Table of Contents

PART 1
Understanding the Technical Communication Environment  
1 Introduction to Technical Communication 
What Is Technical Communication? 
The Challenges of Producing Technical Communication 
Characteristics of a Technical Document 
Measures of Excellence in Technical Documents 
Skills and Qualities Shared by Successful Workplace Communicators 
How Communication Skills and Qualities Affect Your Career 
A Look at Three Technical Documents 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Understanding the Technical Communication Environment [LaunchPad]
Case 1: Using the Measures of Excellence in Evaluating a Resume  [LaunchPad] 

2 Understanding Ethical and Legal Considerations 
A Brief Introduction to Ethics 
Your Ethical Obligations 
Obligations to Your Employer 
Obligations to the Public 
Obligations to the Environment 
Your Legal Obligations 
Copyright Law 
 Guidelines: Determining Fair Use 
 Guidelines: Dealing with Copyright Questions 
 Ethics Note: Distinguishing Plagiarism from Acceptable Reuse of Information 
Trademark Law 
 Guidelines: Protecting Trademarks 
Contract Law 
Liability Law 
 Guidelines: Abiding by Liability Laws 
The Role of Corporate Culture in Ethical and Legal Conduct 
Understanding Ethical and Legal Issues Related to Social Media 
 Guidelines: Using Social Media Ethically and Legally 
 Document Analysis Activity: Presenting Guidelines for Using Social Media 
Communicating Ethically Across Cultures 
Communicating with Cultures with Different Ethical Beliefs 
Communicating with Cultures with Different Laws 
Principles for Ethical Communication 
Abide by Relevant Laws 
Abide by the Appropriate Professional Code of Conduct 
Abide by Your Organization’s Policy on Social Media 
Take Advantage of Your Employer’s Ethics Resources 
Tell the Truth 
Don’t Mislead Your Readers 
Use Design to Highlight Important Ethical and Legal Information 
Be Clear  
Avoid Discriminatory Language 
Acknowledge Assistance from Others 
Writer’s Checklist  
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Understanding the Technical Communication Environment [LaunchPad]
Case 2:  The Ethics of Requiring That Students Subsidize a Plagiarism-Detection Service  [LaunchPad] 

 3 Writing Technical Documents  
Planning 
Analyzing Your Audience 
Analyzing Your Purpose 
Choosing Your Writing Tools 
   Tutorial: Cross-Platform Word Processing with CloudOn, Quip, and More [LaunchPad] Generating Ideas About Your Subject 
Researching Additional Information 
Organizing and Outlining Your Document 
 Tech Tip: How to Use the Outline View 
 Tutorial: Creating Outlines  [LaunchPad]
 Tutorial: Creating Styles and Templates [LaunchPad] 
Selecting an Application, a Design, and a Delivery Method 
Devising a Schedule and a Budget 
Drafting 
Using Templates 
 Guidelines: Drafting Effectively 
 Tech Tip: How to Modify Templates 
 Document Analysis Activity: Identifying the Strengths and Weaknesses of a Commercial Template 
Using Styles 
 Tech Tip: How to Use the Styles Group 
Revising 
Studying the Draft by Yourself 
Seeking Help from Others 
 Ethics Note: Acknowledging Reviewers Responsibly 
 Tutorial: Creating Styles and Templates  [LaunchPad]
Editing 
Proofreading 
Tutorial: Proofreading for Format Consistency  [LaunchPad]
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Understanding the Technical Communication Environment [LaunchPad]
Case 3: Understanding Why Revision Software Cannot Revise and Edit Your Document  [LaunchPad] 
 

4 Writing Collaboratively 
Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaboration 
Advantages of Collaboration 
Disadvantages of Collaboration 
  Team Writing Assignment Modules [LaunchPad]
Managing Projects 
Guidelines: Managing Your Project 
Conducting Meetings 
Listening Effectively 
 Guidelines: Listening Effectively 
Tutorial: Scheduling Online Meetings [LaunchPad]
Setting Your Team’s Agenda 
Guidelines: Setting Your Team's Agenda 
Downloadable Form: Work-Schedule Form  [LaunchPad]
Downloadable Form: Team-Member Evaluation Form  [LaunchPad]
Downloadable Form: Self-Evaluation Form  [LaunchPad]
Ethics Note: Pulling Your Weight on Collaborative Projects 
Conducting Efficient Meetings 
Communicating Diplomatically 
Critiquing a Team Member’s Work 
 Guidelines: Communicating Diplomatically 
 Guidelines: Critiquing a Colleague's Work 
Using Social Media and Other Electronic Tools in Collaboration 
Word Processing Tools 
 Tech Tip: How to Use the Review Tab 
Document Analysis Activity: Critiquing a Draft Clearly and Diplomatically 
Tutorial: Reviewing Collaborative Documents [LaunchPad]
Tutorial: Incorporating Tracked Changes [LaunchPad]
Messaging Technologies 
 Guidelines: Representing Your Organization on a Microblog 
 Tutorial: Using Collaborative Software [LaunchPad]
Videoconferencing 
Tutorial: Using Collaborative Software  [LaunchPad]
 Guidelines: Participating in a Videoconference 
Wikis and Shared Document Workspaces 
Tutorial: Using Wikis for Collaborative Work  [LaunchPad]
Virtual Worlds 
 Ethics Note: Maintaining a Professional Presence Online 
Gender and Collaboration 
Culture and Collaboration 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Understanding the Technical Communication Environment [LaunchPad]
Case 4: Accommodating a Team Member’s Scheduling Problems  [LaunchPad] 

PART 2
Planning the Document  
5 Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose 
Understanding Audience and Purpose 
Using an Audience Profile Sheet 
Downloadable Forms: Audience Profile Sheet [LaunchPad]
Determining the Important Characteristics of Your Audience 
Who Are Your Readers? 
Why Is Your Audience Reading Your Document? 
What Are Your Readers’ Attitudes and Expectations? 
How Will Your Readers Use Your Document? 
Techniques for Learning About Your Audience 
Determining What You Already Know About Your Audience 
Interviewing People 
Reading About Your Audience Online 
Searching Social Media for Documents Your Audience Has Written 
Analyzing Social-media Data 
Communicating Across Cultures 
Understanding the Cultural Variables “on the Surface” 
Understanding the Cultural Variables “Beneath the Surface” 
Considering Cultural Variables as You Write 
 Guidelines: Writing for Readers from Other Cultures 
 Document Analysis Activity: Examining Cultural Variables in a Business Letter 
Using Graphics and Design for Multicultural Readers 
Applying What You Have Learned About Your Audience 
 Ethics Note: Meeting Your Readers' Needs Responsibly 
Writing for Multiple Audiences 
Determining Your Purpose 
Gaining Management’s Approval 
Revising Information for a New Audience and Purpose 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose [LaunchPad]
Case 5: Focusing on An Audience’s Needs and Interests  [LaunchPad]

6 Researching Your Subject  
Understanding the Differences Between Academic and Workplace Research 
Understanding the Research Process 
Choosing Appropriate Research Methods 
 Guidelines: Researching a Topic 
Conducting Secondary Research 
Understanding the Research Media 
Using Traditional Research Tools 
 Online Catalogs 
 Reference Works 
 Periodical Indexes 
 Newspaper Indexes 
 Abstract Services 
 Government Information 
Using Social Media and Other Interactive Resources 
 Discussion Boards 
 Wikis 
 Blogs 
 Tagged Content 
Tutorials: Tracking Sources with Evernote and Zotero [LaunchPad]
 RSS Feeds 
Evaluating the Information 
 Guidelines: Evaluating Print and Online Sources 
 Document Analysis Activity: Evaluating Information from Internet Sources 
Conducting Primary Research 
Analyzing Social Media Data 
Observations and Demonstrations 
Inspections 
Experiments 
Field Research 
Interviews 
Guidelines: Conducting an Interview 
Inquiries 
Questionnaires 
Asking Effective Questions  
Testing the Questionnaire 
Administering the Questionnaire 
Presenting Questionnaire Data in Your Document 
Ethics Note: Reporting and Analyzing Data Honestly 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Researching Your Subject [LaunchPad]
Case 6: Revising a Questionnaire  [LaunchPad] 

7 Organizing Your Information  
Understanding Three Principles for Organizing Technical Information 
Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose 
Using Conventional Patterns of Organization 
Displaying Your Organizational Pattern Prominently 
Understanding Conventional Organizational Patterns 
Chronological 
Guidelines: Organizing Information Chronologically 
Spatial 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information Spatially 
General to Specific 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information from General to Specific 
More Important to Less Important 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information from More Important to Less Important 
Comparison and Contrast 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information by Comparison and Contrast 
 Ethics Note: Comparing and Contrasting Fairly 
Classification and Partition 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information by Classification or Partition 
Problem-Methods-Solution 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information by Problem-Methods-Solution 
Cause and Effect 
 Guidelines: Organizing Information by Cause and Effect 
 Document Analysis Activity: Using Multiple Organizational Patterns in an Infographic 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Chronological and Spatial 
 General to Specific 
 More Important to Less Important 
 Comparison and Contrast 
 Classification and Partition 
 Problem-Methods-Solution 
 Cause and Effect 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Organizing and Emphasizing Information [LaunchPad]
Case 7: Organizing a Document for Clarity — and Diplomacy  [LaunchPad] 

PART 3
Developing and Testing the Verbal and Visual Information  
8 Communicating Persuasively 
Considering the Context of Your Argument  
Understanding Your Audience’s Broader Goals  
 Security 
 Recognition 
 Growth 
 Connectedness 
Working Within Constraints  
 Ethical Constraints 
 Legal Constraints 
 Political Constraints 
 Informational Constraints 
 Personnel Constraints 
 Financial Constraints 
 Time Constraints 
 Format and Tone Constraints 
Crafting a Persuasive Argument  
Identifying the Elements of Your Argument  
Using the Right Kinds of Evidence  
Considering Opposing Viewpoints 
 Document Analysis Activity: Analyzing Evidence in an Argument 
Appealing to Emotions Responsibly  
Deciding Where to Present the Claim  
Understanding the Role of Culture in Persuasion  
Avoiding Logical Fallacies  
Presenting Yourself Effectively  
 Guidelines: Creating a Professional Persona 
Using Graphics as Persuasive Elements 
 Ethics Note: Seeming Honest Versus Being Honest In Persuasive Writing 
A Look at Several Persuasive Arguments  
Writer’s Checklist  
Exercises  
LearningCurve: Communicating Persuasively [LaunchPad]
Case 8: Analyzing the Persuasiveness of a Web Site  [LaunchPad] 

9 Emphasizing Important Information  
Writing Clear, Informative Titles  
Writing Clear, Informative Headings 
 Tech Tip: How to Modify and Create Styles 
 Guidelines: Revising Headings 
Writing Clear, Informative Lists  
Write Effective Paragraph Lists  
Write Effective Sentence Lists  
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Lists 
Tech Tip: How to Create Numbered and Bulleted Lists 
Writing Clear, Informative Paragraphs  
Structure Paragraphs Clearly  
 The Topic Sentence 
 Ethics Note: Avoiding Burying Bad News in Paragraphs 
 The Supporting Information 
 Paragraph Length 
 Guidelines: Dividing Long Paragraphs 
Use Coherence Devices Within and Between Paragraphs  
 Adding Transitional Words and Phrases 
 Repeating Key Words 
 Using Demonstrative Pronouns Followed by Nouns 
 Document Analysis Activity: Identifying the Elements of a Coherent Paragraph 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises  
LearningCurve: Organizing and Emphasizing Information [LaunchPad]
Case 9: Emphasizing Important Information in a Technical Description  [LaunchPad] 

10 Writing Correct and Effective Sentences  
Writing Grammatically Correct Sentences 
Avoid Sentence Fragments 
Avoid Comma Splices 
Avoid Run-on Sentences 
Avoid Ambiguous Pronoun References 
Compare Items Clearly 
Use Adjectives Clearly 
Maintain Subject-Verb Agreement 
Maintain Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement 
Use Tenses Correctly 
Structuring Effective Sentences 
Emphasize New and Important Information 
Choose an Appropriate Sentence Length 
 Avoid Overly Long Sentences 
 Avoid Overly Short Sentences 
Focus on the “Real” Subject 
Focus on the “Real” Verb 
Use Parallel Structure 
Use Modifiers Effectively 
 Distinguish Between Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Modifiers 
 Avoid Misplaced Modifiers 
 Avoid Dangling Modifiers 
Choosing the Right Words and Phrases 
Select an Appropriate Level of Formality 
Be Clear and Specific 
 Use Active and Passive Voice Appropriately 
 Be Specific 
 Avoid Unnecessary Jargon 
 Use Positive Constructions 
 Avoid Long Noun Strings 
 Avoid Clichés 
 Avoid Euphemisms 
 Ethics Note: Euphemisms and Truth Telling 
Be Concise 
 Avoid Obvious Statements 
 Avoid Filler 
 Avoid Unnecessary Prepositional Phrases 
 Avoid Wordy Phrases 
 Avoid Fancy Words 
Use Inoffensive Language 
 Document Analysis Activity: Revising for Conciseness and Simplicity 
 Use Nonsexist Language 
 Guidelines: Avoiding Sexist Language 
 Use Inoffensive Language When Referring to People with Disabilities 
 Guidelines: Using the People-First Approach 
Understanding Simplified English for Nonnative Speakers 
Preparing Text for Translation 
Writer’s Checklist 
Grammar 
 Sentences 
 Words and Phrases 
Exercises 
LearningCurve: Organizing and Emphasizing Information [LaunchPad]
Case 10: Revising a Document for Nonnative Speakers and for Translation  [LaunchPad] 

11 Designing Print and Online Documents 
Goals of Document Design 
Understanding Design Principles 
Proximity 
Alignment 
Repetition 
Contrast 
Planning the Design of Print and Online Documents 
Analyze Your Audience and Purpose 
Determine Your Resources 
Designing Print Documents 
Size 
Paper 
 Tech Tip: How to Set Up Pages 
Bindings 
Accessing Aids 
Designing Print Pages 
 Guidelines: Understanding Learning Theory and Page Design 
Page Layout 
 Page Grids 
 White Space 
Columns 
Typography 
 Tech Tip: How to Format Columns 
 Typefaces 
Type Families 
 Tech Tip: How to Format Fonts 
 Case 
 Type Size 
 Ethics Note: Using Type Sizes Responsibly 
 Line Length 
 Line Spacing 
 Justification 
 Tech Tip: How to Modify Line Spacing 
 Tech Tip: How to Modify Justification 
Titles and Headings 
 Titles 
 Headings 
Other Design Features 
 Tech Tip: How to Create Borders and Screens 
 Tech Tip: How to Create Text Boxes 
Analyzing Several Print-Document Designs 
 Document Analysis Activity: Analyzing a Page Design 
Designing Online Documents 
Use Design to Emphasize Important Information 
Create Informative Headers and Footers 
Help Readers Navigate the Document 
 Guidelines: Making Your Document Easy to Navigate 
Include Extra Features Your Readers Might Need 
Help Readers Connect with Others 
Design for Readers with Disabilities 
Design for Multicultural Audiences 
 Ethics Note: Designing Legal and Honest Online Documents 
Designing Online Pages 
Aim for Simplicity 
 Guidelines: Designing a Simple Site 
Make the Text Easy to Read and Understand 
 Guidelines: Designing Easy-To-Read Text 
Create Clear, Informative Links 
 Guidelines: Writing Clear, Informative Links 
Analyzing Several Online Document Designs 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Designing Print Documents and Pages 
 Designing Online Documents 
Exercises 
Case 11: Designing a Flyer  [LaunchPad]

12 Creating Graphics 
The Functions of Graphics 
The Characteristics of an Effective Graphic 
 Ethics Note: Creating Honest Graphics 
 Guidelines: Integrating Graphics and Text 
Understanding the Process of Creating Graphics 
Planning Graphics 
Producing Graphics 
 Tech Tip: How to Insert and Modify Graphics 
Revising Graphics 
Citing Graphics 
Using Color Effectively 
Choosing the Appropriate Kind of Graphic 
Illustrating Numerical Information 
 Tables 
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Tables 
 Bar Graphs 
 Tech Tip: How to Use Tab Stops 
 Tech Tip: How to Create Tables 
 Tech Tip: How to Create Graphics in Excel 
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Bar Graphs 
 Infographics 
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Infographics 
 Tech Tip: How to Use Drawing Tools 
 Line Graphs 
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Line Graphs 
 Pie Charts 
 Guidelines: Creating Effective Pie Charts 
Illustrating Logical Relationships 
 Diagrams 
 Organization Charts 
 Document Analysis Activity: Analyzing a Graphic 
Illustrating Process Descriptions and Instructions 
 Checklists 
 Flowcharts 
 Logic Trees 
 Techniques for Showing Motion  
Tutorials: Audio Recording & Editing with Audacity  [LaunchPad] 
Illustrating Visual and Spatial Characteristics 
 Photographs 
 Guidelines: Presenting Photographs Effectively 
 Screen Shots 
 Tech Tip: How to Create and Insert Screen Shots 
 Line Drawings 
 Maps 
Tutorials: Photo Editing Basics with GIMP  [LaunchPad] 
Creating Effective Graphics for Multicultural Readers 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 12: Creating Appropriate Graphics to Accompany a Report  [LaunchPad] 

13 Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing Documents and Web Sites 
Understanding Reviewing, Evaluating, and Testing 
Reviewing Documents and Web Sites 
Revising 
Editing 
 Guidelines: Editing the Draft 
Proofreading 
Conducting Usability Evaluations 
Conducting Usability Tests 
The Basic Principles of Usability Testing 
Preparing for a Usability Test 
Conducting a Usability Test 
 Interacting with the Test Participant 
 Ethics Note: Understanding the Ethics of Informed Consent 
 Debriefing the Test Participant 
Interpreting and Reporting the Data from a Usability Test 
 Document Analysis Activity: Obtaining Informed Consent 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Revising, Editing, and Proofreading 
 Usability Evaluations 
 Usability Tests 
Exercises 
Case 13: Revising a Document for a New Audience  [LaunchPad]  

PART 4
Learning Important Applications 
14 Writing Correspondence 
Understanding the Process of Writing Correspondence 
Selecting a Type of Correspondence 
Presenting Yourself Effectively in Correspondence 
Use the Appropriate Level of Formality 
Communicate Correctly 
Project the “You Attitude” 
Avoid Correspondence Clichés 
Communicate Honestly 
 Ethics Note: Writing Honest Business Correspondence 
Writing Letters 
Elements of a Letter 
Common Types of Letters 
 Inquiry Letter 
 Response to an Inquiry 
 Claim Letter 
 Adjustment Letter 
Writing Memos 
 Guidelines: Organizing a Memo 
Writing E-mails 
 Guidelines: Following Netiquette 
 Document Analysis Activity: Following Netiquette in an E-mail Message 
Writing Microblogs 
 Guidelines: Representing Your Organization on a Microblog 
Writing Correspondence to Multicultural Readers 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Letter Format 
 Types of Letters 
 Memos 
 E-mail 
 Microblogs 
Exercises 
Case 14: Setting Up and Maintaining a Professional Microblog Account  [LaunchPad] 

15 Writing Job-Application Materials 
Understanding the Job-Application Process 
Establishing Your Personal Brand 
Understand What Employers Want 
 Guidelines: Building the Foundation of Your Personal Brand 
Craft Your Personal Brand 
 Guidelines: Presenting Your Personal Brand 
Tutorial: Building Your Personal Brand with LinkedIn, Twitter, and More [LaunchPad]
 Ethics Note: Writing Honest Job-Application Materials 
Planning the Job Search 
Understanding Four Major Ways to Look for a Position 
 Guidelines: Using LinkedIn's Employment Features 
Writing Résumés 
Elements of the Chronological Résumé 
 Identifying Information 
 Summary Statement 
 Education 
 Guidelines: Elaborating on Your Education 
 Employment History 
 Interests and Activities 
 References 
 Other Elements 
Elements of the Skills Résumé 
Preparing a Plain-text Résumé 
 Guidelines: Formatting a Plain-Text Résumé 
 Document Analysis Activity: Preparing a Text Résumé 
Document Analysis Activity: Professional Website Featuring an Infographic Résumé  [LaunchPad] 
Writing Job-Application Letters 
Preparing for a Job Interview 
 Guidelines: Preparing for a Job Interview 
Writing Follow-up Letters or E-mails After an Interview 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Résumé 
 Job-Application Letter 
 Preparing for a Job Interview 
 Follow-up Letters 
Exercises 
Case 15: Identifying the Best-of-the-Best Job-search Sites  [LaunchPad] 

16 Writing Proposals 
Understanding the Process of Writing Proposals 
The Logistics of Proposals 
Internal and External Proposals 
 Internal Proposals 
 External Proposals 
Solicited and Unsolicited Proposals 
 Solicited Proposals 
 Unsolicited Proposals 
The “Deliverables” of Proposals 
Research Proposals 
Goods and Services Proposals 
Persuasion and Proposals 
Understanding Readers’ Needs 
 Readers' Needs in an Internal Proposal 
 Readers' Needs in an External Proposal 
Describing What You Plan to Do 
Demonstrating Your Professionalism 
 Guidelines: Demonstrating Your Professionalism in a Proposal 
 Ethics Note: Writing Honest Proposals 
Writing a Proposal 
The Structure of the Proposal 
Summary 
Introduction 
 Guidelines: Introducing a Proposal 
Proposed Program 
Qualifications and Experience 
 Document Analysis Activity: Writing the Proposed Program 
Document Analysis Activity: Proposal Delivered as a Prezi Presentation [LaunchPad]
Budget 
Appendixes 
 Task Schedule 
 Tables 
 Bar Charts 
 Tech Tip: How to Create a Gantt Chart 
 Network Diagrams 
 Description of Evaluation Techniques 
Sample Internal Proposal 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 16: Revising a Brief Proposal  [LaunchPad] 

17 Writing Informational Reports 
Understanding the Process of Writing Informational Reports 
Writing Directives 
 Document Analysis Activity: Writing a Persuasive Directive 
 Document Analysis Activity: Report Presented as a Website  [LaunchPad]
 Document Analysis Activity: Informational Report Presented through Interactive Graphics [LaunchPad]
Writing Field Reports 
 Guidelines: Responding to Readers' Questions in a Field Report 
Writing Progress and Status Reports 
 Ethics Note: Reporting Your Progress Honestly 
Organizing Progress and Status Reports 
Concluding Progress and Status Reports 
 Guidelines: Projecting an Appropriate Tone in a Progress or Status Report 
 Sample Progress Report 
Writing Incident Reports 
Writing Meeting Minutes 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 17: Writing a Directive About Using Agendas for Meetings  [LaunchPad] 

18 Writing Recommendation Reports 
Understanding the Role of Recommendation Reports 
Using a Problem-Solving Model for Preparing Recommendation Reports 
Identify the Problem or Opportunity 
Establish Criteria for Responding to the Problem or Opportunity 
Determine the Options 
Study Each Option According to the Criteria 
Draw Conclusions About Each Option 
Formulate Recommendations Based on the Conclusions 
 Ethics Note: Presenting Honest Recommendations 
Writing Recommendation Reports 
Writing the Body of the Report 
 Introduction 
 Methods 
 Results 
 Conclusions 
 Recommendations 
 Guidelines: Writing Recommendations 
Writing the Front Matter 
 Letter of Transmittal 
 Cover 
 Title Page 
 Abstract 
 Table of Contents 
 List of Illustrations 
 Executive Summary 
 Tech Tip: How to Format Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers 
 Tech Tip: How to Create a Table of Contents 
 Guidelines: Writing an Executive Summary 
 Document Analysis Activity: Analyzing an Executive Summary 
Writing the Back Matter  
 Glossary and List of Symbols 
 References 
 Appendixes 
 Sample Recommendation Report 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 18: Analyzing Decision Matrices  [LaunchPad] 

19 Writing Lab Reports 
Persuasion and Lab Reports 
Understanding the Process of Writing Lab Reports 
Understanding the Structure of the Lab Report 
Title 
Abstract 
Introduction 
 Guidelines: Writing Equations 
Materials and Methods 
Results 
 Ethics Note: Presenting Data Honestly 
Discussion 
Conclusion 
Acknowledgments 
References 
Appendixes 
Understanding the Role of Science and Engineering Articles 
Sample Lab Report 
Writer’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 19: Introducing the Scientific Method Through a Lab Report  [LaunchPad] 

20 Writing Definitions, Descriptions, and Instructions 
Writing Definitions 
Analyzing the Writing Situation for Definitions 
Determining the Kind of Definition to Write 
 Writing Parenthetical Definitions 
 Writing Sentence Definitions 
 Guidelines: Writing Effective Sentence Definitions 
 Writing Extended Definitions 
 Graphics 
 Examples 
 Partition 
 Principle of Operation 
 Comparison and Contrast 
 Analogy 
 Negation 
 Etymology 
 A Sample Extended Definition 
Deciding Where to Place the Definition 
Writing Descriptions 
Analyzing the Writing Situation for Descriptions 
Indicating Clearly the Nature and Scope of the Description 
Introducing the Description Clearly 
Providing Appropriate Detail 
 Guidelines: Providing Appropriate Detail in Descriptions 
Concluding the Description 
A Look at Several Sample Descriptions 
Writing Instructions 
Understanding the Role of Instructional Videos 
Designing a Set of Written Instructions 
 Guidelines: Designing Clear, Attractive Pages 
Planning for Safety 
 Ethics Note: Protecting Your Readers' Safety 
Drafting Effective Instructions 
 Drafting Titles 
 Drafting General Introductions 
 Guidelines: Drafting Introductions for Instructions 
 Drafting Step-by-Step Instructions 
 Guidelines: Drafting Steps in Instructions 
 Drafting Conclusions 
Revising, Editing, and Proofreading Instructions 
A Look at Several Sample Sets of Instructions 
 Document Analysis Activity: Presenting Clear Instructions 
Document Analysis Activity: Mechanism Description Using Interactive Graphics  [LaunchPad] 
Document Analysis Activity: Process Description Using Video Animation  [LaunchPad] 
Document Analysis Activity: Instructions Using Video Demonstration  [LaunchPad] 
Document Analysis Activity: Instructions Using Video Screen Capture  [LaunchPad] 
Document Analysis Activity: Instructions Using a Combination of Video Demonstration and Screen Capture  [LaunchPad] 
Document Analysis Activity: Definition Using Video Animation  [LaunchPad] 
Writing Manuals 
Writer’s Checklist 
 Parenthetical, Sentence, and Extended Definitions 
 Descriptions of Objects and Mechanisms 
 Process Descriptions 
 Instructions 
Exercises 
Case 20: Choosing a Medium for Presenting Instructions  [LaunchPad] 

21 Making Oral Presentations 
Understanding the Role of Oral Presentations 
Understanding the Process of Preparing and Delivering the Oral Presentation 
Preparing the Presentation 
Analyzing the Speaking Situation 
 Analyzing Your Audience and Purpose 
 Budgeting Your Time 
Organizing and Developing the Presentation 
 Planning the Introduction 
 Guidelines: Introducing the Presentation 
 Planning the Conclusion 
 Guidelines: Concluding the Presentation 
Preparing Presentation Graphics 
Tutorial: Creating Presentations with PowerPoint and Prezi
 Graphics and the Speaking Situation 
Tech Tip: How to Create a Master Page Design In PowerPoint 
Tech Tip: How to Set List Items to Appear and Dim During a PowerPoint Presentation 
Use Graphics to Signal the Organization of the Presentation 
Document Analysis Activity: Integrating Graphics and Text on a Presentation Slide 
Choosing Effective Language 
 Using Language to Signal Advance Organizers, Summaries, and Transitions 
 Using Memorable Language 
 Guidelines: Using Memorable Language in Oral Presentations 
Rehearsing the Presentation 
 Rehearsing the Extemporaneous Presentation 
 Rehearsing the Scripted Presentation 
Delivering the Presentation 
Calming Your Nerves 
 Guidelines: Releasing Nervous Energy 
Using Your Voice Effectively 
Using Your Body Effectively 
 Guidelines: Facing an Audience 
Answering Questions After the Presentation   
 Ethics Note: Answering Questions Honestly 
Sample Evaluation Form 
Downloadable Form: Oral Presentation Evaluation Form [LaunchPad]
Speaker’s Checklist 
Exercises 
Case 21: Understanding the Claim-and-Support Structure for Presentation Graphics  [LaunchPad] 
 
APPENDIX 
Reference Handbook 
A Skimming Your Sources and Taking Notes 
Paraphrasing 
Quoting 
Summarizing 
B Documenting Your Sources 
APA Style 
Tutorial: How to Cite a Database in APA [LaunchPad]
Tutorial: How to Cite a Web Site in APA [LaunchPad]

IEEE Style 
MLA Style 
Tutorial: How to Cite a Book in MLA [LaunchPad]
Tutorial: How to Cite an Article in MLA  [LaunchPad]
Tutorial: How to Cite a Web Site in MLA [LaunchPad]
Tutorial: How to Cite a Database in MLA [LaunchPad]

C Editing and Proofreading Your Documents 
Grammatical Sentences 
Punctuation 
Mechanics 
Proofreading Symbols and Their Meanings 

D Guidelines for Multilingual Writers (ESL) 
Cultural and Stylistic Communication Issues 
Sentence-Level Issues 
LearningCurve: Articles and Nouns for Multilingual Writers [LaunchPad]
LearningCurve: Prepositions for Multilingual Writers [LaunchPad]
LearningCurve: Sentence Structure for Multilingual Writers [LaunchPad]
LearningCurve: Verbs for Multilingual Writers [LaunchPad]

References 
Selected Bibliography 
Index