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Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

by: Pfeiffer, William S.

Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

by: Pfeiffer, William S.

ISBN 13:
9780130938916
ISBN 10:
0130938912
Edition: 5th
Format: Paperback
Copyright: 01/01/2003
Publisher: Pearson College Div
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Summary

This book offers an easy-to-use approach towards learning the fundamentals of technical writing. The author's writing style is user-friendly, and engages the reader by providing a comprehensive overview of current topics in technical writing. Chapter topics cover process in technical writing; ethics and globalism in the workplace; organizing information; page design; patterns of organization; process descriptions and instructions; letters, memos, and electronic communication; informal reports; formal reports; proposals and feasibility studies; graphics; oral communication; technical research; and style in technical writing. For professionals in the technical writing field.

PART ONE

(130)

Process in Technical Writing

(38)

Collaboration at Work

(3)

Getting from Here to There

(5)

Features of Academic Writing

(1)

Features of Technical Writing

(4)

Discovering Your Purpose

(1)

Analyzing Your Readers

(7)

Obstacles for Readers

(1)

Ways to Understand Readers

(1)

Types of Readers

(2)

Collecting Information

(2)

Writing an Outline

(4)

Writing Initial Drafts

(1)

Revising Drafts

(1)

Writing in Groups

(6)

Benefits and Drawbacks of Group Writing

(1)

Guidelines for Group Writing

(4)

Communication Challenge--`` A Group Project Gone Bad''

(2)

Chapter Summary

(1)

Assignments

(5)

McDuff, Inc.: Ethics and Globalism in the Workplace

(34)

Collaboration at Work

(2)

Corporate Culture in the New Century

(3)

Elements of a Company's Culture

(2)

The Search for Quality

(1)

The Global Workplace

(5)

Strategies for Understanding Cultures

(2)

Strategies for Communicating Internationally

(2)

Background and Types of Projects

(3)

History of McDuff, Inc.

(2)

Projects

(1)

Corporate and Branch Offices

(5)

Headquarters

(3)

Branches

(2)

Writing at McDuff

(3)

Examples of Internal Writing

(1)

Examples of External Writing

(1)

Ethics on the Job

(5)

Ethical Guidelines for Work

(2)

Ethics in Writing

(2)

Communication Challenge--``McDuff's Moscow Buyout: Global Dilemmas''

(2)

Chapter Summary

(1)

Assignments

(5)

Organizing Information

(26)

Collaboration at Work

(2)

Importance of Organization

(1)

Three Principles of Organization

(4)

ABC Format for Documents

(4)

Document Abstract: The ``Big Picture'' for Decision-Makers

(1)

Document Body: Details for All Readers

(1)

Document Conclusion: Wrap-Up Leading to Next Step

(1)

Tips for Organizing Sections and Paragraphs

(2)

Document Sections

(1)

Paragraphs

(1)

Communication Challenge--``Telecommuting: The Last Frontier?''

(3)

Chapter Summary

(1)

Assignments

(5)

Models for Good Writing

(4)

ABC format in whole document

(2)

ABC format in document section

(1)

ABC format in paragraphs

(1)

Page Design

100

(31)

Collaboration at Work

100

(2)

Computers in the Writing Process

102

(4)

Using Computers to Plan

102

(1)

Using Computers to Draft

103

(1)

Using Computers to Revise

103

(2)

Problems to Avoid

105

(1)

Guidelines for Page Design

106

(13)

Paper

107

(1)

White Space

107

(4)

Headings

111

(6)

Lists

117

(1)

In-Text Emphasis

118

(1)

Fonts and Color

119

(2)

Size of Type

119

(1)

Font Types

120

(4)

Color

124

Communication Challenge--``The St. Paul Format Guide: Trouble in the River City''

121

(3)

Chapter Summary

124

(1)

Assignments

124

(4)

Models for Good Writing

128

(3)

Page design in memorandum

128

(3)

PART TWO

131

(278)

Patterns of Organization

132

(44)

Collaboration at Work

132

(2)

Argument

134

(5)

Short Cases from McDuff: Argument

135

(1)

Guidelines for Writing Argument

136

(3)

Example of Argument

139

(1)

Definition

139

(6)

Short Cases from McDuff: Definitions

139

(1)

Guidelines for Writing Definitions

140

(4)

Example of Expanded Definition

144

(1)

Description

145

(4)

Short Cases from McDuff: Descriptions

145

(1)

Guidelines for Writing Descriptions

146

(2)

Examples of Description

148

(1)

Classification/Division

149

(5)

Short Cases from McDuff: Classification/Division

149

(1)

Guidelines for Classification

150

(1)

Example of Classification

151

(1)

Guidelines for Division

152

(1)

Example of Division

153

(1)

Comparison/Contrast

154

(3)

Short Cases from McDuff: Comparison/Contrast

154

(1)

Guidelines for Comparison/Contrast

154

(2)

Example of Comparison/Contrast

156

(1)

Communication Challenge--``A Dome Gone South: Argument in Action''

157

(3)

Chapter Summary

160

(1)

Assignments

161

(6)

Models for Good Writing

167

(9)

Memo report-example using argument

167

(2)

Detailed description

169

(2)

Technical description: Bunsen burner

171

(3)

Part-by-part comparison/contrast: three bulldozers

174

(2)

Process Descriptions and Instructions

176

(34)

Collaboration at Work

176

(2)

Process Descriptions Versus Instructions

178

(3)

Process Descriptions at McDuff

178

(2)

Instructions at McDuff

180

(1)

Guidelines for Process Descriptions

181

(3)

Guidelines for Instructions

184

(6)

Communication Challenge--``McDuff's Home of Hope: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly?''

190

(3)

Chapter Summary

193

(1)

Assignments

194

(6)

Models for Good Writing

200

(10)

McDuff process description: electronic mail

200

(1)

McDuff instructions: electronic mail

201

(2)

Process description

203

(1)

A McDuff process description with a flowchart (both are included in an appendix to a report to a client)

204

(1)

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]

205

(2)

McDuff memo containing how-to instructions for a phone message recorder (rewritten from manufacturer's difficult-to-follow instructions)

207

(3)

Letters, Memos, and Electronic Communication

210

(48)

Collaboration at Work

210

(3)

General Guidelines for Letters and Memos

213

(5)

Specific Guidelines for Letters and Memos

218

(9)

Positive Letters

219

(1)

Negative Letters

220

(1)

Neutral Letters

221

(2)

Sales Letters

223

(2)

Memoranda

225

(2)

227

(6)

Appropriate Use and Style of Email

227

(1)

ABC Format for Email

228

(1)

Guidelines for Email

229

(4)

Communication Challenge--``Ethics and Sales Letters''

233

(1)

Chapter Summary

234

(2)

Assignments

236

(7)

Models for Good Writing

243

(15)

McDuff sample letter

243

(1)

McDuff sample letter

244

(2)

Block style for letters

246

(1)

Modified block style (with indented paragraphs) for letters

247

(1)

Simplified style for letters

248

(1)

Memo style

249

(1)

Positive letter in block style

250

(1)

Negative letter in modified block style (with indented paragraphs)

251

(1)

Neutral letter (invitation) in block style

252

(1)

Neutral letter (placing order) in simplified style

253

(1)

Sales letter in simplified style

254

(1)

Memorandum: changes in procedures

255

(1)

Memorandum: changes in benefits

256

(1)

Simple email message

257

(1)

Informal Reports

258

(38)

Collaboration at Work

258

(2)

When to Use Informal Reports

260

(2)

Letter Reports at McDuff

261

(1)

Memo Reports at McDuff

261

(1)

General Guidelines for Informal Reports

262

(4)

Specific Guidelines for Five Informal Reports

266

(8)

Problem Analyses

267

(1)

Recommendation Reports

268

(1)

Equipment Evaluations

269

(2)

Progress/Periodic Reports

271

(2)

Lab Reports

273

(1)

Communication Challenge--``A Nonprofit Job: Good Deed or Questionable Ethics?''

274

(2)

Chapter Summary

276

(1)

Assignments

276

(9)

Models for Good Writing

285

(11)

Recommendation report (letter format)

285

(2)

Equipment evaluation (memo format)

287

(2)

Problem analysis (memo format)

289

(2)

Progress report (memo format)

291

(2)

Periodic report (memo format)

293

(1)

Lab report (letter format)

294

(2)

Formal Reports

296

(46)

Collaboration at Work

296

(3)

When to Use Formal Reports

299

(1)

Strategy for Organizing Formal Reports

300

(2)

Guidelines for the Eight Parts of Formal Reports

302

(8)

Cover/Title Page

302

(1)

Letter/Memo of Transmittal

303

(1)

Table of Contents

304

(1)

List of Illustrations

305

(1)

Executive Summary

306

(1)

Introduction

307

(1)

Discussion Sections

308

(2)

Conclusions and Recommendations

310

(1)

Formal Report Example

310

(1)

Communication Challenge--``The Ethics of Clients Reviewing Report Drafts''

311

(1)

Chapter Summary

312

(1)

Assignments

313

(5)

Models for Good Writing

318

(24)

Title page with illustration (see explanation on page 303)

318

(1)

Letter of transmittal

319

(1)

Memo of transmittal

320

(1)

Table of contents (all subheadings included)

321

(1)

Table of contents (third-level subheadings omitted)

322

(1)

List of illustrations--formal report

323

(1)

Executive summary-formal report

324

(1)

Introduction-formal report

325

(1)

Formal report

326

(16)

Proposals and Feasibility Studies

342

(67)

Collaboration at Work

342

(3)

Proposals and Feasibility Studies at McDuff

345

(3)

McDuff Proposals

345

(2)

McDuff Feasibility Studies

347

(1)

Guidelines for Informal Proposals

348

(5)

Guidelines for Formal Proposals

353

(5)

Cover/Title Page

353

(1)

Letter/Memo of Transmittal

354

(1)

Table of Contents

355

(1)

List of Illustrations

356

(1)

Executive Summary

356

(1)

Introduction

356

(1)

Discussion Sections

357

(1)

Conclusion

358

(1)

Appendices

358

(1)

Guidelines for Feasibility Studies

358

(4)

Communication Challenge--``The Black Forest Proposal: Good Marketing or Bad Business?''

362

(2)

Chapter Summary

364

(1)

Assignments

365

(7)

Models for Good Writing

372

(37)

Letter proposal

372

(3)

Memo proposal

375

(2)

Formal proposal

377

(9)

Formal proposal

386

(21)

Feasibility study (one alternative)

407

(2)

PART III

409

(210)

Graphics

410

(54)

Collaboration at Work

410

(2)

Terms in Graphics

412

(1)

Reasons for Using Special Fonts, Color, and Graphics

413

(3)

Using Fonts

416

(3)

Font Types

416

(1)

General Guidelines

416

(3)

Using Color

419

(5)

The Cost and Time of Using Color

419

(1)

Developing a Color Style Sheet

420

(2)

Color Terms

422

(1)

Guidelines for Using Color

422

(2)

General Guidelines for Graphics

424

(3)

Specific Guidelines for Eight Graphics

427

(24)

Tables

427

(3)

Pie Charts

430

(4)

Bar Charts

434

(3)

Line Charts

437

(3)

Schedule Charts

440

(1)

Flowcharts

441

(3)

Organization Charts

444

(3)

Technical Drawings

447

(4)

Misuse of Graphics

451

(5)

Description of the Problem

451

(1)

Examples of Distorted Graphics

452

(4)

Communication Challenge--``Massaging McDuff's Annual Report''

456

(3)

Chapter Summary

459

(1)

Assignments

459

(5)

Oral Communication

464

(30)

Collaboration at Work

464

(2)

Presentations and Your Career

466

(1)

Guidelines for Preparation and Delivery

467

(7)

Guidelines for Presentation Graphics

474

(3)

Overcoming Nervousness

477

(3)

Why Do We Fear Presentations?

477

(1)

A Strategy for Staying Calm

478

(2)

Example of McDuff Oral Presentation

480

(5)

Running Effective Meetings

485

(3)

Common Problems with Meetings

486

(1)

Guidelines for Good Meetings

486

(2)

Communication Challenge--``Ethics and the Technical Presentation''

488

(2)

Chapter Summary

490

(2)

Assignments

492

(2)

Technical Research

494

(60)

Collaboration at Work

494

(2)

Getting Started

496

(3)

Searching Online Catalogs

499

(7)

Searching in the Library

506

(10)

Library Services

507

(1)

Library Resources

508

(8)

Searching the Web

516

(6)

Fundamentals of Web Searching

516

(3)

Web Search Options

519

(3)

Using Questionnaires and Interviews

522

(7)

Questionnaries

523

(4)

Interviews

527

(2)

Using Borrowed Information Correctly

529

(5)

Avoiding Plagiarism

529

(2)

Following the Research Process

531

(3)

Selecting and Following a Documentation System

534

(4)

Varieties of Documentation

534

(1)

Author-Date System with Pages

535

(1)

Online Documentation

536

(2)

Writing Research Abstracts

538

(4)

Types of Abstracts

538

(2)

Guidelines for Writing Research Abstracts

540

(2)

Communication Challenge--``To Cite or Not to Cite''

542

(1)

Chapter Summary

542

(2)

Assignments

544

(3)

Models for Good Writing

547

(7)

Memo report citing research

547

(7)

The Job Search

554

(38)

Collaboration at Work

554

(2)

Researching Occupations and Companies

556

(3)

Job Correspondence

559

(7)

Job Letters

560

(2)

Resumes

562

(4)

Job Interviews

566

(5)

Preparation

566

(2)

Performance

568

(2)

Follow-Up Letters

570

(1)

Negotiating

571

(4)

Communication Challenge--``20-Something--Have Degree, Won't Travel''

575

(2)

Chapter Summary

577

(1)

Assignments

578

(3)

Models for Good Writing

581

(11)

Job letter (modified block) and chronological resume

581

(2)

Job letter (block style) and chronological resume

583

(2)

Job letter (modified block) and functional resume

585

(2)

Job letter (modified block) and functional resume

587

(2)

Combined resume

589

(1)

Combined resume

590

(1)

Resume with graphics--not effective for computer scanning

591

(1)

Style in Technical Writing

592

(27)

Collaboration at Work

592

(2)

Overview of Style

594

(1)

Definition of Style

594

(1)

Importance of Tone

595

(1)

Writing Clear Sentences

595

(3)

Sentence Terms

596

(1)

Guidelines for Sentence Style

596

(2)

Being Concise

598

(5)

Being Accurate in Wording

603

(1)

Using the Active Voice

604

(1)

What Do Active and Passive Mean?

604

(1)

When Should Actives and Passives Be Used?

604

(1)

Using Nonsexist Language

605

(3)

Sexism and Language

605

(1)

Techniques for Nonsexist Language

606

(2)

Communication Challenge--``An Editorial Adjustment''

608

(3)

Chapter Summary

611

(1)

Assignments

611

(8)

Appendix A: Online Technical Documents

619

(8)

What Is Online Documentation?

620

(3)

Types of Online Documents

621

(1)

Authoring Tools and Delivery Programs

622

(1)

How Does Reader Analysis Change?

623

(1)

How Does Document Organization Change?

624

(1)

How Does Page Layout Change?

625

(1)

Summary

625

(2)

Appendix B: Web Site Design

627

(20)

Introduction

627

(2)

How Documents Work on the Web

629

(4)

Client/Server Network

629

(1)

HTML: The Basic Language of the Web

630

(3)

Elements of Web Site Design

633

(3)

Elements of Design

633

(1)

Web Site Architecture

633

(1)

Information Design Elements of a Web Page

634

(1)

Visual Design

635

(1)

Architectural, Informational, and Visual Design Guidelines

635

(1)

Hypertext Links

636

(2)

Hypertext Tags

637

(1)

Keeping Readers Oriented

638

(1)

Conversion of Documents to Web Pages

638

(4)

Style Tags

639

(1)

Inserting a Table of Contents

640

(1)

Converting to a Web Page

640

(2)

Usability and Accessibility

642

(4)

Usability Testing

643

(2)

Accessibility

645

(1)

Summary

646

(1)

Appendix C: Handbook

647

(50)

Index

697

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

9780130938916

0130938912

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

Technical Writing: A Practical Approach

9780130938916

0130938912

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials

Write a Review

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