Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace, 4th edition

Laura J. Gurak
, John M. Lannon

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Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace offers you practical strategies for writing in the modern world of work today. Drawing on the strengths of their acclaimed text, Technical Communication, Gurak and Lannon offer insights to help professionals in all fields adapt their communication strategies as they navigate the global marketplace. Using a concise writing style, practical applications, numerous sample documents, coverage of technology and global issues, and many useful checklists, this innovative text will prepare you for any situation.

The 4th Edition maintains its focus on audience and purpose, while offering many new features in a brief, yet thorough format. Updates include discussions and examples of current digital communication technologies.

ISBN-13: 9780137554430

I. FOUNDATIONS

Technical Communication: Global, Collaborative, and Digital
- What is Technical Communication?
- Main Features of Technical Communication
  - Focus is on the Reader, Not the Writer
  - Document Design is Efficient and Accessible
  - Writing Style is Clear and Relevant
  - Information is Persuasive, Truthful, and Based on Research
- Three Primary Purposes of Technical Communication
  - Informational Purpose
  - Instructional Purpose
  - Persuasive Purpose
- Technical Communication is Global, Collaborative, and Digital
  - Technical Communication is Global
- STRATEGIES for Global Technical Communication
  - Technical Communication is Collaborative
- STRATEGIES for Organizing a Team Project
  - Running Successful Meetings
  - Identifying and Managing Group Conflicts
- STRATEGIES for Running a Meeting
- STRATEGIES for Managing Team Conflicts
  - Reviewing and Editing the Work of Others
- STRATEGIES for Peer Review and Editing
  - Technical Communication is Digital
- CHECKLIST for Effective Technical Communication
- APPLICATIONS
The Research Process in Technical Communication
- STRATEGIES for Thinking Critically about Research
- Exploring Secondary Sources
  - How to Locate Secondary Sources
  - Types of Secondary Sources
- STRATEGIES for Finding Credible, Reliable Secondary Sources
- Exploring Primary Sources
  - Unsolicited Inquiries
  - Informational Interviews
- STRATEGIES for Informational Interviews
  - Surveys
- STRATEGIES for Surveys
  - Observations and Experiments
- CHECKLIST for Doing Research
- APPLICATIONS
Providing Audiences with Usable Information
- Analyze the Document’s Audience
  - Primary and Secondary Audiences
  - Relationship with Audience
  - Audience’s Technical Background
  - Audience’s Cultural Background
- STRATEGIES for Analyzing Your Audience
- Determine the Document’s Purpose
  - Primary and Secondary Purposes
  - Intended Use of the Document
- Know How to Be Persuasive
  - Using Claims as a Basis for Persuasion
  - Connecting with Your Audience
- STRATEGIES for Persuasion
- Consider Other Related Usability Factors
  - Setting
  - Potential Problems
  - Length
  - Format
  - Timing
  - Budget
- STRATEGIES for Proofreading
- CHECKLIST for Usability
- APPLICATIONS
Recognizing Ethical Issues in Technical Communication
- STRATEGIES for Avoiding Ethical Abuses
- CHECKLIST for Ethical Communication
- APPLICATIONS

Structuring Information for Your Readers
- STRATEGIES for Outlining
- Paragraphing
  - The Topic Sentence
  - Paragraph Unity
  - Paragraph Coherence
- CHECKLIST for Structuring Information
- APPLICATIONS
Writing with a Readable Style
- Writing Clearly
  - Avoiding Ambiguous Pronoun References
  - Avoiding Ambiguous Modifiers
  - Using Active Voice Whenever Possible
  - Using Passive Voice Selectively
  - Avoiding Nominalizations
  - Unstack Modifying Nouns
  - Avoiding Unnecessary Jargon
- Writing Concisely
  - Avoiding Wordiness
  - Eliminating Redundancy and Repetition
- Writing Fluently
  - Combining Related Ideas
  - Varying Sentence Construction and Length
  - Using Parallel Structure
- Writing Personably
  - Adjusting Your Tone
- STRATEGIES for Deciding about Tone
  - Avoiding Biased Language
- STRATEGIES for Unbiased Usage
- CHECKLIST for Style
- APPLICATIONS
Using Audience-Centered Visuals
- When to Use Visuals
  - Using Visuals to Support Text
  - Using Visuals on Their Own
- Tables
- STRATEGIES for Creating Tables
  - Graphs
- STRATEGIES for Creating Graphs
  - Charts
- STRATEGIES for Creating Charts
  - Illustrations and Diagrams
  - Photographs
  - Videos
  - Icons and Symbols
- STRATEGIES for Illustrations, Diagrams, Photographs, Videos, Icons, and Symbols
- Special Considerations When Using Visuals
  - Selecting Appropriate Visuals
  - Placing, Cross-Referencing, and Presenting Visuals
  - Using Color in Visuals
  - Using Visuals Fairly and Accurately
- CHECKLIST for Using Audience-Centered Visuals
- APPLICATIONS
Designing User-Friendly Documents
- Specific Design Elements
  - Designing for Consistency and Cohesiveness
- STRATEGIES for Designing: Consistency and Cohesiveness
  - Designing for Navigation and Emphasis
- STRATEGIES for Designing: Navigation and Emphasis
- CHECKLIST for Document Design
- APPLICATIONS

Résumés and Other Employment Materials
- Researching the Job Market
  - Engage in Active Networking
- Résumés
  - Parts of a Résumé
  - Organizing Your Résumé
- STRATEGIES for Creating a Résumé
- Application Letters
  - Solicited Application Letters
  - Unsolicited Application Letters
- STRATEGIES for Application Letters
- STRATEGIES for Digital Job Application Materials
- Dossiers, Portfolios, and E-portfolios
  - Dossiers
  - Portfolios and E-portfolios
- STRATEGIES for Dossiers, Portfolios, and E-portfolios
- Interviews and Follow-up Letters
  - Interviews
  - Follow-up Communication
- STRATEGIES for Interviews and Follow-up Notes
- CHECKLIST for Résumés
- CHECKLIST for Job Application Letters
- CHECKLIST for Supporting Materials
- APPLICATIONS
Memos and Letters
- Memo Basics, Parts, and Format
  - Parts and Format of Memos
- Types of Memos
  - Transmittal Memo
  - Summary or Follow-up Memo
  - Informational Memo
- STRATEGIES for Memos
- Letter Basics, Parts, and Format
  - Letter Parts and Formats
- Letter Tone
  - Establishing and Maintaining a “You” Perspective
  - Being Polite and Tactful
  - Using Plain English
  - Considering the Needs of International Readers
  - Being Direct or Indirect
- STRATEGIES for Letters in General
- Types of Letters
  - Inquiry Letters
- STRATEGIES for Inquiry Letters
  - Claim Letters
- STRATEGIES for Claim Letters
  - Sales Letters
- STRATEGIES for Sales Letters
  - Adjustment Letters
- STRATEGIES for Adjustment Letters
- CHECKLIST for Memos and Letters
- APPLICATIONS
Definitions
- Types of Definitions
  - Parenthetical Definitions
  - Sentence Definitions
  - Expanded Definitions
- Methods for Expanding Definitions
  - Etymology
  - History
  - Negation
  - Operating Principle
  - Analysis of Parts
  - Visuals
  - Comparison and Contrast
  - Required Conditions
  - Examples
  - Using Multiple Expansion Methods
- STRATEGIES for Definitions
- CHECKLIST for Definitions
- APPLICATIONS
Descriptions
- Elements of Descriptions
  - Title
  - Introduction
  - Sequence of Topics
  - Visuals
  - Conclusion
- STRATEGIES for Descriptions
- STRATEGIES for Specifications
- CHECKLIST for Descriptions and Specifications
- APPLICATIONS
Instructions and Procedures
- Types of Instructional Formats
  - User Manuals
  - Quick Reference Materials
  - Assembly Guides
  - Web-based Instructions
  - Online Instructions
- Elements of Effective Instructions
  - Title
  - Overview or Introduction
  - Body
  - Conclusion
  - Visuals
  - Notes, Cautions, Warnings, and Danger Notices
- Content, Style, and Design Considerations
  - Detail and Technicality
  - Style
  - Design
- STRATEGIES for Readable Instructions
- STRATEGIES for Accessible Instructions
- Procedures
  - Audience and Purpose Considerations
  - Types of Procedures
- STRATEGIES for Instructions and Procedures
- CHECKLIST for Instructions and Procedures
- APPLICATIONS
Summaries
- Elements of Effective Summaries
  - Accuracy
  - Completeness
  - Conciseness
  - Nontechnical Style
- Writing Summaries Step by Step
  - Step 1: Read the Original Document
  - Step 2: Reread and Mark Essential Material
  - Step 3: Cut and Paste the Key Information
  - Step 4: Redraft the Information into Your Own Organizational Pattern and Words
  - Step 5: Edit Your Draft
  - Step 6: Compare Your Version with the Original Document
- Special Types of Summaries
  - Closing Summaries
  - Informative Abstracts
  - Descriptive Abstracts
  - Executive Summaries
- STRATEGIES for Summaries
- CHECKLIST for Summaries
- APPLICATIONS
Informal Reports
- Types of Informational Reports
  - Progress Reports
- STRATEGIES for Progress Reports
  - Periodic Activity Reports
  - Trip Reports
- STRATEGIES for Periodic Activity Reports
- STRATEGIES for Trip Reports
  - Meeting Minutes
- STRATEGIES for Meeting Minutes
- Types of Analytical Reports
  - Feasibility Reports
- STRATEGIES for Feasibility Reports
  - Recommendation Reports
- STRATEGIES for Recommendation Reports
  - Peer Review Reports
- STRATEGIES for Peer Review Reports
- CHECKLIST for Informal Reports
- APPLICATIONS
Formal Reports
- Audience and Purpose of Formal Reports
  - Comparative Analysis
  - Causal Analysis
  - Feasibility Analysis
- Elements of Effective Formal Reports
  - Accurate, Appropriate, and Clearly Interpreted Data
  - Clearly Identified Purpose Statement
  - Understandable Structure
  - Readable Style
  - Audience-centered Visuals
  - User-friendly Design
- Parts of Formal Reports
  - Letter of Transmittal
  - Front Matter
  - Text of the Report
  - End Matter
- STRATEGIES for Formal Reports
  - A Sample Formal Report
- CHECKLIST for Formal Reports
- APPLICATIONS
Proposals
- Types of Proposals
  - Planning Proposals
  - Research Proposals
  - Sales Proposals
- Organization of Informal and Formal Proposals
  - Clear Title or Subject Line
  - Background Information
  - Statement of Problem or Situation
  - Description of Solution or Resolution
  - Costs, Timing, and Qualifications
  - Conclusion
- STRATEGIES for Proposals
  - A Sample Formal Proposal
- CHECKLIST for Proposals
- APPLICATIONS

Email
- Workplace Email
  - Audience and Purpose of Email
  - Components and Organization of Email
- STRATEGIES for Choosing and Using Email
- STRATEGIES for Email Style and Tone in the Workplace
- CHECKLIST for Email
- APPLICATIONS
Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages
- Blogs
  - Internal Blogs
  - External Blogs
- Wikis
  - Internal Wikis
  - External Wikis
- Elements of Effective Web Pages
  - Structure
  - Style
  - Visuals
  - Design
- STRATEGIES for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages
- CHECKLIST for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages
- APPLICATIONS
Social Media
- Considering Audience and Purpose
  - Audience as Contributor
  - Personal versus Workplace Uses of Social Media
- Social Media in Technical and Workplace Communication
  - Customer Review Sites
  - Facebook
  - Google+
  - Instagram
  - LinkedIn and Other Job Sites
  - Twitter
  - YouTube
  - Other Popular Social Media Sites
- STRATEGIES for Social Media
- CHECKLIST for Social Media
- APPLICATIONS
Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing
- Types of Oral Presentations
  - Informative Presentations
  - Training Presentations
  - Persuasive Presentations
  - Action Plan Presentations
- Sales Presentations
- Parts of Oral Presentations
  - Introduction
- Body
  - Conclusion
- Preparing Oral Presentations
  - Research and Connect the Topic to Your Audience
  - Create an Outline or Storyboard
  - Determine a Delivery Style
  - Choose Your Technology
  - Plan the Use of Visuals
- STRATEGIES for Preparing Oral Presentations
  - Practice the Presentation
- STRATEGIES for Using Presentation Software and Video Conferencing
- STRATEGIES for Delivering Oral Presentations
- CHECKLIST for Oral Presentations
- APPLICATIONS

STRATEGIES for Taking Notes
Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing Properly
- Quoting the Work of Others
STRATEGIES for Quoting the Work of Others
- Paraphrasing the Work of Others
STRATEGIES for Paraphrasing the Work of Others
- Summarizing the Work of Others
STRATEGIES for Summarizing the Work of Others
Documentation: The Key to Avoiding Plagiarism
- Why You Should Document
- What You Should Document
- How You Should Document
MLA Documentation Style
- MLA Parenthetical References
- MLA Works Cited Entries
APA Documentation Style
- APA Parenthetical References
- APA Reference Entries
Recognizing Copyright Issues
- Works in the Public Domain
- Fair Use
- The Difference between Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement

Grammar
- Sentence Fragments
- Run-on Sentences
- Comma Splices
- Faulty Agreement–Subject and Verb
- Faulty Agreement–Pronoun and Referent
- Faulty Coordination and Subordination
- Faulty Pronoun Case
Punctuation
- Period
- Question Mark
- Exclamation Point
- Semicolon
- Colon
- Comma
- Apostrophe
- Quotation Marks
- Ellipses
- Brackets
- Italics
- Parentheses
- Dashes
Mechanics
- Abbreviation
- Hyphenation
- Capitalization
- Numbers and Numerals
- Spelling
Transitions
- Use Transitional Expressions
- Repeat Key Words and Phrases
- Use Forecasting Statements
Lists
- Embedded Lists
- Vertical Lists

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Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace, 4th edition

Learn more, spend less

I. FOUNDATIONS

II. BLUEPRINTS

III. DOCUMENTS

IV. DIGITAL MEDIA AND PRESENTATIONS

Appendix A: Documenting Sources

Appendix B: A Brief Handbook

Works Cited

Credits

Index

Your questions answered

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