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Writing for the Technical Professions

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ISBN-10: 0321477472

ISBN-13: 9780321477477

Edition: 4th 2008

Authors: Kristin R. Woolever

List price: $96.20
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Book details

List price: $96.20
Edition: 4th
Copyright year: 2008
Publisher: Longman Publishing
Publication date: 6/28/2007
Binding: Comb Bound 
Pages: 528
Size: 7.50" wide x 9.00" long x 0.75" tall
Weight: 1.738
Language: English

Preface
Introduction
What Are the Technical Professions?
What Is Technical Communication?
Who Is the Typical Technical Communicator?
What Skills Do Technical Communicators Need?
How Can This Book Help You?
Why Choose to Do a Community Action Project?
Basic Tools
Planing
Developing a Rhetorical Strategy
Problem-Solving Strategies for Technical Communicators
Steps to...: Problem Solving
Analyzing Your Audience
Creating an Audience Analysis Grid
Finding Information About Your Audience
Specific Planning Techniques
Outlining
Process of Outlining
Storyboarding: Making Planning Concrete
Writing a Document Specification
Checklist: Document Specification Components
Considering the Ethical Dimensions of a Project
Tips for International Communication
Creating an International User Analysis
Steps to...: A User Analysis Grid
When to Provide a Translation Glossary
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Researching
Researching to Solve a Problem
Researching to Understand a Product
A Systematic Approach to Research
Steps to...: Completing Research
Finding and Evaluating Sources
Major Sources of Technical Information
Checklist: Evaluating Sources
Guidelines: Evaluating Internet Resources
Planning and Conducting Interviews
Preparing for an Interview
Designing Questionnaires
Guidelines: Designing Effective Questionnaires
Using Research to Support Your Document
Steps to...: Creating a Well-Supported Document
Avoiding Plagiarism
Using Copyrighted Materials
Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting
When Acknowledging Sources Is Unnecessary
Documenting Sources
APA Documentation Style
CSE Documentation Style
Chicago Manual Documentation Style
Columbia Documentation Style for Online Sources
Researching Is a Technical Skill
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Projects
Organizing for Readers
Setting Reader Expectations (Frontloading)
Considering Your Audience
Stating the Main Idea Up Front
Providing a Road Map
Reader Cues
Dividing Information into Units (Chunking)
Checklist: Subdividing
Organizing Sections
Paragraphing Effectively
Tips for International Communication
Four Questions for Establishing Cultural Schemata
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Document
Sample of Effective Organization Techniques
Designing the Document: Format and Graphics
Understanding Visual Design Principles
Conventions of Visual Perception
Strategies in Visual Communication
Guidelines: Designing Documents
Designing Readable Hardcopy Pages
Creating Visual Hierarchies of Information
Using a Page Layout Grid
Formatting Text
Deciding When to Use Graphic Illustrations
Purposes of Graphic Illustrations
Guidelines: Balancing Graphics and Text
Choosing Appropriate Graphics
Figures
Tables
The Ethics of Graphics
Placing Graphics in the Text
Guidelines: Integrating Graphics
Checklist: Numbering and Labeling Graphics
Using Graphics on the World Wide Web
Using Graphics in Fliers, Brochures, and Newsletters
Using Graphics in Presentations
Designing Effective Posters
Presenting Your Poster
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Projects
Technology Challenge
Editing for Style
Creating a Readable Style
Emphasizing Important Points
Avoiding Agentless Prose
Using an Appropriate Tone
Guidelines: Avoiding Inappropriate Labels
Guidelines: Avoiding Sexist Language
Controlling Wordiness
Unnecessary Large Words
Unnecessary Phrases
Meaningless Qualifiers
Writing Smooth Transitions
Explicit Transitions
Implicit Transitions
The Given/New Principle
Pacing
Varying Sentence Lengths
Varying Sentence Beginnings
Considering the Ethics of Style
Guidelines: Making Ethical Choices
Tips for International Communication
Simplified Languages
Guidelines: Writing for International Audiences
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Technology Challenge
Collaborating on Writing Projects
The Collaborative Process
Types of Collaborative Roles
The Individual Contributor
Guidelines: Collaborating Effectively
The Project Manager
Phases of the Project
Steps to...: Planning a Project
Writing, Usability Testing, and Editing Phase
Production Phase
Guidelines: Peer Editing
Postmortem Phase
Tracking the Project
Scheduling
Progress Reports
Meetings
Electronic Collaboration
Using a Tracking Spreadsheet
The Project Notebook (Project Central)
Establishing Effective Communication
Vertical and Horizontal Communication Networks
Conducting Productive Meetings
Steps to...: Scheduling a Successful Meeting
Fostering Team Dynamics
Conflict and Mediation
How to Manage Conflict
Steps to...: Effective Conflict Management
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Technology Challenge
Communicating with Other Cultures
Technical Communication Tasks in the Global Workplace
Developing Content for a Global Audience
Editing and Proofreading
Collaborating on Global Teams
Relocating to Another Country
Culture as More than Stereotype
Key Focus Areas of Cultural Difference
Eastern and Western Thinking Patterns
Collaborating on Multicultural Teams
The Decision-making Process
The Review Process
Guidelines: Collaborating with E-mail
The Evaluation Process
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Considering Ethical and Liability Issues
Ethics Defined
Social Responsibility
Economic Responsibility
Legal Responsibility
Voluntary Responsibility
Ethical Responsibility
Types of Ethical Issues
Conflict of Interest
Trustworthiness
Communications
Organizational Relationships
Guidelines for Ethical Choices
Ethical Relativism Versus Absolutism
Information Liability
Understanding Product Liability Law
Negligence
Breach of Warranty
Strict Liability in Tort
Liability in Writing Marketing Material
Marketing Goods
Checklist: Communicating Ethically
Marketing Services
Liability in Writing Safety Information
Degrees of Danger
Hazard Messages
Guidelines: Writing Effective Hazard Messages
Liability in Writing Employee Information
Employee Handbooks
Employment Letters
Performance Evaluations
Understanding Intellectual Property Law
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Professional Applications
Memos, Letters, and E-Mail Correspondence
Comparing Correspondence Modes
Planning and Researching
Developing a Rhetorical Strategy
Steps to...: Creating a Rhetorically Effective Letter
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Organizing
Informative Messages
Requests for Action
Inquiries
Appreciation Messages
Designing
Memos
Letters
Editing
Creating the Right Tone
Guidelines: Creating the Right Tone
Achieving Clarity
Guidelines: Achieving Clarity
E-Mail
Advantages
Disadvantages
Tone in E-Mail
E-mail and Conflict Management
Issues of Privacy
Guidelines: Writing E-Mail
E-Mail Format
E-Mail Attachments
Tips for International Communication
Guidelines: International Correspondence
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
Good-News Letter: Direct Approach
Bad-News Letter: Indirect Approach
Bad-News Letter
Appreciation Letter
Inquiry Letter
Request for Action Memo
E-Mails
Instructions, Procedures, and Policies
The Difference Between Instructions, Procedures, and Policies
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Steps to...: Analyzing Your Audience
Document Specifications
Organizing
Guidelines: Organizing Instructions and Procedures
Designing
Clearly Labeled Figures
Consistent Formats
Decision Tables
Modular Design
Information Mapping
Editing
Collaborating
Achieving the Right Tone and Style
Steps to...: Scheduling Your Project
Guidelines: Editing Instructions and Procedures
Testing for Usability
Types of Usability Tests
Tips for International Communication
Considerations and Cautions
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
User Guide Instructions, Step by Step
Sample Brief Instructions
Sample Policy
Policy and Procedure on Same Page
Describing and Summarizing Technical Information
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Organizing
Organizing Technical Descriptions
Guidelines: Planning Descriptions and Summaries
Organizing Technical Summaries
Designing
Guidelines: Designing Descriptions and Summaries
Editing
Too Much Information
The List Syndrome
Inconsistent Terminology
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
Object/Product Description
Technical Object and Process Description
Technical Object Description
Abstracts and Executive Summaries
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Steps to...: Creating an Abstract and Executive Summary
Analyzing Your Audience
Organizing
Methods of Organizing Executive Summaries
Guidelines: Organizing Abstracts
Designing
Specific Strategies for Abstracts
Specific Strategies for Executive Summaries
Editing
Avoiding Cut and Paste Style
Avoiding Overly Technical Language
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
Portions of a Contemporary Executive Summary
Traditional Executive Summary
Informative Abstract
Informative Abstract for Funding Proposal
Descriptive Abstract
Reports
Communicating Factual Information
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Defining the Central Problem
Developing a Schedule and Document Specification
Organizing
Components of a Formal Report
Guidelines: Writing an Effective Transmittal Letter
Components of a Progress Report
Using Direct and Indirect Approaches
Creating an Argument
Designing
Formatting
Figures and Tables
Mathematical Equations
Checklist: Using Graphics in Reports
Presenting Statistics and Visual Information Ethically
Editing
Tone
Consistency
Completeness
Passive Voice
Checklist: Style Consistency
Sentence Variety
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
Letter of Transmittal
Sample Brief Report
Sample Progress Report
Sample Medical Report
Sample Final Summary Report
Letter of Transmittal
Sample Report
Proposals
An Overview of Proposal Writing
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Developing Themes
Considering Ethical Issues
Outlining
Organizing
The Executive Summary
The Proposal
Designing
Deciding on an Effective Format
Using Graphics Appropriately
Guidelines: Using Graphics in Proposals
Writing Interpretive Captions
Editing
Stating Your Themes Persuasively
Establishing Equivalence Chains
Writing Sidebars That Work
Steps to...: Creating an Equivalence Chain
Guidelines: Writing Effective Sidebars
Following Up the Proposal Submission
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Sample Documents
Request for Proposal (RFP) Sample
Sample Student Proposal
Sample Short Proposal
Sample Grant Proposal
Electronic Media: Online Help, Web Site Design, and Blogs
Understanding the Differences Between Online and Print Media
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose
Analyzing Your Audience
Organizing
Guidelines: Organizing Hypermedia
Designing
Designing Online Content
Designing Online Graphical User Interfaces
Checklist: Electronic Design Best Practices
Steps to...: Developing GUI Standards
Designing Online Graphics
Guidelines: Using Graphics in Electronic Design
Developing and Designing a Marketing Web site
Guidelines: Creating a Marketing Web Site
Developing and Designing a "Blog"
Editing
Guidelines: Editing Online Documents
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Fliers, Brochures, and Newsletters
Understanding Marketing Writing
Planning and Researching
Determining Your Purpose and Audience
Organizing and Designing
Principles of Marketing Design
Fliers
Brochures
Newsletters
Electronic Delivery: HTML or PDF?
Editing
Tips for International Communication
Guidelines: Writing Marketing Copy
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Projects
Technology Challenge
Professional Presentations
Planning and Researching
Analyzing Your Audience
Planning Grid
Visual Media
Length
Organizing
Introduction Strategy
Presenting the Body
Closing Techniques
Designing
Types of Visual Aids
Selecting the Right Medium
Guidelines: Presenting Visuals
Guidelines: Presenting with PowerPoint
Editing
Using Outlines
Using Note Cards
Practicing Your Delivery
Elements of Delivery
Handling the Question and Answer Period
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Technology Challenge
Sample Document
Presentation Outline
Finding a Job
Understanding Job Application Protocol
Start Early
Steps to...: Finding a Job
Organizing the Search
Types of Technical Jobs
What Job Is Best for You?
Where Do You Want to Work?
Where to Find Leads
Choosing References
Writing Job Application Letters
Steps to...: Creating an Effective Application Letter
Writing Resumes
Guidelines: Writing Effective Resumes
Types of Resumes
Electronic Resumes
Guidelines: Formatting a Scannable Resume
Preparing Professional Portfolios
Components of the Portfolio
Guidelines: Using Keywords in Your Resume
Electronic Portfolios
Interviewing
Guidelines: Interviewing Successfully
Common Interview Questions
Following Up
Tips for International Communication
Quick Review
Exercises
Community Action Project
Technology Challenge
Sample Documents
Job Application Letter
Table of Contents for Technical Writing Portfolio
Thank You Letter
Chronological Resume
Targeted Resume
Function-Oriented Resume
A Quick Guide to Language Issues
ESL (English as a Second Language) Considerations
Abbreviations and Acronyms
Capitalization
Commonly Misspelled Words
Placement of Adverbs and Adjectives
Articles
Pronoun Reference
Gerunds and Infinitives
Idioms
Prepositions
Two-Word Verbs
Present Perfect Verb Tense
Glossary of Usage
Index