Technical Communication offers complete coverage of technical communication, business communication, and professional writing in a user-friendly writing style. The topics move from basic foundational concepts, to chapters on research, visuals, style, document design, usability, and finally to specific documents (basic workplace correspondence to more complex documents, technologies, and oral presentations).  The appendix includes thorough coverage of MLA, APA, and CSE (Council of Science Editors) documentation styles, and a handbook of grammar, mechanics, and usage. All descriptions of and instructions for creating technical documents are accompanied by clear, annotated model documents.  In addition, graphic illustrations appear throughout the book to make abstract concepts easy to understand. Checklists and Projects provide plentiful opportunities to learn and reinforce chapter topics.

Table of Contents:
PART I COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE   Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION Learning Objectives for This Chapter What is Technical Communication? Technical Communication Is a Digital and a Human Activity Technical Communication Reaches a Diverse Audience Technical Communication Is Part of Most Careers Technical Communicators Play Many Roles Characteristics of Effective Technical Communication Purposes of Technical Communication Types of Technical Communication Preparing an Effective Technical Document             Case:Providing Information Readers Can Use             Case:Being Persuasive             Case:Considering the Ethical Issues             Case:Working on a Team and Thinking Globally             Consider This:Most Workplace Settings Have a Virtual Component Projects   Chapter 2: MEETING THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC AUDIENCES Learning Objectives for This Chapter Know What Different Audiences Expect Analyze Your Document’s Audience and Purpose Assess the Audience’s Technical Background Case:Tailoring a Single Document for Multiple Audiences Identify the Audiences’ Cultural Background Anticipate Your Audience’s Preferences             Guidelinesfor Analyzing Audience and Purpose Develop an Audience and Use Profile             Case:  Developing an Audience and Use Profile Brainstorm as a Way of Getting Started             Consider This: Failure to Communicate with the Audience Can Have Drastic Consequences             Checklist:Analyzing Audience and Purpose Projects   Chapter 3: PERSUADING YOUR READERS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal Try to Predict Audience Reaction Expect Audience Resistance Know How to Connect with the Audience             Case:Connecting with the Audience Allow for Give-and-Take Ask for a Specific Response Never Ask for Too Much Recognize All Constraints             Consider This: People Often React Emotionally to Persuasive Appeals Support Your Claims Convincingly Consider the Cultural Context             Guidelines for Persuasion Shaping Your Argument             Checklist: Persuasion Projects   Chapter 4: WEIGHING THE ETHICAL ISSUES Learning Objectives for This Chapter Recognize Unethical Communication in the Workplace Know the Major Causes of Unethical Communication Understand the Potential for Communication Abuse Rely on Critical Thinking for Ethical Decisions Anticipate Some Hard Choices             Case: A Hard Choice Never Depend Only on Legal Guidelines Learn To Recognize Plagiarism             Consider This- Ethical Standards Are Good for Business Decide Where and How to Report Ethical Abuses             Checklist: Ethical Communication             Guidelines for Ethical Communication Projects   Chapter 5: TEAMWORK AND GLOBAL CONSIDERATIONS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Teamwork and Project Management             Guidelines for Managing a Collaborative Project Conducting Meetings             Guidelines for Running a Meeting Sources of Conflict in Collaborative Groups Managing Group Conflict Overcoming Difference by Active Listening             Guidelines for Active Listening Thinking Creatively Reviewing and Editing Others’ Work             Guidelines for Peer Reviewing and Editing Ethical abuses in Workplace Collaboration Global Considerations when Working in Teams             Guidelines for Global Team Communication             Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations Projects   Chapter 6: AN OVERVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL WRITING PROCESS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Critical Thinking in the Writing Process A Sample Writing Situation Make Proofreading Your Final Step             Guidelines for Proofreading             Checklist:Proofreading Limitations of Writing with Digital Technology Projects                                                                                     PART II                                                                        THE RESEARCH PROCESS   Chapter 7: THINKING CRITICALLY ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROCESS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Asking the Right Questions             Case: Defining and Refining a Research Question Exploring a Balance of Views Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search Evaluating Your Finding Interpreting Your Findings             Guidelines for Thinking Critically about Research Primary versus Secondary Sources Exploring Secondary Sources             Guidelines for Researching on the Internet Exploring Primary Sources             Guidelines for Informational Interviews             Guidelines for Surveys             Consider This: Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright             Checklist: Doing Research Projects   Chapter 8:  EVALUATING AND INTERPRETING INFORMATON  Learning Objectives for This Chapter Evaluate the Sources Evaluate the Evidence Interpret Your Findings             Consider This: Standards of Proof Vary for Different Audiences and Cultural Avoid Distorted or Unethical Reasoning Acknowledge the Limits of Research             Guidelines for Evaluating and Interpreting Information             Checklist: Evaluating and Interpreting Information Projects   Chapter 9: SUMMARIZING RESEARCH FINDINGS AND OTHER COMPLEX INFORMATION Learning Objectives for This Chapter Audience and Purpose What Readers Expect from a Summary             Guidelines for Summarizing Information A Situation Requiring a Summary Special Types of Summaries Ethical and Global Considerations in Summarizing Information             Checklist: Summaries Projects PART III ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN   Chapter 10: ORGANIZING FOR READERS Learning Objectives for This Chapter The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents Outlining             Guidelines for Outlining Storyboarding Paragraphing Sequencing Chunking Producing and Overview Organizing for Global Audiences             Checklist for Organizing Information Projects   Chapter 11: EDITING FOR A PROFESSIONAL STYLE AND TONE Learning Objectives for This Chapter Editing for Clarity Editing for Conciseness Editing for Fluency Finding the Exact Words Adjusting Your Tone             Guidelines for Deciding about Tone             Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage             Guidelines for Inoffensive Usage Considering the Global Context Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice Using Automated Editing Tools Effectively             Checklist: Style Projects   Chapter 12: DESIGNING VISUAL INFORMATION Learning Objectives for This Chapter Why Visuals Matter When to Use Visuals Types of Visuals to Consider How to Choose the Right Visuals for Your Readers Tables Graphs             Guidelines for Creating Tables and Graphs Charts             Guidelines for Creating Charts Graphic Illustrations             Guidelines for Creating Graphic Illustrations Photographs             Guidelines for Using Photographs Videos             Guidelines for Using Videos Software and Downloadable Images Using Color             Guidelines for Incorporating Color Ethical Considerations Guidelines for Obtaining and Citing Visual Material Cultural Considerations             Guidelines for Fitting Visuals with Text             Checklist: Effective Use of Visuals Projects   Chapter 13: DESIGNING PAGES AND DOCUMENTS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Page Design in Workplace Documents How Page Design Transforms a Document Design Skills Needed in Today’s Workplace Creating a Design that Works for Your Readers             Guidelines for Shaping the Page             Guidelines for Styling the Words and Letters             Guidelines for Adding Emphasis             Guidelines for Using Headings for Access and Orientation Audience Considerations in Page Design Designing Digital Documents             Checklist: Effective Page Design Projects   PART IV SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS   Chapter 14:DESIGNING AND TESTING DOCUMENTS FOR USABILITY Learning Objectives for This Chapter Why Usable Design Is Essential Achieving a Usable Design Creating a Document Plan Writing, Testing, and Revising your Document             Guidelines for Preparing a Document and Testing it for Usability Ethical and Global Issues Affecting Usability Usability Issues in Online or Multimedia Documents             Checklist: for Usability Projects   Chapter 15: MEMOS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering your Audience and Purpose Memo Parts and Format Memo Tone Common Types of Memos             Guidelinesfor Memos             Checklist: Memos Projects   Chapter 16: EMAIL AND INSTANT MESSAGING Learning Objectives for This Chapter Email Email Style and Tone Using Visuals with Email Ethical Issues when Using Email Global Considerations When Using Email             Guidelinesfor Writing and Using Email             Guidelinesfor Choosing Email versus Paper, Telephone, or Fax Instant Messaging Instant Messaging: Considering Audience and Purpose             Guidelinesfor Instant Messaging             Checklistfor Email and Instant Messaging Projects   Chapter 17: WORKPLACE LETTERS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Your Audience and Purpose Letter Parts, Format, and Design Elements Letter Tone Global and Ethical Considerations             Guidelinesfor Letters in General Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News             Guidelinesfor Conveying Bad News Common Types of Letters             Guidelinesfor Inquiry Letters             Guidelinesfor Claim Letters             Guidelinesfor Sales Letters             Guidelines for Adjustment Letters, Granting Adjustments and Refusing Adjustments             Checklistfor Letters Projects   Chapter 18: RÉSUMÉS AND OTHER JOB-SEARCH MATERIALS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Assessing Yours Skills and Aptitudes Researching the Job Market Résumés Considering Your Audience and Purpose             Guidelines for Hard CopyRésumés             Guidelinesfor Scannable and Emailed Résumés             Guidelinesfor Online Résumés Application Letters Guidelinesfor Application Letters Consider This: How applicants are Screened for Personal Qualities Dossiers, Portfolios, and Webfolios             Guidelines Dossiers, Portfolos, and Webfolios Interviews and Follow up Letters Guidelinesfor Interviews and Follow-Up Letters             Checklist:Résumés             Checklist: Application Letters             Checklist: Supporting Material Projects   Chapter 19: TECHNICAL DEFINITIONS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Audience and Purpose Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications Types of Definition Methods for Expanding Definitions Situations Requiring Definitions Placement of Definitions in a Document             Guidelinesfor Definitions             Checklistfor Definitions Projects   Chapter 20: TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS, SPECIFICATIONS, AND MARKETING MATERIALS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose Types of Technical Descriptions Objectivity in Technical Descriptions Elements of a Usable Description An Outline and Model for Product Description A Situation Requiring Product Description An Outline for Process Description A Situation Requiring Process Description             Case:A Process Description for a Nontechnical Audience             Guidelinesfor Descriptions Specifications             Guidelinesfor Specifications Technical Marketing Materials             Guidelinesfor Technical Marketing Materials             Checklist: Technical Descriptions             Checklist: Specifications             Checklist: Technical Marketing Materials Projects   Chapter 21: INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose Formats for Instructional Documents Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability Elements of Effective Instructions             Guidelinesfor Providing Appropriate Detail             Guidelinesfor Designing Instructions An Outline for Instructions A Situation Requiring Instructions Digital and Online Instructions Video Instructions Evaluating the Usability of Instructional Documents Procedures             Checklist:Effective Instructions and Procedures Projects   Chapter 22 : INFORMAL REPORTS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Informational versus Analytical Reports Progress Reports             Guidelinesfor Progress Reports Periodic Activity Reports             Guidelinesfor Periodic Activity Reports Trip Reports             Guidelinesfor Trip Reports Meeting Minutes             Guidelinesfor Meeting Minutes Feasibility Reports             Guidelinesfor Feasibility Reports Recommendation Reports             Guidelinesfor Recommendation Reports Justification Reports             Guidelines for Justification Reports Peer Review Reports             Guidelinesfor Peer Review Reports             Checklist:Informal Reports Projects   Chapter 23: FORMAL ANALYTICAL REPORTS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose Typical Analytical Problems             Case:The Reasoning Process in Casual Analysis             Case:The Reasoning Process in Comparative Analysis             Case:The Reasoning Process in Feasibility Analysis Elements of a an Effective Analysis An Outline and Model for Analytical Reports Front Matter and End Matter A Situation Requiring an Analytical Report             Guidelinesfor Reasoning through an Analytical Problem             Checklist: Analytical Reports Projects   Chapter 24: PROPOSALS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose The Proposal Process             Case:Submitting a Competitive Proposal Types of Proposals Elements of a Persuasive Proposal An Outline and Model for Proposals             Guidelinesfor Proposals Situation Requiring a Formal Proposal             Checklist: Usability of Proposals Projects   Chapter 25: ORAL PRESENTATIONS AND WEBINARS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations Avoiding Presentation Pitfalls Planning Your Presentation Preparing Your Presentation Planning and Creating Your Visuals             Guidelinesfor Readable Visuals             Guidelines for Understandable Visuals Choosing the Right Technology Using Presentation Software             Case:PowerPoint and the Space Shuttle ColumbiaDisaster             Guidelines for Using Presentation Software Delivering Your Presentation             Guidelines for Using Visual Aids             Guidelines forManaging Listener Questions             Guidelines for Delivering Oral Presentations             Consider This: Cross Cultural Audiences May Have Specific Expectations Webinars and Distance Presentations             Guidelines forWebinars and Distance Presentations             Checklist: Oral Presentations Projects   Chapter 26: WEB PAGES Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose How Readers Read Web Pages Writing for the Web             Guidelines for Writing Web Pages Designing Web Pages             Guidelines for Designing Web Pages Techniques and Technologies for Creating Web Sites Global Issues and Web Pages             Guidelines for Addressing Global Audiences Ethical and Legal Considerations for Web Sites             Checklist: Web Pages Projects   Chapter 27: BLOGS, WIKIS, AND SOCIAL NETWORKS Learning Objectives for This Chapter Considering Audience and Purpose Using Blogs for Technical Communication Using Wikis for Technical Communication             Guidelines for Writing and Using Blogs and Wikis Using Social Networks for Technical Communication             Guidelines for Writing and Using Social Networks Ethical and Legal Considerations             Consider This: Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks Change How We Work and Learn             Checklist:Blogs, Wikis, and Social Networks Projects