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Technical Communication Today is the first text to incorporate the use of computers into every aspect of technical communication.

Based on a solid core of rhetorical principles, Technical Communication Todayforegrounds how computers help students both think and write and shows them how this tool can help them draft and design documents, collaborate, prepare material for print and Web publication, and make oral presentations. Its goal is to offer a new kind of text, which more accurately reflects the modern day computer-centered workplace.

The text reflects an ongoing evolution in technical communication from literal-linear created to visual-spatial created documents. Its presentation of teaching students how to write integrates a new awareness of how readers read—by “raiding” documents for the information they need. This evolution, which has been provoked by the ubiquitousness of the computer as a communication tool, is changing fundamental writing and reading processes. It is these processes that Technical Communication Today attempts to reflect in its content and structure and that offer a high degree of accessibility for students.

• Each chapter places an emphasis on the activity of producing effective documents by following a process approach that mirrors how professionals communicate in the technical workplace and how students learn in the classroom.

• An open design developed by Dorling-Kindersley, well-known for their innovative style of informative presentation, facilitates learning by presenting material graphically and in accessible chunks of information.

• The text incorporates the newest technology-driven changes in workplace communication with in-depth discussions of email, working in virtual teams, making Web sites, using digital audio and visuals in documents, negotiating electronic ethics, and using instant messaging and PDAs among many other newly available strategies and tools.

• “Help” boxes in every chapter describe how a specific computer application or related strategy can be used to improve the production and presentation of workplace communication.

• “At Work” boxes in each chapter feature interviews with working professionals about how they communicate in a variety of workplace situations offering students a glimpse of the challenges faced in real world settings.

• Annotated sample documents throughout show students worthwhile examples of workplace writing, usually on topics of intrinsic interest to a variety of student majors.

• An abundance of exercises and projects at the end of each chapter gives students opportunities to work individually or in teams and are designed to challenge students with realistic workplace writing assignments.

• Case studies at the end of each chapter present situations that students might encounter in the workplace and often involve an ethical dilemma. These are designed to demonstrate the personal, social, political, economic, and environmental issues that shape decisions in the technical workplace.

• “Go to the Net”icons in the margins throughout the book provide links to the text's extensive Companion Website, which is designed to be used side-by-side with the book. Students are able to view more examples, download worksheets, and learn from other communication-related Web sites. The author of the text is an active presence on the Web site and will answer common questions and provide periodic case studies.

• An extensive Instructor's Manual offers teaching strategies for each chapter. It will be available online and offer additional material for downloading such as slides and Power Point lectures as well as additional suggestions for assignments and projects.

Every chapter includes “Chapter Objectives,” “Chapter Review,” “Exercises and Projects,” as well as an “At Work” box, “At a Glance,” “Go to the Net,” “Take Note,” and “Links” features.

Preface.

I. USING COMPUTERS IN THE TECHNICAL WORKPLACE.

II. THE WRITING PROCESS IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA.

III. WORKING THROUGH THE INTERNET.

IV. GENRES OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION.

Companion Website
Johnson-Sheehan
©2005  |  Longman  |  Website; 0 pp  |  Live
ISBN-10: 0321277309  |  ISBN-13: 9780321277305
This online resource is available at no cost at http://www.ablongman.com/johnsonsheehan1e.
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