Science and Technical Writing: A Manual of Style / Edition 2

by Philip Rubens

Overview

With this new edition, Science and Technical Writing confirms its position as the definitive style resource for thousands of established and aspiring technical writers. Editor Philip Rubens has fully revised and updated his popular 1992 edition, with full, authoritative coverage of the techniques and technologies that have revolutionized electronic communications over the past eight years.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415925518
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	12/13/2000
Series:	Routledge Study Guides
Edition description:	REV
Pages:	464
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Philip Rubens is Professor of Technical Communications at East Carolina University.

Table of Contents

1. Audience Analysis and Document Planning 2. Writing for Non-native Audiences 3. Grammar, Usage, and Revising for Publication 4. Punctuating Scientific and Technical Prose 5.Using Acceptable Spelling 6. Incorporating Specialized Terminology 7. Using Numbers and Symbols 8. Using Quotations, Citations and References 9. Creating Indexes 10. Creating Non-Textual Information 11. Creating Useable Data Displays 12. Designing Useful Documents.

Editorial Reviews

"The book really shines when it tackles the specifics of science writing. The sections on scientific terms and symbols; technology terms; units of measurement; mathematical expressions; equations; and citations, notes, and references are invaluable for those who frequently deal with these issues." — Bob Andrews,Technical Communication

From the Publisher

A decade ago, this book might have become the bible for a generation of technical writers: It is authoritative, exhaustive, and well organized. It is also obsolete in several sections: No mention is made of the plethora of computer software programs upon which even the most casual technical writers nowadays depend. Indeed, it is as though the personal computer hardly exists. The sections on document design are written as though paper were the medium of choice and ``laserographic printers'' were rare devices. Likewise, sections on numbers, symbols, and mathematical equations are well done, but there is no mention whatsoever of how software is useful and important. The stylebook sections are comprehensive but not prescriptive, presenting all possible choices with few prohibitions: Words such as finalize and prioritize are described as ``increasingly common'' and ``tending toward jargon.'' As a result, this work is much more permissive than The Chicago Manual of Style (Univ. of Chicago Pr., 1982. 13th ed.). Citation sections describe but never name various styles such as those found in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (Modern Language Assn. of America, 1988. 3d ed.). Sections on nonnative readers and abbreviations are useful; grammar and usage are adequately handled, although often permissive rather than prescriptive; and clear explanations are offered of significant digits and indexing. Finally, the table of contents is excellent. Overall, this is extremely useful for noncomputer users, less so for others, its main shortcoming being what is not covered--the personal computer age.-- Mark Shelton, Athens, Ohio

Library Journal

This handbook for technical and scientific writing describes in detail the various aspects, issues, and techniques of the endeavor. General topics include: audience analysis and document planning; writing for non-native audiences; grammar, usage, and revising; punctuation; acceptable spelling; incorporating specialized terminology; using numbers and symbols; quotations, citations, and references; creating indexes; creating nontextual information; creating usable data displays; and, designing useful documents. Within each general topic, information is arranged into an outline form, with main sections, smaller sections, and subsections. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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