Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace, MLA Update Edition

For introductory courses in Technical Communication. This version of Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace has been updated to reflect the 8th Edition of the MLA Handbook (April 2016)* Complete but streamlined coverage, with a focus on audience and purpose Based on the acclaimed Technical Communication by Lannon and Gurak, Strategies for Technical Communication in the Workplace prepares students for workplace writing through a clear and concise writing style, useful checklists, practical applications, numerous sample documents, and coverage of technology and global issues. The 3rd Edition addresses changing technology in the workplace with a complete chapter on social media, updated examples, and sample documents. This brief and affordable text is accessible to students of all writing levels. * The 8th Edition introduces sweeping changes to the philosophy and details of MLA works cited entries. Responding to the “increasing mobility of texts,” MLA now encourages writers to focus on the process of crafting the citation, beginning with the same questions for any source. These changes, then, align with current best practices in the teaching of writing which privilege inquiry and critical thinking over rote recall and rule-following.

Table of Contents:
&>Part 1. FOUNDATIONS 1. Technical Communication: Global, Collaborative, and Digital What Is Technical Communication? Main Features of Technical Communication 4 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 Common Types of Technical Documents 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 2. The Research Process in Technical Communication Thinking Critically about Research Strategies for Thinking Critically about Research Primary versus Secondary Sources Exploring Secondary Sources Online Secondary Sources Strategies for Researching Online Hard-Copy Secondary Sources Exploring Primary Sources Unsolicited Inquiries Informational Interviews Strategies for Informational Interviews Surveys Strategies for Surveys 40 Observations and Experiments Checklist for Doing Research Applications 3. 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 Create a Task Analysis for the Document Consider Other Related Usability Factors Setting Potential Problems Length Format Timing Budget Develop an Information Plan for the Document Write, Test, Revise, and Proofread the Document Strategies for Proofreading Checklist for Usability Applications 4. Recognizing Ethical Issues in Technical Communication Ethics, Technology, and Communication Types of Ethical Choices How Workplace Pressures Affect Ethical Values Recognizing and Avoiding Ethical Abuses Strategies for Avoiding Ethical Abuses Checklist for Ethical Communication Applications Part 2. BLUEPRINTS 5. Structuring Information for Your Readers The Importance of an Understandable Structure Outlining Strategies for Outlining Chunking Sequencing Paragraphing The Topic Sentence Paragraph Unity Paragraph Coherence Clarifying Headings Providing an Overview Checklist for Structuring Information Applications 6. Writing with a Readable Style The Importance of 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 Sexist and Biased Language Strategies for Nonsexist Usage Strategies for Unbiased Usage Checklist for Style Applications 7. Using Audience-Centered Visuals The Importance of Using Audience-Centered Visuals When to Use Visuals Using Visuals to Support Text Using Visuals on Their Own Types of Visuals 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 Ethically Checklist for Using Audience-Centered Visuals Applications 8. Designing User-Friendly Documents The Importance of User-Friendly Document Design Characteristics of Well-Designed 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 Part 3. DOCUMENTS 9. Résumés and Other Employment Materials Let’s Get Started Résumés and Application Letters Assessing Your Skills and Aptitudes Researching the Job Market 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 Digital versus Print Job Application Materials 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 Letters Strategies for Interviews and Follow-up Letters Checklist for Résumés Checklist for Job Application Letters Checklist for Supporting Materials Applications 10. Memos and Letters Let’s Get Started Memos Let’s Get Started Letters Memo Basics Memo Parts and Format Memo Tone Types of Memos Transmittal Memo Summary or Follow-up Memo Informational Memo Strategies for Memos Letter Basics Letter Parts and Formats Parts of a Letter Formats for Letters 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 11. Definitions Let’s Get Started Definitions Audience and Purpose of Definitions Legal, Ethical, and Societal Implications of 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 Placement of Definitions Strategies for Definitions Checklist for Definitions Applications 12. Descriptions Let’s Get Started Descriptions Audience and Purpose of Descriptions Objectivity in Descriptions Elements of Descriptions Title Introduction Sequence of Topics Visuals Conclusion Product and Process Descriptions A Complex Product Description A Complex Process Description Strategies for Descriptions Specifications Strategies for Specifications Checklist for Descriptions and Specifications Applications 13. Instructions and Procedures Let’s Get Started Instructions Audience and Purpose of Instructions Types of Instructional Formats Instructional Brochures User Manuals Quick Reference Materials Web-based Instructions Online Instructions Ethical and Legal Implications 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 Strategies for Achieving Readability Design Strategies for Creating an Accessible Design Procedures Audience and Purpose Considerations Types of Procedures Usability Testing Strategies for Instructions and Procedures Checklist for Instructions and Procedures Applications 14. Summaries Let’s Get Started Summaries Audience and Purpose of 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 Ethical Considerations in Summarizing Information Strategies for Summaries Checklist for Summaries Applications 15. Informal Reports Let’s Get Started Informal Reports Two Categories of Reports: Informational and Analytical Progress Reports (Informational) Strategies for Progress Reports Periodic Activity Reports (Informational) Strategies for Periodic Activity Reports Trip Reports (Informational) Strategies for Trip Reports Meeting Minutes (Informational) Strategies for Meeting Minutes Feasibility Reports (Analytical) Strategies for Feasibility Reports Recommendation Reports (Analytical) Strategies for Recommendation Reports Peer Review Reports (Analytical) Strategies for Peer Review Reports Checklist for Informal Reports Applications 16. Formal Reports Let’s Get Started 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 17. Proposals Let’s Get Started Proposals Audience and Purpose of 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 Part 4. DIGITAL MEDIA AND PRESENTATIONS 18. Email and Text Messages Let’s Get Started Email and Text Messages Email Audience and Purpose of Email Components and Organization of Email Appropriate Style for Workplace Email Strategies for Email Text Messages Audience and Purpose of Workplace Text Messages Strategies for Text Messages Comparing Email and Text Messaging Copyright and Privacy in Digital Communication Be Prepared for Technology to Fail Checklist for Email and Text Messages Applications 19. Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages Let’s Get Started Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages Internal Blogs External Blogs Internal Wikis External Wikis Web Pages Audience and Purpose of Web Pages Elements of Effective Web Pages Structure Style Visuals Design Ethical Considerations Ethical Considerations Strategies for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages Checklist for Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages Applications 20. Social Media Let’s Get Started Social Media Considering Audience and Purpose Audience as Contributor Social Media in Technical and Workplace Communication Customer Review Sites Facebook Google+ LinkedIn and Other Job Sites Twitter YouTube Ethical and Legal Issues Strategies for Social Media Checklist for Social Media Applications 21. Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing Let’s Get Started Oral Presentations Audience and Purpose of Oral Presentations 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 Practice the Presentation Strategies for Preparing Oral Presentations Using Presentation Software Video Conferencing Strategies for Using Presentation Software and Video Conferencing Delivering Oral Presentations Strategies for Delivering Oral Presentations Checklist for Oral Presentations Applications APPENDICES A. Documenting Sources What Is Plagiarism? Identifying Sources and Information to Be Documented Taking Effective and Accurate Notes 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 Other Documentation Styles Recognizing Copyright Issues Works in the Public Domain Fair Use The Difference between Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement B. A Brief Handbook 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 Usage Transitions Use Transitional Expressions Repeat Key Words and Phrases Use Forecasting Statements Lists Embedded Lists Vertical Lists Works Cited Photo Credits Index