Each chapter concludes with “Quick Review,” “Exercises,” and “Community Action Project” sections.
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 Community Action Projects?
I. BASIC TOOLS.
1. Planning.
Developing a Rhetorical Strategy.
Problem-solving Strategies for Technical Communicators.
Analyzing Your Audience.
Specific Planning Techniques.
Considering the Ethical Dimensions of a Project.
Tips for International Communication.
2. Researching.
Researching to Solve a Problem.
Researching to Understand a Product.
A Systematic Approach to Research.
Finding and Evaluating Sources.
Planning and Conducting Interviews.
Designing Questionnaires.
Using Research to Support Your Document.
Avoiding Plagiarism.
Documenting Sources.
Tips for International Communication.
3. Organizing for Readers.
Setting Reader Expectations (Frontloading).
Dividing Information into Units (Chunking).
Organizing Sections.
Paragraphing Effectively.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENT.
4. Designing the Document: Format and Graphics.
Understanding Visual Design Principles.
Designing Readable Hardcopy Pages.
Deciding When to Use Graphic Illustrations.
Choosing Appropriate Graphics.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
5. Editing for Style.
Creating a Readable Style.
Controlling Wordiness.
Writing Smooth Transitions.
Pacing.
Considering the Ethics of Style.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
6. Collaborating on Writing Projects.
The Collaborative Process.
The Individual Contributor.
The Project Manager.
Phases of the Project.
Tracking the Project.
Establishing Effective Communication.
Conflict and Mediation.
Tips for International Communication.
7. Communicating with Other Cultures
Technical Communication Tasks in the Global Workplace
Culture as More than Stereotype
Key Focus Areas of Cultural Difference
Eastern and Western Thinking Patterns
Collaborating on Multicultural Teams
Guidelines for Collaborating with Email
8. Considering Ethical and Liability Issues.
Ethics Defined.
Social Responsibility.
Types of Ethical Issues.
Guidelines for Ethical Choices.
Information Liability.
Understanding Product Liability Law.
Liability in Writing Marketing Material.
Liability in Writing Safety Information.
Liability in Writing Employee Information.
Understanding Intellectual Property Law.
Tips for International Communication.
II. PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS.
9. Memos, Letters, and E-mail Correspondence.
Comparing Correspondence Modes.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
E-mail.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
10. Instructions, Procedures, and Policies.
The Difference Between Instructions, Procedures, and Policies.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Testing for Usability.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
11. Describing and Summarizing Technical Information.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
12. Abstracts and Executive Summaries.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
13. Reports.
Communicating Factual Information.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
14. Proposals.
An Overview of Proposal Writing.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Following Up the Proposal Submission.
Tips for International Communication.
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
15. Electronic Media: Online Help, Website Design, and Blogs.
Understanding the Differences Between Online and Print Media.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Developing and Designing a Blog.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
16. Flyers, Brochures, and Newsletters.
Understanding Marketing Writing.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing and Designing.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
17. Professional Presentations.
Planning and Researching.
Organizing.
Designing.
Editing.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
SAMPLE DOCUMENT.
18. Finding a Job.
Understanding Job Application Protocol.
Organizing the Search.
Writing Job Application Letters.
Writing Resumes.
Preparing Professional Portfolios.
Interviewing.
Following Up.
Tips for International Communication.
Technology Challenge
SAMPLE DOCUMENTS.
A Quick Guide to Grammar and Punctuation.
Avoiding Ambiguity.
Using Parallel Structure.
Using Consistent Verb Tenses.
Using Commas and Semicolons.
Using Hyphens.
Punctuating Lists.
ESL (English as a Second Language) Considerations.
Glossary of Usage.
Index.