This book offers a broad overview of research and practice in professional discourse. Major developments and future directions based on current strengths are highlighted. In view of the growing interest in investigating professional discourse as a multidisciplinary activity, this volume explores key issues in three areas: Research Prospects, Models and Practices, and Contexts and Actions. Research and applications in these areas are diverse. They include communication skills, professional writing and rhetoric, socio-historical development of genres, organizational discourse, socio-critical perspectives on the use of language in institutionalized and workplace contexts. Special areas of focus are: medicine and healthcare, legal practice, business communication, mass media, academic writing and research.