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Technical Communication : A Practical Approach

ISBN: 9780131198166 | 0131198165
Edition: 7th
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Prentice Hall
Pub. Date: 1/1/2010

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SummaryTable of Contents
The sixth edition of Technical Communication: A Practical Approach stresses one simple principle: You learn to write best by doing as much writing as possible as early as possible. This text offers a wealth of features to help you craft effective correspondence, documents, and presentations, including the following: A focus on both the writing process and the written product, A simple "ABC" pattern for organizing all types of documents, A fictional company, McDuff, Inc., that provides a working world context for writing models and assignments, ... MORE
Process in Technical Communication
2(36)
Defining Technical Communication
3(5)
Features of Academic Writing
... MORE		3(1)
Features of Technical Communication
4(4)
Determining the Purpose
8(4)
Analyzing Your Readers
12(4)
Obstacles for Readers
12(1)
Ways to Understand Readers
13(1)
Types of Readers
14(2)
Collecting Information
16(2)
Completing an Outline
18(4)
Writing Initial Drafts
22(1)
Revising Drafts
22(2)
Writing in Groups
24(5)
Benefits and Drawbacks of Group Writing
24(1)
Guidelines for Group Writing
25(4)
Chapter Summary
29(1)
Learning Portfolio
30(8)
Communication Challenge--``A Group Project Gone Bad''
30(2)
Collaboration at Work
32(1)
Assignments
33(5)
McDuff, Inc.: Ethics and Globalism in the Workplace
38(40)
Corporate Culture in the New Century
39(2)
Elements of a Company's Culture
39(1)
The Search for Quality
40(1)
The Global Workplace
41(4)
Strategies for Understanding Cultures
41(3)
Strategies for Communicating Internationally
44(1)
Ethics on the Job
45(5)
Ethical Guidelines for Work
46(1)
Ethics and Legal Issues in Writing
47(3)
Background and Types of Projects
50(2)
History of McDuff, Inc.
50(1)
Projects
51(1)
Corporate and Branch Offices
52(6)
Headquarters
52(3)
Branches
55(3)
Writing at McDuff
58(1)
Examples of Internal Writing
58(1)
Examples of External Writing
59(1)
Chapter Summary
59(2)
Learning Portfolio
61(17)
Communication challenge--``McDuff's Moscow Buyout: Global Dilemmas''
61(2)
Collaboration at Work
63(1)
Assignments
64(14)
Organizing Information
78(26)
Importance of Organization
79(1)
Three Principles of Organization
80(4)
ABC Format for Documents
84(3)
Document Abstract: The ``Big Picture'' for Decision-Makers
84(1)
Document Body: Details for All Readers
85(1)
Document Conclusion: Wrap-Up Leading to Next Step
86(1)
Tips for Organizing Sections and Paragraphs
87(2)
Document Section
87(1)
Paragraphs
88(1)
Chapter Summary
89(1)
Learning Portfolio
90(9)
Communication Challenge--``Telecommuting: The Last Frontier?''
90(3)
Collaboration at Work
93(1)
Assignments
94(5)
Models for Good Writing
99(5)
Model 3--1: ABC format in whole document
99(2)
Model 3--2: ABC format in document section
101(1)
Model 3--3: ABC format in paragraphs
102(2)
Page Design
104(28)
Guidelines for Page Design
105(11)
Paper
105(1)
White Space
106(3)
Headings
109(5)
Lists
114(1)
In-Text Emphasis
115(1)
Fonts and Color
116(2)
Size of Type
116(1)
Font Types
116(2)
Color
118(1)
Computers in the Writing Process
118(4)
Using Computers to Plan
118(1)
Using Computers to Draft
119(1)
Using Computers to Revise
119(2)
Problems to Avoid
121(1)
Chapter Summary
122(1)
Learning Portfolio
123(7)
Communication Challenge--``The St. Paul Style Guide: Trouble in the River City''
123(2)
Collaboration at Work
125(1)
Assignments
126(4)
Models for Good Writing
130(2)
Model 4--1: Page design in memorandum
130(2)
Patterns of Organization
132(42)
Argument
133(4)
Short Cases from McDuff: Argument
134(1)
Guidelines for Writing Argument
135(2)
Example of Argument
137(1)
Definition
137(5)
Short Cases from McDuff: Definitions
138(1)
Guidelines for Writing Definitions
139(3)
Example of Expanded Definition
142(1)
Description
142(4)
Short Cases from McDuff: Descriptions
143(1)
Guidelines for Writing Descriptions
143(2)
Examples of Description
145(1)
Classification/Division
146(5)
Short Cases from McDuff: Classification/Division
146(1)
Guidelines for Classification
147(1)
Example of Classification
148(1)
Guidelines for Division
149(1)
Example of Division
150(1)
Comparison/Contrast
151(2)
Short Cases from McDuff: Comparison/Contrast
151(1)
Guidelines for Comparison/Contrast
151(2)
Example of Comparison/Contrast
153(1)
Chapter Summary
153(2)
Learning Portfolio
155(9)
Communication Challenge--``A Dome Gone South: Argument in Action''
155(2)
Collaboration at Work
157(1)
Assignments
158(6)
Models for Good Writing
164(10)
Model 5--1: Memo report--example using argument
164(2)
Model 5--2: Detailed description (with definition included)
166(2)
Model 5--3: Technical description (with definition included): Bunsen burner
168(3)
Model 5--4: Part-by-part comparison/contrast: three bulldozers
171(3)
Process Descriptions and Instructions
174(34)
Process Descriptions Versus Instructions
175(2)
Process Descriptions at McDuff
175(1)
Instructions at McDuff
176(1)
Guidelines for Process Descriptions
177(4)
Guidelines for Instructions
181(5)
Chapter Summary
186(2)
Learning Portfolio
188(9)
Communication Challenge--``McDuff's Home of Hope: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?''
188(2)
Collaboration at Work
190(1)
Assignments
191(6)
Models for Good Writing
197(11)
Model 6--1: McDuff process description: electronic mail
197(1)
Model 6--2: McDuff instructions: electronic mail
198(2)
Model 6--3: Process description
200(1)
Model 6--4: A McDuff process description with a flowchart (both-are included in an appendix to a report to a client)
201(1)
Model 6--5: Instructions for making travel arrangements (McDuff's departed Baltimore travel coordinator left a narrative description of the procedure he followed [original version], which was then reformatted and edited [revised version])
202(2)
Model 6--6: McDuff memo containing how-to instructions for a phone message recorder (rewritten from manufacturer's difficult-to-follow instructions)
204(4)
Letters, Memos, and Electronic Communication
208(46)
General Guidelines for Letters and Memos
209(5)
Specific Guidelines for Letters and Memos
214(8)
Positive Letters
215(1)
Negative Letters
216(1)
Neutral Letters
217(2)
Sales Letters
219(1)
Memoranda
220(2)
Email
222(6)
Appropriate Use and Style of Email
222(1)
ABC Format for Email
223(1)
Guidelines for Email
224(4)
Chapter Summary
228(1)
Learning Portfolio
229(10)
Communication Challenge--``Ethics and Sales Letters''
229(2)
Collaboration at Work
231(1)
Assignments
231(8)
Models for Good Writing
239(15)
Model 7--1: McDuff sample letter
239(1)
Model 7--2: McDuff sample memo
240(2)
Model 7--3: Block style for letters
242(1)
Model 7--4: Modified block style (with indented paragraphs) for letters
243(1)
Model 7--5: Simplified style for letters
244(1)
Model 7--6: Memo style
245(1)
Model 7--7: Positive letter in block style
246(1)
Model 7--8: Negative letter in modified block style (with indented paragraphs)
247(1)
Model 7--9: Neutral letter (invitation) in block style
248(1)
Model 7--10: Neutral letter (placing order) in simplified style
249(1)
Model 7--11: Sales letter in simplified style
250(1)
Model 7--12: Memorandum: changes in procedures
251(1)
Model 7--13: Memorandum: changes in benefits
252(1)
Model 7--14: Simple email message
253(1)
Informal Reports
254(38)
When to Use Informal Reports
255(2)
Letter Reports at McDuff
255(1)
Memo Reports at McDuff
256(1)
General Guidelines for Informal Reports
257(4)
Specific Guidelines for Five Informal Reports
261(7)
Problem Analyses
261(1)
Recommendation Reports
262(2)
Equipment Evaluations
264(1)
Progress/Periodic Reports
265(1)
Lab Reports
266(2)
Chapter Summary
268(1)
Learning Portfolio
269(11)
Communication Challenge--``A Nonprofit Job: Good Deed or Questionable Ethics?''
269(2)
Collaboration at Work
271(1)
Assignments
271(9)
Models for Good Writing
280(12)
Model 8--1: Recommendation report (letter format)
280(2)
Model 8--2: Equipment evaluation (memo format)
282(2)
Model 8--3: Problem analysis (memo format)
284(2)
Model 8--4: Progress report (memo format)
286(2)
Model 8--5: Periodic report (memo format)
288(1)
Model 8--6: Lab report (letter format)
289(3)
Formal Reports
292(46)
When to Use Formal Reports
293(2)
Strategy for Organizing Formal Reports
295(1)
Guidelines for the Eight Parts of Formal Reports
296(8)
Cover/Title Page
297(1)
Letter/Memo of Transmittal
297(1)
Table of Contents
298(2)
List of Illustrations
300(1)
Executive Summary
300(1)
Introduction
301(1)
Discussion Sections
302(1)
Conclusions and Recommendations
303(1)
Formal Report Example
304(1)
Chapter Summary
304(1)
Learning Portfolio
305(8)
Communication Challenge--``The Ethics of Clients Reviewing Report Drafts''
305(2)
Collaboration at Work
307(1)
Assignments
308(5)
Models for Good Writing
313(25)
Model 9--1: Title page with illustration (see explanation on page 297)
313(1)
Model 9--2: Letter of transmittal
314(1)
Model 9--3: Memo of transmittal
315(1)
Model 9--4: Table of contents (all subheadings included)
316(1)
Model 9--5: Table of contents (third-level subheadings omitted)
317(1)
Model 9--6: List of illustrations--formal report
318(1)
Model 9--7: Executive summary--formal report
319(1)
Model 9--8: Introduction--formal report
320(1)
Model 9--9: Formal report
321(17)
Proposals and Feasibility Studies
338(66)
Proposals and Feasibility Studies at McDuff
340(2)
McDuff Proposals
341(1)
McDuff Feasibility Studies
342(1)
Guidelines for Informal Proposals
342(5)
Guidelines for Formal Proposals
347(5)
Cover/Title Page
347(1)
Letter/Memo of Transmittal
348(1)
Table of Contents
349(1)
List of Illustrations
349(1)
Executive Summary
349(1)
Introduction
350(1)
Discussion Sections
350(1)
Conclusion
351(1)
Appendices
351(1)
Guidelines for Feasibility Studies
352(2)
Chapter Summary
354(2)
Learning Portfolio
356(11)
Communication Challenge--``The Black Forest Proposal: Good Marketing or Bad Business?''
356(2)
Collaboration at Work
358(1)
Assignments
359(8)
Models for Good Writing
367(37)
Model 10--1: Letter proposal
367(3)
Model 10--2: Memo proposal
370(2)
Model 10--3: Formal proposal
372(9)
Model 10--4: Formal proposal
381(21)
Model 10--5: Feasibility study (one alternative)
402(2)
Web Pages and Writing for the Web
404(32)
Your Role in Developing Web Sites and Content
405(1)
Planning
406(3)
Content Development
409(3)
Content Chunking
409(1)
Guidelines for Writing Web Content
409(1)
Adapting Content for the Web
410(1)
Scripting Languages and Software Authoring Tools
410(1)
Document Conversion Issues and Common File Formats
411(1)
Structure
412(6)
Site Structure and Types
412(1)
Process of Developing a Structure
413(3)
Navigation Design
416(1)
Guidelines for Labeling
416(2)
Grouping and Arrangement Strategies
418(1)
Design
418(6)
Design Conventions and Principles
418(2)
Finding a Theme and Developing Graphic Content
420(1)
File Formats and Graphics
421(1)
Interface Layouts
422(2)
Usability and Publication
424(6)
Testing Your Site for Your User Base
425(1)
Performing Usability Reviews
425(1)
Quick Usability Checks and System Settings
425(3)
Accessibility Guidelines
428(2)
Publishing Your Site
430(1)
Chapter Summary
430(1)
Learning Portfolio
431(5)
Communication Challenge
431(1)
Collaboration at Work
432(1)
Assignments
433(3)
Graphics
436(50)
Terms in Graphics
437(1)
Reasons for Using Special Fonts, Color, and Graphics
438(2)
Using Fonts
440(3)
Font Types
441(1)
General Guidelines
441(2)
Using Color
443(5)
The Costs and Time of Using Color
444(1)
Developing a Color Style Sheet
444(2)
Color Terms
446(1)
Guidelines for Using Color
447(1)
General Guidelines for Graphics
448(2)
Specific Guidelines for Eight Graphics
450(23)
Tables
450(3)
Pie Charts
453(4)
Bar Charts
457(2)
Line Charts
459(3)
Schedule Charts
462(2)
Flowcharts
464(1)
Organization Charts
465(3)
Technical Drawings
468(5)
Misuse of Graphics
473(5)
Description of the Problem
473(1)
Examples of Distorted Graphics
474(4)
Chapter Summary
478(1)
Learning Portfolio
479(7)
Communication Challenge--``Massaging McDuff's Annual Report''
479(2)
Collaboration at Work
481(1)
Assignments
482(4)
Oral Communication
486(28)
Presentations and Your Career
487(1)
Guidelines for Preparation and Delivery
488(6)
Guidelines for Presentation Graphics
494(3)
Overcoming Nervousness
497(3)
Why Do We Fear Presentations?
497(1)
A Strategy for Staying Calm
498(2)
Example of McDuff Oral Presentation
500(4)
Running Effective Meetings
504(3)
Common Problems with Meetings
505(1)
Guidelines for Good Meetings
505(2)
Chapter Summary
507(2)
Learning Portfolio
509(5)
Communication Challenge--``Ethics and the Technical Presentation''
509(1)
Collaboration at Work
510(1)
Assignments
511(3)
Technical Research
514(56)
Getting Started
515(2)
Searching Online Catalogs
517(8)
Searching in the Library
525(8)
Library Services
525(1)
Library Resources
525(8)
Searching the Web
533(5)
Fundamentals of Web Searching
533(1)
Web Search Options
534(4)
Using Questionnaires and Interviews
538(6)
Questionnaires
539(3)
Interviews
542(2)
Using Borrowed Information Correctly
544(5)
Avoiding Plagiarism
544(1)
Following the Research Process
545(4)
Selecting and Following a Documentation System
549(1)
Varieties of Documentation
549(1)
Writing Research Abstracts
550(6)
Types of Abstracts
550(4)
Guidelines for Writing Research Abstracts
554(2)
Chapter Summary
556(1)
Learning Portfolio
557(5)
Communication Challenge--``To Cite or Not to Cite''
557(1)
Collaboration at Work
558(1)
Assignments
559(3)
Models for Good Writing
562(8)
Model 14--1: Memo report citing research--APA Style
562(8)
The Job Search
570(36)
Researching Occupations and Companies
571(3)
Job Correspondence
574(6)
Job Letters
574(2)
Resumes
576(4)
Job Interviews
580(4)
Preparation
580(2)
Performance
582(1)
Follow-Up Letters
583(1)
Negotiating
584(4)
Chapter Summary
588(1)
Learning Portfolio
589(6)
Communication Challenge--``20-Something--Have Degree, Won't Travel''
589(2)
Collaboration at Work
591(1)
Assignments
592(3)
Models for Good Writing
595(11)
Model 15--1: Job Letter (modified block) and chronological resume
595(2)
Model 15--2: Job letter (block style) and chronological resume
597(2)
Model 15--3: Job letter (modified block) and functional resume
599(2)
Model 15--4: Job letter (modified block) and functional resume
601(2)
Model 15--5: Combined resume
603(1)
Model 15--6: Combined resume
604(1)
Model 15--7: Resume with graphics--not effective for computer scanning
605(1)
Style in Technical Writing
606(25)
Overview of Style
607(1)
Definition of Style
607(1)
Importance of Tone
607(1)
Writing Clear Sentences
608(2)
Sentence Terms
608(1)
Guidelines for Sentence Style
609(1)
Being Concise
610(4)
Being Accurate in Wording
614(1)
Using the Active Voice
615(2)
What Do Active and Passive Mean?
615(1)
When Should Actives and Passives Be Used?
616(1)
Using Nonsexist Language
617(2)
Sexism and Language
617(1)
Techniques for Nonsexist Language
617(2)
Chapter Summary
619(2)
Learning Portfolio
621(10)
Communication Challenge--``An Editorial Adjustment''
621(2)
Collaboration at Work
623(1)
Assignments
624(7)
Appendix: Handbook631(46)
Index677

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