1. Chapter One
1.1. Genres of Technical and Professional Communication
1.1.1. Genres:
1.1.1.1. E-mails and memos
1.1.1.2. Letters
1.1.1.3. Job search documents
1.1.1.4. Technical definitions
1.1.1.5. Technical descriptions
1.1.1.6. Websites
1.1.1.7. Technical instructions
1.1.1.8. Manuals
1.1.1.9. Proposals and requests for proposals
1.1.1.10. Informal and formal reports
1.1.1.11. Presentations
1.2. Solving Problems Through Technical and Professional Communication
1.2.1. Workplace problems
1.2.1.1. Require information and action to solve
1.2.2. Rhetorical problems
1.2.2.1. Requires choosing the best approach to communicate information
1.2.2.2. A way of thinking about and approaching workplace problems that can be solved with the help of documents
1.3. Characteristics of Technical and Professional Communication
1.3.1. Rhetorical
1.3.1.1. Meant to persuade readers to act
1.3.1.2. Rhetoric: study and practice of using effective language to influence others' thoughts and actions
1.3.2. Audience Centered
1.3.2.1. Always be aware of the audience's information needs as well as how useful information is to them
1.3.2.2. Type of audience determines the genre, formality, details, format, and length of documents
1.3.2.2.1. Example: format of an e-mail between you and a friend would be different than one between you and your professor
1.3.3. Technology Oriented
1.3.3.1. May not always be in hard copy form
1.3.3.2. Based on audience needs and particular projects
1.3.3.2.1. Example: sending a document attachment to an email to a client who is across the country rather than printing it out and mailing it to them
1.3.4. Ethical
1.3.4.1. Useful information that is efficient, successful, and safe
1.3.5. Research Oriented
1.3.5.1. Multifaceted and context specific
1.3.5.2. Different kinds of research other than library research
1.3.5.2.1. Internet searches, interviews, databases, conversation, etc.
1.3.6. Professional
1.3.6.1. Writer must make text very clear and accessible to their audience
1.3.6.2. Accessible: document describes and provides every detail the audience needs as well as usage of proper grammar, usage, style and punctuation
1.3.7. Visual
1.3.7.1. Text that has visual elements have greater clarification and meaning for readers and audience
1.3.7.1.1. Example: different fonts, choice of design, images, and graphics
1.3.8. Design Centered
1.3.8.1. You want the format of your document to make it the most effective and efficient way to convey your message
1.3.8.1.1. Example: font types/sizes, spacing, color, headings, placement of visuals, paper types, bindings
1.3.9. Concise
1.3.9.1. Keep the presentation to the point
1.3.9.2. Do not use superfluous words, phrases, and sentences
1.4. Activities of Technical and Professional Writing
1.4.1. Planning
1.4.2. Researching
1.4.3. Organizing
1.4.4. Drafting
1.4.5. Designing
1.4.6. Integrating visuals
1.4.7. Revising
1.4.8. Rewriting
1.4.9. Editing
1.4.10. Testing
2. Chapter Four
2.1. What is Ethics?
2.1.1. Understanding ethics is crucial for the workplace writer
2.1.2. Ethics is about right and wrong
2.2. Guideline #1: Ethics and Law are not the same
2.2.1. Liability laws
2.2.2. Environmental laws
2.2.3. Copyright laws
2.2.4. Patent Law
2.2.5. Trademark and Service Mark laws
2.2.6. Contract Laws
2.3. Guideline #2: Be honest
2.4. Guideline #3: Respect Confidentiality
2.5. Ethics in context
2.5.1. Circulation
2.5.2. Situation and Perspective
2.6. Codes of Ethics
2.7. Ethics and technology
2.7.1. E-mail
2.7.2. Websites
2.7.3. Visuals
2.8. Environmental Ethics
2.9. Avoiding Unethical Writing
2.9.1. Don't use deceptive or evasive language
2.9.2. Don't obscure or misinterpret the issue
2.9.2.1. Jargon
2.9.2.2. Abstract languauge
2.9.2.3. Emphasis or suppression of information
2.9.2.4. Visual rhetoric
2.9.2.5. Plagiarism
2.9.2.6. Use of inaccurate information
3. Chapter Five
3.1. Learning about differences
3.1.1. Language
3.1.2. Technology
3.1.2.1. Machine translation
3.1.3. Education
3.1.4. Politics and Law
3.1.5. Economics
3.1.6. Society
3.1.7. Religion
3.2. Avoiding sterotypes
3.2.1. Avoid assumptions
3.2.2. Ask questions
3.2.3. Collaborate with the translator
3.3. Enhancing translation
3.3.1. Terminology
3.3.2. Clarity
3.3.3. Cultural and Rhetorical Differences
3.3.4. Design
3.4. Accommodating trasnational audiences
3.4.1. Localization
3.4.2. Internationalization
3.4.3. Globalization
3.4.4. Verbal communication
3.5. Transnational Ethics
3.6. Guidelines fro writing for transnational audiences
3.6.1. Write clearly, localize your writing, account for visual and auditory perceptions
4. Chapter Two
4.1. Workplace Problems
4.1.1. PSA
4.1.1.1. Define or describe the real problem or reason for writing
4.1.1.2. Establish goals and purposes for writing
4.1.1.3. Identify stakeholders and what they want or need
4.1.1.4. Consider the ethical choices involved with the problem
4.1.1.5. Consider document formats and delivery methods
4.1.1.6. Identify what information you have and what information you need
4.2. Rhetorical Problems
4.2.1. Away of thinking about and approaching workplace problems that can be solved with the help of documents
4.2.2. Example: The manager of a large department store sees an increase in sales that involved stolen credit cards. She must research current policies and laws on this issue, develop a new procedure for accepting and processing customer credit cards, and communicate the new procedures to all employees involved in customer sales.
4.2.3. Involves:
4.2.3.1. Exigency and Purpose
4.2.3.1.1. Exigency is the moving force that requires some kind of writing or communication
4.2.3.1.2. Purpose include to: inform, define, explain, propose, and convince
4.2.3.2. Audiences
4.2.3.2.1. Vary significantly
4.2.3.2.2. Have expectations and attitudes
4.2.3.2.3. Use documents differently
4.2.3.2.4. Multiple audiences often read documents
4.2.3.3. Workplace Writers
4.2.3.3.1. Correctness
4.2.3.4. Experience and Expertise
4.2.3.5. Goodwill
4.2.3.6. Identification
4.2.3.7. Trust
4.2.3.7.1. PSA
5. Chapter Three
5.1. Creating documents
5.1.1. Word Processors
5.1.1.1. templates, create tables, use multiple windows, insert words, symbols, and images
5.1.2. Presentation software
5.1.2.1. slide shows with sound, video, and graphics
5.1.3. Graphics and Imaging Software
5.1.3.1. allows you to edit and crop existing images
5.1.4. Web-authoring software
5.1.4.1. allows you to enter text, graphics, and multimedia objects directly on a web page
5.1.5. Desktop publishing software
5.1.5.1. can be used to create print-ready publications
5.1.6. Help and E-learning authoring tools
5.1.6.1. used to create online documents that instruct, train, or educate teachers
5.1.7. Single-sourcing programs
5.1.7.1. allows you to create multiple files or documents using a single source document
5.2. Communication and collaborating
5.2.1. The internet
5.2.2. The world wide web
5.2.3. E-mail
5.2.4. Ethics and electronic communication
5.2.5. Electronic messaging
5.2.6. Groupware
5.3. The future of workplace writing and computer technology
5.3.1. Proliferation of wireless technologies
5.3.2. Improvement in bandwidth and connection speed
5.3.3. Greater integration of technology into everyday life
5.3.4. Declining prices for computer technology
5.3.5. Increasing attention to the needs of transational communication
6. Chapter Seven
6.1. Predrafting strategies
6.1.1. Analyze your audience
6.1.2. Develop ideas about the information
6.1.3. Organize Your Information
6.1.4. Outline Your Important Ideas
6.2. Writing the draft
6.2.1. Parts of a document
6.2.1.1. Front matters, the body, end matters
6.2.2. Drafting the body
6.2.2.1. First part to write, presents the information that will be solved
6.2.3. Drafting the conclusion
6.2.3.1. summarize information, analytic predictions based on the information in the body, recommends how the reader should respond or act
6.2.4. Drafting the intro
6.2.4.1. Must have purpose and objective