Customer Reviews

Technical Writer's Handbook: Writing With Style and Clarity

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I borrowed this book from the library, my choice out of the 48 tech writing books available, and I am delighted with it--so much so that I'm ordering my own copy. It covers everything I've been trying to teach my office-full of engineers and scientists, from how to say "nuclear," to when to hyphenate, to what to include in a table. I HIGHLY recommend it to all who want to sound technically competent and at the same time "humanly" readable.

Frankly, this book should be on every scientist's and engineer's shelf. It indicates with clarity and humor the common, stupid, things people do when they write. It's particularly good for developing a non-pompous and concise style. For example, Young tells us to use, instead of "at this point in time," the word "now," or instead of "utilize" just say "use." The book is full of examples and hits all the things that drive me nuts reading other people's writing, particularly the writing of students.

The downside is that it is organized alphabetically by words in commonly used bad phrases, so looking up a specific item is darn near impossible. Still, Matt Young's book makes for fun and delightful reading.

As an Instructional Designer and a Technical Writer, this book did not deliver. The entire book is a list of terms and one person's tips to use them. It simply is not enough to justify the cost.