The Business Writer's Handbook, Sixth Edition - Hardcover

Alred, Gerald J.; Brusaw, Charles T.; Oliu, Walter E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0312254946 ISBN 13: 9780312254940

Publisher: St. Martin's Press, 2000

Synopsis

The definitive business reference in an updated sixth edition.

Business success requires effective communication. The Business Writer's Handbook is specifically geared to the art of business communication and is a standard guide in schools and businesses throughout the nation. Alphabetically arranged for quick reference, the Handbook provides comprehensive guidance on the writing process, in-depth treatment of grammar and usage, abundant real-world examples of business writing, and up-to-date coverage of technology. Its unique four-way access system-- the alphabetical organization, topical key to the alphabetical entries, checklist of the writing process, and comprehensive index-- ensures fast retrieval of the more than 500 entries featuring specific information and plentiful models for writing effective sales letters, memos, reports, news releases, meeting minutes, oral presentations, and much more. This edition, with its thoroughly updated and expanded coverage of electronic communication, includes new and revised entries on Web page design, the Internet, search engines, email, faxes, and more, with added coverage of online research and solid advice on finding, evaluating, and documenting Internet sources. New ESL tip boxes offer additional writing help to nonnative speakers of English, new writer's checklists highlight key information, and provide quick-reference tips for revising, formatting, and using visuals, and an appealing new two-color design makes the Handbook easier to use than ever. Ideal for classroom or professional use, The Business Writer's Handbook is an indispensable book for any reference shelf.

About this title

Review:

This fifth edition of The Business Writer's Handbook consists of nearly 700 spiral-bound pages written with both business students and professionals in mind. (It is also available in a paper-bound version, but how nice to be able to lay the book flat on one's desk for ease of reference.) "Our focus," say the editors, "is on helping professionally oriented writers develop effective skills and strategies for communicating in a rapidly changing environment," and that they do. The entries, arranged alphabetically, are straightforward and to the point. Sandwiched between items addressing issues of English grammar and word usage are guides to writing résumés, resignation letters, and everything in between (e.g., abstracts, annual reports, e-mail, executive summaries, form letters, feasibility studies, memos, mission statements, proposals, and trade journal articles). Throughout the book, the point is made that good writing has a marked effect on business communications--a short, personal collection letter, for instance, "will usually motivate a customer to pay a bill faster than will a form letter." Since the book is written for the business professional, many of the usage and grammar issues are illustrated with business-related examples, but don't think that that means the book isn't any fun. Consider the first sentence in an entry for gobbledygook: "Gobbledygook is writing that suffers from an overdose of traits guaranteed to make it stuffy, pretentious, and wordy." --Jane Steinberg

About the Author:

Gerald J. Alred is professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-- Milwaukee, where he teaches business and technical writing. He is the author of The St. Martin's Bibliography of Business and Technical Communication (St. Martin's Press, 1997).

Charles T. Brusaw, a business writing consultant for corporations worldwide, worked for twenty years as a technical writer for the NCR Corporation. He has also worked in advertising, public relations, and curriculum development.

Walter E. Oliu is acting director of the Division of Freedom of Information and Publications Services at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and has taught at Miami University of Ohio and Slippery Rock State University.

About this edition

• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0312254946
• ISBN 13: 9780312254940
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 720