Technical Communication - Info and Reading Options

"Technical Communication" Table Of Contents:

• 1- PART I
• 2- COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE
• 3- Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
• 4- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 5- What is Technical Communication?
• 6- Technical Communication Is a Digital and a Human Activity
• 7- Technical Communication Reaches a Diverse Audience
• 8- Technical Communication Is Part of Most Careers
• 9- Technical Communicators Play Many Roles
• 10- Characteristics of Effective Technical Communication
• 11- Purposes of Technical Communication
• 12- Types of Technical Communication
• 13- Preparing an Effective Technical Document
• 14- Case: Providing Information Readers Can Use
• 15- Case: Being Persuasive
• 16- Case: Considering the Ethical Issues
• 17- Case: Working on a Team and Thinking Globally
• 18- Consider This: Most Workplace Settings Have a Virtual Component
• 19- Projects
• 20- Chapter 2: MEETING THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC AUDIENCES
• 21- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 22- Know What Different Audiences Expect
• 23- Analyze Your Document’s Audience and Purpose
• 24- Assess the Audience’s Technical Background
• 25- Case: Tailoring a Single Document for Multiple Audiences
• 26- Identify the Audiences’ Cultural Background
• 27- Anticipate Your Audience’s Preferences
• 28- Guidelines for Analyzing Audience and Purpose
• 29- Develop an Audience and Use Profile
• 30- Case: Developing an Audience and Use Profile
• 31- Brainstorm as a Way of Getting Started
• 32- Consider This: Failure to Communicate with the Audience Can Have Drastic Consequences
• 33- Checklist: Analyzing Audience and Purpose
• 34- Projects
• 35- Chapter 3: PERSUADING YOUR READERS
• 36- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 37- Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal
• 38- Try to Predict Audience Reaction
• 39- Expect Audience Resistance
• 40- Know How to Connect with the Audience
• 41- Case: Connecting with the Audience
• 42- Allow for Give-and-Take
• 43- Ask for a Specific Response
• 44- Never Ask for Too Much
• 45- Recognize All Constraints
• 46- Consider This: People Often React Emotionally to Persuasive Appeals
• 47- Support Your Claims Convincingly
• 48- Consider the Cultural Context
• 49- Guidelines for Persuasion
• 50- Shaping Your Argument
• 51- Checklist: Persuasion
• 52- Projects
• 53- Chapter 4: WEIGHING THE ETHICAL ISSUES
• 54- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 55- Recognize Unethical Communication in the Workplace
• 56- Know the Major Causes of Unethical Communication
• 57- Understand the Potential for Communication Abuse
• 58- Rely on Critical Thinking for Ethical Decisions
• 59- Anticipate Some Hard Choices
• 60- Case: A Hard Choice
• 61- Never Depend Only on Legal Guidelines
• 62- Learn To Recognize Plagiarism
• 63- Consider This- Ethical Standards Are Good for Business
• 64- Decide Where and How to Report Ethical Abuses
• 65- Checklist: Ethical Communication
• 66- Guidelines for Ethical Communication
• 67- Projects
• 68- Chapter 5: TEAMWORK AND GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS
• 69- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 70- Teamwork and Project Management
• 71- Guidelines for Managing a Collaborative Project
• 72- Conducting Meetings
• 73- Guidelines for Running a Meeting
• 74- Sources of Conflict in Collaborative Groups
• 75- Managing Group Conflict
• 76- Overcoming Difference by Active Listening
• 77- Guidelines for Active Listening
• 78- Thinking Creatively
• 79- Reviewing and Editing Others’ Work
• 80- Guidelines for Peer Reviewing and Editing
• 81- Ethical abuses in Workplace Collaboration
• 82- Global Considerations when Working in Teams
• 83- Guidelines for Global Team Communication
• 84- Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations
• 85- Projects
• 86- Chapter 6: AN OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL WRITING PROCESS
• 87- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 88- Critical Thinking in the Writing Process
• 89- A Sample Writing Situation
• 90- Make Proofreading Your Final Step
• 91- Guidelines for Proofreading
• 92- Checklist: Proofreading
• 93- Limitations of Writing with Digital Technology
• 94- Projects
• 95- PART II
• 96- THE RESEARCH PROCESS
• 97- Chapter 7: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROCESS
• 98- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 99- Asking the Right Questions
• 100- Case: Defining and Refining a Research Question
• 101- Exploring a Balance of Views
• 102- Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search
• 103- Evaluating Your Finding
• 104- Interpreting Your Findings
• 105- Guidelines for Thinking Critically about Research
• 106- Primary versus Secondary Sources
• 107- Exploring Secondary Sources
• 108- Guidelines for Researching on the Internet
• 109- Exploring Primary Sources
• 110- Guidelines for Informational Interviews
• 111- Guidelines for Surveys
• 112- Consider This: Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright
• 113- Checklist: Doing Research
• 114- Projects
• 115- Chapter 8: EVALUATING AND INTERPRETING INFORMATION
• 116- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 117- Evaluate the Sources
• 118- Evaluate the Evidence
• 119- Interpret Your Findings
• 120- Consider This: Standards of Proof Vary for Different Audiences and Cultural
• 121- Avoid Distorted or Unethical Reasoning
• 122- Acknowledge the Limits of Research
• 123- Guidelines for Evaluating and Interpreting Information
• 124- Checklist: Evaluating and Interpreting Information
• 125- Projects
• 126- Chapter 9: SUMMARIZING RESEARCH FINDINGS AND OTHER COMPLEX INFORMATION
• 127- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 128- Audience and Purpose
• 129- What Readers Expect from a Summary
• 130- Guidelines for Summarizing Information
• 131- A Situation Requiring a Summary
• 132- Special Types of Summaries
• 133- Ethical and Global Considerations in Summarizing Information
• 134- Checklist: Summaries
• 135- Projects
• 136- PART III
• 137- ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN
• 138- Chapter 10: ORGANIZING FOR READERS
• 139- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 140- The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents
• 141- Outlining
• 142- Guidelines for Outlining
• 143- Storyboarding
• 144- Paragraphing
• 145- Sequencing
• 146- Chunking
• 147- Producing and Overview
• 148- Organizing for Global Audiences
• 149- Checklist for Organizing Information
• 150- Projects
• 151- Chapter 11: EDITING FOR A PROFESSIONAL STYLE AND TONE
• 152- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 153- Editing for Clarity
• 154- Editing for Conciseness
• 155- Editing for Fluency
• 156- Finding the Exact Words
• 157- Adjusting Your Tone
• 158- Guidelines for Deciding about Tone
• 159- Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage
• 160- Guidelines for Inoffensive Usage
• 161- Considering the Global Context
• 162- Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice
• 163- Using Automated Editing Tools Effectively
• 164- Checklist: Style
• 165- Projects
• 166- Chapter 12: DESIGNING VISUAL INFORMATION
• 167- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 168- Why Visuals Matter
• 169- When to Use Visuals
• 170- Types of Visuals to Consider
• 171- How to Choose the Right Visuals for Your Readers
• 172- Tables
• 173- Graphs
• 174- Guidelines for Creating Tables and Graphs
• 175- Charts
• 176- Guidelines for Creating Charts
• 177- Graphic Illustrations
• 178- Guidelines for Creating Graphic Illustrations
• 179- Photographs
• 180- Guidelines for Using Photographs
• 181- Videos
• 182- Guidelines for Using Videos
• 183- Software and Downloadable Images
• 184- Using Color
• 185- Guidelines for Incorporating Color
• 186- Ethical Considerations
• 187- Guidelines for Obtaining and Citing Visual Material
• 188- Cultural Considerations
• 189- Guidelines for Fitting Visuals with Text
• 190- Checklist: Effective Use of Visuals
• 191- Projects
• 192- Chapter 13: DESIGNING PAGES AND DOCUMENTS
• 193- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 194- Page Design in Workplace Documents
• 195- How Page Design Transforms a Document
• 196- Design Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace
• 197- Creating a Design that Works for Your Readers
• 198- Guidelines for Shaping the Page
• 199- Guidelines for Styling the Words and Letters
• 200- Guidelines for Adding Emphasis
• 201- Guidelines for Using Headings for Access and Orientation
• 202- Audience Considerations in Page Design
• 203- Designing Digital Documents
• 204- Checklist: Effective Page Design
• 205- Projects
• 206- PART IV
• 207- SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS
• 208- Chapter 14:DESIGNING AND TESTING DOCUMENTS FOR USABILITY
• 209- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 210- Why Usable Design Is Essential
• 211- Achieving a Usable Design
• 212- Creating a Document Plan
• 213- Writing, Testing, and Revising your Document
• 214- Guidelines for Preparing a Document and Testing it for Usability
• 215- Ethical and Global Issues Affecting Usability
• 216- Usability Issues in Online or Multimedia Documents
• 217- Checklist: for Usability
• 218- Projects
• 219- Chapter 15: MEMOS
• 220- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 221- Considering your Audience and Purpose
• 222- Memo Parts and Format
• 223- Memo Tone
• 224- Common Types of Memos
• 225- Guidelines for Memos
• 226- Checklist: Memos
• 227- Projects
• 228- Chapter 16: EMAIL AND INSTANT MESSAGING
• 229- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 230- Email
• 231- Email Style and Tone
• 232- Using Visuals with Email
• 233- Ethical Issues when Using Email
• 234- Global Considerations When Using Email
• 235- Guidelines for Writing and Using Email
• 236- Guidelines for Choosing Email versus Paper, Telephone, or Fax
• 237- Instant Messaging
• 238- Instant Messaging: Considering Audience and Purpose
• 239- Guidelines for Instant Messaging
• 240- Checklist for Email and Instant Messaging
• 241- Projects
• 242- Chapter 17: WORKPLACE LETTERS
• 243- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 244- Considering Your Audience and Purpose
• 245- Letter Parts, Format, and Design Elements
• 246- Letter Tone
• 247- Global and Ethical Considerations
• 248- Guidelines for Letters in General
• 249- Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News
• 250- Guidelines for Conveying Bad News
• 251- Common Types of Letters
• 252- Guidelines for Inquiry Letters
• 253- Guidelines for Claim Letters
• 254- Guidelines for Sales Letters
• 255- Guidelines for Adjustment Letters, Granting Adjustments and Refusing Adjustments
• 256- Checklist for Letters
• 257- Projects
• 258- Chapter 18: RÉSUMÉS AND OTHER JOB-SEARCH MATERIALS
• 259- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 260- Assessing Yours Skills and Aptitudes
• 261- Researching the Job Market
• 262- Résumés
• 263- Considering Your Audience and Purpose
• 264- Guidelines for Hard CopyRésumés
• 265- Guidelines for Scannable and Emailed Résumés
• 266- Guidelines for Online Résumés
• 267- Application Letters
• 268- Guidelines for Application Letters
• 269- Consider This: How applicants are Screened for Personal Qualities
• 270- Dossiers, Portfolios, and Webfolios
• 271- Guidelines Dossiers, Portfolos, and Webfolios
• 272- Interviews and Follow up Letters
• 273- Guidelines for Interviews and Follow-Up Letters
• 274- Checklist: Résumés
• 275- Checklist: Application Letters
• 276- Checklist: Supporting Material
• 277- Projects
• 278- Chapter 19: TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS
• 279- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 280- Audience and Purpose
• 281- Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications
• 282- Types of Definition
• 283- Methods for Expanding Definitions
• 284- Situations Requiring Definitions
• 285- Placement of Definitions in a Document
• 286- Guidelines for Definitions
• 287- Checklist for Definitions
• 288- Projects
• 289- Chapter 20: TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND MARKETING MATERIALS
• 290- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 291- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 292- Types of Technical Descriptions
• 293- Objectivity in Technical Descriptions
• 294- Elements of a Usable Description
• 295- An Outline and Model for Product Description
• 296- A Situation Requiring Product Description
• 297- An Outline for Process Description
• 298- A Situation Requiring Process Description
• 299- Case: A Process Description for a Nontechnical Audience
• 300- Guidelines for Descriptions
• 301- Specifications
• 302- Guidelines for Specifications
• 303- Technical Marketing Materials
• 304- Guidelines for Technical Marketing Materials
• 305- Checklist: Technical Descriptions
• 306- Checklist: Specifications
• 307- Checklist: Technical Marketing Materials
• 308- Projects
• 309- Chapter 21: INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES
• 310- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 311- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 312- Formats for Instructional Documents
• 313- Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability
• 314- Elements of Effective Instructions
• 315- Guidelines for Providing Appropriate Detail
• 316- Guidelines for Designing Instructions
• 317- An Outline for Instructions
• 318- A Situation Requiring Instructions
• 319- Digital and Online Instructions
• 320- Video Instructions
• 321- Evaluating the Usability of Instructional Documents
• 322- Procedures
• 323- Checklist: Effective Instructions and Procedures
• 324- Projects
• 325- Chapter 22 : INFORMAL REPORTS
• 326- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 327- Informational versus Analytical Reports
• 328- Progress Reports
• 329- Guidelines for Progress Reports
• 330- Periodic Activity Reports
• 331- Guidelines for Periodic Activity Reports
• 332- Trip Reports
• 333- Guidelines for Trip Reports
• 334- Meeting Minutes
• 335- Guidelines for Meeting Minutes
• 336- Feasibility Reports
• 337- Guidelines for Feasibility Reports
• 338- Recommendation Reports
• 339- Guidelines for Recommendation Reports
• 340- Justification Reports
• 341- Guidelines for Justification Reports
• 342- Peer Review Reports
• 343- Guidelines for Peer Review Reports
• 344- Checklist: Informal Reports
• 345- Projects
• 346- Chapter 23: FORMAL ANALYTICAL REPORTS
• 347- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 348- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 349- Typical Analytical Problems
• 350- Case: The Reasoning Process in Casual Analysis
• 351- Case: The Reasoning Process in Comparative Analysis
• 352- Case: The Reasoning Process in Feasibility Analysis
• 353- Elements of a an Effective Analysis
• 354- An Outline and Model for Analytical Reports
• 355- Front Matter and End Matter
• 356- A Situation Requiring an Analytical Report
• 357- Guidelines for Reasoning through an Analytical Problem
• 358- Checklist: Analytical Reports
• 359- Projects
• 360- Chapter 24: PROPOSALS
• 361- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 362- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 363- The Proposal Process
• 364- Case: Submitting a Competitive Proposal
• 365- Types of Proposals
• 366- Elements of a Persuasive Proposal
• 367- An Outline and Model for Proposals
• 368- Guidelines for Proposals
• 369- Situation Requiring a Formal Proposal
• 370- Checklist: Usability of Proposals
• 371- Projects
• 372- Chapter 25: ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS
• 373- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 374- Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations
• 375- Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls
• 376- Planning Your Presentation
• 377- Preparing Your Presentation
• 378- Planning and Creating Your Visuals
• 379- Guidelines for Readable Visuals
• 380- Guidelines for Understandable Visuals
• 381- Choosing the Right Technology
• 382- Using Presentation Software
• 383- Case: PowerPoint and the Space Shuttle ColumbiaDisaster
• 384- Guidelines for Using Presentation Software
• 385- Delivering Your Presentation
• 386- Guidelines for Using Visual Aids
• 387- Guidelines forManaging Listener Questions
• 388- Guidelines for Delivering Oral Presentations
• 389- Consider This: Cross Cultural Audiences May Have Specific Expectations
• 390- Webinars and Distance Presentations
• 391- Guidelines forWebinars and Distance Presentations
• 392- Checklist: Oral Presentations
• 393- Projects
• 394- Chapter 26: WEB PAGES
• 395- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 396- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 397- How Readers Read Web Pages
• 398- Writing for the Web
• 399- Guidelines for Writing Web Pages
• 400- Designing Web Pages
• 401- Guidelines for Designing Web Pages
• 402- Techniques and Technologies for Creating Web Sites
• 403- Global Issues and Web Pages
• 404- Guidelines for Addressing Global Audiences
• 405- Ethical and Legal Considerations for Web Sites
• 406- Checklist: Web Pages
• 407- Projects
• 408- Chapter 27: BLOGS, WIKIS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS
• 409- Learning Objectives for This Chapter
• 410- Considering Audience and Purpose
• 411- Using Blogs for Technical Communication
• 412- Using Wikis for Technical Communication
• 413- Guidelines for Writing and Using Blogs and Wikis
• 414- Using Social Networks for Technical Communication
• 415- Guidelines for Writing and Using Social Networks
• 416- Ethical and Legal Considerations
• 417- Consider This: Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks Change How We Work and Learn
• 418- Checklist: Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks
• 419- Projects

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