Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings (6th Edition) [Paperback]

Diana C. Reep (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2, 2005 | ISBN-10: 0321333500 | ISBN-13: 978-0321333506 | Edition: 6

Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies and Readingsoffers a flexible combination of instructional chapters and readings that reflect the variety of emphases in today's technical writing classroom. The fifteen instructional chapters offer a general introduction to technical communication, while articles from professional journals and Web sites-which constitute about one-fourth of the text-offer insight and advice on specific communication topics, including writing for the Web. Strategy Boxes in each chapter also introduce students to important subjects related to technical communication, such as voice mail and videoconferencing. Each concise and self-contained instructional unit includes extended models and exercises which can be used in class or for collaborative or homework assignments. Students who study technical writing as part of their career preparation in science, business, engineering, social services and technical fields will find this text particularly useful.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Key Benefit: Intended as an introduction to technical writing, this book's concise and self-contained units include models, exercises, and readings that will give the reader the basics in constructing various types of technical documents. Key Topics: Covers all aspects of writing various types of technical reports and documents, including the latest information on telecommunications (video-conferencing, e-mail, etc), and international communication factors. Provides a small handbook with the basics of grammar, punctuation and mechanics, as well as 28 readings with additional material on subjects such as business etiquette for the 90's and use of color in technical documents. Market: For anyone interested in learning the basics of technical writing. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

A former Department Chair, and Full Professor of the English Department at the University of Akron, Dr. Diana Reep is on the Editorial Review Board of the _Journal of Business Communication_, and specializes in business and technical communication and film studies. She is the author of several publications, including _The Educator's Writing Handbook_ and _Business and Technical Writing: An Annotated Bibliography of Books from 1880-1980_. Her books of literary criticism are _Margaret Deland and the Rescue and Romance_. She has also published a novel and numerous articles on television and gender roles, soap operas, the saloon in western films, Anne Rice's _Interview with the Vampire_, and issues of business and technical communication. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Longman; 6 edition (July 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321333500
• ISBN-13: 978-0321333506
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,026,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book., January 29, 2001

By 

Kimberly A. Swift "KSwift" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings (4th Edition) (Paperback)

I was required to take a technical writing course for my degree and this is the book we used. It did an excellent job of explaining how things should be professionally written. It covers everything from asking for a recommendation to typing a resume to typing a proper e-mail. The layout of the book makes everything very easy to learn. After every concept there are examples of what a proper document should look like and sometimes even an example of what it should not look like. At the time, I thought I would never use anything I was learning, but after only two months out of the class I find myself using it to type up my resume. If you are in a job that requires professionalism in language and writing skills then this book is a must have. You will be surprised at what you can learn.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! (not your typical half-baked Thompson/Pearson offering), December 24, 2009

By 

Coder (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Technical Writing (7th Edition) (Paperback)

I used this book as a student in a technical writing class. The book was EXCELLENT, and served all levels of writers well. It starts with general good writing practices -- outlining, avoiding jargon, writing clearly (especially using proper grammar), being accurate, using parallel construction, writing for mixed audiences, using appropriate style and tone, and using good document design (both logical and format-wise). It moves through intermediate topics -- how to use line drawings and other graphics, writing various types of descriptions (chronological, spatial, and so forth), when to use the various types of definitions, and formatting numbers, measurements, and lists. This continues through advanced concepts -- writing instructions, writing for the web, writing in a group, formal report writing, and giving presentations and oral reports.

Some of the stongest points in this book (besides the no-nonsense writing itself) are:

* "models" (examples of writing) at the end of each chapter,
* "Advice From the Workplace" (excellent articles about workplace writing),
* Appendix A (grammar, puntuation, and mechanics -- including numbers and abbreviations),
* and Appendix B (frequently confused words).

Excellent examples are also part of the text throughout the book.

Sadly, many college students today do *not* have English skills that should be *required* to graduate high school! It's partly due to the large number of non-native English speakers attending college, but mostly it's just poor schooling. This book *does* provide the tools to help college students (who would probably *not pass* a standardized test) to improve their English as well as their writing, if they were given a free pass out of high school. It is up to the *professor* to see that grammar skills are being improved. Sadly, that was not the case in my class -- not at all.

Diana Reep has done all she can to serve both non-native speakers and advanced writers alike. Please, professors, if you buy a book like this, don't waste it by ignoring your students' shorcomings with the English language!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book for the Technical Writer, March 7, 2008

By 

Glenn Gallagher "scholarly bureaucrat" (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technical Writing (7th Edition) (Paperback)

If you are a technical writer, or want to become one, this book is a very helpful reference and guide. Very useful sections on writing instructions, short reports, and long reports. This book is one of several similar books that should be used by the professional, or by someone learning technical writing.