Product Description

This comprehensive resource provides guidance on the business writing process, abundant real-world examples, in-depth treatment of grammar and usage, and current coverage of technology. It sets the standard of business communication. New features in this revised edition include:¥ Expanded visuals¥ Web links¥ Ethics notes throughout¥ Updated coverage of resume writing¥ Improved coverage of research and documentation.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #93605 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-07
• Released on: 2006-03-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 688 pages

Amazon.com 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

Review
"The Business Writer's Handbook is an excellent reference book, with reader-friendly sections on grammar, punctuation, and style."--Jeanne S. McPherson, University of Denver

"Since The Business Writer's Handbook first came out, it has set the standard for business communication [with its] wealth of information and ease of use."--Charlene W. Martindale, Idaho State University

"The concise style and brevity of each entry make reading easier and more attractive to students...I propose they keep it as a career-long handbook."--Evan Davis, Southwestern Oregon Community College
-- Review

Review

Customer Reviews

sort of cheating
This book is exactly the same as "Handbook of Technical Writing" by same authors. The only difference is in the cover picture and colors. I think it is not a cool thing to sell the same book with two names without mentioning it. So if you have that one, do not buy this one. They are exactly the same.

A Wonderful Tool
I actually own the 5th edition of the book, but it is a wonderful reference tool. I've referred to the handbook time and time again, and it has many visual examples for you to follow. No individual in the business community should go without this book.

Constant Update
The authors keep current with common and popular business writing practices. Do they make/set the standards or reflect them? Business writing books abound in the marketplace. This one (or the companion Handbook of Technical Writing) needs to be on the desk of everyone who has to write memos or proposals or reports--next to a good dictionary and the Gregg Handbook.

Here is a list of resources:

BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL WRITING

Bibliography

Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu. The Business Writer's Handbook. 7th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2003.
---. Handbook of Technical Writing. 8th ed. New York: St.Martin's, 2006.
The American Heritage College Dictionary. 4th ed. 2002.
American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association. 5th ed. Washington: Amer. Psychological Assn., 2001.
The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: U of Chicago P, 2003.
Franklin Covey Style Guide. 3rd ed. Salt Lake City: Franklin Covey, 1999.
Garner, Bryan A. Garner's Modern American Usage. New York: Oxford UP, 2003.
Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 6th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 2003.
Goldstein, Norm, ed. The Associated Press Stylebook. New York: Basic, 2004.
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. IEEE Standards Style Manual. New York: IEEE, 2005.
Sabin, William. A. The Gregg Reference Manual. 10th ed. New York: McGraw, 2005.
Strunk, William, Jr., and E. B. White. The Elements of Style. 4th ed. New York: Allyn, 2000.
United States. Government Printing Office. Style Manual. Rev. ed. Washington: GPO, 2000.