Technical Communication, Global Edition

For courses in Technical Communication. Comprehensive, user-friendly instruction in workplace writing, technical communication, business writing Today's employees are tasked with writing documents such as emails, memos, letters, and informal reports, as well as more complex forms of communications such as formal reports, proposals, web pages, and presentations. Technical Communication, Fourteenth Edition builds upon the authority of the previous editions byclearly guiding students to write documents persuasively, effectively, and with an eye towards technological innovations and global communications. It incorporates the interpersonal, logical, ethical, and cultural demands of these different forms of workplace communications and provides students with the necessary skills to navigate these nuisances. Building on research and writing skills and touching on the importance of ethics, the authors prepare students for technical writing in any field. Also available with MyWritingLab(TM) MyWritingLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage readers and improve results. Within its structured environment, readers practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them better absorb course material and understand difficult concepts. In addition to the full eText, activities directly from the text are available within MyWritingLab. These include the written assignments, readings from the text, review exercises and more. Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyWritingLab does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyWritingLab, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MyWritingLab, search for: 0134271955 / 9780134271958 Technical Communication Plus MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package Package consists of: 0133944131 / 9780133944136 MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card 013394414X / 9780133944143 MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Inside Star Sticker 0134118499 / 9780134118499 Technical Communication Cover......Page 1 Title Page ......Page 8 Copyright Page ......Page 9 Brief Contents ......Page 10 Detailed Contents ......Page 11 Preface ......Page 23 Part 1 Communicating in the Workplace......Page 30 Chapter 1 Introduction to Technical Communication......Page 31 What Is Technical Communication? ......Page 32 Technical Communication Reaches a Global Audience ......Page 33 Technical Communication Is Part of Most Careers ......Page 34 Technical Communicators Play Many Roles ......Page 35 Accessible and Efficient ......Page 36 Documents That Inform ......Page 38 Preparing Effective Technical Documents ......Page 39 Case Providing Information Readers Can Use ......Page 40 Case Considering the Ethical Issues ......Page 41 Case Working on a Team and Thinking Globally ......Page 42 Projects......Page 43 Chapter 2 Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences......Page 44 Your Relationship to Your Readers ......Page 46 Intended Use of the Document ......Page 47 Highly Technical Audience ......Page 48 Semitechnical Audience ......Page 49 Nontechnical Audience ......Page 51 Case Tailoring a Single Document for Multiple Audiences......Page 52 Length and Details ......Page 53 Format and Medium ......Page 54 Budget ......Page 55 Guidelines for Analyzing Your Audience and Its Use of the Document......Page 56 Case Developing an Audience and Use Profile ......Page 57 Projects......Page 60 Chapter 3 Persuading Your Audience......Page 62 Identify Your Specific Persuasive Goal ......Page 64 Try to Predict Audience Reaction ......Page 65 Expect Audience Resistance ......Page 66 Know How to Connect with the Audience ......Page 67 Case Connecting with the Audience ......Page 68 Allow for Give-and-Take......Page 69 Never Ask for Too Much ......Page 70 Organizational Constraints ......Page 71 Ethical Constraints ......Page 72 Social and Psychological Constraints ......Page 73 Consider This: People Often React Emotionally to Persuasive Appeals ......Page 74 Support Your Claims Convincingly ......Page 75 Offer Convincing Evidence ......Page 76 Appeal to Common Goals and Values ......Page 77 Consider the Cultural Context ......Page 78 Guidelines for Persuasion......Page 80 Shaping Your Argument ......Page 82 Checklist: Persuasion......Page 86 Projects......Page 87 Chapter 4 Weighing the Ethical Issues......Page 88 Recognize Unethical Communication in the Workplace ......Page 90 Yielding to Social Pressure ......Page 91 Understand the Potential for Communication Abuse ......Page 92 Exaggerating Claims About Technology ......Page 93 Exploiting Cultural Differences ......Page 94 Consider Ethical Issues and Digital Information ......Page 95 Reasonable Criteria for Ethical Judgment ......Page 96 Ethical Dilemmas ......Page 97 Case a Hard Choice ......Page 98 Learn to Recognize Legal Issues and Plagiarism ......Page 99 Plagiarism and Your Career ......Page 101 Consider This: Ethical Standards Are Good for Business Decide When and How to Report Ethical Abuses ......Page 103 Checklist: Ethical Communication......Page 105 Guidelines for Ethical Communication......Page 107 projects......Page 108 Chapter 5 Teamwork and Global Considerations......Page 109 Virtual Teamwork ......Page 110 Guidelines for Managing a CollaborativeProject......Page 112 Guidelines for Running a Meeting......Page 114 Gender Differences ......Page 115 Managing Group Conflict ......Page 116 Guidelines for Active Listening......Page 117 Brainstorm as a Way of Getting Started ......Page 118 Mind-Mapping......Page 119 Reviewing and Editing Others’ Work ......Page 121 Guidelines for Peer Reviewing and Editing......Page 122 Hoarding Information ......Page 123 Interpersonal Issues in Global Teams ......Page 124 Guidelines for Communicating on a Global Team......Page 126 Checklist: Teamwork and Global Considerations......Page 127 Projects......Page 129 Chapter 6 An Overview of the Technical Writing Process......Page 130 Critical Thinking in the Writing Process ......Page 131 A Sample Writing Situation ......Page 133 Working with the Information ......Page 135 Planning the Document ......Page 136 Drafting the Document ......Page 138 Revising the Document ......Page 139 Guidelines for Proofreading......Page 143 Digital Technology and the Writing Process ......Page 144 Checklist: Proofreading......Page 145 Projects......Page 146 Part 2 The Research Process......Page 148 Chapter 7 Thinking Critically About The Research Process......Page 149 Exploring a Balance of Views ......Page 151 Achieving Adequate Depth in Your Search......Page 153 Evaluating and Interpreting Your Findings ......Page 154 Primary Versus Secondary Sources ......Page 155 Locating Secondary Sources Using Wikipedia ......Page 156 Other Web-based Secondary Sources ......Page 157 Guidelines for Researching on theInternet......Page 160 Traditional Secondary Sources ......Page 162 Surveys ......Page 165 Guidelines for Informational Interviews......Page 167 Guidelines for Surveys......Page 168 Observations and Experiments ......Page 170 Consider This: Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright ......Page 173 Projects......Page 174 Chapter 8 Evaluating and Interpreting Information......Page 176 Evaluate the Sources ......Page 178 Evaluate Online Information......Page 179 Evaluate the Evidence ......Page 180 Identify Your Level of Certainty ......Page 181 Examine the Underlying Assumptions ......Page 182 Consider This: Standards of Proof Vary for Different Audiences ......Page 183 Faulty Generalization ......Page 184 Faulty Causal Reasoning ......Page 185 Faulty Statistical Analysis ......Page 187 Obstacles to Validity and Reliability ......Page 191 Deceptive Reporting ......Page 192 Guidelines for Evaluating and InterpretingInformation......Page 193 Checklist: The Research Process......Page 195 Projects......Page 196 Chapter 9 Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information......Page 197 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 198 Guidelines for Summarizing Information......Page 200 Creating a Summary ......Page 201 Special Types of Summaries ......Page 202 Closing Summary ......Page 204 Descriptive Abstract (“Abstract”)......Page 206 Digital and Ethical Considerations in Summarizing Information ......Page 207 Checklist: Summaries......Page 209 Projects......Page 210 Part 3 Organization, Style, and Visual Design......Page 212 Chapter 10 Organizing for Readers......Page 213 The Typical Shape of Workplace Documents ......Page 214 An Outlining Strategy ......Page 217 The Formal Outline ......Page 218 Storyboarding ......Page 220 The Support Paragraph ......Page 222 The Topic Sentence ......Page 223 Paragraph Coherence ......Page 224 Paragraph Length ......Page 225 Chunking ......Page 226 Providing an Overview ......Page 227 Checklist: Organizing Information......Page 228 Projects......Page 229 Chapter 11 Editing for a Professional Style and Tone......Page 230 Avoid Ambiguous Pronoun References ......Page 232 Arrange Word Order for Coherence and Emphasis ......Page 233 Use Active Voice Whenever Possible ......Page 234 Use Passive Voice Selectively ......Page 236 Editing for Conciseness ......Page 237 Avoid Needless Repetition ......Page 238 Delete Needless Prefaces ......Page 239 Avoid Weak Verbs ......Page 240 Avoid Nominalizations ......Page 241 Make Negatives Positive ......Page 242 Delete Needless Qualifiers ......Page 243 Combine Related Ideas ......Page 244 Finding the Exact Words ......Page 246 Prefer Simple and Familiar Wording ......Page 247 Avoid Useless Jargon ......Page 248 Avoid Misleading Euphemisms ......Page 249 Avoid Imprecise Wording ......Page 250 Be Specific and Concrete ......Page 251 Adjusting Your Tone ......Page 252 Address Readers Directly ......Page 254 Prefer the Active Voice ......Page 255 Avoid Personal Bias ......Page 256 Guidelines for Nonsexist Usage......Page 257 Avoid Biased Usage of All Types ......Page 258 Considering the Global Context ......Page 259 Legal and Ethical Implications of Word Choice ......Page 260 Using Digital Editing Tools Effectively ......Page 261 Checklist: Style......Page 262 Projects......Page 264 Chapter 12 Designing Visual Information......Page 265 Why Visuals Matter ......Page 266 When to Use Visuals ......Page 267 Types of Visuals to Consider ......Page 268 How to Choose the Right Visuals ......Page 270 Using Software to Create Visuals ......Page 271 Tables ......Page 272 How to Construct a Table ......Page 275 Bar Graphs ......Page 276 Line Graphs ......Page 278 Guidelines for Creating Tables and Graphs......Page 283 Pie Charts ......Page 284 Gantt and PERT Charts......Page 286 Guidelines for Creating Charts......Page 289 Graphic Illustrations ......Page 290 Diagrams ......Page 291 Maps ......Page 293 Symbols and Icons ......Page 294 Photographs ......Page 295 Using Color ......Page 298 Videos ......Page 297 Guidelines for Incorporating Color......Page 301 Present the Complete Picture ......Page 302 Don’t Mistake Distortion for Emphasis ......Page 303 Cultural Considerations ......Page 304 Guidelines for Obtaining and Citing Visual Material......Page 306 Guidelines for fitting Visuals with text......Page 307 Checklist: Visuals......Page 308 projects......Page 309 Chapter 13 Designing Pages and Documents......Page 311 Page Design in Workplace Documents ......Page 312 Word Processing and Desktop Publishing ......Page 315 Using Style Guides and Style Sheets ......Page 316 Shaping the Page ......Page 317 Styling the Words and Letters ......Page 322 Adding Emphasis ......Page 325 Using Headings for Access and Orientation ......Page 326 Audience Considerations in Page Design ......Page 329 Adobe AcrobatTM and PDF Files......Page 331 Web Pages ......Page 332 Checklist: Page Design......Page 333 Projects......Page 334 Part 4 Specific Documents and Applications......Page 336 Chapter 14 Email and Text Messages......Page 337 Email Parts and Format ......Page 338 Email Style and Tone ......Page 340 Interpersonal Issues and Email ......Page 341 Ethical and Legal Issues When Using Email ......Page 343 Privacy and Other Ethical Issues ......Page 344 Global Considerations When Using Email ......Page 345 Guidelines for Writing and Using Email......Page 346 Text Messaging ......Page 348 Guidelines for Text Messaging......Page 349 Projects......Page 350 Chapter 15 Workplace Memos and Letters......Page 352 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 353 Memo Parts and Format ......Page 354 Memo Tone ......Page 358 Transmittal Memo ......Page 360 Summary or Follow-up Memo ......Page 361 Routine Miscellaneous Memo ......Page 362 Guidelines for Memos......Page 364 Checklist: Memos......Page 366 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 367 Standard Parts ......Page 368 Optional Parts ......Page 371 Formats and Design Features ......Page 373 Letter Tone ......Page 374 Be Polite and Tactful ......Page 375 Decide on a Direct or Indirect Organizing Pattern ......Page 376 Global and Ethical Considerations ......Page 377 Conveying Bad or Unwelcome News ......Page 379 Guidelines for Conveying Bad News......Page 380 Inquiry Letters ......Page 381 Claim Letters ......Page 385 Adjustment Letters ......Page 390 Sales Letters ......Page 388 Checklist: Letters......Page 393 Projects......Page 394 Chapter 16 Résumés and Other Job-Search Materials......Page 396 Assessing Your Skills and Aptitudes ......Page 397 Learn to Network ......Page 398 Parts of a Résumé ......Page 400 Organizing Your Résumé ......Page 402 Guidelines for Writing and Designing Your Résumé......Page 405 Unsolicited Application Letters ......Page 407 Guidelines for Application Letters......Page 410 Digital Versus Print Job Application Materials ......Page 411 Guidelines for Digital Job Application Materials......Page 412 Dossiers ......Page 413 Guidelines for Dossiers, Portfolios,and E-Portfolios......Page 414 Interviews and Follow-Up Letters......Page 415 Interviews ......Page 416 Follow-Up Letters......Page 417 Guidelines for Interviews and Follow-Up Letters......Page 419 Checklist: Résumés......Page 420 Checklist: Supporting Materials......Page 421 Projects......Page 422 Chapter 17 Technical Definitions......Page 423 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 424 Legal, Ethical, Societal, and Global Implications ......Page 425 Parenthetical Definitions ......Page 426 Sentence Definitions ......Page 427 Methods for Expanding Definitions ......Page 428 History ......Page 429 Analysis of Parts ......Page 430 Required Conditions ......Page 431 An Expanded Definition for Semitechnical Readers ......Page 432 Placing Definitions in a Document ......Page 437 Guidelines for Definitions......Page 439 Checklist: Definitions......Page 440 Projects......Page 441 Chapter 18 Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials......Page 442 Types of Technical Descriptions ......Page 443 Objectivity in Technical Descriptions ......Page 444 Clearest Descriptive Sequence ......Page 447 Outlining and Writing a Product Description ......Page 449 Outlining and Writing a Process Description ......Page 450 A Process Description for a Nontechnical Audience ......Page 453 Specifications ......Page 454 Types of Specifications ......Page 457 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 458 Technical Marketing Materials ......Page 460 Guidelines for Technical marketing Materials......Page 463 Checklist: for Specifications......Page 464 Checklist: Technicalmarketing Materials......Page 465 Projects......Page 466 Chapter 19 Instructions and Procedures......Page 468 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 469 Formats for Instructional Documents ......Page 470 Faulty Instructions and Legal Liability ......Page 472 Informed Content ......Page 473 Appropriate Level of Detail and Technicality ......Page 474 Guidelines for Providing AppropriateDetail......Page 477 Notes and Hazard Notices ......Page 479 Readability ......Page 480 Guidelines for Designing Instructions......Page 483 Introduction ......Page 484 A Complete Set of Instructions for a Nontechnical Audience ......Page 485 Video Instructions ......Page 488 Scripting Online Videos ......Page 489 Evaluating the Usability of Instructions and Procedures ......Page 491 Usability and the User Experience ......Page 493 Approaches for Evaluating a Document’s Usability ......Page 494 Checklist: Instructions and Procedures......Page 497 Projects......Page 498 Chapter 20 Informal Reports......Page 500 Informational Versus Analytical Reports ......Page 501 Progress Reports ......Page 502 Periodic Activity Reports ......Page 504 Guidelines for Trip Reports......Page 507 Guidelines for Meeting Minutes......Page 510 Feasibility Reports ......Page 511 Guidelines for Feasibility Reports......Page 512 Guidelines for Recommendation Reports......Page 514 Guidelines for Justification Reports......Page 516 Checklist: Informal Reports......Page 518 projects......Page 520 Chapter 21 Formal Analytical Reports......Page 521 Causal Analysis: “Why Does X Happen?"......Page 523 Case the Reasoning Process in Comparative Analysis ......Page 524 Combining Types of Analysis ......Page 525 Adequate but Not Excessive Data ......Page 526 Fully Interpreted Data ......Page 527 Valid Conclusions and Recommendations ......Page 529 Self-Assessment......Page 530 An Outline and Model for Analytical Reports ......Page 532 Introduction ......Page 533 Body ......Page 534 Conclusion ......Page 541 Front Matter and End Matter Supplements ......Page 543 Letter of Transmittal ......Page 544 End Matter ......Page 545 A Formal Report ......Page 546 Guidelines for Reasoning through an Analytical Problem......Page 560 Checklist: Analytical Reports......Page 562 Projects......Page 563 Chapter 22 Proposals......Page 565 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 566 The Proposal Process ......Page 567 Case Submitting a Competitive Proposal ......Page 568 Types of Proposals ......Page 569 Research Proposals ......Page 570 A Forecasting Title or Subject Line ......Page 574 A Clear Focus on Benefits ......Page 576 Honest and Supportable Claims ......Page 577 Readability ......Page 578 Accessible Page Design ......Page 579 Proper Citation of Sources and Contributors ......Page 580 Introduction ......Page 581 Body ......Page 583 Guidelines for Proposals......Page 586 A Formal Proposal ......Page 587 Checklist: Proposals......Page 599 Projects......Page 600 Chapter 23 Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing......Page 601 Advantages and Drawbacks of Oral Presentations ......Page 602 Analyze Your Audience and Purpose ......Page 603 Analyze Your Speaking Situation ......Page 605 Select a Type of Presentation ......Page 606 Select a Delivery Method ......Page 608 Research Your Topic ......Page 609 Outline Your Presentation ......Page 610 Decide Which Visuals to Use and Where to Use Them ......Page 612 Decide Which Visuals You Can Realistically Create ......Page 613 Guidelines for Readable and Understandable Visuals......Page 614 Choosing the Right Media Format ......Page 615 Ethics and the Use of Presentation Software ......Page 617 Guidelines for Using PresentationSoftware......Page 619 Rehearse Your Delivery ......Page 620 Keep Your Listeners Oriented ......Page 621 Guidelines for Presenting Visuals......Page 623 Manage Your Speaking Situation ......Page 624 Guidelines for Delivering OralPresentations......Page 625 Consider This Cross-cultural Audiences May Have Specific Expectations ......Page 626 Video Conferencing ......Page 627 Guidelines for Video Conferencing......Page 628 Checklist: Oral Presentations......Page 629 Projects......Page 630 Chapter 24 Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages......Page 631 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 632 Internal Blogs ......Page 633 External Blogs ......Page 634 External Wikis ......Page 635 Web Pages ......Page 636 How People Read Web Pages ......Page 637 Guidelines for Writing Web Pages......Page 638 Designing Web Pages ......Page 639 Guidelines for Designing Web Pages......Page 640 Teamwork When Creating Web Sites ......Page 641 Guidelines for Addressing GlobalAudiences......Page 642 Legal Considerations ......Page 643 Checklist: Writing and Designing for Blogs,Wikis, and the Web......Page 644 Projects......Page 645 Chapter 25 Social Media......Page 646 Considering Audience and Purpose ......Page 648 Audience as Contributor ......Page 649 Facebook ......Page 650 Linkedin and Other Job Sites ......Page 651 Twitter ......Page 652 Guidelines for Writing and UsingSocial Media......Page 653 Ethical and Legal Issues ......Page 654 Checklist: Social Media......Page 655 Projects......Page 656 Part 5 Resources for Technical Writers......Page 658 Guidelines for Recording Research Findings......Page 659 Guidelines for Quoting the Work ofOthers......Page 660 Paraphrasing the Work of Others ......Page 662 What You Should Document ......Page 663 How You Should Document ......Page 664 MLA Parenthetical References......Page 665 MLA Works Cited Entries......Page 666 Discussion of Figure QG.4......Page 677 APA Documentation Style......Page 680 APA Parenthetical References......Page 681 APA Reference List Entries......Page 682 Discussion of Figure QG.5......Page 691 Sentence Fragments ......Page 693 Run-on Sentences ......Page 694 Faulty Agreement—Subject and Verb......Page 695 Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers ......Page 696 Faulty Parallelism ......Page 697 Faulty Coordination ......Page 698 Faulty Subordination ......Page 699 Punctuation ......Page 700 Semicolon ......Page 701 Comma ......Page 702 Apostrophe ......Page 705 Quotation Marks ......Page 706 Brackets ......Page 707 Mechanics ......Page 708 Capitalization ......Page 709 Numbers and Numerals ......Page 710 Usage ......Page 711 Lists ......Page 714 Vertical Lists ......Page 715 Works Cited......Page 717 Index......Page 722 For courses in Technical Communication. This package includes MyWritingLabTM. Comprehensive, user-friendly instruction in workplace writing, technical communication, business writing Today’s employees are tasked with writing documents such as emails, memos, letters, and informal reports, as well as more complex forms of communications such as formal reports, proposals, web pages, and presentations. Technical Communication, Fourteenth Edition builds upon the authority of the previous editions by clearly guiding students to write documents persuasively, effectively, and with an eye towards technological innovations and global communications. It incorporates the interpersonal, logical, ethical, and cultural demands of these different forms of workplace communications and provides students with the necessary skills to navigate these nuisances. Building on research and writing skills and touching on the importance of ethics, the authors prepare students for technical writing in any field. Personalize learning with MyWritingLabTM MyWritingLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment program designed to work with this text to engage students and improve results. Within its structured environment, students practice what they learn, test their understanding, and pursue a personalized study plan that helps them better absorb course material and understand difficult concepts. In addition to the full eText, activities directly from the text are available within MyWritingLab. These include the written assignments, readings from the text, review exercises and more. For courses in Technical Communication. Comprehensive, user-friendly instruction in workplace writing, technical communication, business writing Today's employees are tasked with writing documents such as emails, memos, letters, and informal reports, as well as more complex forms of communications such as formal reports, proposals, web pages, and presentations. Technical Communication, Fourteenth Edition builds upon the authority of the previous editions byclearly guiding students to write documents persuasively, effectively, and with an eye towards technological innovations and global communications. It incorporates the interpersonal, logical, ethical, and cultural demands of these different forms of workplace communications and provides students with the necessary skills to navigate these nuisances. Building on research and writing skills and touching on the importance of ethics, the authors prepare students for technical writing in any field. MyWritingLab(TM) not included. Students, if MyWritingLab is a recommended/mandatory component of the course, please ask your instructor for the correct ISBN and course ID. MyWritingLab should only be purchased when required by an instructor. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. MyWritingLab is an online homework, tutorial, and assessment product designed to personalize learning and improve results. With a wide range of interactive, engaging, and assignable activities, students are encouraged to actively learn and retain tough course concepts I: COMMUNICATING IN THE WORKPLACE 1. Introduction to Technical Communication 2. Meeting the Needs of Specific Audiences 3. Persuading Your Audience 4. Weighing the Ethical Issues 5. Teamwork and Global Considerations 6. An Overview of the Technical Writing Process II. THE RESEARCH PROCESS 7. Thinking Critically About the Research Process 8. Evaluating and Interpreting Information 9. Summarizing Research Findings and Other Information III. ORGANIZATION, STYLE, AND VISUAL DESIGN 10. Organizing for Readers 11. Editing for a Professional Style and Tone 12. Designing Visual information 13. Designing Pages and Document IV. SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS AND APPLICATIONS 14. Email and Text Messages 15. Workplace Memos and Letters 16. Resumes and other Job Search Materials 17. Technical Definitions 18. Technical Descriptions, Specifications, and Marketing Materials 19. Instructions and Procedures 20. Informal Reports 21. Formal Analytical Reports 22. Proposals 23. Oral Presentations and Video Conferencing 24. Blogs, Wikis, and Web Pages 25. Social Media V. RESOURCES FOR TECHNICAL WRITERS A Quick Guide to Documentation A Quick Guide to Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics "This version of Technical Communication has been updated to reflect the 8th Edition of the MLA Handbook (April 2016)....Comprehensive, user-friendly instruction in workplace writing, technical communication, business writing Today's employees are tasked with writing documents such as emails, memos, letters, and informal reports, as well as more complex forms of communications such as formal reports, proposals, web pages, and presentations. Technical Communication, Fourteenth Edition builds upon the authority of the previous editions by clearly guiding students to write documents persuasively, effectively, and with an eye towards technological innovations and global communications. It incorporates the interpersonal, logical, ethical, and cultural demands of these different forms of workplace communications and provides students with the necessary skills to navigate these nuisances. Building on research and writing skills and touching on the importance of ethics, the authors prepare students for technical writing in any field"--Publisher's website *Technical Communication* offers complete coverage of technical communication, business communication, and professional writing in a user-friendly writing style. The topics move from basic foundational concepts, to chapters on research, visuals, style, document design, usability, and finally to specific documents (basic workplace correspondence to more complex documents, technologies, and oral presentations). The appendix includes thorough coverage of MLA, APA, and CSE (Council of Science Editors) documentation styles, and a handbook of grammar, mechanics, and usage. All descriptions of and instructions for creating technical documents are accompanied by clear, annotated model documents. In addition, graphic illustrations appear throughout the book to make abstract concepts easy to understand. Checklists and Projects provide plentiful opportunities to learn and reinforce chapter topics. __For courses in Technical Communication.__**Comprehensive, user-friendly instruction in workplace writing, technical communication, business writing****__Technical Communication,__Fourteenth Edition****Also available with MyWritingLab(TM)****Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyWritingLab does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyWritingLab, ask your instructor for the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information.****0134271955 / 9780134271958 Technical Communication Plus MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card Package**0133944131 / 9780133944136 MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Access Card 013394414X / 9780133944143 MyWritingLab with Pearson eText -- Inside Star Sticker 0134118499 / 9780134118499 Technical Communication