Presentation of Technical Information
Reviewed by Marian Newell MISTC LCGI [2000]
The ISTC had two aims in re-publishing this book, to emphasise that concern
for standards in technical communication is not a new phenomenon and to make
available the classic advice it contains. It was a fitting way to celebrate
the ISTC's 50th anniversary since Kapp was a founder member of the Presentation
of Technical Information Group, one of the three associations that merged
in 1972 to form the ISTC.
Originally published in 1948, the same year as Gowers' Plain Words,
the guidance contained in this small book remains as valid now as then. It
is divided into fifteen short and readable chapters. The first three chapters
provide an introduction to the ways in which functional literature differs
from its imaginative counterpart, investigating both the requirements and
problems of writing functional language. Chapters 4 to 7 consider core aspects
of document design: the content itself, the effort and skills required from
readers to assimilate it, the pace of delivery and the planning of discourse.
The remaining chapters look in more detail at the factors that influence the
effectiveness of a document, including ways to make it easy to understand
and remember and ways to present themes elegantly and accurately.
It is easy to take this book for granted, now that we have a plethora of
books and courses on aspects of communicating technical information effectively.
Looking more closely, we can see that Professor Kapp anticipated most of the
theoretical discussion about technical communication that has taken place
on both sides of the Atlantic over the past half-century. His emphasis on
readers' needs and information processing skills is particularly remarkable.
Kapp was Pender Professor of Electrical Engineering, University College and
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering in the University of London. He based The
Presentation of Technical Information on a course of public lectures
that he delivered first at University College and later for the Institution
of Electrical Engineers. The demand for his lectures led him to conclude:
"The subject is a large one, and has many aspects, some elementary, some
advanced. There is a field of study here, I feel sure, worthy of a scholar's
attention, and one in which many ought to help. The present volume ... is
my contribution."
Fifty years on, we should admire both his foresight and his considerable
contribution.
The Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators, 3rd edn 1998, ISBN
0-9506459-4-X
Published by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators £10.00 plus £2.25 postage and packing (UK). To purchase this publication,
please contact the ISTC Office.
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