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Technical Communication Today, 7th edition

Published by Pearson (February 3, 2023) © 2024

  • Richard Johnson-Sheehan Purdue University

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For courses in Technical Communication.

A comprehensive guide to technical writing and communication

Technical Communication Today reflects the influence of computers on the development, design and delivery of technical documents and presentations. Students will develop the skills to write clearly, speak persuasively, and design functional, attractive texts—supported by Technical Communication Today's own functional, attractive design.

The 7th Edition offers revised chapters, new exercises and projects, and 7 new case studies featuring entrepreneurs in today's scientific and technical workplace. Entrepreneurial thinking is emphasized and transcultural issues have been expanded.

Hallmark features of this title

  • The latest tech-driven changes and ethical concerns in workplace communication are presented with realistic writing assignments for individual and group practice.
  • Case studies provide technical workplace scenarios (many featuring ethical dilemmas) and reflect issues that shape decision-making, while At Work boxes provide professional insights.
  • “Chunked content” and graphics make key concepts and writing tips easy to find and quicker to master.
  • Basic elements of document types are visually displayed with writing guidance.
  • Annotated examples of workplace writing throughout connect to diverse majors.
  • The Instructor's Manual offers chapter-specific tips, discussion prompts, student writing/presentation strategies, activities and quizzes.

New and updated features of this title

  • NEW: Emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship in every chapter highlights the impact of both on today's scientific and technical workplace.
  • REVISED: Streamlined chapters integrate computer-based skills and refined learning objectives (which aid assessment by connecting learning goals to key chapter sections). Also included are new figures designed to be more illustrative of important processes and concepts.
  • NEW: 7 completely new “Entrepreneurship Case Studies” feature the experiences of entrepreneurs in today's scientific and technical workplaces.
  • NEW: Exercises and projects throughout have been updated or are completely new.
  • REVISED: MLA documentation coverage has been revised to reflect the 2016 overhaul of MLA style.
  • NEW: Chapter updates reflect 8 supertrends - Innovating with Design Thinking and User Experience (UX) Design; Working in the Start-up Culture; Using Mobile Communication Technology; Responding to the Climate Crisis; Incorporating Virtual Reality and Information Architecture; Enhancing Cybersecurity; Improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and Expanding Global and Transcultural Communications and their impact on emerging markets.

PART I: ELEMENTS OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

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

PART II: GENRES OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

  1. Starting Your Career
  2. E-mails, Letters, and Memos
  3. Technical Descriptions and Specifications
  4. Instructions and Documentation
  5. Proposals
  6. Brief Reports
  7. Formal Reports

PART III: PLANNING AND DOING RESEARCH

  1. Business Models and Plans
  2. Thinking Like an Entrepreneur
  3. How to Be Persuasive
  4. Researching in Technical Workplaces

PART IV: 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 V: 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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