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Reporting Technical Information
by Kenneth W. Houp
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Allyn & Bacon (1998-11)
ISBN: 020529958X
EAN: 9780205299584
Dewy Decimal #: 808
Paperback
Edition: 9th
SKU: M7247
Condition: Good
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
The leading text in technical writing since 1968, Reporting Technical Information covers basic strategies of composing, techniques of presentation, and document design. It also provides detailed analyses of document applications, including oral presentation, and features a complete handbook of grammar and usage. Appendices supply lists of technical reference books and guides along with a complete bibliography. This ninth edition of Reporting Technical Information places greater emphasis than any previous edition on international communication and the implications of global and multicultural correspondence. Documentation instructions include MLA style, Chicago Style, and APA style; a style guide for citing the Internet as a source is included as well.
The new edition includes material on writing collaboratively via email; synchronous discussions and FTP sites; and expansion of "electronic communication." The design of on-line documents has been added to "document design" and the treatment of graphical elements now includes electronic graphics programs. Instruction on using the Internet in job searches is featured as well. The ninth edition is supplemented by the Tech Community website http://www.abacon.com/techcommunity. Resources that support technical communication activities for both students and instructors can be found at this site.
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Customer Reviews
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technical information
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-12-26
THe product was exactly as described and I would buy future items from this seller
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A good guide, if a bit pedantic
Rating  (3)
Date: 2008-10-07
This text is being used for my Advanced Business Communications course at a college that has an equal number of traditional and non-traditional students. The information provided in the book is good, but the tone is not appropriate for anyone who has work experience. There are many statements about how "life is different after college". The majority of people taking this course are non-traditionals who are very aware that there is a difference between school and work. Also, considering that the subject matter is communications, there are an inordinate number of grammatical and typographical errors. I would recommend this book to for a course targeted at introductory level business students in a traditional college setting, but not for experienced non-traditional students. I would recommend that the authors place more emphasis on editing their own work in the next edition. Some of the errors make it very difficult to interpret what they are trying to say and slow down the reading process.
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Does Not Cover The Full Scope of Technical Writing
Rating  (2)
Date: 2007-11-29
This book was a required text for an introductory Technical Writing course. I would not have purchased it otherwise. The emphasis of the book is on writing standard business reports and does not cover the full scope of modern Technical Writing. (no white papers, no procedural manuals, no scientific articles, etc.)
The book is wordy and poorly organized. Several editing errors were spotted.
I personally feel there are far better references than this for technical writing.
Try:
The Non-Designer's Design Book
Untechnical Writing - How to Write About Technical Subjects and Products So Anyone Can Understand (Untechnical Press Books for Writers Series)
Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications Third Edition
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Useful as a textbook & as a daily reference
Rating (4)
Date: 2007-04-16
Although intended as a college-level textbook for technical writing students, many working professionals, both writers and engineers, will find this book useful as well. It provides a sound discussion of fundamental techniques and processes with extensive examples. The chapters on writing, collaboration, writing ethically, and writing for international readers cover topics that are important in business, yet not often covered in textbooks. My only wish is that part 3 included more document types to make this book an even more useful daily reference.
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A Highly Readable and Practical Text
Rating  (5)
Date: 2006-11-10
Reading and absorbing this text will strengthen key skill areas of technical communication. Even if you're not reading this text in conjunction with a technical writing course, I highly recommend you take the time to do at least one of the exercises at the end of each chapter.
Check out the accompanying web site that supports the text. One gripe: some of the chapters have self-tests, and some don't. However, there is no way to tell until you've clicked on the link, and waited for a blank page.
This text is well written, and focused like a laser beam on the challenge of creating information that adds value to the reader, rather than burdening the reader with time wasting prose.
Favorite chapter: Creating Tables and Figures.
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