Technical Report Writing Today

TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING TODAY provides thorough coverage of technical writing basics, techniques, and applications. Through a practical focus with varied examples and exercises, students internalize the skills necessary to produce clear and effective documents and reports. Project worksheets help students organize their thoughts and prepare for assignments, and Focus boxes highlight key information and recent developments in technical communication. Extensive individual and collaborative exercises expose students to different kinds of technical writing problems and solutions. Annotated student examples—more than 100 in all—illustrate different writing styles and approaches to problems. Numerous short and long examples throughout the text demonstrate solutions for handling writing assignments in current career situations. The four-color artwork in the chapter on creating visuals keeps pace with contemporary workplace capabilities. The Tenth Edition offers the latest information on using electronic resumes and documenting electronic sources and Ethics and Globalization sidebars that highlight these two important topics in the technical communication field. Cover IFC Title Copyright Brief Contents Contents Preface Organization Special Pedagogical Aids And High-Interest Features New To This Edition Some Other Topics Have Been Revised Ancillaries Acknowledgments SECTION 1: Technical Communication Basics 1: Definition Of Technical Communication Chapter 1 In A Nutshell A General Definition Of Technical Communication What Is Technical Communication? What Counts As Technical Communication? Who Creates Technical Communication? How Important Is Technical Communication? Major Traits Of Technical Communication Technical Communication Is Audience Centered Technical Communication Is Designed Technical Communication Is Responsible Technical Communication Is Global Exercises Web Exercise Works Cited 2: Profiling Audiences Chapter 2 In A Nutshell An Example Of Technical Writing Who Is The Audience? What Are The Audience’s Demographic Characteristics? What Is The Audience’s Role? How Does The Reader Feel About The Subject? How Does The Reader Feel About The Sender? What Form Does The Reader Expect? What Is The Audience’s Task? What Is The Audience’s Knowledge Level? Adapting To Your Audience’s Knowledge Level Finding Out What Your Audience Knows What Factors Influence The Situation? What Consequences Will Occur From This Idea? What Is The History Of This Idea? How Much Power Does The Reader Have? How Formal Is The Situation? Is There More Than One Audience? Creating Audience Profiles Questions For An Audience Profile Information-Gathering Strategies Exercises Worksheet For Defining Your Audience Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 3: The Technical Communication Process Chapter 3 In A Nutshell An Overview Of The Process Planning Your Document Situate Yourself Create An Audience Profile Create A Document Plan Design Your Information Design Your Template Create A Production Schedule Worksheet For Planning—Short Version Worksheet For Planning—Long Version Drafting And Revising Your Document Research To Discover Information Design Your Information To Help Your Reader Use Context-Setting Introductions Place Important Material At The Top Use Preview Lists Use Repetition And Sequencing Use Coordinate Structure Testing Worksheet For Drafting Editing Or Finishing Producing The Document Worksheet For Editing Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 4: Technical Communication Style Chapter 4 In A Nutshell Sentence Strategies Write In The Active Voice Use Parallelism Use There Are Sparingly Avoid Nominalizations Put The Main Idea First Write Sentences Of 12 To 25 Words Use You Correctly Avoid Sexist Language Eliminate Common Clarity Errors Exercises Exercises Write Clear Paragraphs For Your Reader Put The Topic Sentence First Arrange Sentences By Level Repeat Terms In A New/Old Sequence Use The Dominant Position Maintain Class Or Membership Relationships Provide Transitions Choose A Tone For The Reader Worksheet For Style Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 5: Researching Chapter 5 In A Nutshell The Purpose Of Research Questioning—The Basic Skill Of Researching How To Discover Questions How To Formulate Questions Collecting Information From People Interviewing Surveying Observing And Testing Collecting Published Information Develop A Search Strategy Search Helpful Sources Record Your Findings Worksheet For Research Planning Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 6: Designing Pages Chapter 6 In A Nutshell Using Visual Features To Reveal Content White Space And Chunks Report Bullets Head Systems Headers Or Footers, Pagination, And Rules Using Text Features To Convey Meaning Highlighters Font, Font Size, Leading, Columns And Line Length, And Justification Combining Features To Orchestrate The Text For Readers Developing A Style Sheet And Template Worksheet For A Style Sheet Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercises Works Cited 7: Using Visual Aids Chapter 7 In A Nutshell Visual Thinking The Uses Of Visual Aids Creating And Discussing Visual Aids How To Create Visual Aids How To Discuss Visual Aids How To Reference Visual Aids Guidelines For Effective Visual Aids Using Tables When To Use A Table Parts And Guidelines Using Line Graphs When To Use A Line Graph Parts And Guidelines Using Bar Graphs Parts And Guidelines When To Use A Bar Graph Using Pie Charts When To Use A Pie Chart Parts And Guidelines Using Charts Troubleshooting Tables Flow Charts Gantt Charts Layouts Using Illustrations Guidelines Photographs Drawings Worksheet For Visual Aids Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 8: Describing Chapter 8 In A Nutshell Planning The Mechanism Description Consider The Audience Select An Organizational Principle Choose Visual Aids Follow The Usual Form For Descriptions Writing The Mechanism Description Introduction Body: Description Of Mechanism Other Patterns For Mechanism Descriptions Planning The Process Description Consider The Audience Select An Organizational Principle Choose Visual Aids Follow The Usual Form For Writing Descriptions Writing The Process Description Introduction Body: Description Of The Operation Conclusion Planning The Description Of A Human System Writing The Description Of A Human System Introduction Body: Sequence Of A Person’s Activities Conclusion (Optional) Worksheet For Planning A Description Worksheet For Planning A Description Worksheet For Evaluating A Description Worksheet For Evaluating A Description Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercises Works Cited SECTION 2: Technical Communication Applications 9: Sets Of Instructions Chapter 9 In A Nutshell Planning The Set Of Instructions Determine Your Goal Consider The Audience Analyze The Sequence Choose Visual Aids Follow The Usual Form For Instructions Writing The Set Of Instructions Write An Effective Introduction Write An Effective Body Field-Testing Instructions Worksheet For Preparing Instructions Worksheet For Evaluating Instructions Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercises Works Cited 10: Informal Reports And E-Mail Chapter 10 In A Nutshell Basic Strategies For Informal Reports Introduction Develop A Consistent Visual Presentation Types Of Informal Reports IMRD Reports Brief Analytical Reports Progress Reports Summaries And Abstracts Background Or Conceptual Reports Outline Reports E-Mail Worksheet For Planning A Project Worksheet For IMRD Reports Worksheet For Informal Reports Worksheet For Evaluating IMRDs Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 11: Developing Websites/Using Social Media Chapter 11 In A Nutshell Basic Web Concepts Hierarchy Web Structure Reader Freedom Guidelines For Working With Web Structure Planning A Website Or Web Document Decide Your Goal Analyze Your Audience Evaluate The Questions The Audience Will Ask Determine Genre Guidelines Evaluate And Select A Delivery Technology Plan For Maintenance Drafting For Screens Online Reading Habits Page Layout, High- And Low-Fidelity Wireframes, And Mock-Ups Organizational Schemes And Navigation Navigation Document Design Decisions Testing Audience Effectiveness Consistency Navigation The Electronic Environment Clarity Worksheet For Planning A Website Or Document Worksheet For Evaluating A Website Exercises Writing Assignment Web Exercise Social Media Exercises Works Cited And Consulted 12: Formal Reports Chapter 12 In A Nutshell The Elements Of A Formal Report Front Material Transmittal Correspondence Title Page Table Of Contents List Of Illustrations Summary Or Abstract Introduction Conclusions And Recommendations/Rationale The Body Of The Formal Report Paginating Indicating Chapter Divisions End Material Glossary And List Of Symbols References Appendix Worksheet For Preparing A Formal Report Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 13: Recommendation And Feasibility Reports Chapter 13 In A Nutshell Planning The Recommendation Report Consider The Audience Choose Criteria Use Visual Aids Select A Format And An Organizational Principle Drafting The Recommendation Report Introduction Conclusions Recommendations/Rationale Section Discussion Section Planning The Feasibility Report Consider The Audience Determine The Criteria Determine The Standards Structure By Criteria Writing The Feasibility Report Choose A Format Write The Introduction And Body Worksheet For Preparing A Recommendation/Feasibility Report Worksheet For Evaluating Your Report Worksheet For Evaluating A Peer’s Report Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercises Works Cited 14: Proposals Chapter 14 In A Nutshell Grant Proposals For Non-Profit Organizations Background Of Non-Profits How Foundations Announce That They Support Non-Profits Planning The Proposal Read The Foundation’s Guidelines Carefully Collect All The Relevant Data Writing The Non-Profit Grant Proposal The Internal Proposal Writing The Internal Proposal Use The Introduction To Orient The Reader Use The Discussion To Convince Your Audience Worksheet For Preparing A Proposal Worksheet For Evaluating A Proposal Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited 15: User Manuals Chapter 15 In A Nutshell Planning The Manual Determine Your Purpose Consider The Audience Determine A Schedule Discover Sequences Analyze The Steps Analyze The Parts Select Visual Aids Format The Pages Writing The Manual Introduction Arrange The Sections Test The Manual Worksheet For Preparing A Manual Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited SECTION 3: Professional Communication 16: Presentations Chapter 16 In A Nutshell Planning The Presentation Plan For Your Audience Plan For The Situation Plan Your Organizational Pattern Plan Your Presentation Making An Effective Presentation Learn To “Dance” With Your Slides Develop The Introduction Navigate The Body Develop A Conclusion Rehearse Your Presentation Deliver Your Presentation Worksheet For Preparing An Oral Presentation Worksheet For Evaluating An Oral Presentation Exercises Speaking Assignment Writing Assignment Web Exercises Works Cited 17: Job Application Materials Chapter 17 In A Nutshell The Basic Format Of A Letter Block Format And Modified Block Format Elements Of A Letter Internal Elements Analyzing The Situation Understand Your Goals Understand Your Audience Assess Your Field Assess Your Strengths Assess The Needs Of Employers Planning The Résumé Information To Include In A Résumé Résumé Organization Writing The Résumé Planning A Letter Of Application Analyze The Employer’s Needs Match Your Capabilities To The Employer’s Needs Writing A Letter Of Application Apply In The Introduction Convince In The Body Request An Interview Select A Format Interviewing Prepare Well Use Social Tact Perform Well Ask Questions Understand The Offer Writing Follow-Up Letters Worksheet For Preparing A Résumé Worksheet For Writing A Letter Of Application Worksheet For Evaluating A Letter Of Application Exercises Writing Assignments Web Exercise Works Cited A: Brief Handbook For Technical Writers Problems With Sentence Construction Identify And Eliminate Comma Splices Identify And Eliminate Run-On Sentences Identify And Eliminate Sentence Fragments Place Modifiers In The Correct Position Use Words Ending In -Ing Properly Make The Subject And Verb Agree Use Pronouns Correctly Problems With Number Problems With Antecedents Problems With This Punctuation Apostrophes Brackets Colons Commas Dashes Parentheses A Note On Parentheses, Dashes, And Commas Ellipsis Points Hyphens Quotation Marks Semicolons Underlining (Italics) Abbreviations, Capitalization, And Numbers Abbreviations Capitalization Numbers B: Documenting Sources How In-Text Citation Works Apa Method Mla Method The “Extension” Problem The Apa Method Apa Citations Apa References Article From An Online Periodical The Mla Method Mla Citations Mla Works Cited List Index A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y