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Technical Writing : Process and Product

by: Gerson, Sharon J.; Gerson, Steven M.

Technical Writing : Process and Product

by: Gerson, Sharon J.; Gerson, Steven M.

ISBN 13:
9780130981745
ISBN 10:
0130981745
Edition: 4th
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/01/2003
Publisher: Prentice Hall
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Summary

For courses in Technical Writing, Business Communication, and Professional Writing. This text guides students through the entire writing processprewriting, writing, and rewritingdeveloping an easy-to-use, step-by-step technique for writing the types of documents they will encounter on the job. The authors' student-friendly style engages students in the writing process and encourages hands-on application as well as discussions about ethics, audience identification, electronic communication, and the role of technical writing in the workplace.

Preface

UNIT 1 DEFINING TECHNICAL WRITING

(96)

An Introduction To Technical Writing

(9)

Distinctions

(1)

Purposes

(1)

Importance

(2)

Teamwork

(5)

Business and Industry Expectations

(1)

Total Quality Management and Continuous Quality Improvement

(1)

Team Projects

(1)

Strategies for Successful Collaboration

(2)

Chapter Highlights

(1)

Activities

(1)

Quiz Questions

(1)

Producing the Product

(15)

The Writing Process: An Overview

(1)

The Rationale for Process

(5)

Prewriting

(2)

Writing

(1)

Rewriting

(2)

The Process in Practice

(9)

Prewriting

(1)

Writing

(1)

Rewriting

(4)

Chapter Highlights

(1)

Activities

(2)

Quiz Questions

(1)

Objectives in Technical Writing

(36)

Clarity

(6)

Provide Specific Detail

(1)

Answer the Reporter's Questions

(1)

Use Easily Understandable Words

(3)

Use Verbs in the Active Voice versus the Passive Voice

(1)

Conciseness

(8)

Limit Paragraph Length

(1)

Limit Word and Sentence Length

(5)

Accuracy

(2)

Organization

(3)

Spatial

(1)

Chronological

(1)

Importance

(1)

Comparison/Contrast

(1)

Problem/Solution

(1)

Ethics

(17)

Legalities

(1)

Practicalities

(1)

Ethicalities

(7)

Strategies for Making Ethical Decisions

(1)

Chapter Highlights

(1)

Activities

(6)

Quiz Questions

(2)

Audience Recognition and Involvement

(35)

Objectives

(1)

Audience Recognition

(9)

High-Tech Audience

(1)

Low-Tech Audience

(1)

Lay Audience

(3)

Multiple Audiences

(3)

Defining Terms for Different Audience Levels

(1)

Multicultural Audiences

(5)

Sexist Language

(2)

Omission

(1)

Unequal Treatment

(1)

Stereotyping

(1)

Pronouns

(1)

Nouns

(1)

Audience Involvement

(9)

Personalized Tone

(5)

Reader Benefit

(4)

Audience Checklist

(9)

Chapter Highlights

(1)

Activities

(6)

Quiz Questions

(1)

UNIT 2 CORRESPONDENCE

(99)

Memos

(25)

Objectives

(1)

The Differences Among Memos, Letters, and E-Mail

(3)

Criteria for Writing Successful Memos

101

(4)

Subject Line

102

(1)

Introduction

102

(1)

Discussion

103

(1)

Conclusion

103

(1)

Audience

104

(1)

Style

104

(1)

Grammar

105

(1)

Process

105

(6)

Prewriting

105

(2)

Writing

107

(3)

Rewriting

110

(1)

Effective Memo Checklist

111

(1)

Process Log

112

(3)

Prewriting

112

(1)

Writing

112

(1)

Rewriting

113

(2)

Sample Memos

115

(8)

Chapter Highlights

120

(1)

Activities

120

(2)

Quiz Questions

122

(1)

Letters

123

(48)

Objectives

123

(1)

Letter Components

124

(5)

Essential Components

124

(3)

Optional Letter Components

127

(2)

Letter Wizards and Templates

129

(2)

Letter Formats

131

(5)

Criteria for Different Types of Letters

136

(21)

Letters of Inquiry

136

(1)

Cover Letters

137

(4)

Good-News Letters

141

(3)

Bad-News Letters

144

(4)

Complaint Letters

148

(1)

Adjustment Letters

149

(3)

Sales Letters

152

(5)

Process

157

(4)

Prewriting

157

(1)

Writing

158

(1)

Rewriting

159

(2)

Process Log

161

(10)

Prewriting

161

(1)

Writing

161

(1)

Rewriting

161

(5)

Chapter Highlights

166

(1)

Activities

166

(4)

Quiz Questions

170

(1)

The Job Search

171

(25)

Objectives

171

(1)

How to Find Job Openings

171

(2)

Criteria for Effective Resumes

173

(7)

Identification

174

(1)

Career Objectives

175

(1)

Employment

175

(1)

Education

176

(1)

Professional Skills

177

(1)

Military Experience

177

(1)

Professional Affiliations

177

(1)

Personal Data

178

(1)

References

178

(1)

Style

178

(2)

Internet Resumes

180

(2)

ASCII Resumes

181

(1)

HTML Resumes

182

(1)

Sample Resumes

182

(3)

Criteria for Effective Letters of Application

185

(1)

Letter Essentials

185

(1)

Introduction

185

(1)

Discussion

185

(1)

Conclusion

186

(1)

Style

186

(1)

Sample Letters of Application

186

(3)

Techniques for Interviewing Effectively

189

(1)

Criteria for Effective Follow-Up Correspondence

190

(1)

Sample Follow-Up Letter

190

(12)

Checklists

192

(4)

Chapter Highlights

193

(1)

Activities

194

(1)

Quiz Questions

195

(1)

UNIT 3 VISUAL APPEAL

196

(47)

Document Design

197

(18)

Objectives

187

(1)

Chunking

188

(13)

Order

201

(4)

Access

205

(1)

Variety

206

(5)

Summary

211

(4)

Chapter Highlights

212

(1)

Activities

212

(2)

Quiz Questions

214

(1)

Graphics

215

(28)

Objectives

215

(1)

Conciseness

216

(1)

Clarity

216

(1)

Cosmetic Appeal

216

(1)

Color

216

(1)

Three-Dimensional Graphics

217

(1)

Criteria for Effective Graphics

217

(1)

Types of Graphics

218

(25)

Tables

218

(2)

Figures

220

(19)

Internet Downloadable Graphics

239

(1)

Chapter Highlights

240

(1)

Activities

240

(2)

Quiz Questions

242

(1)

UNIT 4 TECHNICAL APPLICATIONS

243

(100)

Fliers, Brochures, and Newsletters

244

(26)

Objectives

244

(1)

Why Write Fliers?

245

(1)

Criteria for Writing Fliers

246

(3)

Process

247

(2)

Why Write Brochures?

249

(1)

Criteria for Writing Brochures

249

(3)

Title Page (Front Panel)

250

(1)

Back Panel

250

(1)

Body Panels (Fold-in and Inside)

251

(1)

Document Design

251

(1)

Audience Recognition and Involvement

252

(1)

Accuracy

252

(1)

Process

252

(4)

Prewriting

252

(3)

Writing

255

(1)

Rewriting

256

(1)

Effective Brochure Usability Checklist

256

(2)

Why Write Newsletters?

258

(1)

Criteria for Writing Newsletters

258

(3)

The Flag

259

(1)

Columns

259

(1)

Headlines and Subheadings

259

(1)

Pop-up Quotes

259

(2)

Sidebars

261

(1)

Table of Contents

261

(1)

Initial Caps

261

(1)

Newsletter Style

261

(1)

Highlighting

261

(1)

Process

261

(2)

Prewriting

261

(1)

Writing

262

(1)

Rewriting

263

(1)

Effective Newsletter Usability Checklist

263

(7)

Chapter Highlights

265

(1)

Activities

266

(3)

Quiz Questions

269

(1)

Technical Descriptions

270

(19)

Objectives

270

(2)

Operations Manuals

270

(1)

Product Demand Specifications

271

(1)

Study Reports Provided by Consulting Firms

271

(1)

Sales Literature

271

(1)

Criteria for Writing Technical Descriptions

272

(4)

Title

272

(1)

Overall Organization

273

(1)

Internal Organization

273

(2)

Development

275

(1)

Word Usage

276

(1)

Process

276

(3)

Prewriting

277

(1)

Writing

277

(1)

Rewriting

278

(1)

Technical Description Checklist

279

(1)

Process Log

280

(6)

Prewriting

280

(1)

Writing

281

(1)

Rewriting

281

(5)

Sample Technical Description

286

(3)

Chapter Highlights

286

(1)

Activities

286

(2)

Quiz Questions

288

(1)

Instructions and User's Manuals

289

(54)

Objectives

289

(2)

Criteria for Writing Short Instructions

291

(8)

Title

291

(1)

Organization

291

(4)

Audience Recognition

295

(1)

Graphics

296

(1)

Style

297

(2)

Process

299

(3)

Prewriting

299

(1)

Writing

300

(2)

Rewriting

302

(1)

Effective Instruction Checklist

302

(2)

Process Log

304

(7)

Prewriting

305

(1)

Writing

305

(1)

Rewriting

305

(6)

Sample Instruction

311

(4)

Criteria for Writing a User's Manual

315

(4)

Usability Evaluation Checklist

319

(2)

Sample User's Manual with Screen Captures

321

(8)

Sample User's Manual

329

(14)

Chapter Highlights

340

(1)

Activities

340

(2)

Quiz Questions

342

(1)

UNIT 5 ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

343

(42)

E-Mail, On-line Help, and Web Sites

344

(41)

The Internet-The ``Information Superhighway''

344

(1)

The Intranet-A Company's Internal Web

345

(2)

The Extranet-A Web Within A Web

347

(1)

On-Line Technical Writing Applications: E-Mail, On-Line Help, and Web Sites

347

(28)

E-Mail

347

(1)

E-Mail Problems

348

(2)

Techniques for Writing Effective E-Mail

350

(5)

On-line Help

355

(1)

Techniques for Writing Effective On-line Help

356

(4)

Web Sites

360

(1)

Web Sites versus Paper Text

360

(2)

Criteria for a Successful Web Site

362

(6)

Process

368

(7)

Web Site Usability Checklist

375

(10)

Chapter Highlights

378

(1)

Activities

378

(5)

Quiz Questions

383

(2)

UNIT 6 REPORT STRATEGIES

385

(127)

Research

386

(21)

Objectives

386

(1)

Criteria for Writing Research Reports

386

(2)

Audience

387

(1)

Effective Style

387

(1)

Formatting

387

(1)

Process

388

(19)

Prewriting Research Techniques

388

(8)

Writing

396

(7)

Rewriting

403

(2)

Chapter Highlights

405

(1)

Activities

405

(1)

Quiz Questions

406

(1)

The Summary

407

(12)

Objectives

407

(1)

Criteria for Writing Summaries

408

(2)

Overall Organization

408

(1)

Internal Organization

409

(1)

Development

409

(1)

Style

410

(1)

Length

410

(1)

Audience Recognition

410

(1)

Grammar and Mechanics

410

(1)

Process

410

(3)

Prewriting

411

(1)

Writing

411

(1)

Rewriting

412

(1)

Summary Checklist

413

(1)

Process Log

414

(5)

Prewriting

414

(1)

Writing

414

(1)

Rewriting

414

(1)

Chapter Highlights

414

(3)

Activities

417

(1)

Quiz Questions

418

(1)

Reports

419

(41)

Objectives

419

(1)

Criteria for Writing Reports

420

(3)

Organization

420

(2)

Development

422

(1)

Style

422

(1)

Types of Reports

423

(18)

Trip Reports

423

(1)

Progress Reports

424

(3)

Lab Reports

427

(8)

Feasibility Reports (Recommendation Reports)

435

(1)

Incident Reports

436

(5)

Process

441

(5)

Prewriting

441

(1)

Writing

441

(4)

Rewriting

445

(1)

Report Checklist

446

(1)

Process Log

447

(13)

Prewriting

447

(1)

Writing

447

(1)

Rewriting

447

(6)

Chapter Highlights

453

(1)

Activities

453

(6)

Quiz Questions

459

(1)

Proposals

460

(34)

Objectives

460

(1)

Criteria for Proposals

461

(11)

Title Page

461

(2)

Cover Letter

463

(1)

Table of Contents

463

(2)

List of Illustrations

465

(1)

Abstract (or Summary)

465

(2)

Introduction

467

(2)

Discussion

469

(1)

Conclusion/Recommendation

470

(1)

Glossary

470

(1)

Works Cited (or References)

471

(1)

Appendix

472

(1)

Process

472

(5)

Prewriting

472

(1)

Writing

473

(2)

Rewriting

475

(2)

Proposal Checklist

477

(1)

Sample Proposal

477

(17)

Chapter Highlights

491

(1)

Activities

491

(2)

Quiz Questions

493

(1)

Oral Presentations

494

(18)

Objectives

494

(1)

Types of Oral Presentations

495

(1)

The Impromptu Speech

495

(1)

The Memorized Speech

495

(1)

The Manuscript Speech

496

(1)

The Extemporaneous Speech

496

(1)

Criteria for Effective Oral Presentations

496

(7)

Overall Organization

496

(1)

Development

497

(1)

Style

497

(1)

Delivery

497

(2)

Appearance

499

(1)

Body Language and Gestures

499

(1)

Visual Aids

499

(4)

Process

503

(6)

Prewriting

503

(1)

Writing

504

(5)

Presentation

509

(1)

Speaker's Checklist

509

(1)

Post Speech Activities

509

(3)

Chapter Highlights

510

(1)

Activities

510

(1)

Quiz Questions

511

(1)

UNIT 7 HANDBOOK

512

(35)

Grammar, Punctuation, Mechanics, and Spelling

513

(34)

Grammar Rules

514

(9)

Agreement between Pronoun and Antecedent (Referent)

515

(1)

Agreement between Subject and Verb

515

(2)

Comma Splice

517

(1)

Faulty or Vague Pronoun Reference

518

(1)

Fragment

518

(1)

Fused Sentence

519

(2)

Modification

521

(1)

Parallelism

522

(1)

Punctuation

523

(6)

Apostrophe

523

(1)

Colon

523

(1)

Comma

524

(1)

Dash

525

(1)

Ellipses

526

(1)

Exclamation Point

526

(1)

Hyphen

526

(1)

Parentheses

527

(1)

Period

527

(1)

Question Mark

528

(1)

Quotation Marks

528

(1)

Semicolon

529

(1)

Mechanics

529

(6)

Abbreviations

529

(4)

Capital Letters

533

(1)

Numbers

534

(1)

Spelling

535

(1)

Proofreader's Marks

536

(11)

Activities

536

(7)

Grammar Quiz

543

(4)

References

547

(4)

Index

551

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Technical Writing : Process and Product

Technical Writing : Process and Product

9780130981745

0130981745

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Technical Writing : Process and Product

Technical Writing : Process and Product

9780130981745

0130981745

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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