Technical Communication (8th Edition) [Paperback]

John M. Lannon (Author), John Lannon (Author), John M. Technical Writing Lannon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0321023951 | ISBN-13: 978-0321023957 | Publication Date: August 1999 | Edition: 8th

Technical Communication, 8/e (formerly Technical Writing) is a comprehensive, accessible introduction to technical and professional communication that deftly responds to the needs of the workplace today. Addressing a wide range of interests for classes in which students from a variety of majors are enrolled, Technical Communication, 8/e, combines practical applications with clear writing and examples. Rhetorical principles are explained, illustrated, and applied to an array of documents, from brief memos and summaries to formal reports and proposals. Coverage of such topics as document design, electronic communication, and oral presentations reflect the realm of technical communication today. Exercises, incorporated throughout the text, enable students to better understand the skills necessary both in college and in the workplace. While writing remains a central component of this text, the title has been changed to reflect the focus on the whole range of communication tasks in today's workplace-from managing collaborative groups to designing pages for the World Wide Web.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

<>Technical Communication, Eleventh Edition
John M. Lannon

1.2 million reasons to buy this book…
John Lannon's Technical Communication has helped more than 1.2 million students become better technical writers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in a wide range of professions. Lannon is unwavering in his effort to keep abreast of current issues and trends in the workplace–and to weave their implications into the instruction this book provides. What you’ll find here is a realistic portrayal of today’s workplace that prepares you for any career you choose.

There are over a million reasons to buy this book–but here are more good reasons to buy this edition of Technical Communication.

• The introductory chapter redefines the role of technical communicators as information managers, using contemporary technology to deliver their messages,
• A new dedicated chapter on employment correspondence (Ch. 18) focuses on what you really need to know to look for–and get–you first job.
• New content on corporate blogs and wikis (Ch. 16) reflects the realities of today’s workplace communication and information delivery.
• New Case Studies put you in the middle of real workplace decision-making.

And as always:

• A heavy focus on the rhetorical principles will teach you to shape your writing and pointedly reach your intended audience.
• Lucid, straightforward instruction will clarify even the most troublesome of topics.
• Checklists summarize the instruction to help you extract key topics.
• Guidelines offer step-by-step strategies and walk you through an array of procedures and undertakings.

Where can you find resources to complement your book and bolster your practice?

Get everything you need for the course at www.mypearsonstore.com

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

About the Author

John Lannon is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Writing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he developed the undergraduate major in professional writing and later co-developed the M.A. program in professional writing.
He has also taught at Cape Cod Community College, University of Idaho, Southern Vermont College, and University of Strasbourg.
He has authored and coauthored five major textbooks in business communication, rhetoric, and technical communication, book reviews, filmstrips, and environmental documents and instructional software. He is the recipient of an NDEA Fellowship and Fulbright Lectureship. He holds a B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His initial training and work was in biomedical science and technology with the USAF. He has served as a communications consultant for various companies and government institutions.  He worked seven years in medical laboratories.

Laura J. Gurak is professor and founding chair of the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota. She holds an M.S. in technical communication and a Ph.D. in communication and rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is author of two books from Yale University Press (1997, 2001), the earlier of which was the first book-length work to study online communities and Internet-based social actions. Gurak is also co-editor of several edited collections and author on numerous conference presentations and papers; she is a recipient of the Society for Technical Communication’s Outstanding Article award. Gurak has authored and coauthored five textbooks in technical communication published by Pearson. She has worked as a technical writer and communications consultant for various companies and organizations.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 680 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley; 8th edition (August 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321023951
• ISBN-13: 978-0321023957
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,290,109 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Written by an expert in the marketing of textbooks!, January 8, 2004

By 

Henry Cowell (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technical Communication (9th Edition) (Paperback)

John Lannon was a successful author of a college writing and composition textbook. He then created various spinoffs so that his publisher could cover more markets: business writing, technical writing, and so on (for both college and high school).

So he's really not a current specialist in technical writing, and he's not employed as a technical writer. He's just an English instructor who has been using essentially the same basic materials in all his books for decades.

This text is a perfect example. It has very little to do with today's field of technical communications. There are many other textbooks that have more specific and up-to-date examples and guidelines for contemporary technical writers. Any book by Hackos, for example, runs circles around this one.

In any case, he and his publisher don't need your single-copy sale. They sell thousands of these books for coursewide use at many schools across the country for use in very elementary courses. They don't care about individual users.

So save your money and buy something else!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Make this book your last choice, December 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Technical Communication (8th Edition) (Paperback)

I had the displeasure of using this textbook in my Technical Writing course at the local university. This author lacked depth in his discussions on all the topics. That probably explains the addition of supplemental course material. The examples used in this textbook were acceptable, but I was still left hanging with "what if" questions unanswered. The organization of this book also needs some improvement. On a positive note (yes there is a positive side to this), I found the Appendix very useful as a reference guide, though.

26 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars What's new in this 9th Edtion?, September 25, 2003

By 

Aramaki (GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Technical Communication (9th Edition) (Paperback)

The answer is nothing. This 9th edition is practically the same as 8th. This author must be the greediest man in the academic circle. Over half of the colleges in US use this book for technical writing, and he's still charging people almost $84 for it. Hasn't he made enough money with the 1st edition already?