REVEL for Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace -- Combo Access Card

by Gurak, Laura; Lannon, John M.

• ISBN13: 9780135190371
• ISBN10: 0135190371
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Access Card
• Copyright: 2018-07-24
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

For introductory courses in Technical Communication                                                                                          

                                                     

Practical strategies for writing in the modern workplace

Drawn from the strengths of their acclaimed Technical Communication, Gurak and Lannon’s Revel™ Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace helps professionals in all fields adapt their communication strategies as they navigate the global marketplace. This innovative book offers a clear and concise writing style, practical applications, numerous sample documents, coverage of technology and global issues, and many useful checklists to prepare for any situation.

 

The 4th Edition maintains its focus on audience and purpose, while offering many new features – particularly updated discussions and examples of digital communication technologies. And with a fresh new look and brief format, it’s sure to appeal to learners of all writing levels.                                                                                              

                                                                       

Revel is Pearson’s newest way of delivering our respected content. Fully digital and highly engaging, Revel replaces the textbook and gives students everything they need for the course. Informed by extensive research on how people read, think, and learn, Revel is an interactive learning environment that enables students to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience — for less than the cost of a traditional textbook.

 

NOTE: This Revel Combo Access pack includes a Revel access code plus a loose-leaf print reference (delivered by mail) to complement your Revel experience. In addition to this access code, you will need a course invite link, provided by your instructor, to register for and use Revel.

Author Biography

Laura J. Gurak is professor and founding chair of the Department of Writing Studies at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches courses in technical writing and digital communication. She holds an MS in technical communication and a PhD in communication and rhetoric from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is author of two books from Yale University Press, one of which was the first book-length study of online social actions. Gurak is also co-editor of several edited collections and author on numerous conference presentations and papers. She is a recipient of the Society for Technical Communication’s Outstanding Article award. Gurak has authored and coauthored five textbooks in technical communication, published by Pearson. She has worked as a software developer, technical writer, and communications consultant for various companies and organizations.

 

 

John Lannon is Professor Emeritus and former Director of Writing at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, where he developed the undergraduate major in professional writing and later co-developed the MA program in professional writing. He has also taught at Cape Cod Community College, University of Idaho, Southern Vermont College, and University of Strasbourg. He has authored and coauthored five major textbooks in business communication, rhetoric, and technical communication; book reviews; filmstrips; environmental documents; and instructional software. He is the recipient of an NDEA Fellowship and Fulbright Lectureship. He holds a BS, MA and PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. His initial training and work was in biomedical science and technology with the USAF. He has also served as a communications consultant for various companies and government institutions.

Table of Contents

I. FOUNDATIONS

1. Technical Communication: Global, Collaborative, and Digital 

What is Technical Communication? 

Main Features of Technical Communication 

  Focus is on the Reader, Not the Writer 

  Document Design is Efficient and Accessible 

  Writing Style is Clear and Relevant 

  Information is Persuasive, Truthful, and Based on Research 

Three Primary Purposes of Technical Communication 

  Informational Purpose 

  Instructional Purpose 

  Persuasive Purpose 

Common Types of Technical Documents

Technical Communication is Global, Collaborative, and Digital

  Technical Communication is Global

STRATEGIES for Global Technical Communication

  Technical Communication is Collaborative

STRATEGIES for Organizing a Team Project

  Running Successful Meetings

  Identifying and Managing Group Conflicts

STRATEGIES for Running a Meeting

STRATEGIES for Managing Team Conflicts

  Reviewing and Editing the Work of Others

STRATEGIES for Peer Review and Editing

  Technical Communication is Digital

CHECKLIST for Effective Technical Communication

APPLICATIONS

2. The Research Process in Technical Communication

Thinking Critically about Research

STRATEGIES for Thinking Critically about Research

Primary versus Secondary Sources

Exploring Secondary Sources

  How to Locate Secondary Sources

  Types of Secondary Sources

STRATEGIES for Finding Credible, Reliable Secondary Sources

Exploring Primary Sources

  Unsolicited Inquiries

  Informational Interviews

STRATEGIES for Informational Interviews

  Surveys

STRATEGIES for Surveys

  Observations and Experiments

CHECKLIST for Doing Research

APPLICATIONS

3. Providing Audiences with Usable Information

Analyze the Document’s Audience

  Primary and Secondary Audiences

  Relationship with Audience

  Audience’s Technical Background

  Audience’s Cultural Background

STRATEGIES for Analyzing Your Audience

Determine the Document’s Purpose

  Primary and Secondary Purposes

  Intended Use of the Document

Know How to Be Persuasive

  Using Claims as a Basis for Persuasion

  Connecting with Your Audience

STRATEGIES for Persuasion

Create a Task Analysis for the Document

Consider Other Related Usability Factors

  Setting

  Potential Problems

  Length

  Format

  Timing

  Budget

Develop an Information Plan for the Document

Write, Test, Revise, and Proofread the Document

STRATEGIES for Proofreading

CHECKLIST for Usability

APPLICATIONS

4. Recognizing Ethical Issues in Technical Communication

Ethics, Technology, and Communication

Types of Ethical Choices

How Workplace Pressures Affect Ethical Values

Recognizing and Avoiding Ethical Abuses

STRATEGIES for Avoiding Ethical Abuses

CHECKLIST for Ethical Communication

APPLICATIONS

II. BLUEPRINTS

5. Structuring Information for Your Readers

The Importance of an Understandable Structure

Outlining

Chunking

STRATEGIES for Outlining

Sequencing

Paragraphing

  The Topic Sentence

  Paragraph Unity

  Paragraph Coherence

Clarifying Headings

Providing an Overview

CHECKLIST for Structuring Information

APPLICATIONS

6. Writing with a Readable Style

The Importance of a Readable Style

Writing Clearly

  Avoiding Ambiguous Pronoun References

  Avoiding Ambiguous Modifiers

  Using Active Voice Whenever Possible

  Using Passive Voice Selectively

  Avoiding Nominalizations

  Unstack Modifying Nouns

  Avoiding Unnecessary Jargon

Writing Concisely

  Avoiding Wordiness

  Eliminating Redundancy and Repetition

Writing Fluently

  Combining Related Ideas

  Varying Sentence Construction and Length

  Using Parallel Structure

Writing Personably

  Adjusting Your Tone

STRATEGIES for Deciding about Tone

  Avoiding Biased Language

STRATEGIES for Unbiased Usage

CHECKLIST for Style

APPLICATIONS

7. Using Audience-Centered Visuals

The Importance of Using Audience-Centered Visuals

When to Use Visuals

  Using Visuals to Support Text

  Using Visuals on Their Own

Types of Visuals

Tables

STRATEGIES for Creating Tables

  Graphs

STRATEGIES for Creating Graphs

  Charts

STRATEGIES for Creating Charts

  Illustrations and Diagrams

  Photographs

  Videos

  Icons and Symbols

STRATEGIES for Illustrations, Diagrams, Photographs, Videos, Icons, and Symbols

Special Considerations When Using Visuals

  Selecting Appropriate Visuals

  Placing, Cross-Referencing, and Presenting Visuals

  Using Color in Visuals

  Using Visuals Fairly and Accurately

CHECKLIST for Using Audience-Centered Visuals

APPLICATIONS

8. Designing User-Friendly Documents

The Importance of User-Friendly Document Design

Characteristics of Well-Designed Documents

Specific Design Elements

  Designing for Consistency and Cohesiveness

STRATEGIES for Designing: Consistency and Cohesiveness

  Designing for Navigation and Emphasis

STRATEGIES for Designing: Navigation and Emphasis

CHECKLIST for Document Design

APPLICATIONS

III. DOCUMENTS

9. Résumés and Other Employment Materials

Assessing Your Skills and Aptitudes

Researching the Job Market

  Engage in Active Networking

Résumés

  Parts of a Résumé

  Organizing Your Résumé

STRATEGIES for Creating a Résumé

Application Letters

  Solicited Application Letters

  Unsolicited Application Letters

STRATEGIES for Application Letters

Digital versus Print Job Application Materials

STRATEGIES for Digital Job Application Materials

Dossiers, Portfolios, and E-portfolios

  Dossiers

  Portfolios and E-portfolios

STRATEGIES for Dossiers, Portfolios, and E-portfolios

Interviews and Follow-up Letters

  Interviews

  Follow-up Communication

STRATEGIES for Interviews and Follow-up Notes

CHECKLIST for Résumés

CHECKLIST for Job Application Letters

CHECKLIST for Supporting Materials

APPLICATIONS

10. Memos and Letters

Memo Basics, Parts, and Format

  Parts and Format of Memos

Memo Tone

Types of Memos

  Transmittal Memo

  Summary or Follow-up Memo

  Informational Memo

STRATEGIES for Memos

Letter Basics, Parts, and Format

  Letter Parts and Formats

Letter Tone

  Establishing and Maintaining a “You” Perspective

  Being Polite and Tactful

  Using Plain English

  Considering the Needs of International Readers

  Being Direct or Indirect

STRATEGIES for Letters in General

Types of Letters

  Inquiry Letters

STRATEGIES for Inquiry Letters

  Claim Letters

STRATEGIES for Claim Letters

  Sales Letters

STRATEGIES for Sales Letters

  Adjustment Letters

STRATEGIES for Adjustment Letters

CHECKLIST for Memos and Letters

APPLICATIONS

11. Definitions

Audience and Purpose of Definitions

Legal, Safety, and Societal Implications of Definitions

Types of Definitions

  Parenthetical Definitions

  Sentence Definitions

  Expanded Definitions

Methods for Expanding Definitions

  Etymology

  History

  Negation

  Operating Principle

  Analysis of Parts

  Visuals

  Comparison and Contrast

  Required Conditions

  Examples

  Using Multiple Expansion Methods

Placement of Definitions

STRATEGIES for Definitions

CHECKLIST for Definitions

APPLICATIONS

12. Descriptions

Audience and Purpose of Descriptions

Objectivity in Descriptions

Elements of Descriptions

  Title

  Introduction

  Sequence of Topics

  Visuals

  Conclusion

Product and Process Descriptions

A Complex Product Description

A Complex Process Description

STRATEGIES for Descriptions

Specifications

STRATEGIES for Specifications

CHECKLIST for Descriptions and Specifications

APPLICATIONS

13. Instructions and Procedures

Audience and Purpose of Instructions

Types of Instructional Formats

  User Manuals

  Quick Reference Materials

  Assembly Guides

  Web-based Instructions

  Online Instructions

Safety and Legal Implications

Elements of Effective Instructions

  Title

  Overview or Introduction

  Body

  Conclusion

  Visuals

  Notes, Cautions, Warnings, and Danger Notices

Content, Style, and Design Considerations

  Detail and Technicality

  Style

  Design

STRATEGIES for Readable Instructions

STRATEGIES for Accessible Instructions

Procedures

  Audience and Purpose Considerations

  Types of Procedures

Conducting a Usability Survey

STRATEGIES for Instructions and Procedures

CHECKLIST for Instructions and Procedures

APPLICATIONS

14. Summaries

Audience and Purpose of Summaries

Elements of Effective Summaries

  Accuracy

  Completeness

  Conciseness

  Nontechnical Style

Writing Summaries Step by Step

  Step 1: Read the Original Document

  Step 2: Reread and Mark Essential Material

  Step 3: Cut and Paste the Key Information

  Step 4: Redraft the Information into Your Own Organizational Pattern and Words

  Step 5: Edit Your Draft

  Step 6: Compare Your Version with the Original Document

Special Types of Summaries

  Closing Summaries

  Informative Abstracts

  Descriptive Abstracts

  Executive Summaries

Summarizing Information for Social Media

STRATEGIES for Summaries

CHECKLIST for Summaries

APPLICATIONS

15. Informal Reports

Two Categories of Reports: Informational and Analytical

Types of Informational Reports

  Progress Reports

STRATEGIES for Progress Reports

  Periodic Activity Reports

  Trip Reports

STRATEGIES for Periodic Activity Reports

STRATEGIES for Trip Reports

  Meeting Minutes

STRATEGIES for Meeting Minutes

Types of Analytical Reports

  Feasibility Reports

STRATEGIES for Feasibility Reports

  Recommendation Reports

STRATEGIES for Recommendation Reports

  Peer Review Reports

STRATEGIES for Peer Review Reports

CHECKLIST for Informal Reports

APPLICATIONS

16. Formal Reports

Audience and Purpose of Formal Reports

  Comparative Analysis

  Causal Analysis

  Feasibility Analysis

Elements of Effective Formal Reports

  Accurate, Appropriate, and Clearly Interpreted Data

  Clearly Identified Purpose Statement

  Understandable Structure

  Readable Style

  Audience-centered Visuals

  User-friendly Design

Parts of Formal Reports

  Letter of Transmittal

  Front Matter

  Text of the Report

  End Matter

STRATEGIES for Formal Reports

  A Sample Formal Report

CHECKLIST for Formal Reports

APPLICATIONS

17. Proposals

Audience and Purpose of Proposals

Types of Proposals

  Planning Proposals

  Research Proposals

  Sales Proposals

Organization of Informal and Formal Proposals

  Clear Title or Subject Line

  Background Information

  Statement of Problem or Situation

  Description of Solution or Resolution

  Costs, Timing, and Qualifications

  Conclusion

STRATEGIES for Proposals

  A Sample Formal Proposal

CHECKLIST for Proposals

APPLICATIONS

IV. DIGITAL MEDIA AND PRESENTATIONS

18. Email

Workplace Email

  Audience and Purpose of Email

  Components and Organization of Email

Types of Workplace Email

STRATEGIES for Choosing and Using Email

Appropriate Style for Workplace Email

STRATEGIES for Email Style and Tone in the Workplace

Copyright and Privacy in Digital Communication

CHECKLIST for Email

APPLICATIONS

19. Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages

Blogs

  Internal Blogs

  External Blogs

Wikis

  Internal Wikis

  External Wikis

Web Pages

Audience and Purpose of Web Pages

Elements of Effective Web Pages

  Structure

  Style

  Visuals

  Design

Web Page Credibility and Privacy Issues

STRATEGIES for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages

CHECKLIST for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages

APPLICATIONS

20. Social Media

Considering Audience and Purpose

  Audience as Contributor

  Personal versus Workplace Uses of Social Media

Social Media in Technical and Workplace Communication

  Customer Review Sites

  Facebook

  Google+

  Instagram

  LinkedIn and Other Job Sites

  Twitter

  YouTube

  Other Popular Social Media Sites

Credibilty and Legal Issues

STRATEGIES for Social Media

CHECKLIST for Social Media

APPLICATIONS

21. Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing

Audience and Purpose of Oral Presentations

Types of Oral Presentations

  Informative Presentations

  Training Presentations

  Persuasive Presentations

  Action Plan Presentations

Sales Presentations

Parts of Oral Presentations

  Introduction

Body

  Conclusion

Preparing Oral Presentations

  Research and Connect the Topic to Your Audience

  Create an Outline or Storyboard

  Determine a Delivery Style

  Choose Your Technology

  Plan the Use of Visuals

STRATEGIES for Preparing Oral Presentations

  Practice the Presentation

Using Presentation Software

Video Conferencing

STRATEGIES for Using Presentation Software and Video Conferencing

Delivering Oral Presentations

STRATEGIES for Delivering Oral Presentations

CHECKLIST for Oral Presentations

APPLICATIONS

 

Appendix A: Documenting Sources

What Is Plagiarism?

Identifying Sources and Information to be Documented

Taking Effective and Accurate Notes

STRATEGIES for Taking Notes

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing Properly

  Quoting the Work of Others

STRATEGIES for Quoting the Work of Others

  Paraphrasing the Work of Others

STRATEGIES for Paraphrasing the Work of Others

  Summarizing the Work of Others

STRATEGIES for Summarizing the Work of Others

Documentation: The Key to Avoiding Plagiarism

  Why You Should Document

  What You Should Document

  How You Should Document

MLA Documentation Style

  MLA Parenthetical References

  MLA Works Cited Entries

APA Documentation Style

  APA Parenthetical References

  APA Reference Entries

Other Documentation Styles

Recognizing Copyright Issues

  Works in the Public Domain

  Fair Use

  The Difference between Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

Appendix B: A Brief Handbook

Grammar

  Sentence Fragments

  Run-on Sentences

  Comma Splices

  Faulty Agreement–Subject and Verb

  Faulty Agreement–Pronoun and Referent

  Faulty Coordination and Subordination

  Faulty Pronoun Case

Punctuation

  Period

  Question Mark

  Exclamation Point

  Semicolon

  Colon

  Comma

  Apostrophe

  Quotation Marks

  Ellipses

  Brackets

  Italics

  Parentheses

  Dashes

Mechanics

  Abbreviation

  Hyphenation

  Capitalization

  Numbers and Numerals

  Spelling

Usage

Transitions

  Use Transitional Expressions

  Repeat Key Words and Phrases

  Use Forecasting Statements

Lists

  Embedded Lists

  Vertical Lists

Works Cited

Credits

Index