Business English for the 21st Century [Paperback]

Robert E. Barry (Author), Pat Taylor Ellison (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130826677 | ISBN-13: 978-0130826671 | Publication Date: July 1999 | Edition: 2nd

For college and business school courses in Business English and Composition. This comprehensive grammar book helps students develop a clear, concise writing style and serves as a reference for grammar and usage.* NEW - New exercises - Features sentences from current writings about business topics such as team building, electronic job posting, personal computer upgrades, and business travel. * Provides students with practical applications of grammar rules as well as insight into real world business communications. * NEW - Watching the Web segments - A collection of usage and spelling errors found on the web over the past year. * Gives students a "change of pace" from traditional textbook exercises by engaging them in an amusing and instructive scavenger hunt for real-life mistakes. * NEW - Restructured chapters on sentence building - One chapter now focuses on bad habits to avoid; one chapter now focuses on good habits to adopt. * Teaches students proper approaches so they become a part of everyday usage. Ex. Chapters 25 and 26 * NEW - Multimedia Study Guide on Companion Web Site and on CD-ROM. * Provides students and instructors with a complete Distance Learning Package. * NEW - Complete revision of Transparency Masters in AIE - Two transparency masters for each chapter: one exercise and one summary. * Coordinates support materials consistently with every chapter. * NEW - Updated Test Item File available as new Prentice Hall Test Manager for WINDOWS. * Reduces instructors test preparation time. * NEW - Distance Learning Package - All chapter features are linked to the web site and include new and original Editing Passage Exercises, Questions for Discussion on Message Board, and Internet links. * Gives instructors a "ready-to-use" distance learning package. * Simple explanations of often frustrating language problems. * Helps students learn effectively. * Use of short chapters to give concepts in do-able doses - Separate, thorough chapters on each discrete area of grammar and usage, from punctuation to word choice to sentence building. * Aids student retention and builds on previously learned skills. * Review Chart for students to complete for each review chapter. * Provides self-assessment so students can judge their own progress. Ex. Chapters 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 * Word Tip from the Real World - Vignettes from business people who tell the truth about language expectations for graduates. * Demonstrates to students the importance of good written communication skills in the business world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Presented in an upbeat, contemporary style, this best-selling text focuses on those aspects of grammar needed to communicate effectively in any business situation. Arranged in 40 lesson- length chapters with worksheets, it focuses on dictionary study, punctuation, and word usage, and features an abundance of lively examples, scenarios, and exercises. The emphasis throughout is on those rules and recommendations that have direct application in the business community today and that no astute businessman or businesswoman can afford to ignore. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

A comprehensive grammar book that gives user-friendly access to the most frequently needed information. Simple explanations of often frustrating language problems. Word Tip from the Real World. Review Chart for readers to complete for each review chapter. Watching the Web segments, a collection of usage and spelling errors found on the web over the past year. For anyone in business who will need to communicate with others.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 460 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2nd edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130826677
• ISBN-13: 978-0130826671
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,829,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good reference tool for any office, November 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Business English for the 21st Century (Paperback)

I am just completing a required class using this book. It takes you through our written English language by teaching how to identify each part of speech. This book also teaches correct punctuation, different kinds of phrases, and really makes you dig deep in your subconcious to remember nominative phrases, plurals, numbers used in sentences, etc... It's all the basic English in one book that a person needs for brushing up!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great reference book, January 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Business English for the 21st Century (Paperback)

I have a 1997 version of this textbook. It is really wonderful for reference even after finishing the course that required it. My husband and son are using it also. It has answers in the back so you can check yourself. If you don't tear out the work sheets and just copy them, other members of you family or friends can use the book to improve their English also. It is really worth the money.

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Title, Great Cover, Weak Book - At Least for Business Leaders, April 24, 2009

By 

Eric H. Roth "English teacher/conversationali... (Venice Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Business English for the 21st Century (3rd Edition) (Paperback)

This popular "fundamental English skills" book might be very effective with vocational school and community college students. Despite the great title and wonderful cover, this book represents a "grammar first and forever" approach that MBA students and creative entrepreneurs will both narrow and inappropriate.
This may be a covert class issue, but I also resent the assumption that students should focus more on form than content. The book falls into that dubious educational tradition that confuses "drill and kill" grammar exercises with genuine writing and critical thinking. Personally, I want everybody - including the support staff - to focus more on developing their ideas and actually writing business memos than just filling out grammar worksheets and memorizing overly rigid grammar rules. Personally, I blame misguided English books like this one contributing to the high dropout rates.
If students want a reference work for Business English, the MBA standard textbook Business Writers Companion is far better. The Grammar in Use series works better for international students. And the Qualities of Good Prose is a far, far better English book to teach writing and editing skills for community college students.
Or so it seems to me.