referencebooks (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} referencebooks) wrote,@ 2006-04-10 12:24:00 |
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| Entry tags: | language, writing |
Handbook of Technical Writing
Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition
By Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu.
Published by St. Martin's Press, 2003.
This is a 6" by 9" hardbound book running to 645 pages including the index, plus a preface and special chapters titled, "Five Steps to Successful Writing," "Checklist of the Writing Process," "Topical Key to Alphabetical Entries," and "Topical List of Figures and Model Documents." The book is printed in blue as well as black ink as a way of highlighting information. There is a companion website expanding on the information included in the book.
The Preface begins,
"The seventh edition of the Handbook of Technical Writing, like previous editions, is a comprehensive resource for both academic and professional audiences. The Handbook's nearly 500 entries cover effective print, oral, and electronic communication in technical writing, as well as grammar, style, and usage. This edition has up-to-date coverage of workplace technologies, library and Internet research, and documenting sources, as well as improved treatment of formal reports, job searches, presentations, and visuals."
For an idea of what's included, here is a list of the first fifteen entries in the "D" section:
- dangling modifiers
- dashes
- data / datum
- dates
- decreasing-order-of-importance method of development (see order-of-importance method of development)
- defective / deficient
- defining terms
- definite / definitive
- definition method of development
- description
- design (see layout and design)
- despite / in spite of
- diacritical marks
- diagnosis / prognosis
- diction
The longer of these entries are the ones having to do with methods in technical writing. The shorter entries are those that define elements of grammar and usage and distinguish between similar or commonly confused words.
The prose is efficient, clear, and easy to read, enhancing the usability of this book (and showing off the authors' skills as technical writers).
This is a very useful book for people studying or practicing technical writing or needing guidance in writing clear documentation or instructions.
