Technical Communication, Global Edition

Höfundar: John M. Lannon; Laura J. Gurak (Útgáfa: 16)
Technical Communication, Global Edition

Kaup valmöguleikar

Technical Communication is designed to help you write persuasively, effectively and with a global perspective on innovations in communication. The text provides straightforward explanations that build from foundational concepts and research to document design and applications. Helpful annotated model documents and figures include examples relevant to today's workplace and make abstract concepts and technical document creation easy to grasp.

Clear objectives appear at the start of every chapter and are reinforced by cases, guidelines and projects that offer meaningful practice. The 16th Edition reflects current innovations in communication for a digitally savvy, diverse and global workforce. Coverage includes Guidelines for Identifying Misinformation, effective and legally sound use of social media and AI's role in the writing process.

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Útgefandi
Pearson International Content
ISBN
9781292751566
Print ISBN
9781292483702
Format
ePub
Útgáfa
16
Höfundar
John M. Lannon; Laura J. Gurak
Tungumál
English
Útgefið
2025-06-11
Prent takmörkun á líftíma
100
Prent takmörkun
2
Afritunar takmörkun
2

Kaflar

  • Front Matter
  • Cover
  • Copyright Page
  • About This Course
  • Content Highlights
  • Note for the Sixteenth Edition: ChatGPT and Technical Communication
  • About the Authors
  • Part 1: Communicating in the Workplace
  • Part 1: Communicating in the Workplace
  • 1: Introduction to Technical Communication
  • Introduction: Introduction to Technical Communication
  • 1.1: What Is Technical Communication?
  • 1.1: What Is Technical Communication?
  • 1.1.1: Technical Communication Is a Digital and a Human Activity
  • 1.1.2: Technical Communication Reaches a Global Audience
  • 1.1.3: Technical Communication Is Part of Most Careers
  • 1.1.4: Technical Communicators Play Many Roles
  • 1.2: Main Features of Technical Communication
  • 1.2: Main Features of Technical Communication
  • 1.2.1: Reader-Centered
  • 1.2.2: Accessible and Efficient
  • 1.2.3: Often Produced by Teams
  • 1.2.4: Delivered in Paper and Digital Versions
  • 1.3: Purposes of Technical Communication
  • 1.3: Purposes of Technical Communication
  • 1.3.1: Documents That Inform
  • 1.3.2: Documents That Instruct
  • 1.3.3: Documents That Persuade
  • 1.4: Preparing Effective Technical Documents
  • 1.4: Preparing Effective Technical Documents
  • Projects: Introduction to Technical Communication
  • Projects: Introduction to Technical Communication
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 2: Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  • Introduction: Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  • 2.1: Analyze Your Document's Audience and Purpose
  • 2.1: Analyze Your Document's Audience and Purpose
  • 2.1.1: Primary and Secondary Audiences
  • 2.1.2: Your Relationship to Your Readers
  • 2.1.3: Purpose of Your Document
  • 2.1.4: Primary and Secondary Purposes
  • 2.1.5: Intended Use of the Document
  • 2.2: Assess the Audience's Technical Background
  • 2.2: Assess the Audience's Technical Background
  • 2.2.1: Highly Technical Audience
  • 2.2.2: Semitechnical Audience
  • 2.2.3: Nontechnical Audience
  • 2.2.4: Audiences with Varying Technical Backgrounds
  • 2.2.5: Digital Documents for Multiple Audiences
  • 2.3: Anticipate Your Audience's Preferences
  • 2.3: Anticipate Your Audience's Preferences
  • 2.3.1: Length and Details
  • 2.3.2: Format and Medium
  • 2.3.3: Tone
  • 2.3.4: Due Date and Timing
  • 2.3.5: Budget
  • 2.3.6: Guidelines for Analyzing Your Audience and Its Use of the Document
  • 2.4: Develop an Audience and Use Profile
  • 2.4: Develop an Audience and Use Profile
  • Checklist: Analyzing Audience and Purpose
  • Checklist: Analyzing Audience and Purpose
  • Projects: Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  • Projects: Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 3: Persuading Your Audience
  • Introduction: Persuading Your Audience
  • 3.1: What Is Persuasion?
  • 3.1: What Is Persuasion?
  • 3.2: Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal
  • 3.2: Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal
  • 3.3: Try to Predict Audience Reaction
  • 3.3: Try to Predict Audience Reaction
  • 3.3.1: Expect Audience Resistance
  • 3.4: Know How to Connect with the Audience
  • 3.4: Know How to Connect with the Audience
  • 3.4.1: Allow for Give-and-Take
  • 3.4.2: Ask for a Specific Response
  • 3.4.3: Never Ask for Too Much
  • 3.5: Recognize All Constraints
  • 3.5: Recognize All Constraints
  • 3.5.1: Organizational Constraints
  • 3.5.2: Legal Constraints
  • 3.5.3: Ethical Constraints
  • 3.5.4: Time Constraints
  • 3.5.5: Social and Psychological Constraints
  • 3.6: Support Your Claims Convincingly
  • 3.6: Support Your Claims Convincingly
  • 3.6.1: Offer Convincing Evidence
  • 3.6.2: Appeal to Common Goals and Values
  • 3.6.3: Consider the Cultural Context
  • 3.7: Persuasion and Social Media
  • 3.7: Persuasion and Social Media
  • 3.7.1: Guidelines for Persuasion
  • 3.8: Shaping Your Argument
  • 3.8: Shaping Your Argument
  • Checklist: Persuasion
  • Checklist: Persuasion
  • Projects: Persuading Your Audience
  • Projects: Persuading Your Audience
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 4: Weighing the Ethical Issues
  • Introduction: Weighing the Ethical Issues
  • 4.1: Recognize Examples and Causes of Unethical Workplace Communication
  • 4.1: Recognize Examples and Causes of Unethical Workplace Communication
  • 4.1.1: Yielding to Social Pressure
  • 4.1.2: Mistaking Groupthink for Teamwork
  • 4.2: Types of Communication Abuses in the Workplace
  • 4.2: Types of Communication Abuses in the Workplace
  • 4.2.1: Suppressing Knowledge the Public Needs
  • 4.2.2: Hiding Conflicts of Interest
  • 4.2.3: Exaggerating Claims about Technology
  • 4.2.4: Falsifying or Fabricating Data
  • 4.2.5: Using Visual Images That Conceal the Truth
  • 4.2.6: Stealing or Divulging Proprietary Information
  • 4.2.7: Withholding Information People Need for Their Jobs
  • 4.2.8: Exploiting Cultural Differences
  • 4.3: Ethical Issues and Social Media
  • 4.3: Ethical Issues and Social Media
  • 4.4: Rely on Critical Thinking for Ethical Decisions
  • 4.4: Rely on Critical Thinking for Ethical Decisions
  • 4.4.1: Reasonable Criteria for Ethical Judgment
  • 4.4.2: Ethical Dilemmas
  • 4.4.3: Anticipate Some Hard Choices
  • 4.5: Learn to Recognize Legal Issues and Plagiarism
  • 4.5: Learn to Recognize Legal Issues and Plagiarism
  • 4.5.1: Learn to Recognize Plagiarism
  • 4.5.2: Blatant versus Unintentional Plagiarism
  • 4.5.3: Plagiarism and the Internet
  • 4.5.4: Plagiarism and Your Career
  • 4.6: Decide When and How to Report Ethical Abuses
  • 4.6: Decide When and How to Report Ethical Abuses
  • 4.6.1: Guidelines for Ethical Communication
  • Checklist: Ethical Communication
  • Checklist: Ethical Communication
  • Projects: Weighing the Ethical Issues
  • Projects: Weighing the Ethical Issues
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 5: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • Introduction: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • 5.1: Teamwork and Project Management
  • 5.1: Teamwork and Project Management
  • 5.1.1: Guidelines for Managing a Collaborative Project
  • 5.2: Teamwork, Virtual and In-Person
  • 5.2: Teamwork, Virtual and In-Person
  • 5.2.1: Guidelines for Running a Meeting
  • 5.3: Identifying and Managing Conflicts in Collaborative Groups
  • 5.3: Identifying and Managing Conflicts in Collaborative Groups
  • 5.3.1: Interpersonal Differences
  • 5.3.2: Gender Differences
  • 5.3.3: Cultural Differences
  • 5.3.4: Managing Group Conflict
  • 5.3.5: Overcoming Differences by Active Listening
  • 5.3.6: Guidelines for Active Listening
  • 5.4: Thinking Creatively
  • 5.4: Thinking Creatively
  • 5.4.1: Brainstorm as a Way of Getting Started
  • 5.4.2: Brainstorming with Digital Technologies
  • 5.4.3: Mind-Mapping
  • 5.4.4: Storyboarding
  • 5.5: Reviewing and Editing Others' Work
  • 5.5: Reviewing and Editing Others' Work
  • 5.5.1: Guidelines for Peer Reviewing and Editing
  • 5.6: Ethical Issues in Workplace Collaboration
  • 5.6: Ethical Issues in Workplace Collaboration
  • 5.6.1: Intimidating One's Peers
  • 5.6.2: Claiming Credit for Others' Work
  • 5.6.3: Hoarding Information
  • 5.7: Global Considerations When Working in Teams
  • 5.7: Global Considerations When Working in Teams
  • 5.7.1: Interpersonal Issues in Global Teams
  • 5.7.2: Guidelines for Communicating on a Global Team
  • Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • Projects: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • Projects: Teamwork and Global Considerations
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 6: An Overview of the Technical Writing Process
  • Introduction: An Overview of the Technical Writing Process
  • 6.1: Critical Thinking in the Writing Process
  • 6.1: Critical Thinking in the Writing Process
  • 6.2: A Sample Writing Situation
  • 6.2: A Sample Writing Situation
  • 6.2.1: Working with the Information
  • 6.2.2: Planning the Document
  • 6.2.3: Drafting the Document
  • 6.2.4: Revising the Document
  • 6.3: Make Proofreading Your Final Step
  • 6.3: Make Proofreading Your Final Step
  • 6.3.1: Guidelines for Proofreading
  • 6.4: Digital Technology and the Writing Process
  • 6.4: Digital Technology and the Writing Process
  • Checklist: Proofreading
  • Checklist: Proofreading
  • Projects: An Overview of the Technical Writing Process
  • Projects: An Overview of the Technical Writing Process
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Part 2: The Research Process
  • Part 2: The Research Process
  • 7: Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  • Introduction: Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  • 7.1: Three Essential Approaches to Research
  • 7.1: Three Essential Approaches to Research
  • 7.1.1: Asking the Right Questions
  • 7.1.2: Exploring a Balance of Views
  • 7.1.3: Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search
  • 7.2: Evaluating and Interpreting Your Findings
  • 7.2: Evaluating and Interpreting Your Findings
  • 7.3: Primary versus Secondary Sources
  • 7.3: Primary versus Secondary Sources
  • 7.4: Exploring Secondary Sources
  • 7.4: Exploring Secondary Sources
  • 7.4.1: Searching for Secondary Sources
  • 7.4.2: Types of Secondary Sources
  • 7.4.3: Guidelines for Online Research
  • 7.5: Exploring Primary Sources
  • 7.5: Exploring Primary Sources
  • 7.5.1: Unsolicited Inquiries
  • 7.5.2: Informational Interviews
  • 7.5.3: Guidelines for Informational Interviews
  • 7.5.4: Surveys
  • 7.5.5: Observations and Experiments
  • 7.5.6: Guidelines for Surveys
  • Projects: Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  • Projects: Thinking Critically about the Research Process
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 8: Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  • Introduction: Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  • 8.1: Evaluate the Sources
  • 8.1: Evaluate the Sources
  • 8.1.1: Pay Special Attention to Evaluating Online Sources
  • 8.2: Evaluate the Evidence
  • 8.2: Evaluate the Evidence
  • 8.3: Interpret Your Findings
  • 8.3: Interpret Your Findings
  • 8.3.1: Identify Your Level of Certainty
  • 8.3.2: Examine the Underlying Assumptions
  • 8.3.3: Be Alert for Personal Bias
  • 8.3.4: Consider Other Possible Interpretations
  • 8.4: Avoid Distorted or Unethical Reasoning
  • 8.4: Avoid Distorted or Unethical Reasoning
  • 8.4.1: Faulty Generalization
  • 8.4.2: Faulty Causal Reasoning
  • 8.4.3: Faulty Statistical Analysis
  • 8.5: Acknowledge the Limits of Research
  • 8.5: Acknowledge the Limits of Research
  • 8.5.1: Obstacles to Validity and Reliability
  • 8.5.2: Flaws in Research Studies
  • 8.5.3: Social Media and Research Reporting
  • 8.5.4: Guidelines for Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  • Checklist: The Research Process
  • Checklist: The Research Process
  • Projects: Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  • Projects: Evaluating and Interpreting Information
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 9: Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information
  • Introduction: Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information
  • 9.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 9.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 9.2: What Readers Expect from a Summary
  • 9.2: What Readers Expect from a Summary
  • 9.3: How to Create a Summary
  • 9.3: How to Create a Summary
  • 9.3.1: Guidelines for Summarizing Information
  • 9.4: Special Types of Summaries
  • 9.4: Special Types of Summaries
  • 9.4.1: Closing Summary
  • 9.4.2: Informative Abstract ("Summary")
  • 9.4.3: Descriptive Abstract ("Abstract")
  • 9.4.4: Executive Abstract
  • 9.5: Summarizing Information for Social Media
  • 9.5: Summarizing Information for Social Media
  • Checklist: Summaries
  • Checklist: Summaries
  • Projects: Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information
  • Projects: Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Part 3: Organization, Style, and Visual Design
  • Part 3: Organization, Style, and Visual Design
  • 10: Organizing for Readers
  • Introduction: Organizing for Readers
  • 10.1: The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents
  • 10.1: The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents
  • 10.2: Outlining
  • 10.2: Outlining
  • 10.2.1: An Outlining Strategy
  • 10.2.2: The Formal Outline
  • 10.2.3: Guidelines for Outlining
  • 10.3: Storyboarding
  • 10.3: Storyboarding
  • 10.4: Paragraphing
  • 10.4: Paragraphing
  • 10.4.1: The Support Paragraph
  • 10.4.2: The Topic Sentence
  • 10.4.3: Paragraph Unity
  • 10.4.4: Paragraph Coherence
  • 10.4.5: Paragraph Length
  • 10.5: Chunking
  • 10.5: Chunking
  • 10.6: Providing an Overview
  • 10.6: Providing an Overview
  • 10.7: Organizing for Social Media and Global Audiences
  • 10.7: Organizing for Social Media and Global Audiences
  • Checklist: Organizing Information
  • Checklist: Organizing Information
  • Projects: Organizing for Readers
  • Projects: Organizing for Readers
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 11: Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  • Introduction: Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  • 11.1: Editing for Clarity
  • 11.1: Editing for Clarity
  • 11.1.1: Avoid Ambiguous Pronoun References
  • 11.1.2: Avoid Ambiguous Modifiers
  • 11.1.3: Unstack Modifying Nouns
  • 11.1.4: Arrange Word Order for Coherence and Emphasis
  • 11.1.5: Use Active Voice Whenever Possible
  • 11.1.6: Use Passive Voice Selectively
  • 11.1.7: Avoid Overstuffed Sentences
  • 11.2: Editing for Conciseness
  • 11.2: Editing for Conciseness
  • 11.2.1: Avoid Wordy Phrases
  • 11.2.2: Eliminate Redundancy
  • 11.2.3: Avoid Needless Repetition
  • 11.2.4: Avoid There Sentence Openers
  • 11.2.5: Avoid Some It Sentence Openers
  • 11.2.6: Delete Needless Prefaces
  • 11.2.7: Avoid Weak Verbs
  • 11.2.8: Avoid Excessive Prepositions
  • 11.2.9: Avoid Nominalizations
  • 11.2.10: Make Negatives Positive
  • 11.2.11: Clean Out Clutter Words
  • 11.2.12: Delete Needless Qualifiers
  • 11.3: Editing for Fluency
  • 11.3: Editing for Fluency
  • 11.3.1: Combine Related Ideas
  • 11.3.2: Vary Sentence Construction and Length
  • 11.3.3: Use Short Sentences for Special Emphasis
  • 11.4: Finding the Exact Words
  • 11.4: Finding the Exact Words
  • 11.4.1: Prefer Simple and Familiar Wording
  • 11.4.2: Avoid Useless Jargon
  • 11.4.3: Use Acronyms Selectively
  • 11.4.4.: Avoid Triteness
  • 11.4.5: Avoid Misleading Euphemisms
  • 11.4.6: Avoid Overstatement
  • 11.4.7: Avoid Imprecise Wording
  • 11.4.8: Be Specific and Concrete
  • 11.4.9: Use Analogies to Sharpen the Image
  • 11.5: Adjusting Your Tone
  • 11.5: Adjusting Your Tone
  • 11.5.1: Guidelines for Deciding about Tone
  • 11.5.2: Consider Using an Occasional Contraction
  • 11.5.3: Address Readers Directly
  • 11.5.4: Use I and We When Appropriate
  • 11.5.5: Prefer the Active Voice
  • 11.5.6: Emphasize the Positive
  • 11.5.7: Avoid an Overly Informal Tone
  • 11.5.8: Avoid Personal Bias
  • 11.5.9: Avoid Biased Language
  • 11.5.10: Guidelines for Avoiding Biased Language
  • 11.6: Global, Legal, and Ethical Implications of Style and Tone
  • 11.6: Global, Legal, and Ethical Implications of Style and Tone
  • 11.7: Digital Writing and Editing
  • 11.7: Digital Writing and Editing
  • Checklist: Style
  • Checklist: Style
  • Projects: Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  • Projects: Editing for a Professional Style and Tone
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 12: Designing Visual Information
  • Introduction: Designing Visual Information
  • 12.1: Why Visuals Matter
  • 12.1: Why Visuals Matter
  • 12.2: When to Use Visuals and How to Choose the Right Ones
  • 12.2: When to Use Visuals and How to Choose the Right Ones
  • 12.2.1: When to Use Visuals
  • 12.2.2: Types of Visuals to Consider
  • 12.2.3: Choosing the Right Visual
  • 12.2.4: Using Software to Create Visuals
  • 12.3: Tables
  • 12.3: Tables
  • 12.3.1: How to Construct a Table
  • 12.4: Graphs
  • 12.4: Graphs
  • 12.4.1: Bar Graphs
  • 12.4.2: Line Graphs
  • 12.4.3: Guidelines for Creating Tables and Graphs
  • 12.5: Charts
  • 12.5: Charts
  • 12.5.1: Pie Charts
  • 12.5.2: Organization Charts
  • 12.5.3: Flowcharts
  • 12.5.4: Tree Charts
  • 12.5.5: Gantt and PERT Charts
  • 12.5.6: Pictograms
  • 12.5.7: Guidelines for Creating Charts
  • 12.6: Graphic Illustrations
  • 12.6: Graphic Illustrations
  • 12.6.1: Diagrams
  • 12.6.2: Photographs
  • 12.6.3: Maps
  • 12.6.4: Symbols and Icons
  • 12.6.5: Infographics
  • 12.6.6: Guidelines for Creating Graphic Illustrations
  • 12.7: Using Color and Presenting Visuals
  • 12.7: Using Color and Presenting Visuals
  • 12.7.1: Use Color to Organize
  • 12.7.2: Use Color to Orient
  • 12.7.3: Use Color to Emphasize
  • 12.7.4: Guidelines for Incorporating Color
  • 12.7.5: Presenting Visuals
  • 12.7.6: Guidelines for Presenting Visuals
  • 12.8: Ethical Considerations
  • 12.8: Ethical Considerations
  • 12.8.1: Present the Real Picture
  • 12.8.2: Present the Complete Picture
  • 12.8.3: Don't Mistake Distortion for Emphasis
  • 12.8.4: Use Copyright Free Visuals or Credit the Work of Others
  • 12.8.5: Guidelines for Obtaining and Citing Visual Material
  • 12.9: Social Media and Visuals
  • 12.9: Social Media and Visuals
  • Checklist: Visuals
  • Checklist: Visuals
  • Projects: Designing Visual Information
  • Projects: Designing Visual Information
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 13: Designing Pages and Documents
  • Introduction: Designing Pages and Documents
  • 13.1: Page Design in Print and Digital Workplace Documents
  • 13.1: Page Design in Print and Digital Workplace Documents
  • 13.2: Design Skills Needed by Technical Communicators
  • 13.2: Design Skills Needed by Technical Communicators
  • 13.2.1: Page Design Programs
  • 13.2.2: Using Styles and Templates
  • 13.2.3: Using Style Guides and Style Sheets
  • 13.3: Creating a Design That Works for Your Readers
  • 13.3: Creating a Design That Works for Your Readers
  • 13.3.1: Shaping the Page
  • 13.3.2: Guidelines for Shaping the Page
  • 13.3.3: Styling the Words and Letters
  • 13.3.4: Guidelines for Styling the Words and Letters
  • 13.3.5: Adding Emphasis
  • 13.3.6: Guidelines for Adding Emphasis
  • 13.3.7: Using Headings for Access and Orientation
  • 13.3.8: Guidelines for Using Headings
  • 13.4: Audience Considerations in Page Design
  • 13.4: Audience Considerations in Page Design
  • 13.5: Designing Digital Documents
  • 13.5: Designing Digital Documents
  • 13.5.1: PDF Files
  • 13.5.2: Web Pages
  • 13.5.3: Smartphones and Tablets
  • 13.5.4: Social Media Posts
  • Checklist: Page Design
  • Checklist: Page Design
  • Projects: Designing Pages and Documents
  • Projects: Designing Pages and Documents
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Part 4: Specific Documents and Applications
  • Part 4: Specific Documents and Applications
  • 14: Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  • Introduction: Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  • 14.1: Email Basics and Types
  • 14.1: Email Basics and Types
  • 14.2: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 14.2: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 14.3: Email Parts and Format
  • 14.3: Email Parts and Format
  • 14.4: Email Style and Tone
  • 14.4: Email Style and Tone
  • 14.4.1: Interpersonal Issues and Email
  • 14.4.2: Choose the Right Approach for the Situation
  • 14.4.3: Email and External Audiences
  • 14.5: Ethical, Legal, and Global Issues When Using Email
  • 14.5: Ethical, Legal, and Global Issues When Using Email
  • 14.5.1: Guidelines for Writing and Using Email
  • Checklist: Email
  • Checklist: Email
  • 14.6: Texts, Chats, and Instant Messaging
  • 14.6: Texts, Chats, and Instant Messaging
  • 14.6.1: Guidelines for Texts
  • Checklist: Text, Chats, and Instant Messaging
  • Checklist: Text, Chats, and Instant Messaging
  • Projects: Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  • Projects: Email, Texts, and Instant Messaging
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 15: Workplace Memos and Letters
  • Introduction: Workplace Memos and Letters
  • 15.1: Memo Basics, Audience, and Purpose
  • 15.1: Memo Basics, Audience, and Purpose
  • 15.2: Memo Parts and Format
  • 15.2: Memo Parts and Format
  • 15.3: Memo Tone
  • 15.3: Memo Tone
  • 15.4: Common Types of Memos
  • 15.4: Common Types of Memos
  • 15.4.1: Transmittal Memo
  • 15.4.2: Summary or Follow-up Memo
  • 15.4.3: Routine Miscellaneous Memo
  • 15.4.4: Guidelines for Memos
  • Checklist: Memos
  • Checklist: Memos
  • 15.5: Letter Basics, Audience, and Purpose
  • 15.5: Letter Basics, Audience, and Purpose
  • 15.6: Letter Parts, Formats, and Design Elements
  • 15.6: Letter Parts, Formats, and Design Elements
  • 15.6.1: Standard Parts
  • 15.6.2: Optional Parts
  • 15.6.3: Formats and Design Features
  • 15.7: Letter Tone
  • 15.7: Letter Tone
  • 15.7.1: Establish and Maintain a "You" Perspective
  • 15.7.2: Be Polite and Tactful
  • 15.7.3: Use Plain English
  • 15.7.4: Decide on a Direct or Indirect Organizing Pattern
  • 15.8: Global and Ethical Considerations when Writing Letters
  • 15.8: Global and Ethical Considerations when Writing Letters
  • 15.8.1: Guidelines for Letters in General
  • 15.9: Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News in Letters
  • 15.9: Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News in Letters
  • 15.10: Common Types of Letters
  • 15.10: Common Types of Letters
  • 15.10.1: Inquiry Letters
  • 15.10.2: Guidelines for Conveying Bad News
  • 15.10.3: Guidelines for Inquiry Letters
  • 15.10.4: Claim Letters
  • 15.10.5: Guidelines for Claim Letters
  • 15.10.6: Sales Letters
  • 15.10.7: Guidelines for Sales Letters
  • 15.10.8: Adjustment Letters
  • 15.10.9: Guidelines for Adjustment Letters
  • Checklist: Letters
  • Checklist: Letters
  • Projects: Workplace Memos and Letters
  • Projects: Workplace Memos and Letters
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 16: Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials
  • Introduction: Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials
  • 16.1: Assessing Your Skills and Aptitudes
  • 16.1: Assessing Your Skills and Aptitudes
  • 16.2: Researching the Job Market
  • 16.2: Researching the Job Market
  • 16.2.1: Plan Your Strategy
  • 16.2.2: Focus Your Search
  • 16.2.3: Explore Employment Resources
  • 16.2.4: Learn to Network
  • 16.3: Résumés
  • 16.3: Résumés
  • 16.3.1: Parts of a Résumé
  • 16.3.2: Using Templates
  • 16.3.3: Organizing Your Résumé
  • 16.3.4: Guidelines for Writing and Designing Your Résumé
  • 16.4: Application Letters
  • 16.4: Application Letters
  • 16.4.1: Solicited Application Letters
  • 16.4.2: Unsolicited Application Letters
  • 16.4.3: Guidelines for Application Letters
  • 16.5: Submitting Your Job Application Documents
  • 16.5: Submitting Your Job Application Documents
  • 16.5.1: Guidelines for Online Job Applications
  • 16.6: Dossiers and Portfolios
  • 16.6: Dossiers and Portfolios
  • 16.6.1: Dossiers
  • 16.6.2: Portfolios
  • 16.6.3: Guidelines for Dossiers and Portfolios
  • 16.7: Interviews and Follow-Up Communication
  • 16.7: Interviews and Follow-Up Communication
  • 16.7.1: Interviews
  • 16.7.2: Follow-Up Communication
  • 16.7.3: Guidelines for Interviews and Follow-Up Communication
  • Checklist: Résumés
  • Checklist: Résumés
  • Checklist: Application Letters
  • Checklist: Application Letters
  • Checklist: Supporting Materials
  • Checklist: Supporting Materials
  • Projects: Résumés and Other Job Search Materials
  • Projects: Résumés and Other Job Search Materials
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 17: Technical Definitions
  • Introduction: Technical Definitions
  • 17.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 17.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 17.2: Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications
  • 17.2: Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications
  • 17.3: Types of Definition
  • 17.3: Types of Definition
  • 17.3.1: Parenthetical Definitions
  • 17.3.2: Sentence Definitions
  • 17.3.3: Expanded Definitions
  • 17.4: Methods for Expanding Definitions:
  • 17.4: Methods for Expanding Definitions:
  • 17.4.1: Etymology
  • 17.4.2: History
  • 17.4.3: Negation
  • 17.4.4: Operating Principle
  • 17.4.5: Analysis of Parts
  • 17.4.6: Visuals
  • 17.4.7: Comparison and Contrast
  • 17.4.8: Required Conditions
  • 17.4.9: Examples
  • 17.4.10: Using Multiple Expansion Methods
  • 17.5: Placing Definitions in a Document
  • 17.5: Placing Definitions in a Document
  • 17.5.1: Guidelines for Definitions
  • Checklist: Definitions
  • Checklist: Definitions
  • Projects: Technical Definitions
  • Projects: Technical Definitions
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 18: Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  • Introduction: Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  • 18.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 18.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 18.2: Objectivity in Technical Descriptions
  • 18.2: Objectivity in Technical Descriptions
  • 18.3: Elements of Descriptions
  • 18.3: Elements of Descriptions
  • 18.3.1: Clear and Limiting Title
  • 18.3.2: Appropriate Level of Detail and Technicality
  • 18.3.3: Visuals
  • 18.3.4: Clearest Descriptive Sequence
  • 18.4: Types of Technical Descriptions
  • 18.4: Types of Technical Descriptions
  • 18.4.1: A Complex Product Description
  • 18.4.2: A Complex Process Description
  • 18.4.3: Guidelines for Descriptions
  • 18.5: Specifications
  • 18.5: Specifications
  • 18.5.1: Types of Specifications
  • 18.5.2: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 18.5.3: Guidelines for Specifications
  • 18.6: Technical Marketing Materials
  • 18.6: Technical Marketing Materials
  • 18.6.1: Guidelines for Technical Marketing Materials
  • Checklist: Technical Descriptions
  • Checklist: Technical Descriptions
  • Checklist: Specifications
  • Checklist: Specifications
  • Checklist: Technical Marketing Materials
  • Checklist: Technical Marketing Materials
  • Projects: Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  • Projects: Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 19: Instructions and Procedures
  • Introduction: Instructions and Procedures
  • 19.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 19.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 19.2: Formats for Instructional Documents
  • 19.2: Formats for Instructional Documents
  • 19.3: Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability
  • 19.3: Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability
  • 19.4: Elements of Effective Instructions
  • 19.4: Elements of Effective Instructions
  • 19.4.1: Clear and Limiting Title
  • 19.4.2: Informed and Accurate Content
  • 19.4.3: Visuals
  • 19.4.4: Appropriate Level of Detail and Technicality
  • 19.4.5: Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Detail in Instructions
  • 19.4.6: Logically Ordered Steps
  • 19.4.7: Notes and Hazard Notices
  • 19.4.8: Readability
  • 19.4.9: Effective Design
  • 19.4.10: Guidelines for Designing Instructions
  • 19.4.11: Introduction-Body-Conclusion Structure
  • 19.5: Online and Social Media Instructions
  • 19.5: Online and Social Media Instructions
  • 19.5.1: Online Instructions
  • 19.5.2: Context-Sensitive Help
  • 19.6: Procedures
  • 19.6: Procedures
  • 19.7: Evaluating the Usability of Instructions and Procedures
  • 19.7: Evaluating the Usability of Instructions and Procedures
  • 19.7.1: Usability and the User Experience
  • 19.7.2: Approaches for Evaluating a Document's Usability
  • Checklist: Instructions and Procedures
  • Checklist: Instructions and Procedures
  • Projects: Instructions and Procedures
  • Projects: Instructions and Procedures
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 20: Informal Reports
  • Introduction: Informal Reports
  • 20.1: Informal versus Formal Reports
  • 20.1: Informal versus Formal Reports
  • 20.2: Informational versus Analytical Reports
  • 20.2: Informational versus Analytical Reports
  • 20.3: Types of Informational Reports
  • 20.3: Types of Informational Reports
  • 20.3.1: Progress Reports
  • 20.3.2: Guidelines for Progress Reports
  • 20.3.3: Periodic Activity Reports
  • 20.3.4: Guidelines for Periodic Activity Reports
  • 20.3.5: Trip Reports
  • 20.3.6: Guidelines for Trip Reports
  • 20.3.7: Meeting Minutes
  • 20.3.8: Guidelines for Meeting Minutes
  • 20.4: Types of Analytical Reports
  • 20.4: Types of Analytical Reports
  • 20.4.1: Feasibility Reports
  • 20.4.2: Guidelines for Feasibility Reports
  • 20.4.3: Recommendation Reports
  • 20.4.4: Guidelines for Recommendation Reports
  • 20.4.5: Justification Reports
  • 20.4.6: Guidelines for Justification Reports
  • 20.4.7: Peer Review Reports
  • 20.4.8: Guidelines for Peer Review Reports
  • Checklist: Informal Reports
  • Checklist: Informal Reports
  • Projects: Informal Reports
  • Projects: Informal Reports
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 21: Formal Analytical Reports
  • Introduction: Formal Analytical Reports
  • 21.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 21.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 21.2: Typical Analytical Problems
  • 21.2: Typical Analytical Problems
  • 21.2.1: Causal Analysis: "Why Does X Happen?"
  • 21.2.2: Comparative Analysis: "Is X OR Y Better for Our Needs?"
  • 21.2.3: Feasibility Analysis: "Is This a Good Idea?"
  • 21.2.4: Combining Types of Analysis
  • 21.3: Elements of an Effective Analysis
  • 21.3: Elements of an Effective Analysis
  • 21.3.1: Clearly Identified Problem or Purpose
  • 21.3.2: Adequate but Not Excessive Data
  • 21.3.3: Accurate and Balanced Data
  • 21.3.4: Fully Interpreted Data
  • 21.3.5: Subordination of Personal Bias
  • 21.3.6: Appropriate Visuals
  • 21.3.7: Valid Conclusions and Recommendations
  • 21.3.8: Self-Assessment
  • 21.4: Structuring a Formal Report
  • 21.4: Structuring a Formal Report
  • 21.4.1: Introduction
  • 21.4.2: Body
  • 21.4.3: Conclusion
  • 21.5: Front Matter and End Matter Supplements
  • 21.5: Front Matter and End Matter Supplements
  • 21.5.1: Front Matter
  • 21.5.2: Text of the Report
  • 21.5.3: End Matter
  • 21.6: A Situation Requiring an Analytical Report
  • 21.6: A Situation Requiring an Analytical Report
  • 21.6.1: The Situation
  • 21.6.2: Audience and Use Profile
  • 21.6.3: Guidelines for Reasoning through an Analytical Problem
  • Checklist: Analytical Reports
  • Checklist: Analytical Reports
  • Projects: Formal Analytical Reports
  • Projects: Formal Analytical Reports
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 22: Proposals
  • Introduction: Proposals
  • 22.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 22.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 22.2: The Proposal Process
  • 22.2: The Proposal Process
  • 22.3: Types of Proposals
  • 22.3: Types of Proposals
  • 22.3.1: Planning Proposals
  • 22.3.2: Research Proposals
  • 22.3.3: Sales Proposals
  • 22.4: Elements of a Persuasive Proposal
  • 22.4: Elements of a Persuasive Proposal
  • 22.4.1: A Forecasting Title or Subject Line
  • 22.4.2: Background Information
  • 22.4.3: Statement of the Problem
  • 22.4.4: Description of Solution
  • 22.4.5: A Clear Focus on Benefits
  • 22.4.6: Honest and Supportable Claims
  • 22.4.7: Appropriate Detail
  • 22.4.8: Readability
  • 22.4.9: A Tone That Connects with Readers
  • 22.4.10: Visuals
  • 22.4.11: Accessible Page Design
  • 22.4.12: Supplements Tailored for a Diverse Audience
  • 22.4.13: Proper Citation of Sources and Contributors
  • 22.5: Structuring a Proposal
  • 22.5: Structuring a Proposal
  • 22.5.1: Introduction
  • 22.5.2: Body
  • 22.5.3: Conclusion
  • 22.6: A Situation Requiring a Formal Proposal
  • 22.6: A Situation Requiring a Formal Proposal
  • 22.6.1: The Situation
  • 22.6.2: Audience and Use Profile
  • 22.6.3: Guidelines for Proposals
  • Checklist: Proposals
  • Checklist: Proposals
  • Projects: Proposals
  • Projects: Proposals
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 23: Presentations and Video Conferencing
  • Introduction: Presentations and Video Conferencing
  • 23.1: Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations
  • 23.1: Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations
  • 23.1.1: Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls
  • 23.2: Planning Your Presentation
  • 23.2: Planning Your Presentation
  • 23.2.1: Analyze Your Audience and Purpose
  • 23.2.2: Analyze Your Speaking Situation
  • 23.2.3: Select a Type of Presentation
  • 23.2.4: Select a Delivery Method
  • 23.3: Preparing Your Presentation
  • 23.3: Preparing Your Presentation
  • 23.3.1: Research Your Topic
  • 23.3.2: Aim for Simplicity and Conciseness
  • 23.3.3: Anticipate Audience Questions
  • 23.3.4: Outline Your Presentation
  • 23.4: Planning Your Visuals and Choosing a Media Format
  • 23.4: Planning Your Visuals and Choosing a Media Format
  • 23.4.1: Decide Which Visuals to Use and Where to Use Them
  • 23.4.2: Create a Storyboard
  • 23.4.3: Use Visuals That Work for the Presentation Environment
  • 23.4.4: Choose the Right Media Format
  • 23.5: Using Presentation Apps Effectively
  • 23.5: Using Presentation Apps Effectively
  • 23.5.1: When and How to Use Handouts
  • 23.5.2: Ethics and the Use of Presentation Apps
  • 23.5.3: Guidelines for Using Presentation Apps
  • 23.6: Delivering Your Presentation
  • 23.6: Delivering Your Presentation
  • 23.6.1: Rehearse Your Delivery
  • 23.6.2: Check the Room and Setting Beforehand
  • 23.6.3: Cultivate the Human Landscape
  • 23.6.4: Keep Your Listeners Oriented
  • 23.6.5: Plan for How You Will Use Any Non-Computer Visual Aids
  • 23.6.6: Manage Your Presentation Style
  • 23.6.7: Manage Your Speaking Situation
  • 23.6.8: Guidelines for Delivering an Presentation and Managing Listener Questions
  • 23.7: Video Presentations
  • 23.7: Video Presentations
  • 23.7.1: Guidelines for Video Presentations
  • Checklist: Presentations
  • Checklist: Presentations
  • Projects: Presentations and Video Conferencing
  • Projects: Presentations and Video Conferencing
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • 24: Web Pages and Social Media
  • Introduction: Web Pages and Social Media
  • 24.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 24.1: Considering Audience and Purpose
  • 24.1.1: Audience as Contributor
  • 24.2: Writing and Designing Web Pages
  • 24.2: Writing and Designing Web Pages
  • 24.2.1: How People Read Web Pages
  • 24.2.2: Writing for Web Pages
  • 24.2.3: Guidelines for Writing Web Pages
  • 24.2.4: Designing Web Pages
  • 24.2.5: Guidelines for Designing Web Pages
  • 24.3: Writing and Designing for Social Media
  • 24.3: Writing and Designing for Social Media
  • 24.3.1: Personal versus Workplace Uses of Social Media
  • 24.3.2: Blogs
  • 24.3.3: Customer Review Sites
  • 24.3.4: Facebook
  • 24.3.5: Instagram
  • 24.3.6: LinkedIn and Other Job Sites
  • 24.3.7: YouTube
  • 24.3.8: X (formerly known as Twitter)
  • 24.3.9: Guidelines for Writing and Using Social Media
  • 24.4: Instructional Video for Social Media
  • 24.4: Instructional Video for Social Media
  • 24.4.1: Guidelines for Creating Instructional Videos for Social Media
  • 24.5: Credibility and Legal Issues
  • 24.5: Credibility and Legal Issues
  • Checklist: Writing and Designing for the Web and Social Media
  • Checklist: Writing and Designing for the Web and Social Media
  • Projects: Web Pages and Social Media
  • Projects: Web Pages and Social Media
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Chapter-end Quiz
  • Part 5: Resources for Technical Writers
  • Part 5: Resources for Technical Writers
  • Appendix A: A Quick Guide to Documentation
  • A.1: Taking Notes
  • A.1: Taking Notes
  • A.1.1: Guidelines for Taking Notes
  • A.2: Quoting the Work of Others
  • A.2: Quoting the Work of Others
  • A.2.1: Guidelines for Quoting
  • A.3: Paraphrasing the Work of Others
  • A.3: Paraphrasing the Work of Others
  • A.3.1: Guidelines for Paraphrasing
  • A.4: What You Should Document
  • A.4: What You Should Document
  • A.5: How You Should Document
  • A.5: How You Should Document
  • A.6: MLA Documentation Style
  • A.6: MLA Documentation Style
  • A.6.1: MLA Parenthetical References
  • A.6.2: MLA Works Cited Entries
  • A.6.3: MLA Sample Works Cited Pages
  • A.6.4: Discussion of Figure A4
  • A.7: APA Documentation Style
  • A.7: APA Documentation Style
  • A.7.1: APA Parenthetical References
  • A.7.2: APA Reference List Entries
  • A.7.3: APA Sample Reference List
  • A.7.4: Discussion of Figure A5
  • Appendix B: A Quick Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics
  • B.1: Grammar
  • B.1: Grammar
  • B.1.1: Sentence Fragments
  • B.1.2: Run-On Sentences
  • B.1.3: Comma Splices
  • B.1.4: Faulty Agreement--Subject and Verb
  • B.1.5: Faulty Agreement--Pronoun and Referent
  • B.1.6: Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
  • B.1.7: Faulty Parallelism
  • B.1.8: Faulty Coordination
  • B.1.9: Faulty Subordination
  • B.1.10: Faulty Pronoun Case
  • B.2: Punctuation
  • B.2: Punctuation
  • B.2.1: Period
  • B.2.2: Question Mark
  • B.2.3: Exclamation Point
  • B.2.4: Semicolon
  • B.2.5: Colon
  • B.2.6: Comma
  • B.2.7: Apostrophe
  • B.2.8: Quotation Marks
  • B.2.9: Ellipses
  • B.2.10: Brackets
  • B.2.11: Italics
  • B.2.12: Parentheses
  • B.2.13: Dashes
  • B.3: Mechanics
  • B.3: Mechanics
  • B.3.1: Abbreviation
  • B.3.2: Hyphenation
  • B.3.3: Capitalization
  • B.3.4: Numbers and Numerals
  • B.3.5: Spelling
  • B.4: Usage
  • B.4: Usage
  • B.5: Transitions
  • B.5: Transitions
  • B.5.1: Use Transitional Expressions
  • B.5.2: Repeat Key Words and Phrases
  • B.5.3: Use Forecasting Statements
  • B.6: Lists
  • B.6: Lists
  • B.6.1: Embedded Lists
  • B.6.2: Vertical Lists
  • Works Cited & Credits
  • Works Cited
  • Works Cited
  • Credits
  • Credits
  • Footnotes
  • Glossary