Good, recent books for beginners in TW

[Chuck Murray]

I've taught technical writing for many years, at Northeastern University 
and recently also in the Middlesex certificate program (Bedford, MA; 
http://www.middlesex.mass.edu/CareerTraining/Certificates/writingtechinfo.htm). 
I've been very happy with the "Reporting Technical Information" textbook 
by Houp, Pearsall, Tebeaux, and Dragga. It's currently in its 11th 
edition, and is generally updated every couple of years.

It focuses on core technical writing principles and skills. It's not 
aimed at software or life sciences or any other writing niche, but it 
should be useful for students interested in any area, whether they 
intend to become professional technical writers or just want to develop 
technical communication skills to advance in some other career. It 
doesn't, at least in the 11th edition, address today's hot "product" 
issues (such as RoboHelp vs. Flare) or "philosophy" issues (such as DITA 
vs. DocBook), but it does deal with current technical communications 
issues (such as international considerations).

- Chuck Murray

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Chuck Murray                         Oracle Corporation
Phone: (603) 897-3155                One Oracle Drive
mailto:Charles.Murray at oracle.com     Nashua, NH  03062
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