Why are doctors' prescriptions illegible and why is the language of the law considered impenetrable to outsiders? Is it more difficult for non-native speakers of English than native speakers to access the discourse of professions such as the law and medicine? These are just some of the questions covered by this innovative study, which uses the lens of stylistics to shed light on how the discourse of professional communities is used not just to convey meanings, but also to construct identity and a sense of membership. Aimed at students and scholars of applied linguistics, language education and communication studies, Martin Solly examines a range of professional discourses, from the language of education to that of the law and medicine, showing how knowledge of stylistics can provide the key for appropriate and acceptable language use, enabling successful communication and potential membership of professional communities.