{"product_id":"writing-in-the-technical-fields-9780780310360","title":"Writing in the Technical Fields","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUsing an informal, hands-on approach, this practical guide reviews the basics of good technical writing. It provides a simple, effective system for writing all types of technical documents including letters, memos, minutes, procedures, manuals, proposals, progress reports, and final reports. You will gain a better understanding of the writing process and learn how to: improve the coherence of your writing, write better paragraphs, write better sentences, choose the right word and more.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003ePreface xiii\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart I: Techniques 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter I. Introduction 3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreat Workplace Writing as a Craft, Not an Art 3\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnlearn What You Learned in School 4\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocus on What You Know About Writing at Work 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharacteristics of Effective Workplace Writing 7\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 2 Before You Start Writing 13\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Short Writing Sessions, Not Long Ones 13\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite Collaboratively 15\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnalyze Your Audience 17\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDefine Your Purpose 18\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluate the Implications of Your Audience and Purpose 19\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMake Sure Your Boss Agrees with What You've Decided 21\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 3. Understanding the Writing Process 23\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGenerate Ideas to Include in the Document 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrganize Your Information 26\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite the Draft Quickly 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSpend Your Time Revising 34\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 4 Using the Computer to Improve Your Writing 39\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstand What the Computer Can—and Cannot—Do for You 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse the Computer When You're Just Getting Started on a Document 40\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse the Computer When You're Drafting 41\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse the Computer When You're Revising 42\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Specialized Software 43\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 5. Improving the Coherence of Your Writing 47\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite Informative Titles and Headings 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Lists to Communicate Parallel Information 50\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Introductions to Forecast Discussions 52\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Conclusions to Complete Discussions 55\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 6 Writing Better Paragraphs 59\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBegin with a Clear Topic Sentence 59\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSupport the Topic Sentence Logically 61\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmphasize the Coherence of the Paragraph 62\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeep Paragraphs to a Manageable Length 65\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 7. Writing Better Sentences 67\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine the Appropriate Stylistic Guidelines 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse the Active and Passive Voices Appropriately 68\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoose Appropriate Sentence Patterns 70\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocus on the Real Subject 72\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFocus on the Real Verb 73\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Modifying Elements Effectively 74\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeep Parallel Items Parallel 76\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 8 Choosing the Right Word 79\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eChoose Simple, Clear Words and Phrases 79\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid Unnecessary Jargon 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid Euphemisms 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid Cliches 82\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvoid Sexist Language 83\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Readability Formulas Carefully 84\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 9 Creating and Integrating Graphics 87\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine Whether You Need Graphics 87\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine What Kind of Graphic to Use 89\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMake the Graphic Honest 90\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMake the Graphic Self-Sufficient 91\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDetermine Where to Put the Graphic 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTie the Graphic to the Text 95\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 10. Improving Page Design 99\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLeave Adequate Margins 100\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsider a Multicolumn Format 101\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Appropriate Line Spacing 102\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Appropriate Justification 104\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstand the Readability Levels of Type Fonts 106\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse the Different Members of a Type Family 107\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Type Sizes Appropriately 108\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Uppercase and Lowercase 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesign Titles and Headings for Emphasis and Clarity 110\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesign Lists for Clarity 112\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePart II: Applications 115\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 11. Letters 117\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearn the Standard Letter Formats 117\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eLearn Letter Protocol 118\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForecast the Purpose of the Letter 122\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnd on a Positive Note 123\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAchieve a Natural Tone 124\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 12 Memos 127\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCreate an Informative Heading 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eState the Purpose Up Front 128\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInclude a Summary 129\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eConclude with an Action Statement 130\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 13. Minutes 135\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInclude the Necessary Housekeeping Details 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecord Events Accurately 136\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecord Events Diplomatically 137\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 14 Procedures and Manuals 141\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmphasize Safety 142\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOrient the Reader 145\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWrite Clear Instructions 148\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAdd Graphics to Clarify the Text 150\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDesign the Document for Easy Use in the Field 152\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnticipate the Need for Updates 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eInclude Troubleshooting Tips 154\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 15. Formal Elements of Reports 157\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTransmittal Letter 158\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTitle Page 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTable of Contents 160\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbstract 162\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExecutive Summary 164\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppendices 166\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 16 Proposals I69\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlan Before You Start Writing 170\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eShow That You Understand the Readers’ Needs 171\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePropose a Clear, Specific Technical Plan for the Project 174\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemonstrate Your Professionalism and Credibility 176\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eUse Graphics to Help Your Readers See Your Ideas 177\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEvaluate the Proposal Carefully Before You Send It Out 178\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 17. Progress Reports 183\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eClarify the Context 183\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplain the Progress Clearly 184\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExplain the Progress Honestly 185\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChapter 18. Completion Reports 189\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIntroduce the Report Clearly 190\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDescribe Your Methods 191\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent Your Results 192\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDraw Conclusions from the Results 194\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePresent Your Recommendations 195\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAppendices 197\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Checklists 199\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Handbook 207\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Commonly Misused Words and Phrases 241\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Guidelines for Speakers of English as a Second Language 247\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eE. Guidelines for Writing to Speakers of English as a Second Language 261\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eF. Selected Bibliography 265\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIndex 271\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"John Wiley \u0026 Sons Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49404987277655,"sku":"9780780310360","price":83.66,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780780310360.jpg?v=1730488291","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/writing-in-the-technical-fields-9780780310360","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}