The Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition [Hardcover]

Gerald J. Alred (Author), Charles T. Brusaw (Author), Walter E. Oliu (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312309236 | ISBN-13: 978-0312309237 | Publication Date: February 14, 2003 | Edition: 7th

The seventh edition of this classic comprehensive reference is now easier to use and more thorough than ever. With up-to-date coverage of workplace technology—from e-mail, Internet research, and writing for the Web to Web forms and page design—the Handbook of Technical Writing offers expert advice for meeting the demands of online writing. Abundant "real world" examples and sample documents throughout the text provide models for effective technical communication. The book's new "five-way access" structure—the alphabetical organization, topical key to the alphabetical entries, checklist of the writing process, comprehensive index, and new topical list of figures and model documents—provides even more ways of retrieving information, faster. This edition also includes new and revised entries on research, documenting sources, brochures, formal reports, newsletters, proposals, sales letters, presentations, and visuals. With entries that have been consolidated and streamlined, and in-depth treatment of grammar, usage, and the writing skills that both students and professionals need to master, the Handbook of Technical Writing remains both an accessible and easy-to-use guide, and the quick reference faithful users have come to appreciate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love the accessibility, brevity of entries, and layout of this book. Many of my students keep the text long after the course is over to have a handy and accurate reference on the shelf at work."
--Nancy Schneider, University of Maine - Augusta

"I have found this book to be an excellent resource for finding answers to a variety of technical writing questions both simply and quickly. The wide range of topics covered also makes the handbook useful as a general reference across many disciplines."
--Cynthia Raisor, Texas A&M University

"This handbook has kept up with the increasing focus on technology and electronic research and with the typical components of a variety of professional documents. Once students discover this book's usefulness, they consult it in conjunction with every writing assignment, saving me time and encouraging them to participate more fully in their own learning."
--Karen Welch, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire

"I choose the Handbook of Technical Writing because I want students to have a single, reliable, versatile and broad-ranging text that will serve them well in a variety of circumstances."
--Ralph Batie, Oregon Institute of Technology

"The Handbook of Technical Writing is written clearly and the information in it is accessible. It's a valuable companion in any technical writing classroom."
--Natalie D. Segal, University of Hartford

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Gerald J. Alfred is a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he teaches business and technical writing.

Charles T. Brusaw is presently a business writing consultant for many corporations worldwide. He retired from NCR Corporation after working for twenty years as a technical writer. He has also worked in advertising, public relations, and curriculum development.

Walter E. Oliu is Acting Director of the Division of Freedom of Information and Publications Services at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has taught at Miami University of Ohio and Slippery Rock State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 768 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 7th edition (February 14, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312309236
• ISBN-13: 978-0312309237
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #664,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, May 12, 2003

By 

Todd Hawley (San Francisco CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition (Hardcover)

As a technical writer, I've found this book to be just that. While it definitely is not a "how to write technical manuals" type of book, the topics and material covered make it well worth having on any writer's bookshelf. And in this latest edition, not only have the editors done another great job, the book's page layout is wonderful. In previous editions, all text and type was in black. In this edition, headings, paragraph titles and diagrams are framed in blue. This seemingly minor change makes the book's material easier to read and refer to.

The book continues to have extensive information about writing-related topics. Everything from proper grammar, to writing reports, to interviewing subject matter experts, how to do Internet research for a writing project, writing newsletters and/or abstracts, interviewing for a job and interviewing a subject matter expert for more information about a subject, writing proposals, and so forth is covered in this book. There's even a companion web site to the book that provides links to online resources for further information.

The book's preface contains what the editors consider their "Five Steps to Successful Writing," and also a "Checklist of the Writing Process," complete with subsections containing listings for (in order) Preparation, Research, Organization, Writing a Draft, and Revision. In fact, a few of the book's numerous entries contain their own "writer's checklist" of things to do. Some subjects have not only a heading, but cross-references to other pages of related topics. For example, if I was interested in learning how to write a proposal, I could go to that listing, and also find reference information on internal and external proposals. There seems to be at times an endless wealth of information about whatever writing topic you are looking for. This book's main strength obviously is how all the book's material is organized.

This is one book every writer should have. Even though it isn't a "how-to-write" book, it's still a "tools for writing" book. I find myself referring to it often when I'm
working on any kind of writing project.

As with past editions, the book's editors have done a wonderful job with this handbook.

125 of 137 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There must be better technical writing resources, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Handbook of Technical Writing (Hardcover)

Summary: If you already have an adequate writer's handbook, look elsewhere for advice about technical writing. If you are new both to writing in general and technical writing in particular, you could do worse.

The publisher claims that the handbook "is specifically geared to the art of technical communication". Not so. The majority of information here pertains to all writers--for instance, the explanation of the proper use of italics and discussion of the voice, mood, and tense of verbs. Even the examples are general rather than technically-related: the entry for like/as has the example "She took to architecture as a bird takes to nest building", which it is difficult to imagine finding in a computer manual, progress report, proposal, or even correspondence.

Some readers may find value in the longer entries, such as those about feasibility reports, instructions, process explanation, proposals, and various types of letters. These provide an interesting combination of introduction/recap for these topics. However, some of the longer entries are bewildering--for example, there is an entry about interviewing for a job, the presence of which is difficult to justify, particularly as the discussion is not specific to jobs in technical writing.

Several entries are marked with a symbol that resembles a cross between the European recycling logo and the yin/yang symbol. There is no explanation of the meaning of this symbol... unless the reader happens across the entry for English as a second language (ESL). Ouch.

Although this fifth hardcover edition has a 1997 copyright date, some examples betray the book's earlier origin. The examples of typeface quality (under the entry for word processing) shows a very early laser printer. The text discusses dot matrix, letter-quality, and laser printers-inkjet printers are not mentioned. Similarly, there is no discussion of the writing of software documentation. I was left with the feeling that revision was limited to insertion of new entries (such as the Internet item).

This book is an uneasy compromise between a grammar style guide and a series of short articles on technical writing. I yield to educators to judge whether or not it is suitable for first-year university and college students. My subjective impression is that it does not represent value for money, even for that audience.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Handbook for Technical Writing, December 2, 1999

By 

W. Hendrick "Biblestudent" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handbook of Technical Writing (Paperback)

I have the 5th edition of this handbook. It is a very good reference book to keep at your desk. Although I would not recommend this as a text book for technical communication, it is a great reference book for anyone that has to write or create documents at work. It is arranged alphabetically by topic, and has a detailed index. This book makes a good supplement to a text book for a college level technical communication class.