Technical Communication Today
3rd Edition
Published on 12. February 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
792 pages
978-0-205-63244-2 (ISBN)
Description
Remaining firmly rooted in core rhetorical principles, Technical Communication Today presents computers as thinking tools that powerfully influence how we develop, produce, design, and deliver technical documents and presentations. Clear instruction describes technical documents and guides the reader through the activity of producing them, while a "chunked" narrative style, combining text with graphics, facilitates learning and models the way today's technical documents should be designed.
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 200 mm
Weight
1100 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-205-63244-2 (9780205632442)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
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Richard Johnson-Sheehan
Technical Communication Today
Book
09/2011
4th Edition
Pearson
€121.80
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Richard Johnson-Sheehan
Technical Communication Today with NEW MyTechCommLab with eText -- Access Card Package
Book
08/2011
4th Edition
Longman Inc
€106.45
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Richard Johnson-Sheehan
Technical Communication Today
Book
08/2007
2nd Edition
Pearson
€60.65
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
Preface
PART ONE ELEMENTS OF TECHNICAL COMMUNCATION
1 Communicating in the Workplace
How Important is Technical Communication?
What is Technical Communication?
Technical Communication: Actions, Words, Images
Your Career and Technical Communication
Help: How to Learn New Software Quickly
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
2 The Technical Writing Process Today
Genres in Technical Communication
Genres and the Technical Writing Process
Stage 1: Planning and Researching
Stage 2: Organizing and Drafting
Help: Using Your Computer to Overcome Writer's Block
Stage 3: Improving the Style
Stage 4: Designing
Stage 5: Revising and Editing
Developing Your Own Writing Process
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Changing Bad Habits
3 Readers and Context of Use
Profiling Your Readers
Help: Profiling Readers with Search Engines
Profiling Contexts of Use
Using Profiles to Your Own Advantage
International and Cross-Cultural Communication
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Installing a Medical Waste Incinerator
4 Working in Teams
The Stages of Teaming
Forming: Strategic Planning
Storming: Managing a Conflict
Norming: Determining Team Roles
Help: Virtual Teaming
Performing: Improving Quality
The Keys to Teaming
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Not a Sunny Day
5 Ethics in the Technical Workplace
What Are Ethics?
Where Do Ethics Come From?
Help: Stopping Cyberbullying and Computer Harassment
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Ethics in the Technical Workplace
Copyright Law in Technical Communication
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: This Company is Bugging Me
PART TWO COMMUNICATING IN THE TECHNICAL WORKPLACE
6 Planning and Persuasion
Using Strategic Planning
Help: Planning with Online Calendars
Developing a Persuasion Strategy
Persuading with Reasoning
Persuading with Values
Persuasion in High-Context Cultures
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Leapfrogging with Wireless
7 Researching and Managing Information
Beginning Your Research
Defining Your Research Subject
Formulating a Research Question or Hypothesis
Developing a Research Methodology
Triangulating Materials
Managing Information and Taking Notes
Help: Avoiding Junk Science on the Internet
Appraising Your Information
Avoiding Plagiarism
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Life of a Dilemma
8 Organizing and Drafting
Basic Organization for Any Document
Using Genres to Organize Information
Outlining the Document
Help: Organizing with Presentation Software
Organizing and Drafting the Introduction
Organizing and Drafting the Body
Organizing and Drafting the Conclusion
Organizing Cross-Cultural Documents
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Bad News
9 Using Plain and Persuasive Style
What is Style?
Writing Plain Sentences
Help: Intercultural Style and Translation Software
Writing Plain Paragraphs
When Is It Appropriate to Use Passive Voice?
Persuasive Style
Balancing Plain and Persuasive Style
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Going Over the Top
10 Designing Documents and Interfaces
Five Principles of Design
Design Principle 1: Balance
Design Principle 2: Alignment
Design Principle 3: Grouping
Design Principle 4: Consistency
Help: Using Styles and Templates
Design Principle 5: Contrast
Cross-Cultural Design
Using the Principles of Design
A Primer on Binding and Paper
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Scorpions Invade
11 Creating and Using Graphics
Guidelines for Using Graphics
Displaying Data with Graphs, Tables, and Charts
Help: Making Visuals with a Spreadsheet Program
Using Pictures, Drawings, and Screenshots
Using Cross-Cultural Symbols
Using Video and Audio
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Lying with the Truth
12 Revising and Editing for Usability
Levels of Edit
Revising: Level 1 Editing
Substantive Editing: Level 2 Editing
Copyediting: Level 3 Editing
Proofreading: Level 4 Editing
Lost in Translation: Cross-Cultural Editing
Using Copyediting Symbols
Help: Online Copyediting
Documenting Cycling and Usability Testing
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Just My (Bad) Style
PART THREE WORKING IN THE WIRED WORKPLACE
13 Using E-Mail and Instant Messaging
E-Mail Basics
Features of E-Mail
Managing E-Mail
E-Mail Netiquette
Help: Using E-Mail Internationally
Using Instant Messaging at Work
Using Text Messaging at Work
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Exposed
14 Designing Websites
Basic Features of a Website
Planning and Researching a Website
Organizing and Drafting a Website
Help: Using Web-Authoring Software
Using Style in a Website
Designing the Website
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Uploading, Testing, and Maintaining Your Website
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Slowed to a Crawl
15 Starting Your Career
Setting Goals, Making a Plan
Preparing a Resume
Writing Effective Application Letters
Help: Designing a Scannable/Searchable Resume
Creating a Professional Portfolio
Interviewing Strategies
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Lie
16 Preparing and Giving Presentations
Planning and Researching Your Presentation
Choosing the Right Presentation Technology
Organizing the Content of Your Presentation
Help: Giving Presentations with your iPod, MP3, PDA, or Smartphone
Choosing Your Presentation Style
Creating Visuals
Delivering the Presentation
Practicing and Rehearsing
Working Cross-Culturally with Translators
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Coward
PART FOUR GENRES OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
17 Letters and Memos
Basic Features of Letters and Memos
Planning and Researching Letters and Memos
Organizing and Drafting Letters and Memos
Types of Letters and Memos
Using Style in Letters and Memos
Designing and Formatting Letters and Memos
Help: Making Letter and Memo Templates
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Nastygram
18 Technical Definitions
Types of Technical Definitions
Planning and Researching Technical Definitions
Organizing and Drafting Technical Definitions
Help: Using Online Sources for Definitions
Using Style and Design in Technical Definitions
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Fast-Food High School
19 Technical Descriptions
Basic Features of Technical Descriptions
Planning and Researching Technical Descriptions
Partitioning the Subject
Organizing and Drafting Technical Descriptions
Using Style in Technical Descriptions
Designing Technical Descriptions
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Help: Using Digital Photography in Descriptions
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: In the Vapor
20 Instructions and Other Documentation
Basic Features of Documentation
Planning and Researching Documentation
Planning for Cross-Cultural Readers and Contexts
Organizing and Drafting Documentation
Using Style in Documentation
Help: On-Screen Documentation
Designing Documentation
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Flame
21 Proposals
Basic Features of Proposals
Planning and Researching Proposals
Help: Roughing Out a Budget with a Spreadsheet
Organizing and Drafting Proposals
Using Style in Proposals
Designing Proposals
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Mole
22 Activity Reports
Basic Features of Activity Reports
Types of Activity Reports
Planning and Researching Activity Reports
Organizing and Drafting Activity Reports
Help: Making and Using PDFs
Using Style and Design in Activity Reports
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Bad Chemistry
23 Analytical Reports
Basic Features of Analytical Reports
Types of Analytical Reports
Planning and Researching Analytical Reports
Organizing and Drafting Analytical Reports
Help: Using Google Docs to Collaborate with International Teams
Drafting Front Matter and Back Matter
Using Style in Analytical Reports
Designing Analytical Reports
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The X-File
Appendix A Grammar and Punctuation Guide
Appendix B English as a Second Language Guide
Appendix C Documentation Guide
References
Credits
Index
PART ONE ELEMENTS OF TECHNICAL COMMUNCATION
1 Communicating in the Workplace
How Important is Technical Communication?
What is Technical Communication?
Technical Communication: Actions, Words, Images
Your Career and Technical Communication
Help: How to Learn New Software Quickly
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
2 The Technical Writing Process Today
Genres in Technical Communication
Genres and the Technical Writing Process
Stage 1: Planning and Researching
Stage 2: Organizing and Drafting
Help: Using Your Computer to Overcome Writer's Block
Stage 3: Improving the Style
Stage 4: Designing
Stage 5: Revising and Editing
Developing Your Own Writing Process
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Changing Bad Habits
3 Readers and Context of Use
Profiling Your Readers
Help: Profiling Readers with Search Engines
Profiling Contexts of Use
Using Profiles to Your Own Advantage
International and Cross-Cultural Communication
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Installing a Medical Waste Incinerator
4 Working in Teams
The Stages of Teaming
Forming: Strategic Planning
Storming: Managing a Conflict
Norming: Determining Team Roles
Help: Virtual Teaming
Performing: Improving Quality
The Keys to Teaming
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Not a Sunny Day
5 Ethics in the Technical Workplace
What Are Ethics?
Where Do Ethics Come From?
Help: Stopping Cyberbullying and Computer Harassment
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Ethics in the Technical Workplace
Copyright Law in Technical Communication
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: This Company is Bugging Me
PART TWO COMMUNICATING IN THE TECHNICAL WORKPLACE
6 Planning and Persuasion
Using Strategic Planning
Help: Planning with Online Calendars
Developing a Persuasion Strategy
Persuading with Reasoning
Persuading with Values
Persuasion in High-Context Cultures
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Leapfrogging with Wireless
7 Researching and Managing Information
Beginning Your Research
Defining Your Research Subject
Formulating a Research Question or Hypothesis
Developing a Research Methodology
Triangulating Materials
Managing Information and Taking Notes
Help: Avoiding Junk Science on the Internet
Appraising Your Information
Avoiding Plagiarism
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Life of a Dilemma
8 Organizing and Drafting
Basic Organization for Any Document
Using Genres to Organize Information
Outlining the Document
Help: Organizing with Presentation Software
Organizing and Drafting the Introduction
Organizing and Drafting the Body
Organizing and Drafting the Conclusion
Organizing Cross-Cultural Documents
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Bad News
9 Using Plain and Persuasive Style
What is Style?
Writing Plain Sentences
Help: Intercultural Style and Translation Software
Writing Plain Paragraphs
When Is It Appropriate to Use Passive Voice?
Persuasive Style
Balancing Plain and Persuasive Style
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Going Over the Top
10 Designing Documents and Interfaces
Five Principles of Design
Design Principle 1: Balance
Design Principle 2: Alignment
Design Principle 3: Grouping
Design Principle 4: Consistency
Help: Using Styles and Templates
Design Principle 5: Contrast
Cross-Cultural Design
Using the Principles of Design
A Primer on Binding and Paper
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Scorpions Invade
11 Creating and Using Graphics
Guidelines for Using Graphics
Displaying Data with Graphs, Tables, and Charts
Help: Making Visuals with a Spreadsheet Program
Using Pictures, Drawings, and Screenshots
Using Cross-Cultural Symbols
Using Video and Audio
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Lying with the Truth
12 Revising and Editing for Usability
Levels of Edit
Revising: Level 1 Editing
Substantive Editing: Level 2 Editing
Copyediting: Level 3 Editing
Proofreading: Level 4 Editing
Lost in Translation: Cross-Cultural Editing
Using Copyediting Symbols
Help: Online Copyediting
Documenting Cycling and Usability Testing
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Just My (Bad) Style
PART THREE WORKING IN THE WIRED WORKPLACE
13 Using E-Mail and Instant Messaging
E-Mail Basics
Features of E-Mail
Managing E-Mail
E-Mail Netiquette
Help: Using E-Mail Internationally
Using Instant Messaging at Work
Using Text Messaging at Work
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Exposed
14 Designing Websites
Basic Features of a Website
Planning and Researching a Website
Organizing and Drafting a Website
Help: Using Web-Authoring Software
Using Style in a Website
Designing the Website
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Uploading, Testing, and Maintaining Your Website
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Slowed to a Crawl
15 Starting Your Career
Setting Goals, Making a Plan
Preparing a Resume
Writing Effective Application Letters
Help: Designing a Scannable/Searchable Resume
Creating a Professional Portfolio
Interviewing Strategies
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Lie
16 Preparing and Giving Presentations
Planning and Researching Your Presentation
Choosing the Right Presentation Technology
Organizing the Content of Your Presentation
Help: Giving Presentations with your iPod, MP3, PDA, or Smartphone
Choosing Your Presentation Style
Creating Visuals
Delivering the Presentation
Practicing and Rehearsing
Working Cross-Culturally with Translators
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Coward
PART FOUR GENRES OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
17 Letters and Memos
Basic Features of Letters and Memos
Planning and Researching Letters and Memos
Organizing and Drafting Letters and Memos
Types of Letters and Memos
Using Style in Letters and Memos
Designing and Formatting Letters and Memos
Help: Making Letter and Memo Templates
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Nastygram
18 Technical Definitions
Types of Technical Definitions
Planning and Researching Technical Definitions
Organizing and Drafting Technical Definitions
Help: Using Online Sources for Definitions
Using Style and Design in Technical Definitions
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Fast-Food High School
19 Technical Descriptions
Basic Features of Technical Descriptions
Planning and Researching Technical Descriptions
Partitioning the Subject
Organizing and Drafting Technical Descriptions
Using Style in Technical Descriptions
Designing Technical Descriptions
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Help: Using Digital Photography in Descriptions
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: In the Vapor
20 Instructions and Other Documentation
Basic Features of Documentation
Planning and Researching Documentation
Planning for Cross-Cultural Readers and Contexts
Organizing and Drafting Documentation
Using Style in Documentation
Help: On-Screen Documentation
Designing Documentation
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Flame
21 Proposals
Basic Features of Proposals
Planning and Researching Proposals
Help: Roughing Out a Budget with a Spreadsheet
Organizing and Drafting Proposals
Using Style in Proposals
Designing Proposals
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The Mole
22 Activity Reports
Basic Features of Activity Reports
Types of Activity Reports
Planning and Researching Activity Reports
Organizing and Drafting Activity Reports
Help: Making and Using PDFs
Using Style and Design in Activity Reports
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: Bad Chemistry
23 Analytical Reports
Basic Features of Analytical Reports
Types of Analytical Reports
Planning and Researching Analytical Reports
Organizing and Drafting Analytical Reports
Help: Using Google Docs to Collaborate with International Teams
Drafting Front Matter and Back Matter
Using Style in Analytical Reports
Designing Analytical Reports
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading
Chapter Review
Exercises and Projects
Case Study: The X-File
Appendix A Grammar and Punctuation Guide
Appendix B English as a Second Language Guide
Appendix C Documentation Guide
References
Credits
Index