Finkelstein, Leo : Wright State University--Dayton
Summary
The focus of this text is to teach engineering students the skill of technical writing. The book is unique in
that it gets to the point, uses practical outlines throughout, and actually shows students how to produce the most
common technical documents step-by-step. The book also employs a laid-back approach that is focused on providing
real-world information a straightforward, easy-to-understand way.
This book is part of the BEST Series. McGraw-Hill's BEST (Basic Engineering Series and Tools) consists of modularized
textbooks covering virtually every topic and specialty likely to be presented in an introductory engineering course.
These affordable BEST modules are easily combined with each other to construct the ideal first-year course. BEST
texts are also easily customized to create a single text via both traditional and online customization options.
New to This Edition :
A Threaded Example is now included throughout the text. A single piece of technology (a high-power transmitting
tube) is used as the subject of examples from one chapter to another to provide a unique means of comparing different
types of documents and purposes. For example, the transmitting tube is defined in Chapter 3, its functional attributes
are described in Chapter 4, the process of its operation is described in Chapter 5, it is the subject of a student
proposal in Chapter 6, etc.
An enhanced Ethics chapter, Chapter 2, is now included. The chapter deals with the basic concept of ethics
in technical writing, and provides focused, extended discussions on plagiarism and image alteration, which are
two significant ethical problem areas in technical writing today.
A new chapter on Team Writing, Chapter 19, provides separate discussions for team writing in the professional
business environment and the student academic environment. For each type of team writing environment, the book
focuses on practical ways for defining requirements, taking preliminary actions, and accomplishing document production.
The Visuals chapter, Chapter 15, now includes an enhanced discussion on photography, especially digital imaging,
and includes the appropriate use of image compositing and editing in technical writing.
Chapter 13, Grammar and Style, includes a new discussion of stylistic considerations, specifically the need
for economy and precision in language. The chapter also has improved and expanded treatments of many grammar problems,
as well as homonyms and noun clauses.
