📖 Overview
Mike Markel is a technical communication scholar and author best known for his textbook "Technical Communication," which has been widely used in university courses since its first publication in 1988. He served as a professor and director of technical communication at Boise State University until his retirement.
His academic work focuses on the intersection of technical writing, ethics, and digital communication. Markel has published extensively on workplace writing, document design, and the ethical considerations in professional communication.
Beyond his flagship textbook, Markel authored several other works including "Ethics in Technical Communication: A Critique and Synthesis" and "Explorations in Technical Writing." His research has influenced how technical communication is taught in universities across North America.
His contributions to the field have helped establish frameworks for understanding ethical decision-making in technical communication and developing effective strategies for workplace writing. Markel's work continues to influence how technical and professional writing is taught and practiced.
👀 Reviews
Mike Markel's textbook "Technical Communication" receives consistent feedback as a practical resource for technical writing courses. Students note the clear explanations and real-world examples.
Readers appreciate:
- Organized chapter structure
- Helpful exercises and case studies
- Current examples of workplace documents
- Coverage of digital communication tools
- Clear explanations of complex concepts
Common criticisms:
- High textbook price
- Dense academic language in some sections
- Dated references in older editions
- Repetitive content between chapters
On Amazon, "Technical Communication" averages 4.3/5 stars from 400+ reviews. Goodreads shows 3.8/5 from 200+ ratings.
One student reviewer noted: "The examples helped me understand how to apply concepts to actual work scenarios." Another commented: "Good content but overpriced for students."
His academic works on ethics in technical communication receive fewer public reviews but maintain similar ratings, with readers citing the practical frameworks for ethical decision-making in professional settings.
📚 Books by Mike Markel
Rhetorical Dimensions of Academic Legal Writing (2019)
Analysis of how legal writing interacts with multiple audiences and serves different rhetorical purposes in academic contexts.
Technical Communication (2018) Comprehensive textbook covering principles of technical writing, document design, and workplace communication processes.
Practical Strategies for Technical Communication (2016) Instructional guide focused on core technical writing skills, workplace documentation, and project management.
Ethics in Technical Communication: A Critique and Synthesis (2001) Examination of ethical frameworks and decision-making in technical communication practice.
The Case Study Method in Technical Communication Research (1998) Research methodology text exploring the application of case studies in technical communication scholarship.
Writing in the Technical Fields (1994) Introduction to technical writing principles with focus on engineering and scientific documentation.
Ethics and Technical Communication: A Case for Foundation in Technical Communication Courses (1993) Analysis of how ethics should be integrated into technical communication education.
Technical Communication (2018) Comprehensive textbook covering principles of technical writing, document design, and workplace communication processes.
Practical Strategies for Technical Communication (2016) Instructional guide focused on core technical writing skills, workplace documentation, and project management.
Ethics in Technical Communication: A Critique and Synthesis (2001) Examination of ethical frameworks and decision-making in technical communication practice.
The Case Study Method in Technical Communication Research (1998) Research methodology text exploring the application of case studies in technical communication scholarship.
Writing in the Technical Fields (1994) Introduction to technical writing principles with focus on engineering and scientific documentation.
Ethics and Technical Communication: A Case for Foundation in Technical Communication Courses (1993) Analysis of how ethics should be integrated into technical communication education.
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Gerald J. Alred specializes in technical writing handbooks and business communication texts. His work emphasizes documentation standards and professional writing techniques.
John M. Lannon writes about technical communication and report writing processes. His texts cover both traditional documentation methods and contemporary digital formats.
Paul V. Anderson concentrates on technical communication strategies and workplace writing. He addresses both written and oral business communication, with emphasis on audience analysis.
Stuart A. Selber examines digital literacy and technical communication in networked environments. His work bridges traditional technical writing with emerging technologies and multiliteracy approaches.