Workplace Communications : The Basics

by Searles, George J.

• ISBN13: 9780205271214
• ISBN10: 0205271219
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-02-01
• Publisher: ALLYN & BACON INC

Summary

Workplace Communications: The Basics is the first text specifically intended for applied writing courses in community college and other settings where many students are academically underprepared and therefore intimidated by lengthy, theory-intensive tests. This text focuses instead on the basics of workplace writing by emphasizing practical applications. Written in a simple, conversational style, Workplace Communications is designed to be both accessible and useful, incorporating numerous examples, illustrations, and exercises.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction	1	(2)
1 The Keys to Successful Communication: Purpose, Audience, and Tone	3	(28)
Purpose	4	(1)
Audience	5	(3)
Tone	8	(10)
Exercises	18	(13)
2 Correspondence: Memos and Letters	31	(32)
Memos	32	(6)
Format	32	(3)
E-mail	35	(3)
Checklist: Evaluating a Memo	38	(1)
Exercises	38	(5)
Letters	43	(15)
Checklist: Evaluating a Letter	57	(1)
Exercises	58	(5)
3 Effective Visuals: Tables, Graphs, Charts, and Illustrations	63	(20)
Principles of Effective Visuals	64	(2)
Tables	66	(2)
Graphs	68	(2)
Line Graphs	68	(1)
Bar Graphs	69	(1)
Charts	70	(3)
Flow Charts	71	(1)
Organizational Charts	72	(1)
Circle Charts	72	(1)
Illustrations	73	(7)
Photographs	73	(1)
Drawings	74	(4)
Diagrams	78	(1)
Checklist: Evaluating Visuals	79	(1)
Exercises	80	(3)
4 Short Reports: Page Design, Formats, and Types of Reports	83	(44)
Page Design	84	(6)
Report Formats: Memo, Letter, and Booklet	90	(14)
Types of Reports	104
Incident Report	104	(4)
Progress Report	108	(5)
Recommendation Report	113	(1)
Travel Report	114	(5)
Checklist: Evaluating a Memo Report	119	(1)
Checklist: Evaluating a Letter Report	120	(1)
Checklist: Evaluating a Booklet Report	121
Exercises	119
5 Summaries	127	(14)
Types of Summaries: Descriptive, Informative, and Evaluative	128	(10)
Summarizing Print Sources	131	(5)
Summarizing Non-Print Sources	136	(1)
Checklist: Evaluating a Summary	137	(1)
Exercises	138	(3)
6 Mechanism and Process/Procedure Descriptions	141	(22)
Mechanism Description	142	(10)
Checklist: Evaluating Mechanism Description	145	(7)
Exercises	152	(2)
Process/Procedure Description	154	(7)
Checklist: Evaluating Process/Procedure Description	156	(5)
Exercises	161	(2)
7 Instructions	163	(18)
Instructions	164	(14)
Checklist: Evaluating Instructions	178	(1)
Exercises	178	(3)
8 Job Application Process: Letter, Resume, Interview, and Follow-Up	181	(30)
Application Letter	182	(3)
Resume	185	(12)
Traditional Resumes	191	(4)
Scannable Resumes	195	(2)
Interview	197	(2)
Follow-up	199	(3)
Checklist: Evaluating an Application Letter, Resume, and Follow-Up	201	(1)
Exercises	202	(9)
9 Oral Presentations: Preparation and Delivery	211	(16)
Preparation	212	(5)
Preliminaries	212	(4)
Rehearsal	216	(1)
Delivery	217	(7)
Introductions and Conclusions	217	(2)
Vocal Factors	219	(1)
Physical Factors	220	(1)
Eye Contact	220	(1)
Audiovisuals	221	(2)
Enthusiasm	223	(1)
Checklist: Evaluating a Public Speaker	224	(1)
Exercises	224	(3)
10 Long Reports: Format, Collaboration, and Documentation	227	(32)
Format	228	(3)
Transmittal Document	228	(1)
Title Page	228	(1)
Abstract	229	(1)
Table of Contents	229	(1)
List of Illustrations	229	(1)
Glossary	229	(1)
Text	230	(1)
Visuals	230	(1)
Pagination	230	(1)
Collaboration	231	(2)
Documentation	233	(23)
Bibliography	234	(4)
Parenthetical Citations	238	(17)
Checklist: Evaluating a Long Report	255	(1)
Exercises	256	(3)
Appendix A: Ten Strategies to Improve Your Style	259	(20)
Appendix B: Review of Mechanics: Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar	279	(20)
Index	299