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Technical Communication Today, 6th edition

Published by Pearson (January 5, 2017) © 2018

  • Richard Johnson-Sheehan Purdue University

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For courses in Technical Communication.

A guide to prepare writers for today's technical workplace, emphasizing the central role of computers

Rooted in core rhetorical principles, Technical Communication Today presents computers as thinking tools that influence the design and delivery of technical documents and presentations. Written in user-friendly prose with helpful visuals, the text is an accessible guide to draft and design documents, prepare material for print and web publication and make oral presentations.

The 6th Edition emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship. Revised chapters, new case studies, exercises and projects prepare students to write clearly, speak persuasively and design functional, attractive texts for today's innovation-based, entrepreneurial workplace.

Hallmark features of this title

  • Real-world case studies and insights from working professionals ground each chapter in the realities of 21st century technical communication.
  • Includes the latest technological developments with insights on ethical best practices.
  • Annotated sample documents pair with visual guidance throughout, providing quality examples of workplace writing and tips to create each major document type.
  • A highly-visual open design with key info boxes throughout facilitates learning. Call-out boxes feature study aids, self-checks, concept reinforcement, and tips to apply specific apps to communication tasks.
  • Chapter-ending exercises and projects provide individual or group practice with real-world assignments.
  • The Instructor's Manual is available online at Pearson.com.
  • Free download: The Pearson Guide to the 2021 MLA Handbook.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: An emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as transcultural and global issues, grounds each chapter in the realities of today's technical workplace. 5 completely new case studies feature the experiences of current entrepreneurs (e.g., productivity challenges and ethical dilemmas) and new chapter offerings include:
    • Creativity-boosting strategies and tools to inspire students' entrepreneurial efforts and empower their success; and writing persuasively to promote ideas alongside technical information in proposals and presentations.
    • Coverage of writing for the internet emphasizes brand-building, messaging and collaborating, with a focus on harnessing social networks to communicate with teams, clients and customers.
  • NEW and UPDATED: With clear chapter objectives tied more closely to chapter sections, and new and updated exercises and projects throughout, the text provides a clear map for learning and assessment.
  • NEW: Visuals and repositioned content strengthen the text, providing in-chapter help with computer-based skills, new figures illustrating key processes and concepts, and career content moved to an earlier chapter to align with most technical communication courses.
  • NEW: MLA documentation coverage has been completely revised to reflect the 2016 overhaul of MLA style.

PART 1: Elements of Technical Communication

  1. Technical Communication in the Entrepreneurial Workplace
  2. Profiling Your Readers
  3. Working in Teams
  4. Managing Ethical Challenges

PART 2: Genres of Technical Communication

  1. Starting Your Career
  2. Types of Technical Descriptions
  3. Technical Descriptions and Specifications
  4. Instructions and Documentation
  5. Proposals
  6. Brief Reports
  7. Reports

PART 3: Planning and Doing Research

  1. Thinking Like An Entrepreneu
  2. How to Be Persuasive
  3. Researching in Technical Workplaces

PART 4: Drafting, Designing, and Revising

  1. Organizing and Drafting
  2. Using Plain and Persuasive Style
  3. Designing Documents and Interfaces
  4. Creating and Using Graphics
  5. Revising and Editing for Usability

PART 5: Connecting with Clients

  1. Presenting and Pitching Your Ideas
  2. Writing for the Internet

APPENDICES

  1. Grammar and Punctuation Guide
  2. English as a Second Language Guide
  3. Documentation Guide

About our author

Richard Johnson-Sheehan is a Professor of Rhetoric and Professional Writing at Purdue University. Previously, he was a technical writer/editor in the electronics industry, and he worked as a grant writer in the arts. He is the owner of Phronesis, a company that does technical writing and editing and communications consulting in scientific and technical fields. He is also currently working with The Foundry, a start-up incubator for scientists and engineers at Purdue University. He has written numerous books including Technical Communication Today, Writing Proposals, Writing Today, Argument Today, and Strategies for Technical Communication Today. He has also written many articles about the rhetoric and history of science, as well as technical communication. He is a long-time member of the Society for Technical Communication and he is a Fellow of the Association of Teachers of Technical Communication.

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