Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology and Science

by Vanalstyne, Judith S.

• ISBN13: 9780139547362
• ISBN10: 0139547363
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780130412799
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-01-01
• Publisher: Pearson College Div
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Contains over 200 writing samples covering every technical writing strategy, correspondence, reports, proposals, & graphic constructions discussed offering you the vital skills needed to succeed. Paper. DLC: English language - Technical English.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi	(2)
About the Author	xiii
PART ONE General Communication Strategies	3	(122)
CHAPTER 1 Professional and Technical Communications	3	(23)
Introduction	4	(1)
The Technical Writer	5	(1)
The Value of Technical Writing	5	(1)
Definition	6	(1)
Basic Communication Theories	7	(13)
Ethical Considerations	20	(3)
Writing Projects	23	(3)
CHAPTER 2 The Writing Process	26	(32)
Introduction	27	(1)
Prewriting	28	(2)
Writing the Draft	30	(11)
Postwriting	41	(11)
Checklist: Prewriting, Writing the Draft, and Postwriting Activities	52	(2)
Exercises	54	(3)
Writing Project	57	(1)
CHAPTER 3 Graphics	58	(39)
Introduction	59	(1)
Purposes	60	(1)
General Conventions	61	(3)
Tables	64	(3)
Figures	67	(13)
Other Visuals	80	(8)
Final Words on Effectiveness	88	(4)
Checklist: Graphics and Visuals	92	(2)
Exercises	94	(1)
Writing Projects	95	(2)
CHAPTER 4 Document Design, Presentation, and Production	97	(28)
Introduction	98	(1)
Planning the Document Design	99	(8)
Adding Presentation Features	107	(7)
Production Decisions	114	(2)
Checklist: Document Design, Presentation Features, and Final Production	116	(2)
Exercises	118	(2)
Writing Projects	120	(5)
PART TWO The Technical Strategies	125	(122)
CHAPTER 5 Preparing Manuals	125	(20)
Introduction	126	(1)
Audience	127	(1)
Manual Preparation	128	(13)
Checklist: Preparing Manuals	141	(2)
Exercise	143	(1)
Writing Projects	144	(1)
CHAPTER 6 Defining Terms	145	(22)
Introduction	146	(1)
Audience	147	(1)
Sources of Definitions	148	(1)
Methods	148	(13)
Checklist: Defining Terms	161	(1)
Exercises	162	(1)
Writing Projects	163	(4)
CHAPTER 7 Describing Mechanisms	167	(31)
Introduction	168	(1)
Audience	169	(1)
Organization	169	(24)
Checklist: Writing a Mechanism Description	193	(2)
Exercises	195	(1)
Writing Projects	196	(2)
CHAPTER 8 Giving Instructions	198	(20)
Introduction	199	(1)
Definition	200	(1)
Legal Considerations	200	(1)
Audience Considerations	201	(1)
The Instructions	202	(5)
Visuals and Document Design	207	(7)
Checklist: Writing a Set of Instructions	214	(1)
Exercises	215	(1)
Writing Projects	216	(2)
CHAPTER 9 Analyzing a Process	218	(29)
Introduction	219	(1)
Types of Analysis	220	(1)
Preliminary Considerations	220	(1)
Organization	221	(18)
Checklist: Writing a Process Analysis	239	(3)
Exercises	242	(1)
Writing Projects	242	(5)
PART THREE The Professional Strategies	247	(186)
CHAPTER 10 Correspondence	247	(47)
Introduction	248	(1)
Dating Correspondence	249	(1)
Memorandums, Faxes, and E-Mail	250	(5)
Letters	255	(9)
Envelopes	264	(1)
Content	264	(3)
Positive or Good News Letters	267	(11)
Negative or Bad News Letters	278	(10)
Checklist: Correspondence	288	(2)
Exercises	290	(1)
Writing Projects	291	(3)
CHAPTER 11 Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews	294	(36)
Introduction	295	(4)
Recordkeeping	299	(5)
The Resume	304	(11)
Cover Letter	315	(1)
The Employment Interview	316	(8)
Checklist: Resumes, Cover Letters, and Interviews	324	(3)
Exercises	327	(1)
Writing Projects	328	(1)
Verbal Projects	329	(1)
CHAPTER 12 Brief Reports	330	(47)
Introduction	331	(1)
Receiver/Audience	331	(1)
Format/Graphics	332	(1)
Types of Reports	333	(1)
Analytical Reports	333	(18)
Evaluation Reports	351	(12)
Recommendation Reports	363	(6)
Checklist: Brief Reports	369	(3)
Exercises	372	(3)
Writing Projects	375	(2)
CHAPTER 13 Longer Reports, Proposals	377	(56)
Introduction	378	(1)
Presenting the Longer Report	378	(2)
Table of Contents	380	(1)
Abstracts and Summaries	381	(9)
Proposals	390	(34)
Checklist: Longer Reports and Proposals	424	(2)
Exercises	426	(2)
Writing Project	428	(5)
PART FOUR The Research Strategies	433	(132)
CHAPTER 14 Accessing Information	433	(48)
Introduction	434	(1)
Researching Materials	435	(17)
Personal Computer Searches	452	(4)
Bibliography Cards or Files	456	(2)
Plagiarism	458	(2)
Taking Notes	460	(3)
Surveys and Questionnaires	463	(10)
Other Primary Sources	473	(1)
Checklist: Accessing Information	474	(4)
Exercises	478	(2)
Writing Projects	480	(1)
CHAPTER 15 Writing Professional Papers	481	(35)
Introduction	482	(2)
The Scientific/Technical Paper	484	(5)
Academic Papers	489	(22)
Checklist: Writing Scientific/Technical Articles and Academic Papers	511	(2)
Exercises	513	(1)
Writing Projects	514	(2)
CHAPTER 16 Documenting Reports	516	(49)
Introduction	517	(1)
Computer Assistance	518	(1)
APA System	518	(9)
MLA System	527	(8)
CBE Styles	535	(1)
Number System	535	(3)
Chicago Style	538	(1)
Footnotes	539	(18)
Checklist: Documenting a Research Paper	557	(3)
Exercises	560	(1)
Writing Projects	561	(4)
PART FIVE Presentation Strategies	565	(51)
CHAPTER 17 Verbal Communications	565	(31)
Introduction	566	(1)
Interviews	567	(2)
Telephone Conversations	569	(1)
Other Verbal Communications	570	(3)
Oral Reports	573	(6)
Oral Speech Rating Sheets	579	(1)
Nonverbal Communications	579	(10)
Checklist: Verbal Communications	589	(4)
Exercises	593	(3)
CHAPTER 18 Visual Communications	596	(20)
Introduction	597	(1)
Effective Design	598	(4)
Materials	602	(1)
Plagiarism	603	(1)
Handling Visuals	603	(1)
Types of Visuals	604	(6)
Checklist: Visual Communications	610	(5)
Exercises	615	(1)
Oral/Visual Projects	615	(1)
APPENDIX A Conventions of Construction, Grammar, and Usage	616	(26)
APPENDIX B Punctuation and Mechanical Conventions	642	(19)
Works Consulted	661	(6)
Index	667