Technical Writing: Process and Product

by Steven M. Gerson and Sharon Gerson

Book Overview

A textbook that explains the nature of the trade, correspondence, visual appeal, electronic communication, technical applications, report strategies, and the basics of writing the English language. No... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0131196642
• ISBN13: 9780131196643
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Prentice Hall
• Length: 704 Pages
• Weight: 3.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.2" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

satisfied

Purchased this textbook (used) for hardly any money, arrived on time and is in an acceptable condition.

Good book for the novice to intermediate technical writer.

This book does a very good job of explaining effective communication through technical writing. The book covers many types of writing in the work place like Memos, Email, letters, Reports, Proposals, Brochures, Newsletters, Resumes, Manuals, website design for effective communication, Technical descriptions and oral communication. It also covers the effective use of graphics in a document or presentation. The book covers the legalities, practicalities, ethicalities, ethical standards of writing. The book is filled with screen shots of several different types of communications listed above. It's very detailed in it explanations of subjects. The book covers in detail writing different types of reports and the types of audiences you would be writing too based on the report type and the information within the report. Each topic is covered in detail and shows you how to effectively communicate in each of the mediums. It covers figuring out who your audience is going to be and writing to that audience. Writing to several audiences at once. The book describes several key points like effective communication, researching your topic, pre writing, writing and re writing. The book covers writing in a team and discusses working in a collaborative effort. The also covers the format of the document, sentence structure, alternative wording, concise sentences. Arranging the document in topical chronological order to make sure the wording and though process flow well and is easily understood. For me this book really defined technical writing and practices. There are plenty of diagrams that cover many things like writing process, case studies. The book is divided into Activities that start out as different writing scenarios based on a business need. At the end of each activity there are 20 question quizzes that will ask you some basic but thought provoking questions like: What is the purpose of the report? how does pre writing help? The questions are different for each activity preformed. The book does a good job of explaining the mechanics of writing, grammar and punctuation for those who need a refresher course. This book was really helpful to me, I consider myself an intermediate level technical writer. It's fairly easy to read and understand. The Gersons do a great job of walking the reader through the entire process of writing from concept to final product. I'm not sure how much an advanced technical writer will get out of this because it really geared for the novice to intermediate technical writer. For the advanced technical writer this is maybe a two to three star book but for the novice to intermediate technical writer this a four to five star book and that's what I'm basing my rating on.

Technically very good

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.

Useful and valuable ....

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.

FINALLY! A Good Book in the Field of Technical Writing!

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).