TWC301 Reading Notes
Characteristics of Technical
and Professional
Communication
rhetorical
audience centered
technology oriented
HWT: Ethics in Writing
research oriented
professional
design centered
visual
concise
HTW: Conciseness
Processes of Technical Writing
planning
researching
organizing
drafting
designing
HTW: Layout and Design
integrating visuals
revising
rewriting
editing
testing
Technical and Professional
Communication Genres
e-mails
memos
letters
HTW: Letters
resumes
definitions
descriptions
websites and text messages
instructions
manuals
proposals
informal reports
formal reports
presentations
PSA: Problem Solving
Approach
plan
research
draft
HTW: Writing a Draft
review
distribute
Workplace Problems
require information and action to solve
present obstacles to a particular
workplace environment
Rhetorical Problems
require choosing the best
approach to communication
problems
difficulties or troubles involved in
the production of a text or
document
exigency
Document Purposes, inform, define, explain, propose, convince
positive attitude
negative attitude
neutral attitude
contextual factors & constraints
workplace writer
correctness
experience & expertise
goodwill
identification
trust
Word Processors
revise or change documents
use templates and style guides
create tables or columns
use multiple windows
find and replace specific words
or phrases
insert symbols, images, or charts
edit for language, grammar, or style
share or post documents
include active hypertext links
Presentation Software
create slideshow with sound,
video, or graphics
apply design themes and templates
use different views
share presentations
Graphics & Imaging Software
edit and crop images
erase parts of images
manipulate images
create text objects
develop graphic images
design graphs, tables, & flowcharts
change text appearance
add sound or motion
Web-authoring Software
enter text, graphics, &
multimedia objects
switch between various modes
easily upload or post to a server
create Cascading Style Sheets
insert navigational buttons
Desktop Publishing Software
magazines
newsletters
HTW: Newsletters
flyers
Technology
makes collaboration more efficient
Email Efficiency
speed
price
convenience
organization
Communication Online
appropriate email address
appropriate subject line
respect others' bandwidth
lurk before leaping
polish writing
pay attention to capitalization
use attachments appropriately
back up and save files
World Wide Web
access
storage
multimedia use
transmission
collaboration
Electronic Communication
wireless messaging
videoconferencing
instant messaging
HTW: Instant Messaging
email
HTW: E-mail
right & wrong
understanding is crucial
metaethics
study of where ethical ideas
come from and how they
develop
normative ethics
study of ethics concerned with
classifying what is considered right and
wrong
applied ethics
study of particular ethical
issues, problems, and
circumstances
linked with law
code of ethics
Workplace Writers
attentive to law, honesty, and
confidentiality
consider how editing and revising
a document might alter the
meaning
avoid using deceptive or evasive language,
inappropriate jargon, or manipulating
information
Transnational
global community without
national borders
Multinational
distinctive borders between countries
Language
target language
official national languages
international English
text directionality
writing style
Education
literacy
common body of knowledge
learning style
Politics & Law
trade issues
legal issues
political traditions and symbols
Society
age
business etiquette
family & social interactions
Differences
Language
Technology
Education
Politics & Law
Economics
Society
Religion
Avoiding Steroetypes
avoid assumptions
ask questions
collaborate with the translator
Enhancing Translation
terminology
clarity
HTW: Clarity
cultural & rhetorical differences
design
Accommodating
Transnational Audiences
localization
general
radical
internationalization
the process of writing documents so they
can easily be localized for transnational
audiences
globalization
verbal comunication
Transnational Ethics
write clearly
use correct punctuation, HTW: Punctuation
include definite articles
avoid using pronouns
use terminology consistently
avoid idiomatic language, HTW: Idioms
avoid comparatives
localize your writing
recognize alphabetic differences
use local numbers
be alert to time differences
avoid references to Holidays
avoid cultural references
avoid humor
account for visual and auditory
perceptions
avoid images of people and
hand gestures
reevaluate design elements and
prniciples
account for differences in sound
interpretation
Predrafting Strategies
confirm your purpose
analyze your audience
level of expertise
level of education
cultural differences
attitudes
expectation
context document will be read
gather your information
develop your ideas about the
information
collaboration & discussion, HTW: Collaborative Writing
listing
freewriting
clustering
organize your information
purpose
audience
logic
ethics
organizational strategies
sequential, HTW: Sequential
chronological
order of importance
general/specific
division
classification
cause and effect
comparison/contrast
spatial
Writing The Draft
parts of a document
front matter, table of contents, byline, list of figures, materials, parts, or tools lists, executive summary/abstract, inside and return addresses, cover image, introduction, alerts and warnings, definitions, date, title
body, procedures, data, steps
end matter, conclusions, additional information, troubleshooting suggestions, additional warnings or alerts, recommendations, indexes, appendixes, glossaries, contact information, follow-up information
a nonlinear process
drafting the body
coverage & length
organization & access
drafting the conclusion
drafting the introduction
purpose/objective
scope, HTW: Scope
statement of the problem
relevant information/background
key terms
overview of organization
summary
