Technical Communication Today 5th Edition Pdf 18

Technical Communication Today: A Review of the 5th Edition

Technical communication is a vital skill for professionals in various fields, such as engineering, health, business, and science. However, writing clear and concise technical documents can be challenging, especially in today's complex and computer-mediated workplace. How can students learn to communicate effectively with different audiences, purposes, and contexts

One possible answer is Technical Communication Today, a textbook by Richard Johnson-Sheehan that aims to teach students the principles and practices of technical communication in the 21st century. The 5th edition of this book was published in 2014 by Pearson/Longman and covers topics such as the technical writing process, document design, visual communication, collaboration, research, ethics, and oral presentations[^1^]. The book also includes an English as a Second Language guide and a companion website with additional resources for instructors and students[^1^].

In this article, I will provide a brief overview of the main features and strengths of Technical Communication Today, as well as some suggestions for improvement. I will also compare it with another textbook on the same subject, The Essentials of Technical Communication, by Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga, which was published in its 5th edition in 2019 by Oxford University Press[^2^].

Main Features and Strengths

One of the main features of Technical Communication Today is its emphasis on how computers help students think and write as technical communicators. The book foregrounds how computers can help students draft and design documents, collaborate with others, prepare material for print and web publication, and make oral presentations[^1^]. The book also reflects the evolution of technical communication from linear to visual-spatial documents and shows how readers raid documents for the information they need[^1^]. The book provides examples of various types of technical documents, such as memos, letters, reports, proposals, instructions, websites, blogs, wikis, podcasts, and videos[^1^].

Another strength of Technical Communication Today is its solid core of rhetorical principles that guide students throughout the technical writing process. The book teaches students how to analyze their audience, purpose, and context; how to organize their information; how to use appropriate style and tone; how to revise and edit their documents; and how to evaluate their effectiveness[^1^]. The book also covers ethical issues that technical communicators may face in their work[^1^]. The book uses a clear and engaging language that appeals to students from different backgrounds and disciplines.

Suggestions for Improvement

While Technical Communication Today is a comprehensive and useful textbook for teaching technical communication, it also has some areas that could be improved. One suggestion is to update some of the examples and exercises in the book to reflect the current trends and technologies in technical communication. For instance, some of the web pages shown in the book look outdated or have broken links. Some of the exercises ask students to use software or tools that may not be available or popular anymore. Some of the topics covered in the book could also be expanded or revised to include more recent developments or research findings.

Another suggestion is to provide more guidance and feedback for students who are learning English as a second language (ESL). While the book has an ESL guide at the end that covers some common grammar and vocabulary issues that ESL students may encounter in technical communication[^1^], it could also integrate more ESL tips and exercises throughout the chapters. For example, the book could highlight some of the cultural differences or expectations that ESL students may face when communicating with different audiences or contexts. The book could also provide more examples or models of effective technical communication by ESL writers or speakers.

Comparison with Another Textbook

A similar textbook that covers technical communication is The Essentials of Technical Communication, by Elizabeth Tebeaux and Sam Dragga. This book was developed with the principle that no one wants to read what you write in today's complex workplace[^2^]. Therefore, it provides students with accessible and comprehensive instructions for planning, drafting, and revising technical documents that are clear and concise[^2^]. The book covers topics such as document design, visual communication, research methods, ethics,

collaboration, web writing, social media, presentations, proposals,

reports, instructions aa16f39245