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Technical Writing, 7/E
Diana C. Reep, University of Akron

ISBN-10: 0205603408
ISBN-13: 9780205603404

Publisher: Longman
Copyright: 2009
Format: Paper; 608 pp
Published: 01/28/2008

Suggested retail price: $95.80
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Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies and Readings offers a flexible combination of instructional chapters and readings that reflect the variety of emphases in today's technical writing classroom.

 

The fifteen instructional chapters offer a general introduction to technical communication, while articles from professional journals and Web sites–which constitute about one-fourth of the text–offer insight and advice on specific communication topics, including writing for the Web. Strategy Boxes in each chapter also introduce students to important subjects related to technical communication, such as voice mail and videoconferencing.

 

Each concise and self-contained instructional unit includes extended models and exercises which can be used in class or for collaborative or homework assignments. Students who study technical writing as part of their career preparation in science, business, engineering, social services and technical fields will find this text particularly useful.

  • Includes several models in every chapter, illustrating technical documents and Web pages. Many of these models show successive drafts so students can analyze changes made during the drafting process.
  • Extensive assignments in each chapter provide abundant material for instructors to assign in class or for homework which includes writing assignments specifically designed as individual, collaborative and Internet-related.
  • An appendix offers a convenient reference for the fundamentals of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics of style.
  • Contains readings on subjects such as writing for the Web, usability guidelines, oral presentations, meetings, international communication, and job interviews.
  • Covers job correspondence, including guidelines for traditional, scanned, email and Web-based résumés.
  • Includes guidelines for Web writing and design, including citation of Internet sources, and presents Web pages as models for discussion and exercises.
  • A new appendix on avoiding plagiarism.

    • - New tips on writing for international readers and up-to-date examples of the increasing danger to career success resulting from indiscriminate blogging and Internet use.

    - New exercises in every chapter.

    - New models of documents and Web pages throughout the text include commentary, discussion questions, and in-class exercises.

    - A new Directory of Models in the Table of Contents helps you quickly find the models that illustrate specific document types or styles.

    - New readings give you real-life insight into working in global teams, writing for the Web, handling job interviews, dealing with ethical dilemmas in technical communications, and more.

    - New section on workplace culture in Chapter 15 offers guidance on office communication etiquette, business lunches, and coworker protocol.

    - New section on writing memos to upper management in Chapter 14.

    - New appendix, A Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism.

    Thematic Contents for Part 2 Readings

    Directory of Models

    Preface

     

    Part 1 Technical Writing: Ways of Writing

     

    1 Technical Writing on the Job

        Writing in Organizations

            Diversity in Technical Writing

            Reader/Purpose/Situation

        Writing as a Process

            One Writer's Process

            Stages of Writing

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    2 Collaboration and Ethics

        Writing with Others

            Writing with a Partner

            Writing on a Team

            Writing for Management Review

            Writing for Multiple Reviewers

            Writing with a Technical Editor

        Writing Ethically

            Plagiarism

            Copyright

            Web Logs

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    3 Audience

        Analyzing Readers

            Subject Knowledge

            Position in the Organization

            Personal Attitudes

            Reading Style

            Multiple Readers

            International Readers

        Finding Out About Readers

            Informal Checking

            Interviewing

        Testing Reader-Oriented Documents

            Readers Working as a Group

            Readers Answering Questions

            Readers Performing a Task

            Readers Thinking Aloud

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    4 Organization

        Sorting Information

            Select Major Topics

            Identify Subtopics

        Constructing Outlines

            Informal Outlines

            Formal Outlines

            Topic Outlines

            Sentence Outlines

        Developing Effective Paragraphs

            Unity

            Coherence

            Development

            Patterns for Presenting Information

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

     5 Revision and Style

        Creating a Final Draft

            Global Revision

            Fine-Tuning Revision

            Revising On-Screen

        Making Global Revisions

            Content

            Organization

        Making Fine-Tuning Revisions

            Overloaded Sentences

            Clipped Sentences

            Lengthy Sentences

            Passive Voice

            Jargon

            Sexist Language

            Concrete Versus Abstract Words

            Gobbledygook

            Wordiness

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    6 Document Design

        Understanding Design Features

            Purpose of Design Features

            Design Principles

        Creating Graphic Aids

            Purpose of Graphic Aids

            Tables

            Figures

        Using Format Elements

            Written Cues

            White Space

            Color

            Typographic Devices

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

     7 Writing for the Web

        Planning a Web Site

        Organizing Web Pages

            Home Page

            Information Pages

        Writing Effectively

        Design Elements for Special Groups

            Senior Users

            Special Needs Users

            International Users

        Evaluating Your Web Site

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    8 Definition

        Understanding Definitions

        Writing Informal Definitions

        Writing Formal Sentence Definitions

        Writing Expanded Definitions

            Cause and Effect

            Classification

            Comparison and Contrast

            Description

            Development or History

            Etymology

            Examples

            Method of Operation or Process

            Negation

            Partition

            Stipulation

        Placing Definitions in Documents

            Within the Text

            In an Appendix

            In Footnotes

            In a Glossary

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    9 Description

        Understanding Description

        Planning Descriptions

            Subjects

            Kinds of Information

            Details and Language

            Graphic Aids

        Writing Descriptions

            Organization

            Sections of a Technical Description

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

     10 Instructions, Procedures, and Process Explanations

        Understanding Instructions, Procedures, and Process Explanations

            Instructions

            Procedures

            Process Explanations

            Graphic Aids

        Writing Instructions

            Readers

            Organization

            Details and Language

            Narrative Style Instructions

            Troubleshooting Instructions

        Writing Procedures

            Procedures for One Employee

            Procedures for Several Employees

            Procedures for Handling Equipment and Systems

        Writing Process Explanations

            Readers

            Organization

            Details and Language

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    11 Fomal Report Elements

        Selecting Formal Report Elements

        Writing Front Matter

            Title Page

            Transmittal Letter or Memo

            Table of Contents

            List of Figures

            List of Tables

            Abstract and Executive Summary

        Writing Back Matter

            References

            Glossary/List of Symbols

            Appendixes

        Documenting Sources

            APA System: Citations in the Text

            APA System: List of References

            Number-Reference System

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Models

        Exercises

     

    12 Short and Long Reports

        Understanding Reports

        Developing Short Reports

            Opening-Summary Organization

            Delayed-Summary Organization

        Developing Long Reports

            Planning Long Reports

            Gathering Information

            Evaluating Sources

            Taking Notes

            Interpreting Data

            Drafting Long Reports

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Models

        Exercises

     

    13 Types of Reports

        Understanding Conventional Report Types

        Writing a Feasibility Study

            Purpose

            Organization

        Writing and Incident Report

            Purpose

            Organization

        Writing an Investigative Report

            Purpose

            Organization

        Writing a Progree Report

            Purpose

            Organization

        Writing a Trip Report

            Purpose

            Organization

        Writing a Proposal

            Purpose

            Organization

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Models

        Exercises

     

    14 Letters, Memos, and Email

        Understanding Letters, Memos, and Email

            Letters

            Memos

            Email

        Developing Effective Tone

            Natural Language

            Positive Language

            You-Attitude

        Organizing Letters, Memos, and Email

            Direct Organization

            Indirect Organization

            Persuasive Organization

        Writing Memos

            Memos from Managers

            Memos from Subordinates

        Selecting Letter Format

            Dateline

            Inside Address

            Salutation

            Body

            Close

            Signature Block

            Notations

            Second Page

            Envelope

        Selecting Memo Format

        Selecting Email Format

        Using the Fax

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    15 Career Communication and Workplace Strategies

        Looking for a Job

        Writing Resumes

            Traditional Resumes

            Scannable Resumes

            Email Resumes

            Web-Based Resumes

        Writing Job-Application Letters

        Writing Other Job-Related Letters

            Follow-Up Letters

            Answer to a Job Offer

        Understanding Workplace Culture

            Communication Etiquette

            Coworker Etiquette

            Business Lunch Etiquette

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Models

        Exercises

     

    16 Oral Presentations

        Understanding Oral Presentations

            Purpose

            Advantages

            Disadvantages

            Types of Oral Presentations

        Organizing Oral Presentations

        Preparing for Oral Presentations

        Delivering Oral Presentations

            Rehearsal

            Notes and Outlines

            Voice

            Professional Image

            Gestures

            Eye Contact

            Questions

        Using Visual Aids

            Equipment

            Presentation Software

        Preparing Minutes of Meetings

        Joining a Team Presentation

        Facing International Audiences

        Chapter Summary

        Supplemental Readings in Part 2

        Endnotes

        Exercises

     

    Part 2 Technical Writing: Advice from the Workplace

     

    Bagin, C.B., and Van Doren, J. "How to Avoid Costly Proofreading Errors"

    Barefoot, D.K. "Ten Tips on Writing White Papers"

    Caher, J.M. "Technical Documentation and Legal Liability"

    Doulton, M. "Working in Global Teams"

    Garhan, A. "ePublishing"

    Hart, G.J.S. "PowerPoint Presentations: A Speaker's Guide"

    National Association of Colleges and Employers. "How to Behave in a Behavior-Based Interview"

    Humphries, A.C. "Business Manners"

    International Association of Business Communicators "Code of Ethics for Professional Communicators"

    Jones, S.C. "A Cautionary Tale"

    Nielsen, J. "Guidelines for Visualizing Links"

    Nielsen, J. "Use Old Words When Writing for Findability"

    Rasberry, T.W. "The Buck Stops Here"

    "ResumeMaker's 25 Tips--Interviewing"

    Robinson, J. "Six Tips for Talking Technical When Your Audience Isn't"

    Schafer, R.R. "Ten Tips for Writing Better Web-Based Survey Questions"

    Smith, G.M. "Eleven Commandments for Business Meeting Etiquette"

    Weiss, E.H. "Taking Your Presentation Abroad"

    Wicclair, M.R., and Farkas, D.K. "Ethical Reasoning in Technical Communication: A Practical Framework"

     

     

    Appendix A: Guidelines for Grammar, Punctuation, and Mechanics

        Grammar

            Dangling Modifiers

            Misplaced Modifiers

            Squinting Modifiers

            Parallel Construction

            Pronoun Agreement

            Pronoun Reference

            Reflexive Pronouns

            Sentence Faults

            Subject/Verb Agreement

        Punctuation

            Apostrophe

            Colon

            Comma

            Dash

            Exclamation Point

            Hyphen

            Parentheses

            Question Mark

            Quotation Marks

            Semicolon

            Slash

        Mechanics

            Acronyms and Initialisms

            Brackets

            Capital Letters

            Ellipsis

            Italics

            Measurements

            Numbers

            Symbols and Equations

     

    Appendix B: Frequently Confused Words

     

    Appendix C: A Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism

        What is Plagiarism?

            Significance of Intellectual Honesty

            Intentional Plagiarism

        Documentation: The Key to Avoiding Unintentional Plagiarism

        Identifying Sources and Information That Need to Be Documented

        Documenting Sources in a Works Cited List

            Constructing a Works Cited List in MLA Style

        Using Material Gathered from Sources: Summary, Paraphrase, Quotation

        Creating In-Text References

            Using an Introductory Attribution and a Parenthetical Reference

            Identifying Material by an Author of More Than One Work Used in Your Paper

            Identifying Material That the Source Is Quoting

        Using Correct Grammar and Punctuation to Blend Quotations into a Paper

            Using a Full-Sentence Quotation of Fewer Than Four Lines

            Introducing a Quotation with a Full Sentence

            Introducing a Quotation with "That"

            Quoting Part of a Sentence

            Using a Quotation That Contains Another Quotation

            Adding Information to a Quotation

            Omitting Information From Source Sentences

            Using a Quotation of More Than Four Lines

        Is it Plagiarism? Test Yourself on In-Text References

            Plagiarism Example 1

            Plagiarism Example 2

            Plagiarism Example 3

        Evaluating Sources

        Avoiding Plagiarism: Note-Taking Tips

     

    Credits

    Index

      Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies and Readings offers a flexible combination of instructional chapters and readings that reflect the variety of emphases in today's technical writing classroom.

      The fifteen instructional chapters offer a general introduction to technical communication, while articles from professional journals and Web sites—which constitute about one-fourth of the text—offer insight and advice on specific communication topics, including writing for the Web. Strategy Boxes in each chapter also introduce students to important subjects related to technical communication, such as voice mail and videoconferencing.

      Each concise and self-contained instructional unit includes extended models and exercises which can be used in class or for collaborative or homework assignments. Students who study technical writing as part of their career preparation in science, business, engineering, social services and technical fields will find this text particularly useful.
    • 0321333500Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings, 6/E
      Reep
      © 2006 | Longman | Paper; 608 pages | Instock
      ISBN-10: 0321333500 | ISBN-13: 9780321333506
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