Technical Writing: Process and Product (5th Edition) [Paperback]

Sharon J. Gerson (Author), Steven M. Gerson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0131196642 | ISBN-13: 978-0131196643 | Publication Date: January 13, 2005 | Edition: 5

This full color 5^th edition of Technical Writing: Process and Product guides readers through the entire writing process—prewriting, writing, and rewriting—developing an easy-to-use, step-by-step technique for writing the types of documents they will encounter on the job. The authors' reader-friendly style engages readers in the writing process and encourages hands-on application. Discusses prewriting, writing, and rewriting in relation to ethics, audience identification, electronic communication, and the role of technical writing in the workplace. For anyone looking to utilize more effective written communication in their jobs.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This text guides readers through the writing process--prewriting, writing and rewriting--to create professional letters, memos, reports, proposals, instructions, user manuals, and other written communications. The authors' reader-friendly, easy-to-use approach engages students in the writing process and encourages discussion about ethics, audience identification, electronic communication, and the role of technical writing in both academic and professional life. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

Technical Writing: Process and Product covers the entire writing process—prewriting, writing, and rewriting—developing an easy-to-use, step-by-step technique for writing the types of documents used on the job: memos, letters, reports, e-mail, web pages, instructions, and more. The authors' reader-friendly style encourages hands-on application as well as critical thinking about ethics, audience identification, electronic communication, and the role of technical writing in today's workplace. Coverage also features actual examples drawn from today's workplace; usability testing tools and measures; discussions of the Internet, intranets, extranets, e-mail, online help screens, online resumes, online research, and Internet graphics; document design and effective page layout. For writers and business professionals responsible for writing and preparing documents. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 5 edition (January 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131196642
• ISBN-13: 978-0131196643
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,752 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Technically very good, October 17, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Technical Writing: Process and Product (5th Edition) (Paperback)

We use this text by Gerson and Gerson for the technical writing class at the community college where I work. It is an incredibly useful book, particularly for those who are beginning their college careers, and for those who are going into technical fields that require clarity and precision.

Some of the outstanding features of this text include the following:

* Technology tips, providing useful instruction on basic computer literacy
* Techlinks, with updated online material and resources
* Writing at Work Case Studies, showing real-world examples of the ideas being presented
* Before/After Examples, which shows the value of revision
* Sportlights, similiar to the Writing at Work, again shows real-life applications of how business uses technical writing
* Checklists, for ease of remembering and following through on all aspects of the material presented
* Margin Call-Outs, sort of like pull-quotes that highlight particular points of interest in the documents being examined
* Web Workshops and a Companion Website

The units in this book include sections on correspondence (memos, email, letters, including cover letters in trying to find a job), technical publications (fliers, brochures, newsletters, etc.), electronic communications (websites and online help), report writing (MLA and APA styles are presented, as well as methods of research), and a handy handbook of grammar aids as the final section, to help with punctuation, spelling, mechanics and other items of grammatical interest.

There is also a section on oral communication - while this is not a speech textbook, so much of one's business image comes from the way one presents himself or herself orally, on the telephone, in presentations, in interviews, and in everyday conversation. The Gersons also provide some information on using PowerPoint and other visual aids in effective presentations.

This is a great textbook, useful for classroom settings as well as individual study and reference. The layout is visually interesting and well-formatted, We use it in the Tutoring Center of my college in addition to the technical writing course offered on campus, as most classes on campus have an element of writing.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and valuable ...., February 6, 2005

By 

John Hancock (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Technical Writing: Process and Product (Paperback)

Terrific, easily readable, and highly recommended for tech writers and those learning the craft, as well as for those corporate staff who will work with tech writers.

Liked the parts on short reports, long reports, grammar, punctuation, research, graphics, oral presentations, instructions, technical description, and objectives.

Did not like the wasted political-correctness (PC) ink devoted to "sexist language," which was unnecessary and does not fit in with the value of the other material in this book. That kind of condescending verbiage detracts from an otherwise superb and useful text.

Still valuable for most readers.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY! A Good Book in the Field of Technical Writing!, November 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Technical Writing: Process and Product (Paperback)

Steve and Sharon Gerson provide a comprehensive guide to Technical Writing, and then some. The reader gains practical technical communication knowledge and helpful guidelines to the job search as an added bonus. This book should be on the shelves of anyone with a career that require concise communication skills (in other words, EVERBODY).