This text-workbook is a streamlined, no-nonsense approach to business communication. It takes a three-in-one approach: (1) text, (2) practical workbook, and (3) self-teaching grammar/mechanics handbook. The chapters reinforce basic writing skills, then apply these skills to a variety of memos, letters, reports, and resumes. This new edition features increased coverage of contemporary business communication issues including oral communication, electronic forms of communication, diversity and ethics.

Benefits:

• NEW! Before-and-After Documents: Updated for the 6th edition, the documents demonstrate effective writing and formatting techniques.
• NEW! New Video Case Studies: A set of exciting videos, each about 8 minutes long, bridges the gap between textbook and the real world with case studies of such companies as Hudson's, Ben & Jerry's, Yahoo!, and World Gym.
• NEW! New Exercises and Cases: A wide variety of writing improvement exercises and cases break down the writing process into simple components. New e-mail, Web research, team and critical thinking exercises have been added to every chapter.
• Text/Workbook Format: The convenient text/workbook format presents an all-in-one teaching-learning package that includes concepts, workbook application exercises, writing problems, and a combination handbook/reference manual. Students work with and purchase only one volume for efficient, economical instruction.
• Comprehensive But Concise Coverage: An important reason for the enormous success of Essentials of Business Communication is that it practices what it preaches. This fifth edition follows the same strategy, concentrating on essential concepts presented without wasted words. It still contains only 14 chapters, making it possible to cover easily in one quarter or semester.
• Emphasis on Grammar/Mechanics: Each chapter features a systematic review of the "Grammar/Mechanics Handbook." Readers take a short quiz to review specific concepts, and they also proofread business documents that provide a cumulative review of all concepts previously presented. Advanced Grammar/Mechanics Check-up tests a broad range of grammar skills and is included on the student CD-ROM.
• Integrated Internet Focus: Internet concepts and applications are thoroughly integrated into chapters and case studies.
• Expanded Coverage of Career Skills: Special workshop discussions focus on developing career skills that students need to succeed, such as using ethical tools, working collaboratively, observing business etiquette, resolving workplace conflicts, and conducting online job searches.
• Writing Plans and Writing Improvement Exercises: Step-by-step writing plans structure the writing experience so that novice writers get started quickly-without struggling to provide unknown details to unfamiliar, hypothetical cases. Many revision exercises build confidence and skills.
• Wide Coverage of Communication Technology: All relevant chapters build technology skills by including discussions and applications involving e-mail, Web research, contemporary software, on-line employment, and electronic presentations.
• Communication Workshops: End-of-chapter "Communication Workshops" focus on contemporary issues of diversity, ethics, technology and collaboration.
• NEW! More Email Coverage: Completely enhanced coverage of email includes new coverage of the dangers of e-mail, when to use e-mail and when to send hard-copy memos, and extensive new problems on timely topics such as car phone safety, workplace violence, unwanted e-mail, time management, smoking bans, USPS electronic postmark, and FICO credit rating scores.
• Integrated Learning System: Learning objectives are tied to chapter text, chapter activities, testing materials and ancillaries. The text and instructor support materials are organized by objectives in one easy-to-use system.
• Instructor Web Site: Maintained by Mary Ellen Guffey, instructors can find news nuggets, newsletters, and lots of additional teaching resources at http://www.westwords.com/instructor.html.
• Student Web Site: This is the first text to offer Internet resources for the student. Users will find interactive chapter reviews, interactive skill builders, Internet resources, and PowerPoint presentation slides at http://www.meguffey.com.
• Newsletter and Complimentary Teaching Resources: All adopters receive a free subscription to our semi-annual newsletter "Business Communication News." It highlights current issues and news of interest in the business communication course and contains offers for complimentary teaching materials that may be ordered directly from the author.
• NEW! Interpersonal Skills: New Chapter 11, "Communicating in Person, by Telephone, and in Meetings", provides in-depth coverage of key interpersonal skills so students are equipped with the soft skills employers want.
• NEW! PowerPoint Slide Preparation Coverage: The coverage of preparing PowerPoint slides has been significantly enhanced in Chapter 12, "Making Oral Presentations".
• NEW! Four-color Design: This new edition will feature a four-color design which adds an inviting and motivating feel to the content of the text.
• NEW! Expanded Activities and Cases: About 80% of the writing activities are new to this edition.
• NEW! Oral Communication: Because of the increased emphasis by employers, a new chapter on communication in person, by telephone, and in meetings has been added to the 6th edition.
• NEW! Student CD-ROM: This CD-ROM, packaged with each new copy of the 6th edition, provides easy access to a number of valuable rsources, including documents for revision, PowerPoint slides, Web links, and Advanced Grammar Mechanics activities.
• NEW! Technology Coverage: New coverage on email, Internet research, and electronic presentations reflects the greater emphasis in the business world on technology enhanced communication.