Description
For introductory courses in Technical Communication.
All of the topics and genres students need—in fewer pages and at a significantly lower price
Students want their textbooks to cost less, and they want comprehensive topical coverage presented in a succinct and clear writing style. Technical Communication Strategies for Today offers both and speaks to today's students. Instructional narrative is “chunked,” so that portions of text are combined with graphics. The chunked presentation also integrates an awareness of how documents are read—often skimmed by readers seeking the information they need, and it models the way today’s technical documents should be designed.
The contemporary writing style is matched by an approach that accurately reflects the modern day computer-centered technical workplace: Technical Communication Strategies for Today presents computers as thinking tools that powerfully influence how we develop, produce, design, and deliver technical documents and presentations.
MyTechCommLab is not included. Students, if MyTechCommLab is a recommended/mandatory component of the course, please ask your instructor for the correct ISBN and course ID. MyTechCommLab should only be purchased when required by an instructor. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. MyTechCommLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment product designed to personalize learning and improve results. With a wide range of interactive, engaging, and assignable activities, students are encouraged to actively learn and retain tough course concepts.
Features
This title is a Pearson Global Edition. The Editorial team at Pearson has worked closely with educators around the world to include content which is especially relevant to students outside the United States.
- Each chapter places an emphasis on the activity of producing effective documents
by following a process approach that mirrors how professionals communicate in the technical workplace and how students learn in the classroom. - An open design
facilitates learning by presenting material graphically and in accessible chunks of information. - The text incorporates the newest technology-driven changes
in workplace communication with in-depth discussions of email, instant messaging, working in virtual teams, making Web sites, blogging, podcasting, incorporating digital audio and visuals in documents, using PDAs, negotiating ethical situations in electronic communication, and more. Student writers learn practical skills they will be asked to apply in the contemporary workplace. - Annotated sample documents
throughout show students worthwhile examples of workplace writing, usually on topics of intrinsic interest to a variety of student majors. - Exercises and projects
,abundant at the end of each chapter, give students opportunities to work individually or in teams and are designed to challenge students with realistic workplace writing assignments. - "At Work" boxes
in each chapter feature interviews with working professionals about how they communicate in a variety of workplace situations offering students a glimpse of the challenges faced in real world settings. - "Help" boxes
in every chapter describe how a specific computer application or related strategy can be used to improve the production and presentation of workplace communication. - "At a Glance"
information boxes serve as study aids and self-check reviews of major topic discussions for "need-it-quick" information. - "Take Note"
call-outs supplement the main text with tips for understanding concepts and are quick asides to readers who desire more information on a subject. - The Pearson etext
within MyTechCommLab increases flexibility for students who prefer studying online.
MyTechCommLab is not included. Students, if MasteringPhysics is a recommended/mandatory component of the course, please ask your instructor for the correct ISBN and course ID. MasteringPhysics is not a self-paced technology and should only be purchased when required by an instructor. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.
New to this Edition
- New microgenres feature that allows students to work on smaller assignments
that help them build up to more complex genres (Chapters 5-11). - New organization of the text that places all of the major technical communication genres at the front of the book
to encourage students to write earlier in the semester (Part 2). - Chapters on e-mail, letters, and memos
that have been combined to better reflect how e-mail has become a primary form of correspondence in many workplaces. - Strategies for using social networking in the workplace
to collaborate with colleagues and work with clients (Chapter 3 and 15). - Combined chapter on research
that helps students quickly locate electronic, print, and empirical sources and cite them properly. - New sample documents that provide even more examples of the types of communications
you will be generating and reading in the workplace, including a technical description (Chapter 6), a status report (Chapter 9), and a poster presentation (Chapter 10).
Table of Contents
Part 1: Elements of Technical Communication
Chapter 1 Communicating in the Technical Workplace
Developing a Workplace Writing Process
Genres and the Technical Writing Process
Stage 1: Planning and Researching
Stage 2: Organizing and Drafting
Stage 3: Improving the Style
Stage 4: Designing
Stage 5: Revising and Editing
What Is Technical Communication?
Technical Communication Is Interactive and Adaptable
Technical Communication Is Reader Centered
Technical Communication Relies on Teamwork
Technical Communication Is Visual
Technical Communication Has Ethical, Legal, and Political
Dimensions
Technical Communication Is International and Cross-Cultural
How Important Is Technical Communication?
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Chapter 2 Readers and Contexts of Use
Profiling Your Readers
Identifying Your Readers
Profiling Your Readers’ Needs, Values, and Attitudes
Profiling Contexts of Use
Identifying the Context of Use
Using Profiles to Your Own Advantage
International and Cross-Cultural Communication
Differences in Content
Differences in Organization
Differences in Style
Differences in Design
Listen and Learn: The Key to International and Cross-Cultural Communication
At Work: What Are Some Strategies for Communicating with People from Another Culture?
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Installing a Medical Waste Incinerator
Chapter 3 Working in Teams
The Stages of Teaming
Forming: Strategic Planning
Step 1: Define the Project Mission and Objectives
Step 2: Identify Project Outcomes
Step 3: Define Team Member Responsibilities
Step 4: Create a Project Calendar
Step 5: Write Out a Work Plan
Step 6: Agree on How Conflicts Will Be Resolved
Storming: Managing Conflict
Running Effective Meetings
Mediating Conflicts
Firing a Team Member
Norming: Determining Team Roles
Revising Objectives and Outcomes
Help: Virtual Teaming
Identifying Team Roles
Using Groupware to Facilitate Work
Performing: Improving Quality
The Keys to Teaming
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Not a Sunny Day
Chapter 4 Letters, Memos, and E-Mails
Features of Letters, Memos, and E-Mails
Planning and Researching
Determining the Rhetorical Situation
Ethics in the Technical Workplace
What Are Ethics?
Where Do Ethics Come From?
Personal Ethics
Social Ethics
Conservation Ethics
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Help: Stopping Cyberbullying and Computer Harassment
Confronting an Ethical Dilemma
Resolving an Ethical Dilemma
When You Disagree with the Company
Ethics in the Technical Workplace
Copyright Law
Trademarks
At Work: Why Should Technical Professionals Learn About Ethics?
Patents
Privacy
Information Sharing
Proprietary Information
Libel and Slander
Fraud
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: This Company Is Bugging Me
Part 2: Genres of Technical Communication
Chapter 5 Organizing and Drafting
Introduction with a Purpose and a Main Point
Body That Provides Need-to-Know Information
Conclusion That Restates the Main Point
Types of Letters, Memos, and E-Mails
Inquiries
Responses
Claims or Complaints
Adjustments
Refusals
Using Style and Design
Strategies for Developing an Appropriate Style
Designing and Formatting Letters, Envelopes, and Memos
Using E-Mail Internationally
Microgenre: Texting at Work
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Nastygram
Chapter 6 Technical Descriptions and Specifications
Planning and Researching
Planning
Quick Start: Technical Descriptions and Specifications
Researching
Partitioning the Subject
At Work: How Does Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD)
Help Write Descriptions?
Organizing and Drafting
Specific and Precise Title
Introduction with an Overall Description
Description by Features, Functions, or Stages
Description by Senses, Similes, Analogies, and Metaphors
Conclusion
Help: Using Digital Photography in Descriptions
Using Style and Design
Plain, Simple Style
Page Layout That Fits
Graphics That Illustrate
Microgenre: Technical Definitions
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: In the Vapor
Chapter 7 Instructions and Documentation
Planning and Researching
Quick Start: Instructions and Documentation
Planning
Researching
Planning for Cross-Cultural Readers and Contexts
Verbal Considerations
Design Considerations
Organizing and Drafting
Specific and Precise Title
Introduction
List of Parts, Tools, and Conditions Required
Sequentially Ordered Steps
Safety Information
Conclusion That Signals Completion of Task
Using Style and Design
Help: On-Screen Documentation
Plain Style with a Touch of Emotion
Functional, Attractive Page Layout
Graphics That Reinforce Written Text
User-Testing Your Documentation
Microgenre: Emergency Instructions
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Flame
Chapter 8 Proposals
Planning and Researching
Planning
Quick Start: Proposals
Researching
Organizing and Drafting
Writing the Introduction
Describing the Current Situation
Describing the Project Plan
Describing Qualifications
Concluding with Costs and Benefits
Using Style and Design
A Balance of Plain and Persuasive Styles
An Attractive, Functional Design
Microgenre: The Elevator Pitch
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Mole
Chapter 9 Activity Reports
Types of Activity Reports
Progress Reports
Briefings and White Papers
Quick Start: Activity Reports
Incident Reports
Laboratory Reports
Planning and Researching
Analyzing the Rhetorical Situation
Organizing and Drafting
Writing the Introduction
Writing the Body
Writing the Conclusion
Using Style and Design
Using a Plain Style
Using Design and Graphics
Microgenre: The Status Report
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Bad Chemistry
Chapter 10 Analytical Reports
Types of Analytical Reports
Quick Start: Analytical Report
Planning and Researching
Planning
Researching
Organizing and Drafting
Writing the Introduction
At Work: What Is the Most Efficient Way to Write a Report?
Describing Your Methodology
Summarizing the Results of the Study
Discussing Your Results
Stating Your Overall Conclusions and Recommendations
Help: Using Google Drive to Collaborate with InternationalTeams
Drafting Front Matter and Back Matter
Developing Front Matter
Developing Back Matter
Using Style and Design
Using Plain Style in a Persuasive Way
A Straightforward Design
Microgenre: The Poster Presentation
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The X-File
Chapter 11 Starting Your Career
Setting Goals, Making a Plan
Setting Goals
Using a Variety of Job-Seeking Paths
Quick Start: Career Materials
Preparing a Résumé
Types of Résumés
Chronological Résumé
At Work: How Has the Internet Changed the Job Search Process?
Functional Résumé
Designing the Résumé
Writing Effective Application Letters
Content and Organization
Help: Designing a Scannable/Searchable Résumé
Style
Revising and Proofreading the Résumé and Letter
Creating a Professional Portfolio
Collecting Materials
Organizing Your Portfolio
Assembling the Portfolio in a Binder
Creating an Electronic Portfolio
Interviewing Strategies
Preparing for the Interview
At the Interview
Writing Thank You Letters and/or E-Mails
Microgenre: The Bio
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Lie
Part 3: Researching, Designing, Presenting
Chapter 12 Researching and Research Methods
Beginning Your Research
Defining Your Research Subject
Narrowing Your Research Subject
Formulating a Research Question and Hypothesis
Developing a Research Methodology
Mapping Out a Methodology
Describing Your Methodology
Using and Revising Your Methodology
Triangulating Materials
Using Electronic Sources
Using Print Sources
Using Empirical Sources
Managing Information and Taking Notes
Managing Information
Careful Note Taking
Documenting Sources
Avoiding Plagiarism
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Patchwriter
Chapter 13 Designing Documents and Interfaces
Five Principles of Design
Design Principle 1: Balance
Weighting a Page or Screen
Using Grids to Balance a Page Layout
Design Principle 2: Alignment
Design Principle 3: Grouping
Using Headings
Using Borders and Rules
Design Principle 4: Consistency
Choosing Typefaces
Labeling Graphics
Creating Sequential and Nonsequential Lists
Inserting Headers and Footers
Design Principle 5: Contrast
Adding Shading and Background Color
Cross-Cultural Design
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Scorpions Invade
Chapter 14 Creating and Using Graphics
Guidelines for Using Graphics
Guideline One: A Graphic Should Tell a Simple Story
Guideline Two: A Graphic Should Reinforce the Written Text, Not Replace It
Guideline Three: A Graphic Should Be Ethical
Guideline Four: A Graphic Should Be Labeled and Placed Properly
Displaying Data with Graphs, Tables, and Charts
Line Graphs
Bar Charts
Tables
Pie Charts
Flowcharts
Using Pictures and Drawings
Photographs
Inserting Photographs and Other Images
Illustrations
Using Cross-Cultural Symbols
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Looking Guilty
Chapter 15 Preparing and Giving Presentations
Planning and Researching Your Presentation
Defining the Rhetorical Situation
Allotting Your Time
Choosing the Right Presentation Technology
Organizing the Content of Your Presentation
Building the Presentation
The Introduction: Tell Them What You’re Going to Tell Them
Help: Giving Presentations with your iPod, MP3, or Mobile Phone
The Body: Tell Them
At Work: How Can I Overcome My Fear of Speaking in Public?
The Conclusion: Tell Them What You Told Them
Preparing to Answer Questions
Choosing Your Presentation Style
Creating Visuals
Designing Visual Aids
Using Graphics
Slides to Avoid
Delivering the Presentation
Body Language
Voice, Rhythm, and Tone
Using Your Notes
Rehearsing
Evaluating Your Performance
Working Cross-Culturally with Translators
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Coward
Appendix A: Grammar and Punctuation Guide
Appendix B: Documentation Guide
References
Credits
Index
Sample Documents
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