Southwest Technical College

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Technical Communication Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I teach technical writing at a community college and frequently switched textbooks until I discovered Mike Markel's. It is well organized, gives 8 measures of excellence in technical writing that students quickly grasp, has very up-to-date scenarios that prompt critical reading and writing and the online quizzes and resources are the frosting on the cake. This book is a great tool for educators, students and absolutely anyone who wishes to write in a professional manner.

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The Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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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.

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Communicating Technical Information: A Guide for the Electronic Age Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is very useful for engineering students or practising engineers who wish to possess excellent technical communication/writing skills. It will put to shame any engineer who claims that scientific mind can't be expected to be too literate. It is so comprehensive, touching upon all aspects of technical writing, such as writing to different audiences, techniques of researching, writing, editing and even how to obtain the most visually pleasing layout for your technical reports. Not only that, it includes some essential information like formats of reports and bibliography. Another big plus is it includes recent writing techniques, like electronic documents. Although a very large chunk of the book deals with technical writing, the authors have also discussed Oral Presentation in one of the last few chapters. I am using this book in my university technical writing course this semester, and I must say that I have benefited tremendously. It's really a must for everyone who deals with presentation of technical information in their work / daily life. And in the case of engineers, doesn't that "everyone" include all of us?

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Giving users the tools and know-how to become proficient technical writers, this state-of-the-art guide takes a hands-on approach to learning the ins and outs of the craft, organizing material around a series of task-oriented chapters that each focus on a typical kind of technical writing assignment. Centered around the belief that writing is a step-by-step process, it addresses the expanded roles and needs of the today's technical writer, and emphasizes the importance of technical communication in the professional workplace.Provides varied, real-life examples that show how writers progress from start to finish, emphasizing the choices writers make and why they make those choices. Covers traditional forms as well as specialized contemporary forms, such as abstracts, literature reviews, impact studies, user manuals, on-line documentation, and hypertext authoring. Focuses on the computer as an integral part of all areas of communication, and shows how to utilize the newest computer-based tools, including how to write for the World Wide Web. Now devotes an entire chapter to ethical issues encountered in both technical writing and in general writing classes.For technical writers.--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Pocket Guide to Technical Writing Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is small and great. I learned a great deal from this book, about grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization, among other things. This book, if studied and mastered, greatly improves one's techical writing technique.
The section on English as a second language leaves a bit to be desired, but I suppose it is understandable, since this book was written for native English speakers. Good book.

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For courses in Technical Writing, Technical Communication, Writing for Technicians, and Business Writing-as well as corporate training seminars in writing.Intended as the "Strunk and White" of technical writing, this book is unique in its combination of an alphabetized handbook with brief chapters on organization and efficiency. This handy reference for on-the-job writing gives quick, easy-to-find answers to common writing problems faced in various technical and professional careers. It provides immediate help for planning, drafting, and revising 16 common documents-from letters and memos to reports and proposals. (An excellent Value Pak opportunity!)--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Technical Communication (10th Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)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!

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Designed for university and college technical writing courses-English, Engineering or Engineering technology departments, Technical Schools, Career Colleges in a variety of majors: health sciences, etc.This second Canadian edition of Technical Communication continues to provide a comprehensive, flexible introduction to technical and professional communication. Although this book focuses on writing, it also discusses interpersonal and group collaborative processes, oral communications, intercultural communication, and information gathering methods.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology and Science Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the best book on the subject I have read thus far. Easy to read and simple to follow, this is text for the those serious about tech writing.

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For freshman and sophomore level courses in Professional Writing, Technical Writing and Science and Technical Writing.Comprehensive and easy-to-read, this award-winning text/reference for students emphasizes practical writing. Its presentation and applications offer simple guides that students can easily emulate. It combines instruction, sample papers, exercises and writing projects for manuals, correspondence, research and publication articles, and oral technical communications plus coverage of Internet aids and website design.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Technical Writing: A Practical Approach Review

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(More customer reviews)This book was in poor condition, and was not sent in timely fashion. It was for a class, and the class had been meeting for three weeks before I received the book. I didn't mind the condition so much because it was not the most current edition, but I couldn't use it so late in the semester.

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For undergraduate-level courses in Technical Writing, Business Communication, Professional Communication, and Freshman Composition with a company emphasis.Technical Writing: A Practical Approach offers an easy-to-use approach towards learning the fundamentals of technical writing. The author's writing style is reader-friendly, and engages the student by providing a comprehensive overview of current topics in technical writing.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Technical English: Writing, Reading, and Speaking Review

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(More customer reviews)Aside from the horrible condition of the makeshift cover, all pages were intact and in good condition. The text is useable.

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Technical Writing: Process and Product Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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Explaining the entire writing process - pre-witing, writing and re-writing - this text shows readers how to create professional letters, memos, reports, proposals, instructions, user manuals, and other written communications.

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Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings (8th Edition) Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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