How to Edit Technical Documents

Donald W. Bush is a lecturer in technical writing at San Diego State University and a former technical editor for McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis, Missouri, where he worked for 25 years. He has extensive experience in journalism, public relations, and technical editing, including seven years as public relations supervisor at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. He has taught writing and editing courses at various universities and colleges and has written numerous articles and book reviews, mostly on technical writing and editing.Charles P. Campbell, PhD, is professor emeritus of English, Humanities Department, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico. Previously, he taught English at several other universities and colleges. He has written and edited numerous articles, reports, book reviews, and films, and is a frequent presenter and lecturer on the subject of technical communication.

• Preface viiAcknowledgements xiChapter 1. Technical Editing: A Changing Profession 1Chapter 2. Editing for Content 10Chapter 3. Cutting Copy 18Chapter 4. Document Organization 28Chapter 5. Words 39Chapter 6. Sentences with Style 52Chapter 7. Paragraphs 67Chapter 8. Grammar 73Chapter 9. Punctuation 93Chapter 10. Editing Graphics 100Chapter 11. Marking Manuscripts 113Chapter 12. Triage: Dealing with Typescripts under Deadline 120Chapter 13. Getting Along with Authors 139Appendix A. Editing Technical Manuals 147Appendix B. Editing Technical Proposals 158Appendix C. About Style Manuals 168Appendix D. Bibliography of Cited and Other Useful Sources 170Index 177

[A] practical guide for editing both the substance and structure of technical documents. While primarily designed for editors, this 169-page guide and accompanying workbook will also help educators and students improve technical writing skills.