Communicating Technical Information: A Guide for the Electronic Age (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Donald Pattow (Author), William Wresch (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0137612710 | ISBN-13: 978-0137612710 | Publication Date: October 6, 1997 | Edition: 2

Giving users the tools and know-how to become proficient technical writers, this state-of-the-art guide takes a hands-on approach to learning the ins and outs of the craft, organizing material around a series of task-oriented chapters that each focus on a typical kind of technical writing assignment. Centered around the belief that writing is a step-by-step process, it addresses the expanded roles and needs of the today's technical writer, and emphasizes the importance of technical communication in the professional workplace.Provides varied, real-life examples that show how writers progress from start to finish, emphasizing the choices writers make and why they make those choices. Covers traditional forms as well as specialized contemporary forms, such as abstracts, literature reviews, impact studies, user manuals, on-line documentation, and hypertext authoring. Focuses on the computer as an integral part of all areas of communication, and shows how to utilize the newest computer-based tools, including how to write for the World Wide Web. Now devotes an entire chapter to ethical issues encountered in both technical writing and in general writing classes.For technical writers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This practical approach to technical writing is organized around a series of "task oriented" chapters, each of which focuses on a typical kind of technical writing assignment. As new forms, techniques, and writing tools become appropriate to the task at hand, they are discussed in detail. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Giving users the tools and know-how to become proficient technical writers, this state-of-the-art guide takes a hands-on approach to learning the ins and outs of the craft, organizing material around a series of task-oriented chapters that each focus on a typical kind of technical writing assignment. Centered around the belief that writing is a step-by-step process, it addresses the expanded roles and needs of the today's technical writer, and emphasizes the importance of technical communication in the professional workplace.Provides varied, real-life examples that show how writers progress from start to finish, emphasizing the choices writers make and why they make those choices. Covers traditional forms as well as specialized contemporary forms, such as abstracts, literature reviews, impact studies, user manuals, on-line documentation, and hypertext authoring. Focuses on the computer as an integral part of all areas of communication, and shows how to utilize the newest computer-based tools, including how to write for the World Wide Web. Now devotes an entire chapter to ethical issues encountered in both technical writing and in general writing classes.For technical writers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 568 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (October 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0137612710
• ISBN-13: 978-0137612710
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,665,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great tool for aspiring literate engineers, March 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Communicating Technical Information: A Guide for the Electronic Age (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book is very useful for engineering students or practising engineers who wish to possess excellent technical communication/writing skills. It will put to shame any engineer who claims that scientific mind can't be expected to be too literate. It is so comprehensive, touching upon all aspects of technical writing, such as writing to different audiences, techniques of researching, writing, editing and even how to obtain the most visually pleasing layout for your technical reports. Not only that, it includes some essential information like formats of reports and bibliography. Another big plus is it includes recent writing techniques, like electronic documents. Although a very large chunk of the book deals with technical writing, the authors have also discussed Oral Presentation in one of the last few chapters. I am using this book in my university technical writing course this semester, and I must say that I have benefited tremendously. It's really a must for everyone who deals with presentation of technical information in their work / daily life. And in the case of engineers, doesn't that "everyone" include all of us?

4.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, January 2, 2002

By 

Sage Adams (Fairbanks, Alaska USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Communicating Technical Information: A Guide for the Electronic Age (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book that covers many aspects of technical writing from memos, proposals, progress reports, and research reports, to citing references, resumes, and cover letters. However, the book is a bit dry at times (understandably), and is not perfectly organized.