This welcome textbook, richly exemplified with analyses of authentic spoken and written data, provides an accessible and thought-provoking contribution to the burgeoning field of professional workplace communication. The competent coverage of core concepts in discourse analysis in the context of topics which range from genre to gender, and identity to leadership, makes it an invaluable resource for advanced students. And as a welcome extra, the imaginative exercises (with 'answers' in the form of useful commentaries) will assuredly motivate students from a range of backgrounds. - Janet Holmes, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Through its refreshingly new 'back to front approach' to the subject this textbook provides an engaging encounter with real life professional communication in a variety of settings. The text is accessible and persuasive in its discussion of key aspects of the subject, thanks also to extensive use of authentic data and exercises: the reader will never be too far from the subtleties and fascination of the discourse of professional practice. - Francesca Bargiela, University of Warwick, UK
On the whole, Exploring Professional Communication is a well-written and solid text which introduces a wide range of prominent issues in professional communication. Clearly, the book has greatly benefited from the insights gained from the authors own research and expertise in professional communication. With the tasks in each chapter which help readers reflect more deeply on the issues concerned and relate theory to practice, the book is an excellent introductory textbook for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. - Chit Cheung Matthew Sung, Lingnan University, Hong Kong
'...Exploring Professional Communication is a rewarding and enjoyable reading experience. The practice-to-theory approach, real-life emphasis, and multiplicity of perspectives together build a comprehensive, intriguing but very clear picture of what the book wanted to achieve. Solid argumentation, frequent back-and-forth references, the wide variety and large number of authentic examples combined with engaging writing convinced this reader and added order to her ontological puzzlement over what professional communication is, and epistemological questions of how we can find out about it.' - Leena Louhiala-Salminen, Aalto University School of Business, Helsinki
