Clear Technical Writing

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book You'll Ever Buy for Clear Technical Writing
Review: I bought my copy brand new ten years ago at the price of $26.95. I thought it was a high price to pay at the time, but after going through the exercises and improving my understanding of how to edit my work it was well worth the amount. I've referred to its guide lines quite often in my work as a technical writer and instructional designer. It is one of the best books to teach someone about minimilist writing. So if you have doubts about the high price, it is well worth the expense. I'm just glad I bought mine when I did.

Rating:
Summary: What does the future hold in store?
Review: I recommend this book to technical writing students in Japan. Its topics are the usual ones that you would expect for a book from 1973, so many topics of more recent concern are of course not dealt with. But its merit is that it gives hundreds of practice sentences in these topics, and the content of the practices maintains the voice of technical writing--no Jack and Betty having a pleasant time in coffee shops. A further merit of the exercises is that answer keys are included.

Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Great Big Price
Review: I've been using this book since 1978. It is the best book I've seen for new business or technical writers. As an experienced writer, I refer to it often. It uses many examples of wording in before and after format. I've also used it as a textbook for writing courses.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent book for teaching writing and editing
Review: I've taught classes for writers and editors, and I've never seen so many good examples for improving writing. Brogan collects hundreds of examples that show how to simplify and clarify, usually by cutting superfluous words or by replacing ambiguous phrasing with something more specific. He shows writers how to write and editors how to edit. Furthermore, he doesn't ban the use of passive voice. What more can I ask of a book?

The used copy I purchased through Amazon (from Jabez Books) is in excellent condition. I first discovered [local store] book at [local area], where a tattered and marked-up copy sells for [money]. My copy cost [money]!

Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Great Big Price
Review: My first serious contact with technical editing (in particular, line-by-line editing of text) was through this very useful book. Its insights served me well for 20 years. It is probably used in college courses, where such high prices are common, but that doesn't excuse the excessively high price.