Excellence in Business Communication, 13th edition

Published by Pearson (February 1, 2019) © 2020

  • Courtland L. Bovee
  • John V. Thill

Title overview

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.

With the rise of intelligent communication technology, the 13th Edition examines the most significant and recent technology-related changes affecting the business world.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Contemporary 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 conventional 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 (Plan>Write>Complete) process, showing students how to move a project forward.
  • Learn More boxes connect students with online media items that complement the text’s coverage with additional examples and valuable insights.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: 16 On-the-Job Chapter-Opening Vignettes and End-of-Chapter Simulations show students how professionals apply the skills they’re reading about.
  • REVISED: 71 Annotated Model Documents illustrate specific concepts, making it easier to see the changes made to transform ineffective messages into effective ones.
  • 300 NEW: Realistic exercises, activities, and cases let students practice vital skills and put newfound knowledge to immediate use.
  • NEW: Coverage of the latest business communication concepts and techniques includes augmented writing tools, résumé bots, and more.
  • UPDATED: Streamlined coverage of report writing and production makes it easier for students to follow and understand the information in the text.
  • NEW: Double the coverage of interpersonal communication helps students develop their listening, nonverbal communication, conversational, business etiquette, etc. skills.

Table of contents

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

Author bios

About our authors

Courtland L. Bovée and John V. Thill 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 electronic 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.

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. 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.

Courtland Bovée and John Thill 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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