Excellence in Business Communication, 14th edition
Published by Pearson (January 6, 2023) © 2024
  • John V. Thill
  • Courtland L. Bovee

Title overview

For business communication courses.

Sharpen your students’ professional communication skills

Excellence in Business Communication examines the fundamental skills and principles of business communication. Featuring practical advice, time-tested processes and real-world examples, this 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 have performed extensive research to ensure up-to-date coverage of communication skills in connection with innovative technologies and contemporary business practices.

Hallmark features of this title

Essential communication skills

  • A full range of on-the-job communication skills are presented, from writing printed reports to using the latest digital, social, mobile and visual media.
  • The latest practices and techniques are detailed, including the nine compositional modes for digital and social media as well as a three-step process for moving a project forward (Plan > Write > Complete).
  • An emphasis on business English prepares students for success in a range of business settings.

Active-learning pedagogy

  • Build Your Career activities include communication-related prompts for creating portfolio materials to share with employers.
  • Apply Your Skills Now boxes offer tips for applying skills, both in and out of class.
  • 5-Minute Guides list the steps needed to complete a variety of fundamental communication tasks.

New and updated features of this title

Real-world skills and applications

  • NEW: Coverage of the latest business communication concepts and techniques includes the role of communication in online collaboration as well as developments in intelligent communications technology.
  • NEW: End-of-chapter simulations and seven On-the-Job chapter-opening vignettes demonstrate how professionals apply the skills covered in chapters.

Practice opportunities

  • NEW: 300 new realistic exercises, activities and cases let students apply new knowledge about key communication skills.
  • EXPANDED: Improve Your Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage exercises at the end of each chapter offer practice with writing and editing fundamentals.

Learning aids

  • REVISED: 80 revised annotated model documents feature communications from real companies and demonstrate how to improve messages.
  • NEW & UPDATED: 70+ new images illustrate concepts, while nearly 50 updated figures were revised for currency, student interest and image quality.

Key features

Highlights of the DIGITAL UPDATE for MyLab Business Communication (available for Fall 2025 classes)

Instructors, contact your sales rep to ensure you have the most recent version of the course.

  • NEW: A new introductory bonus chapter, “Using AI for Business Communication,” was added to the Pearson+ eTextbook embedded within the MyLab course.
  • NEW: AI Skills modules included in the MyLab Assignment Manager teach fundamental AI skills in an interactive, engaging format. These modules also provide Credly badging.
  • NEW: Using AI assignments in each chapter, available in the MyLab Assignment Manager, offer hands-on experience with Generative AI tools.
  • NEW: Forage Job Simulations, available as MediaShare assignments within MyLab, simulate real work experiences at top companies while allowing students to apply learned skills and principles.
  • NEW: New “Hot Topics” current events were added to each chapter of the Pearson+ eTextbook, offering real-world context.

Features of MyLab Business Communication for the 14th Edition; published 2023

  • Interactive quizzes at the end of chapters provide timely feedback while addressing learning gaps.
  • Writing assignments, including selected auto-graded writing prompts, journaling prompts and shared writing activities, are available via the course Assignment Manager.
  • Communication Mini Sims pose realistic communication scenarios across digital, social and other media, while offering interactive, step-by-step writing support.
  • Mini Sims put students in professional roles and ask them to respond to real business challenges.
  • Video assignments with assessment questions are included in each chapter.
  • Dynamic Study Modules pose a handful of questions and then respond to each student’s progress in real time. Learners deepen their grasp of concepts as they go.

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

APPENDICES

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

Author bios

About our authors

John V. Thill and Courtland L. Bovée have been leading textbook authors for over two 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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