Technical Communication, 13th Edition
- Length: 768 pages
- Edition: 13
- Language: English
- Publisher: Bedford/st Martins
- Publication Date: 2020-09-11
- ISBN-10: 1319245005
- ISBN-13: 9781319245009
- Sales Rank: #229640 (See Top 100 Books)
Make the leap from writing in college to writing in a variety of workplace settings and contexts with Technical Communication. Practical advice and real-world examples let you practice with the kinds of writing processes and products you’ll encounter on the job.
About this Book Cover Page Inside Front Cover Halftitle Page Title Page Copyright Page Preface for Instructors Introduction for Writers Brief Contents Contents Part 1: Understanding the Technical Communication Environment Chapter 1: Introduction to Technical Communication What Is Technical Communication? Understanding Purpose Understanding Audience Why Technical Communication Skills Are Important in Your Career The Challenges of Producing Technical Communication Audience-Related Factors Purpose-Related Factors Setting-Related Factors Document-Related Factors Process-Related Factors Characteristics of a Technical Document Skills and Qualities Shared by Successful Workplace Communicators Chapter 1 Wrap-Up Exercises Case 1: Using the Measures of Excellence in Evaluating a Résumé Chapter 2: Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations A Brief Introduction to Ethics Your Ethical Obligations Obligations to Your Employer Obligations to the Public Obligations to the Environment Your Legal Obligations Copyright Law Trademark Law Contract Law Liability Law The Role of Corporate Culture in Ethical and Legal Conduct Understanding Ethical and Legal Issues Related to Social Media Communicating Ethically Across Cultures Communicating with Cultures with Different Ethical Beliefs Communicating in Countries with Different Laws Principles for Ethical Communication Abide by Relevant Laws Comply with Accessibility Standards Abide by the Appropriate Professional Code of Conduct Abide by Your Organization’s Policy on Social Media Take Advantage of Your Employer’s Ethics Resources Tell the Truth Don’t Mislead Your Readers Use Design to Highlight Important Ethical and Legal Information Be Clear Avoid Discriminatory Language Acknowledge Assistance from Others Chapter 2 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 2: The Ethics of Requiring Students to Subsidize a Plagiarism-Detection Service Chapter 3: Writing Technical Documents Planning Considering Your Writing Situation Generating Ideas About Your Subject Researching Additional Information Devising a Schedule and a Budget Drafting Organizing and Outlining Your Document Using Templates Using Styles Revising Studying the Draft by Yourself Seeking Help from Others Editing Proofreading Chapter 3 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 3: Understanding Why Revision Software Cannot Revise and Edit Your Document Chapter 4: Writing Collaboratively Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaboration Advantages of Collaboration Disadvantages of Collaboration Managing Projects Conducting Meetings Listening Effectively Setting Your Team’s Agenda Conducting Efficient Meetings Communicating Diplomatically Critiquing a Team Member’s Work Using Electronic Tools in Collaboration Word-Processing Tools Messaging Technologies Videoconferencing Wikis and Shared Document Workspaces Crowdsurcing Platforms Gender and Collaboration Culture and Collaboration Chapter 4 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 4: Accommodating a Team Member’s Scheduling Problems Part 2: Planning the Document Chapter 5: Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose Understanding Audience and Purpose Using an Audience Profile Sheet Determining the Important Characteristics of Your Audience Who are Your Readers? Why is Your Audience Reading Your Document? What are Your Readers’ Attitudes and Expectations? How Will Your Readers Use Your Document? Techniques for Learning About Your Audience Determining What You Already Know About Your Audience Interviewing People Reading About Your Audience Online Searching Social Media for Documents Your Audience has Written Analyzing Social-Media Data Communicating Across Cultures Understanding the Cultural Variables “on the Surface” Understanding the Cultural Variables “Beneath the Surface” Considering Cultural Variables as You Write Using Graphics and Design for Multicultural Readers Applying What You Have Learned About Your Audience Writing for Multiple Audiences Determining Your Purpose Gaining Management’s Approval Revising Information for a New Audience and Purpose Chapter 5 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 5: Focusing on an Audience’s Needs and Interests Chapter 6: Researching Your Subject Understanding the Research Process Choosing Appropriate Research Methods Conducting Secondary Research Understanding Research Tools Types of Secondary Research Sources Using Social Media and Other Interactive Resources Evaluating the Information Conducting Primary Research Analysis of Social-Media Data Observations and Demonstrations Inspections Experiments Field Research Interviews Inquiries Questionnaires Chapter 6 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 6: Revising a Questionnaire Chapter 7: Organizing Your Information Understanding Three Principles for Organizing Technical Information Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose Using Conventional Patterns of Organization Displaying Your Organizational Pattern Prominently Understanding Conventional Organizational Patterns Chronological Spatial General to Specific More Important to Less Important Comparison and Contrast Classification or Partition Problem–Methods–Solution Cause and Effect Chapter 7 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 7: Organizing a Document for Clarity — and Diplomacy Part 3: Developing and Testing the Verbal and Visual Information Chapter 8: Communicating Persuasively Considering the Context of Your Argument Understanding Your Audience’s Broader Goals Working Within Constraints Crafting a Persuasive Argument Identifying the Elements of Your Argument Considering Opposing Viewpoints Using the Right Kinds of Evidence Using Visuals as Persuasive Elements Appealing to Emotions Responsibly Deciding Where to Present the Claim Understanding the Role of Culture in Persuasion Avoiding Logical Fallacies Presenting Yourself Effectively Chapter 8 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 8: Analyzing the Persuasiveness of a Poster Chapter 9: Emphasizing Important Information Writing Clear, Informative Titles Writing Clear, Informative Headings Writing Clear, Informative Lists Write Effective Paragraph Lists Write Effective Sentence Lists Writing Clear, Informative Paragraphs Structure Paragraphs Clearly Use Coherence Devices Within and Between Paragraphs Chapter 9 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 9: Emphasizing Important Information in a Technical Description Chapter 10: Writing Correct and Effective Sentences Writing Grammatically Correct Sentences Avoid Sentence Fragments Avoid Comma Splices Avoid Run-on Sentences Avoid Ambiguous Pronoun References Compare Items Clearly Use Adjectives Clearly Maintain Subject–Verb Agreement Maintain Pronoun–Antecedent Agreement Use Tenses Correctly Structuring Effective Sentences Emphasize New and Important Information Choose an Appropriate Sentence Length Focus on the “Real” Subject Focus on the “Real” Verb Use Parallel Structure Use Modifiers Effectively Choosing the Right Words and Phrases Select an Appropriate Level of Formality Be Clear Use Active and Passive Voice Appropriately Be Concise Use Inoffensive Language Understanding Simplified English for Nonnative Speakers Preparing Text for Translation Chapter 10 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 10: Revising a Document for Nonnative Speakers and for Translation Chapter 11: Designing Print and Online Documents Goals of Document Design Understanding Design Principles Planning Your Design Analyze Your Audience and Purpose Determine Your Resources Designing Print Documents Size Paper Bindings Navigational Aids Designing Print Pages Page Layout Typography Titles and Headings Other Design Features Designing Online Documents Use Design to Emphasize Important Information Create Informative Headers and Footers Help Readers Navigate the Document Include Extra Features Your Readers Might Need Help Readers Connect with Others Consider Matters of Accessibility Design for Multicultural Audiences Designing Online Pages Aim for Simplicity Make the Text Easy to Read and Understand Create Clear, Informative Links Combining Print and Online Documents Chapter 11 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 11: Designing a Flyer Chapter 12: Creating Graphics The Functions of Graphics The Characteristics of an Effective Graphic Understanding the Process of Creating Graphics Planning Graphics Producing Graphics Revising Graphics Citing Sources of Graphics Using Color Effectively Choosing the Appropriate Kind of Graphic Illustrating Numerical Information Illustrating Logical Relationships Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions Illustrating Visual and Spatial Characteristics Creating Effective Graphics for Multicultural Readers Chapter 12 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 12: Creating Appropriate Graphics To Accompany a Report Chapter 13: Evaluating and Testing Technical Documents Understanding Usability Studies Assessing the Need for a Usability Study Determining the Goals of the Study Studying Existing Documents Versus Prototypes Considering Study Settings Conducting Guided Evaluations of Technical Documents Choosing Document Evaluators Establishing Evaluation Guidelines Preparing Materials for the Evaluation Testing Documents in a Controlled Setting Preparing for the Test Conducting the Test Testing Documents in Context Preparing for a Site Visit Conducting a Test in Context Monitoring Documents Remotely Interpreting and Reporting Your Findings Chapter 13 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 13: Evaluating a Technical Document Part 4: Learning Important Applications Chapter 14: Corresponding in Print and Online Understanding the Process of Writing Correspondence Selecting a Type of Correspondence Presenting Yourself Effectively in Correspondence Use the Appropriate Level of Formality Communicate Correctly Project the “You Attitude” Avoid Correspondence ClichÉs Communicate Honestly Writing Letters Elements of a Letter Common Types of Letters Writing Memos Writing Emails Writing Microblogs Writing Correspondence to Multicultural Readers Chapter 14 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 14: Writing a Memo Chapter 15: Applying for a Job Understanding the Job-Application Process Establishing Your Professional Brand Understanding What Employers Want Crafting Your Professional Brand Finding the Right Position Planning the Job Search Understanding Job-Search Strategies Writing Résumés Elements of the Chronological RÉsumÉ Elements of the Skills RÉsumÉ Preparing a Plain-Text RÉsumÉ Considering Nontraditional Résumés Writing Job-Application Letters Preparing for a Job Interview Following Up After an Interview Chapter 15 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 15: Writing a Cover Letter Chapter 16: Writing Proposals Understanding the Process of Writing Proposals The Logistics of Proposals Internal and External Proposals Solicited and Unsolicited Proposals The “Deliverables” of Proposals Research Proposals Goods and Services Proposals Persuasion and Proposals Understanding Contexts Describing What you Plan to do Demonstrating Your Professionalism Writing a Proposal The Structure of the Proposal Summary Introduction Proposed Program Qualifications and Experience Budget Appendixes Task Schedule Description of Evaluation Techniques Sample Internal Proposal Chapter 16 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 16: Writing an Introduction for a Proposal Chapter 17: Writing Informational Reports Understanding the Process of Writing Informational Reports Writing Directives Writing Field Reports Writing Progress and Status Reports Organizing Progress and Status Reports Concluding Progress and Status Reports Sample Progress Report Writing Incident Reports Writing Meeting Minutes Chapter 17 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 17: Writing a Directive Chapter 18: Writing Recommendation Reports Understanding the Role of Recommendation Reports Using a Problem-Solving Model for Preparing Recommendation Reports Identify the Problem or Opportunity Establish Criteria for Responding to the Problem or Opportunity Determine the Options Study Each Option According to the Criteria Draw Conclusions About Each Option Formulate Recommendations Based on the Conclusions Writing Recommendation Reports Writing the Body of the Report Writing the Front Matter Writing The Back Matter Sample Recommendation Report Chapter 18 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 18: Writing a Recommendation Chapter 19: Writing Lab Reports Persuasion and Lab Reports Understanding the Process of Writing Lab Reports Understanding the Structure of the Lab Report Title Abstract Introduction Materials and Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Acknowledgments References Appendixes Understanding the Role of Science and Engineering Articles Sample Lab Report Chapter 19 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 19: Understanding a Lab Report Chapter 20: Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions Writing Definitions Analyzing the Writing Situation for Definitions Determining the Kind of Definition to Write Deciding Where to Place the Definition Writing Descriptions Analyzing the Writing Situation for Descriptions Indicating Clearly the Nature and Scope of the Description Introducing the Description Clearly Providing Appropriate Detail Ending the Description with a Brief Conclusion A Look at Several Sample Descriptions Writing Instructions Understanding the Role of Instructional Videos Designing a Set of Written Instructions Planning for Safety Drafting Effective Instructions Revising, Editing, and Proofreading Instructions A Look at Several Sample Sets of Instructions Writing Manuals Chapter 20 Wrap-Up Writer’s Checklist Exercises Case 20: Writing Instructions Chapter 21: Making Oral Presentations Understanding the Role of Oral Presentations Understanding the Process of Preparing and Delivering an Oral Presentation Preparing the Presentation Analyzing the Speaking Situation Organizing and Developing the Presentation Preparing Presentation Graphics Choosing Effective Language Rehearsing the Presentation Delivering the Presentation Calming your Nerves Using Your Voice Effectively Using Your Body Effectively Presenting to All Audiences Answering Questions After a Presentation Sample Evaluation Form Chapter 21 Wrap-Up Speaker’s Checklist Exercises Case 21: Writing an Oral Presentation Appendix: Reference Handbook Part A: Skimming Your Sources and Taking Notes Paraphrasing Quoting Summarizing Part B: Documenting Your Sources APA Style IEEE Style MLA Style Part C: Editing and Proofreading Your Documents Punctuation Mechanics Proofreading Symbols and Their Meanings Part D: Guidelines for Multilingual Writers (ESL) Cultural and Stylistic Communication Issues Sentence-Level Issues Selected Bibliography References Index Index of Selected Features Inside Back Cover Back Cover
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