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Technical Communication, 16th edition

Published by Pearson (December 26, 2023) © 2025

  • John M. Lannon University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
  • Laura J. Gurak University of Minnesota

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For courses in technical or business communication and professional writing.

Complete instruction to prepare for success in technical communication today

Technical Communication prepares students to write persuasively and effectively with a global perspective for today's workplace. The text covers the interpersonal, ethical and cultural demands of communication in multiple professional formats and develops the skills to navigate these concerns.

The 16th Edition emphasizes real-world applications of the latest innovations for a digitally savvy workforce. Coverage includes Guidelines for Identifying Misinformation, effective, legally sound use of social media, and AI in the writing process.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Self-contained chapters are organized into 5 flexible parts, usable in any sequence to support course goals.
  • Straightforward explanations build from foundational concepts and research to document design and applications.
  • Annotated model documents and figures make abstract concepts and technical document creation easy to grasp with examples relevant to today's workplace.
  • Cases, guidelines and projects tie to clear objectives that appear at the start of each chapter.
  • Breath of coverage includes the latest in workplace technology and related ethical, societal and global issues with a focus on critical thinking as the basis of information literacy.
  • Appendices cover current MLA and APA styles and provide a handbook on grammar, mechanics and usage.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: Includes the latest in digital workplace communication and guidelines including collaborative writing spaces (e.g., Google Drive and Microsoft Drive); video conferencing and chat with Zoom and Microsoft Teams; in-person and hybrid presentations (Audience and Purpose Profile Sheet provided); and PDF uses.
  • UPDATED: Coverage of job applications and resumes guides students through applying online via PDF upload, provides a new digital job portfolio example and covers Automated Tracking Systems (ATS) that categorize job applications via key words.
  • UPDATED: New MLA and APA guidelines are reflected in Appendix A and in coverage of inclusive language, which includes the use of singular pronouns (they/their) in the Editing chapter and in Appendix B.
  • NEW: Confronts Internet research challenges providing “Guidelines for Identifying Misinformation,” examples of deep fakes, memes and AI, and coverage of confirmation bias.
  • NEW: ChatGPT and related AI are covered in the Writing Process chapter and in substantial content in the Instructor's Manual and supplements.
  • NEW: A social media and web pages chapter offers an audience-focused approach to writing, instruction on creating video content (incl. meme and infographic creation in Ch. 12), and legal guidelines for using social media.

PART 1: COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE

  1. Introduction to Technical Communication
  2. Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  3. Persuading Your Audience
  4. Weighing the Ethical Issues
  5. Teamwork and Global Considerations
  6. An Overview of the Technical Writing Process

PART 2: THE RESEARCH PROCESS

  1. Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  2. Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  3. Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information

PART 3: ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN

  1. Organizing for Readers
  2. Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  3. Designing Visual Information
  4. Designing Pages and Documents

PART 4: SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS

  1. Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  2. Workplace Memos and Letters
  3. Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials
  4. Technical Definitions
  5. Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  6. Instructions and Procedures
  7. Informal Reports
  8. Formal Analytical Reports
  9. Proposals
  10. Presentations and Video Conferencing
  11. Web Pages and Social Media

PART 5: RESOURCES FOR TECHNICAL WRITERS

APPENDICES

  1. A Quick Guide to Documentation
  2. A Quick Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics

About our authors

Laura J. Gurak is professor and founding chair of the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches courses in technical writing and digital communication. She holds an M.S. in technical communication and a Ph.D. in communication and rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Gurak is author of two books from Yale University Press, one of which was the first book-length study of online social actions, as well as several edited collections, conference presentations, and papers. She is a recipient of the Society for Technical Communication’s Outstanding Article award and her college’s Distinguished Teaching Award. Gurak has authored and/or coauthored five textbooks in technical communication, published by Pearson. She has worked as a software developer, technical writer and communications consultant for various companies and organizations.

John M. Lannon is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Writing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, where he developed the undergraduate major in professional writing and later codeveloped the M.A. program in professional writing. He has also taught at Cape Cod Community College, University of Idaho, Southern Vermont College and University of Strasbourg. He has authored and coauthored 5 major textbooks in business communication, rhetoric and technical communication; book reviews; filmstrips; environmental documents; and instructional software. He is the recipient of an NDEA Fellowship and Fulbright Lectureship. He holds a B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His initial training and work were in biomedical science and technology with the USAF. He has also served as a communications consultant for various companies and government institutions.

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