A Guide to Technical Communications: Strategies & Applications

Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Cicchetti, Instructor of English Composition and Workplace Writing, College of DuPage on 4/20/21

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The book is not comprehensive. It features three chapters, which don't appear to go together particularly well--Rhetorical Foundations, Job Search Communications, and Engaging with Research. Because of this structure, it would be difficult to use the book for most college courses. The welcome letter in the introduction indicates that this is the textbook for Engineering Technical Communications courses at The Ohio State University. It may fit that purpose, but it is difficult to understand how it could fulfill the needs of other college courses at most schools. I teach Workplace Writing and was interested in reading the book because our course teaches rhetoric, resume writing, and the basics of writing other types of business documents. As is, this book would be too narrow of a focus for my use, although the title suggests that it might be appropriate.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

The information in the book appears accurate, but the book is outdated, especially on page 30 where it explains how to dress for an interview and only presents male clothing. Aren't women engineers, too? This page should be removed from the book because it is discriminatory. There are also several typos in the book, which always bothers me with OEMs.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 3

The book needs updating now and is organized in an odd way that isn't logical for most course plans. I'd put the research section before the resume writing section because to create an effective resume, a job candidate needs to research the company they are applying to, the industry, and their chosen career. In fact, this book makes that exact point. Therefore, the order of the chapters seems to be confusing. If the book were rewritten to include more chapters on technical communications so it could be used for a variety of intro classes on the subject, and the organization was changed so it was more logical, it could be written so that updates would be easy to make. However, it is not currently at that stage in its development.

Clarity rating: 4

The book has some interesting features. I especially like the chart on page 12 and the "Think & Write" activity that identifies transferable skills and coaches students to think about their own experiences and write about the skills they've demonstrated and developed. I only wish the book had more of these exercises. It also has some clear directives for writing an application letter and poses some good questions for students to ask themselves during the process.

Consistency rating: 3

The book appear consistent in terminology and framework.

Modularity rating: 3

The book is easily divisible into reading sections but is too short and narrowly focused for most college courses. One of the challenges of OEM is to find a thorough enough textbook to use and reference throughout a course. This book doesn't have wide-enough content for a technical writing class nor is it as interesting or as expansive as most texts used for English composition courses. It needs to either be expanded and reorganized, or shortened and retitled so it focuses on developing communications for job searches.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

As stated early, the content in each of the chapters is organized, but the chapters do not work well together and appear out of order.

Interface rating: 4

The design of the book looks OK and is easy to follow.

Grammatical Errors rating: 3

The text contains some typos and repeating words.

Cultural Relevance rating: 2

The text assumes most readers are men, as stated in my earlier comments.

Comments

The title of this book was attractive to me because I teach Workplace Writing and am always looking for OEM textbooks and other educational materials to use in my classes. However, I quickly realized that the title was misleading because it isn't a guide to technical communications. The only technical writing included is the chapter on resumes. While the resume chapter is well written and thorough, it didn't include much new material or innovative ideas, and neither did any of the other chapters. In addition, the latest references in the book are from 2016, which suggests that the text is a little dated. This may be the beginning of a book, but as it stands, I don't recommend it and would not consider using it for my classes.

Reviewed by Ruth Perkins, Adjunct Instructor, Chemeketa Community College on 5/21/19

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

Comprehensiveness
From the introduction information, I expected some discussion and examples of technical documents listed (reports, proposals, introductions) in addition to the job related examples. The chapter on Applications in Technical Communication is a quite brief summary.
The information on job searches, resumes, cover letters etc is detailed with examples provided. There is no glossary or index which would be helpful especially in the use of rhetorical terminology.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

I found no errors or bias in the text or linked pages

Relevance/Longevity rating: 5

The information is up to date. Because each chapter is relatively short it should be easy to find and edit any information changes.
I am not familiar with analogy of Candy Land but I understood the point.

Clarity rating: 5

With the exception of the rhetorical terms, the text is written in everyday language. The rhetorical terms are sufficiently explained.

Consistency rating: 3

I’m not entirely clear on the distinction between professional and technical communication as used in the book. For example, “. . . producing documents (reports, proposals, instruction), presentations, videos, and . . . other professional communications,” and “Rhetoric teaches us that our communications must be shaped with an understanding of our intended audience and desired purpose. This is also true of technical communications."

Modularity rating: 5

The text is divided into quickly read short chapters each with links forward and back so it is easy to jump between chapters.
Several sections of the text have links to chapters or articles outside the text. These are also easily navigated although it would be convenient to have the links listed in an index so if I wanted to review the chapter on source credibility I wouldn’t have to page through to the relevant research chapter.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

Organization
The topics are clearly organized in a step by step approach.

Interface rating: 5

I downloaded the .pdf version and found it to be incomplete. I had to read it online which is not a problem for this review but could be for students.

Online, the book is easily navigated with forward and backward arrows at the end of each chapter. I tried a number of the links and they were all active. However in the chapter Common Types of Research Reports & Documents there is a link to Workplace Communications which goes to a blank page.
There is no distortion of visuals. They are primarily photographs at the beginning of each chapter which get attention but don’t necessarily add content.
Color coding of examples is consistent.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I found no grammatical errors

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

The examples and discussion are neutral neither exclusive nor inclusive.

Comments

Instead of being a text on technical communication, the book divides into 2 how-to sections, finding and getting a job and doing research. Neither of these sections pertains to technical communication in the sense many technical writing instructors require. In all fairness, the text is not presented as such.
Rather than a core text, the book could be used as a supplement. The brief chapters are clearly written, easily accessed by the url for each. Students could be directed to information on types of research, say, or how to dress for an interview. Both of these sections are strong.
I do have questions about the usefulness of the chapter on rhetoric. The authors spend some time on the Aristotelian categories of rhetoric including the term “rhetor” for author. However, beyond 3-4 uses in the chapter, the term does not reappear. Neither does kairos nor logos.
The chapter on diversity in the workplace also seems unmoored from the rest of the text.
Although I expected more information on the actual production of technical documents as suggested in the introduction, the authors provide chapters that could easily be used in conjunction with a writing based text.

Reviewed by James Ward, Associate Professor- Busienss Communication, Fort Hays State University on 11/28/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 2 see less

The title of the book is misleading. The book covers three areas- job search, research, and team projects. These areas are in all business communication books, and those books are not calling these areas technical. I had expected topic areas such as writing contracts, understanding rental agreements, for example.
the Application of Rhetorical Theory to Early Career Success; Job Seach, Creation of Buisness Documents and Digital and Face to Face Presentations

Content Accuracy rating: 5

Appears to be accurate throughout.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

One example
"Résumés and application (or cover) letters are common job documents, but our focus here
is broader—we will ask you to consider the communication situation as a whole, from analyzing job postings to
creating the documents as a dynamic process."
The view that students are faced with a dynamic process is spot on. The concept of knowing yourself is also a critical piece.

Clarity rating: 5

The visuals are clear and strong learning aids. Key takeaways well done.

Consistency rating: 5

The organization is in the same format.

Modularity rating: 5

Very well divided up.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 5

A clean flow

Interface rating: 3

The bottom of How to Make or Break the Interview was cut off. But it is a good poster.

Grammatical Errors rating: 5

I did not final any errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 5

No disparaging remarks made.

Comments

Just to repeat- the title of the book is very misleading.

Reviewed by Michele Bildner, Adjunct Instructor, Fontbonne University on 6/19/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 1 see less

Strategy examples for technical communication was limited to the application and interviewing processes and did not describe the different modes of dissemination, generating a clear purpose, or tailoring to a specific audience (other than a hiring staff).

Content Accuracy rating: 1

References to activities not listed previously in the text were made several times, once referring to a self assessment and links or images of examples were missing (i.e., Example resume with poor formatting text doesn't precede any content).

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

There are references to better sources throughout the text One was made on cover letter structure - OWL at Purdue - and althought the research section says that library databases are the best sources for relevant information, the book is written with an emphasis Google or Google Scholar.

Clarity rating: 1

Prose is accessible and jargon is limited in this book; there are even author-generated definitions which are very well written. However, the flow does not seem very lucid which makes the intended scope of the text confusing. Is it for a student applying for a job? Or is it for students to consider audiences in order to structure their dissemination methods?

Consistency rating: 2

Unsure what the framework wants to be. This could be a great supplement to a career services guide-book, since the resume and interview sections are most verbose.

Modularity rating: 3

The modularity of this book is intentional but not complete.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 1

I'm still wondering what next?

Interface rating: 3

No issues; lacking content to navigate and interface with.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

No grammatical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

Culturally relevant to hiring practices and diversity and inclusion in the U.S.

Comments

Lots of great potential!

Reviewed by Heather Jordan, Lecturer, Bowling Green State University on 2/1/18

Comprehensiveness rating: 1 see less

This book is lacking quite a bit of content for a Technical Writing textbook. It does frame the conversation about technical writing with a rhetorical lens, suggesting knowledge of the field, but it is a very basic understanding that would speak more to a high school student, or first-year undergraduate. The authors do disclose that this text is designed for Engineering Technical Communications courses at Ohio State University, but the introduction is misleading in that it also claims that it "will help readers practice strategies for critically analyzing audiences and contexts, real-world applications of rhetorical principles, and skills for producing documents (reports, proposals, instructions), presentations, videos, and wide variety of other professional communications," but this textbook does NOT adequately do all that it promises. Perhaps this is a draft of the textbook rather than the polished final that is showing here?

Content Accuracy rating: 2

The information that is presented, though very limited, is at least accurate. Except for the introductory claims that are NOT accurate in what the book provides, the elements on basic rhetorical appeals and interviews are useful. I will say that this text often references a banking model of education that knowledge/information goes from source A to receptor B, but much of the current scholarship suggests otherwise, so that is certainly something that I would question in terms of accuracy.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 2

The historical aspects of the book about basic rhetoric are grounded and established, so those references are certainly a propos, but there is so much missing in this text for document design, usability testing (or even user-centered design), and conflict management when doing collaborative work that I worry that it is already obsolete.

Clarity rating: 4

The content included is clear, and there are links and references where necessary and appropriate. I cannot give full marks here, however, because of the abrupt ending which leaves so much ambiguity for the readers.

Consistency rating: 3

This text has an appendix as the ending page that literally says "This is where you can add appendices or other back matter." Again, I fear this is a draft of a final version that was uploaded to the Open Textbook Library.

Modularity rating: 2

There is not much content within the text to allow for modular use. One wouldn't jump to an interview module prior to the resume module, for example.
The subunits are far less useful in a technical writing course because one is about the research process, which is (to my mind) a first-year writing course more than a technical communication course, and though another is about team projects, it is so brief and limited that I wonder if anyone would assign this module over just doing an in-class outline/template for groups to follow.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 2

I do like the layout of the html version and the easy of clicking through the text, but the very brief paragraph on workplace communications that then links you out to a slide that reads "Workplace Communications" and nothing more is further evidence that this text is incomplete, and is perhaps a draft rather than a finished product.

Interface rating: 2

As a reader eager to adopt a textbook for an upcoming 3rd year collegiate technical communication course, I was excited about reviewing this textbook, but the links out to other information often do not have additional components, and the work that is included is limited, at best. The two side links of the "home" and "table of contents" do work, but like I mentioned, many of the embedded links do not actually offer further information.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

What is there in content does not appear to have any glaring errors for a academic grammar.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

This book does have a section on "Employment Access, Equity & Opportunity" which is certainly useful.

Comments

This textbook appears to be an unfinished, draft version, which is disappointing. I hope the authors are able to revisit the text and make the necessary revisions to allow for use in the future.

Reviewed by Sumita Roy, Associate Professor, Southern University, Baton Rouge on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 1 see less

The authors present an excellent introduction to technical communication and discuss the basic concepts such as audience and purpose in detail. A brief discussion of the Aristotelian principles of the rhetorical situation helps students analyze a specific communication task. This section is followed by a detailed step-by-step guide to conducting research for the job market and designing and writing effective resumes and applications. Thereafter, the authors discuss the two primary kinds of research.
However, the book ends abruptly. Content for the chapter entitled Documenting Sources is missing. Sections on important technical documents such as Proposals, Reports, Abstracts, Summaries, Visuals and Graphics, Memos and Letters are missing.
Index and Glossary are also missing.
The book is incomplete.

Content Accuracy rating: 3

Content is accurate and appears to be error-free.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

The authors need to complete writing the book and include all relevant chapters in order to ensure relevance and longevity.

Clarity rating: 4

The writing style is clear and effective. The authors adopt a conversational and informal tone to explain technical concepts.

Consistency rating: 3

Consistency is acceptable.

Modularity rating: 2

Design features can be improved in the text. The authors need to provide sub-headings and visuals to make the content more accessible.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

The authors begin the text well by writing an excellent introduction. However, as indicated before, they do not discuss a comprehensive set of topics.

Interface rating: 4

There were no distortions.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

The text seems free of grammar and mechanical errors.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

The text is not culturally offensive.

Comments

The book has a lot of potential; however, the authors need to complete writing the book.

Reviewed by Lia Hadley, Adjunct Faculty, Chemeketa Community College on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 1 see less

This book is largely incomplete. It looks as though an early draft has been uploaded rather than the finished document. It has no index or glossary. It does not even have complete chapters. There are several chapters that are only a chapter heading with no further text.

Content Accuracy rating: 1

There is not enough content to comment on this area.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 1

As stated, the content is largely incomplete. However, with the text that is available, there are relevancy issues. The focus at the start is on basic principles of rhetoric (logos, ethos, pathos) rather than on principles of technical communication. There is also an example (and picture) of the game Candy Land that is quite dated and not cross-culturally (or generationally) relevant.

Clarity rating: 1

There is rhetorical jargon at the beginning of the book (rhetor, kairos, logos, ethos, pathos) that isn't well-anchored into the "why" of technical communication. The prose becomes more accessible after that point. However, because of the incompleteness of the text, these comments are quite limited.

Consistency rating: 1

The book is too incomplete for me to give much commentary on the consistency. However, the tone to this point is inconsistent. It moves from instructional/explanatory to exclamatory ("Build a vocabulary!"). It reads like an early draft where style has not yet been addressed.

Modularity rating: 1

The text is broken into lots of headings, but the headings (or levels of the headings) sometimes feel haphazard rather than deliberate.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 1

The organization has either a clear progression or nothing.

Interface rating: 1

There are significant interface problems, including where the text in a table is tabbed erratically and difficult to read.

Grammatical Errors rating: 1

The text contains a fair degree of error at this point, including missing capitalization, grammar errors, etc. There are also highlighted notes from the authors to the authors saying things like "For example….some kind of example."

Cultural Relevance rating: 1

The text is too incomplete to comment much here, apart from the Candy Land comment under Relevance/Longevity.

Comments

**THIS BOOK IS NOT COMPLETE ENOUGH FOR CONSIDERATION OR REVIEW.** It looks like the wrong draft of this book was uploaded. This is an early and fully incomplete draft with only about 30 pages of text (with several of them blank) and entire chapters that are missing any text. This book is not complete enough to merit anything above a 1 rating at this point. A finished version would likely be much better.

Reviewed by Jessica Lee, Composition Instructor, Portland Community College on 6/20/17

Comprehensiveness rating: 3 see less

The introduction explicitly states that this textbook was written for Engineering Technical Communications courses at The Ohio State University. However, with the exception of one or two references to resources specific to The Ohio State University, the contents of the textbook can be applied to any technical writing course. In some instances, when referencing resources specific to The Ohio State University, the authors mention where students in other colleges and disciplines might find similar services.

The actual different types of technical communications covered in this textbook are minimal: currently there is only information on job application materials.

Content Accuracy rating: 5

The content contains a few grammatical errors but otherwise seems accurate and unbiased.

Relevance/Longevity rating: 4

One of the main things the authors stress about the nature of technical communication in general is the awareness that "all communication must be designed with audience and purpose in mind" (2). This emphasis on the importance of understanding the rhetorical situation of a text makes its content relevant to most changes that might naturally occur in standardizations of communication with the passage of time. As the authors themselves state, "Whatever happens in the future, a nuanced, audience-focused communication strategy will allow you to evolve and thrive" (3).

Clarity rating: 5

At no point in this text did I encounter excessively technical terms. Keywords are highlighted and defined.

Consistency rating: 5

What is proclaimed as "the most important 'strategy'" emphasized in the textbook--"all communication must be designed with audience and purpose in mind"--is returned to throughout (for example, when discussing job application materials: "it is important to first consider the rhetorical situation for this particular type of communication. What is the intended effect? What are you trying to accomplish? Who is your audience? How will they be accessing and reading your document?" To further drive home the importance of assessing the rhetorical situation, the text inserts tables describing in detail the audience and purpose of the text being discussed.

Modularity rating: 5

The text contains several different levels of headings that make it easy to be divided into smaller reading sections that can be assigned at different points within the course. There are also sections like "key takeaways" that occur throughout the textbook that provide a nice summary of major sections.

Organization/Structure/Flow rating: 3

As a reader outside of The Ohio State University context, the reasoning behind the textbook's organization was unclear to me. The book contains five main sections: the "Introduction," "Rhetorical Foundations," "Job Search Communications," "Engaging with Research," and the "Appendix." I was particularly confused with the placement of section on "Job Search Communications." Why was this followed immediately by "Engaging with Research"--what is the reason for jumping from a description of a concrete type of technical document back to more abstract concepts?

Interface rating: 4

I did not see any significant interface issues. There are some links contained in the text to outside resources, such as links to Purdue's OWL. This book is currently available as either a PDF, ePub, or eBook (ePub & .mobi), which were all formats that required me to download the text to my computer. For those who prefer to read the text online, this might be an issue.

Grammatical Errors rating: 4

There are a few typos throughout.

Cultural Relevance rating: 4

One note provided under the section "Preparing Job Application Materials" states: "The practices for this document outline here are focused on business culture and norms in the United States, so keep in mind that you will need to research and follow the appropriate standards if you're applying for jobs internationally." I believe there is room for more acknowledgments such as these.

Comments

This book appears not to be completely finished.