Technical Communication

Note taking method for TWC 301

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Technical Communication by Mind Map: Technical Communication

1. rhetorical problems

1.1. Exigency and pupose

1.1.1. to inform

1.1.2. to define

1.1.3. to explain

1.1.4. to propose

1.1.5. to convince

1.2. workplace writer

1.2.1. correctness

1.2.2. experience and expertise

1.2.3. goodwill

1.2.4. identification

1.2.5. trust

1.3. audience

1.3.1. audiences vary significantly

1.3.2. audiences have expectations and attitudes

1.3.3. audiences use documents differently

1.3.4. multiple audiences often read documents

1.4. document

1.4.1. emails and memos

1.4.2. letters

1.4.3. resumes

1.4.4. technical definitions

1.4.5. technical descriptions

1.4.6. websites

1.4.7. instructions

1.4.8. manuals

1.4.9. proposals

1.4.10. reports

1.5. Contextual factors and constraints

1.5.1. time

1.5.2. money

2. characteristics

2.1. rhetorical

2.2. audience centered

2.2.1. determines how and what one writes

2.3. technology oriented

2.3.1. creating documents

2.3.1.1. word processors

2.3.1.2. presentation softwares

2.3.1.3. graphics and Imaging software

2.3.1.4. web-authoring software

2.3.1.5. desktop publishing software

2.3.1.6. help and e-learning authoring tools

2.3.1.7. single-sourcing programs

2.3.2. communication and collaborating

2.3.2.1. the internet

2.3.2.2. the world wide web

2.3.2.2.1. access

2.3.2.2.2. storage

2.3.2.2.3. multimedia use

2.3.2.2.4. transmission

2.3.2.2.5. collaboration

2.3.2.3. email (HTW)

2.3.2.3.1. speed

2.3.2.3.2. price

2.3.2.3.3. convenience

2.3.2.3.4. organization

2.3.2.4. ethics and electronic communication

2.3.2.4.1. choose an appropriate e-mail address

2.3.2.4.2. use an appropriate subject line

2.3.2.4.3. respect others' bandwidth

2.3.2.4.4. lurk before you leap

2.3.2.4.5. polish your writing

2.3.2.4.6. watch those caps

2.3.2.4.7. use attachments appropriately

2.3.2.4.8. back it up and save it

2.3.2.4.9. remember that when its out there, its out there

2.3.2.4.10. New node

2.3.2.5. Electronic messaging

2.3.2.5.1. instant messaging (HTW)

2.3.2.5.2. chat rooms

2.3.2.5.3. smart phones

2.3.2.5.4. PDAs

2.3.2.6. videoconferencing

2.3.2.7. groupware (HTW)

2.4. ethical

2.4.1. ethical guidelines for workplace writers

2.4.1.1. Ethics and Laws are not the same

2.4.1.1.1. liabilitylaws

2.4.1.1.2. environmental laws

2.4.1.1.3. copyright laws

2.4.1.1.4. patent laws

2.4.1.1.5. trademark and service mark laws

2.4.1.1.6. contract laws

2.4.1.2. Be Honest

2.4.1.3. Respect Confidentiality

2.4.2. Ethics in context

2.4.2.1. Situation and Perspective

2.4.2.1.1. reason/purpose for writing document

2.4.2.1.2. who is for and will the audience be affected

2.4.2.1.3. who else does the document affect

2.4.2.1.4. authority of conveying information/will authority affect how the information is understood

2.4.2.1.5. where does the information fit in the larger context

2.4.2.1.6. limits to writing and conveying information/who imposes limits

2.4.2.1.7. will document lead any environmental effect

2.4.2.1.8. responses the document will evoke from your choice.

2.4.2.2. circulation

2.4.2.3. revision and editing

2.4.3. Code of Ethics

2.4.3.1. harassment

2.4.3.2. grievances

2.4.3.3. employee relations

2.4.3.4. basic business practice

2.4.4. Ethics and technology

2.4.4.1. laws

2.4.4.2. social norms

2.4.4.3. the market

2.4.4.4. architecture

2.4.5. Environmental ethics

2.4.5.1. how do our actions affect the world in which we live

2.4.5.2. how do actions regarding environment affect quality and length of the lives of the people who inhabit those environments.

2.4.5.3. what are the compromises we make to protect human interest over environmental interests

2.4.5.4. do other part of our environment have rights? what are they?

2.4.6. Avoiding unethical writing

2.4.6.1. Don't use deceptive or evasive language

2.4.6.2. Don't obscure or Misrepresent the Issue

2.4.6.2.1. abstract language

2.4.6.2.2. Jargon

2.4.6.2.3. Emphasis or Suppression of information

2.4.6.2.4. visual rhetoric

2.4.6.2.5. plagiarism

2.4.6.2.6. use of inaccurate information

2.5. research oriented

2.6. professional

2.7. design centered

2.8. visual

2.9. concise

3. problem solving

3.1. plan

3.1.1. define or describe the problem or reason for writing

3.1.2. Establish goals and purposes of writing

3.1.3. identify stakeholders and what they want or need

3.1.4. consider the ethical choices involved with the problem

3.1.5. consider document formats and delivery methods

3.1.6. identify what information you have and what information is needed

3.1.7. choose technologies that will best assist you and the audience

3.2. draft

3.2.1. confirm your goals and purposes, delivery methods

3.2.2. organize and draft the document

3.2.3. design and arrange the document

3.2.4. create and integrate visual elements that help communicate the information

3.3. review

3.3.1. test the usability of the document

3.3.2. solicit feedback and response from peers and colleagues

3.3.3. revise or rewrite the document based on feedback

3.3.4. edit the document to ensure correctness

3.4. distribute

3.4.1. include related documents or attachments

3.4.2. confirm appropriate means to transmit document to the intended audience

3.4.3. transmit the document to the audience

3.4.4. follow up to ensure the audience received the document

3.4.5. assess the document's outcomes and decide if further correspondence is necessary.

4. Genres

4.1. memos

4.2. emails

4.3. letters

4.4. resumes

4.5. definitions

4.6. descriptions

4.7. websites and text messages

4.8. instructions

4.9. manuals

4.10. proposals

4.11. informal reports and formal reports

4.12. presentations

5. activities

5.1. planning

5.2. researching

5.3. organizing

5.4. designing

5.5. integrating

5.6. drafting

5.7. visuals

5.8. revising

5.9. rewriting

5.10. editing

5.11. tesing

6. Technical communication in a transitional world (chp 5)

6.1. diferences

6.1.1. language

6.1.2. technology

6.1.3. education

6.1.4. politics and law

6.1.5. economics

6.1.6. society

6.1.7. religion

6.2. avoiding stereotypes

6.2.1. avoid assumptions

6.2.2. ask questions

6.2.3. collaborate with the translator

6.3. enhancing translation

6.3.1. terminology

6.3.2. clarity

6.3.3. cultural and rhetorical differences

6.3.4. design

6.4. accommodating transitional audiences

6.4.1. localization

6.4.2. internationalization

6.4.3. globalization

6.4.4. verbal communication

6.4.5. New node

6.5. transitional ethics

6.6. guidelines for writing for transitional audiences

6.6.1. write clearly

6.6.1.1. use correct punctuation (HTW)

6.6.1.2. include definite articles

6.6.1.3. avoid using pronouns (HTW)

6.6.1.4. use terminology consistently

6.6.1.5. avoid idiomatic language (HTW)

6.6.1.6. avoid comparatives

6.6.2. localize your writing

6.6.2.1. recognize alphabetic differences

6.6.2.2. use local numbers

6.6.2.3. be alert to time differences

6.6.2.4. avoid references to holidays

6.6.2.5. avoid cultural references

6.6.2.6. avoid humor

6.6.3. account for visual and auditory perceptions

6.6.3.1. consider visual interpretations

6.6.3.2. avoid images and hand gestures

6.6.3.3. reevaluate design elements and principles

6.6.3.4. account for differences in sound interpretations

7. Organizing and drafting documents (chp 7)

7.1. predrafting strategies

7.1.1. confirm you purpose

7.1.2. analyze your audience

7.1.3. gather your information

7.1.4. develop ideas about the information

7.1.4.1. collaboration and discussion

7.1.4.2. listing

7.1.4.3. freewriting

7.1.4.4. clustering

7.1.5. organize your information (HTW)

7.1.5.1. sequential

7.1.5.2. chronological (HTW)

7.1.5.3. order of importance

7.1.5.4. general/specific

7.1.5.5. division

7.1.5.6. classification

7.1.5.7. cause and effect (HTW)

7.1.5.8. comparison/contrast

7.1.5.9. spactial

7.1.6. outline your important ideas

7.2. writing the draft

7.2.1. parts of a draft

7.2.2. a nonlinear process

7.2.3. drafting the body

7.2.3.1. coverage and length

7.2.3.2. organization and access

7.2.4. drafting the conclusion

7.2.5. drafting the introduction

7.2.5.1. purpose/objective

7.2.5.2. scope

7.2.5.3. statement of the problem

7.2.5.4. relevant information/background

7.2.5.5. key terms

7.2.5.6. overview of organization

7.2.5.7. summary

7.3. electronic templates and wizards