief yet thorough guide to correct, clear writing for the media

The sixth edition of Reaching Audiences stresses the importance of clear, concise, and accurate writing in a media world that is increasingly web-based.  Illustrative and specific real life examples provide guidance for students to improve their writing. By recognizing today’s ever-changing media environment, this text is grounded in the basics of good writing, which is essential to communicators in print, online, broadcast, and strategic communication.

This text is available in a variety of formats – digital and print. Pearson offers its titles on the devices students love through Pearson’s MyLab products, CourseSmart, Amazon, and more. To learn more about our programs, pricing options and customization, click the Choices tab.

Learning Goals

Upon completing this book, readers will be able to:

• Understand the basics of good writing
• Edit and evaluate their own writing
• Gather information through research and interviewing

• The writing process–The writing process is extensively examined, including guidelines for good writing, grammar, punctuation, bias, sources, databases, editing as part of writing, online content, and word usage.
• Chapters on bias and stereotypes and legal and ethical issues–Assist students in reporting by raising their awareness of these issues.
• A wealth of in-chapter exercises and an accompanying workbook-Enable students to practice skills immediately after reading about them.
• A full chapter devoted to the role and importance of self-editing–demonstrates to students how to evaluate their own writing.
• Grammar and math skills–The importance of these skills are stressedearly in the text.
• The Internet and its effect on mass communication–Is discussed throughout the text.
• Tips for online writing–Tips are provided to prepare students for the different media in which they may work.
• MySearchLab with Pearson eText - A collection of tools and resources that can help students in any course. MySearchLab is designed with one single purpose - to improve the academic success of all higher education students, one student at a time. MySearchLab contains a Pearson eText and research/writing tools:
  • Pearson eText - Just like the printed text, students can highlight relevant passages and add their own notes. For even greater flexibility, students can download the eText to a tablet using the free Pearson eText app.
  • Research and writing tools - Access to various academic journals, census data, Associated Press news feeds, and discipline-specific readings. Also, a wide range of composition and grammar tools aid students throughout the writing process, helping them to produce more effective papers.

• Full revision–A full revision of the text expands the traditional emphasis on print and broadcast media to include all media–new media, mobile media, and social media.
• New examples–New examples have been selected from a broad array of media and other sources.
• Coverage of digital media–A section in Chapter 4 ("Getting to the Point") covers “Writing Leads for Digital Media” and also introduces the concept of Search Engine Optimization.
• Online writing–The online chapter has been extensively revised to highlight approaches to online writing (Chapter 8).
• New technology–Effects of new technology and social media are explored in Chapter 14, "Strategic Communication."
• The 24/7 news cycle–Throughout the book, more attention is paid to effects of the 24/7 news cycle, including the perpetual demand for new information for and from audiences.
• Legal considerations–New coverage of legal considerations raised by working online and in social media, such as Twitter, has been included.