Technical Communication: Process and Product

by Gerson, Sharon; Gerson, Steven

• ISBN13: 9780131196643
• ISBN10: 0131196642
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-01-01
• Publisher: PEARSON EDUCATION

Summary

This full color 5 th edition ofTechnical Writing: Process and Productguides readers through the entire writing process-prewriting, writing, and rewriting-developing an easy-to-use, step-by-step technique for writing the types of documents they will encounter on the job. The authors'reader-friendly style engages readers in the writing process and encourages hands-on application.Discusses prewriting, writing, and rewriting in relation to ethics, audience identification, electronic communication, and the role of technical writing in the workplace.For anyone looking to utilize more effective written communication in their jobs.

Table of Contents

Defining Technical Writing	p. 1
An Introduction to Technical Writing	p. 2
Writing at Work: Gulfview Architectural and Engineering Services	p. 2
Technical Writing: A Definition	p. 3
Technical Writing Scenarios	p. 4
Importance of Technical Writing	p. 6
Teamwork	p. 9
21st-Century Business Management Philosophies	p. 11
Conflict Resolution in Team Meetings	p. 15
Strategies for Successful Collaboration	p. 17
Chapter Highlights	p. 19
Activities	p. 20
Quiz Questions	p. 24
Producing the Product	p. 25
The Writing Process: An Overview	p. 25
Prewriting	p. 26
Writing	p. 36
Rewriting	p. 36
The Process in Practice	p. 38
Chapter Highlights	p. 44
Activities	p. 44
Quiz Questions	p. 46
Objectives in Technical Writing	p. 47
Writing at Work: Comptoday	p. 47
Clarity	p. 48
Conciseness	p. 54
Accuracy	p. 64
Organization	p. 65
Ethics	p. 68
Chapter Highlights	p. 76
Activities	p. 77
Quiz Questions	p. 84
Audience Recognition and Involvement	p. 85
Writing at Work: Home and Business Mortgage (HBM)	p. 85
Audience Recognition	p. 86
Defining Terms for Different Audience Levels	p. 94
Biased Language-Issues of Diversity	p. 96
Multiculturalism	p. 97
Sexist Language	p. 107
Audience Involvement	p. 110
Chapter Highlights	p. 119
Activities	p. 120
Quiz Questions	p. 128
Correspondence	p. 129
Memos and E-mail	p. 130
Writing at Work: Barney Allis Stores	p. 130
The Differences Between Memos and E-mail Messages	p. 131
Memos	p. 131
Sample Memos	p. 139
E-mail	p. 144
Techniques for Writing Effective E-mail Messages	p. 149
Sample E-mail Messages	p. 154
Process	p. 157
Process Log	p. 162
Chapter Highlights	p. 165
Activities	p. 166
Web Workshop	p. 170
Quiz Questions	p. 171
Letters	p. 172
Writing at Work: Compuram	p. 172
Letter Components	p. 173
Letter Wizards and Templates	p. 179
Letter Formats	p. 181
Criteria for Different Types of Letters	p. 185
Process	p. 203
Process Log	p. 208
Chapter Highlights	p. 213
Activities	p. 214
Web Workshop	p. 215
Quiz Questions	p. 217
The Job Search	p. 218
Writing at Work: Diskserve	p. 218
Objectives	p. 219
How to Find Job Openings	p. 219
Criteria for Effective Resumes	p. 222
Methods of Delivery	p. 229
Sample Resumes	p. 236
Criteria for Effective Letters of Application	p. 236
E-Mail Cover Message	p. 238
Sample E-Mail Cover Messages and Letters of Application	p. 239
Techniques for Interviewing Effectively	p. 242
Criteria for Effective Follow-Up Correspondence	p. 244
Sample Follow-Up Letter	p. 244
Checklists	p. 244
Chapter Highlights	p. 246
Activities	p. 247
Web Workshop	p. 249
Quiz Questions	p. 250
Visual Appeal	p. 251
Document Design	p. 252
Importance of Document Design	p. 252
Organization	p. 253
Order	p. 254
Access	p. 257
Variety	p. 262
Summary	p. 266
Chapter Highlights	p. 269
Activities	p. 270
Quiz Questions	p. 274
Graphics	p. 275
Benefits of Visual Aids	p. 275
Color	p. 276
Three-Dimensional Graphics	p. 277
Criteria for Effective Graphics	p. 277
Types of Graphics	p. 278
Chapter Highlights	p. 300
Activities	p. 300
Quiz Questions	p. 304
Technical Applications	p. 305
Fliers, Brochures, and Newsletters	p. 306
Writing at Work: Techtoolshop	p. 306
Objectives	p. 307
Why Write Fliers?	p. 308
Criteria for Writing Fliers	p. 309
Process	p. 312
Why Write Brochures?	p. 312
Criteria for Writing Brochures	p. 312
Process	p. 318
Why Write Newsletters?	p. 322
Criteria for Writing Newsletters	p. 323
Process	p. 325
Chapter Highlights	p. 328
Activities	p. 329
Web Workshop	p. 332
Quiz Questions	p. 332
Technical Descriptions	p. 333
Types of Technical Descriptions	p. 333
Criteria for Writing Technical Descriptions	p. 335
Process	p. 339
Process Log	p. 343
Sample Technical Description	p. 348
Chapter Highlights	p. 350
Activities	p. 350
Web Workshop	p. 351
Quiz Questions	p. 351
Instructions and User Manuals	p. 352
Writing at Work: Phlebotomydr	p. 352
Criteria for Writing Short Instructions	p. 354
Process	p. 362
Process Log	p. 368
Sample Short Instruction	p. 374
Criteria for Writing a User Manual	p. 378
Chapter Highlights	p. 403
Activities	p. 403
Web Workshop	p. 405
Quiz Questions	p. 406
Electronic Communication	p. 407
Online Help and Web Sites	p. 408
Writing at Work: Future Promise	p. 408
The Internet-The "Information Superhighway"	p. 409
The Intranet-A Company's Internal Web	p. 410
The Extranet-A Web Within a Web	p. 411
Online Versus Paper-What's the Difference?	p. 411
Online Help	p. 415
Web Sites	p. 420
Process	p. 428
Chapter Highlights	p. 439
Activities	p. 439
Web Workshop	p. 444
Quiz Questions	p. 444
Report Strategies	p. 446
Research	p. 447
Criteria for Writing Research Reports	p. 447
Process	p. 449
Chapter Highlights	p. 465
Activities	p. 466
Web Workshop	p. 467
Quiz Questions	p. 468
The Summary	p. 469
Criteria for Writing Summaries	p. 470
Process	p. 472
Process Log	p. 476
Chapter Highlights	p. 479
Activities	p. 480
Web Workshop	p. 480
Quiz Questions	p. 480
Reports	p. 482
Writing at Work: Efa Incorporated	p. 482
Criteria for Writing Reports	p. 483
Types of Reports	p. 486
Process	p. 517
Process Log	p. 523
Chapter Highlights	p. 529
Activities	p. 529
Web Workshop	p. 536
Quiz Questions	p. 538
Proposals	p. 539
Writing at Work: Best	p. 539
Criteria for Proposals	p. 540
Process	p. 552
Sample External and Internal Proposals	p. 558
Chapter Highlights	p. 586
Activities	p. 587
Web Workshop	p. 593
Quiz Questions	p. 594
Oral Communication	p. 595
Writing at Work: Techstop	p. 595
Everyday Oral Communication	p. 596
Telephone and Voice Mail	p. 596
Informal Oral Presentations	p. 597
Formal Presentations	p. 597
Parts of a Formal Oral Presentation	p. 599
Visual Aids	p. 604
Powerpoint Presentations	p. 606
The Writing Process	p. 613
Chapter Highlights	p. 623
Activities	p. 624
Quiz Questions	p. 630
Handbook	p. 632
Grammar, Punctuation, Mechanics, and Spelling	p. 633
Grammar Rules	p. 634
Punctuation	p. 642
Mechanics	p. 650
Spelling	p. 657
Proofreader's Marks	p. 658
Activities	p. 658
Grammar Quiz	p. 665
References	p. 668
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