Writing in the Technical Fields – A Step–by–Step Guide for Engineers, Scientists and Technicians

A Step–by–Step Guide for Engineers, Scientists, and Technicians

Specificaties
Paperback, 296 blz. | Engels
John Wiley & Sons | e druk, 1994
ISBN13: 9780780310360
Rubricering
Juridisch :
John Wiley & Sons e druk, 1994 9780780310360
Verwachte levertijd ongeveer 9 werkdagen

Samenvatting

Using 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.

Specificaties

ISBN13:9780780310360
Taal:Engels
Bindwijze:paperback
Aantal pagina's:296

Inhoudsopgave

<p>Preface xiii</p>
<p>Part I: Techniques 1</p>
<p>Chapter I. Introduction 3</p>
<p>Treat Workplace Writing as a Craft, Not an Art 3</p>
<p>Unlearn What You Learned in School 4</p>
<p>Focus on What You Know About Writing at Work 6</p>
<p>Characteristics of Effective Workplace Writing 7</p>
<p>Chapter 2 Before You Start Writing 13</p>
<p>Use Short Writing Sessions, Not Long Ones 13</p>
<p>Write Collaboratively 15</p>
<p>Analyze Your Audience 17</p>
<p>Define Your Purpose 18</p>
<p>Evaluate the Implications of Your Audience and Purpose 19</p>
<p>Make Sure Your Boss Agrees with What You′ve Decided 21</p>
<p>Chapter 3. Understanding the Writing Process 23</p>
<p>Generate Ideas to Include in the Document 23</p>
<p>Organize Your Information 26</p>
<p>Write the Draft Quickly 34</p>
<p>Spend Your Time Revising 34</p>
<p>Chapter 4 Using the Computer to Improve Your Writing 39</p>
<p>Understand What the Computer Can and Cannot Do for You 40</p>
<p>Use the Computer When You′re Just Getting Started on a Document 40</p>
<p>Use the Computer When You′re Drafting 41</p>
<p>Use the Computer When You′re Revising 42</p>
<p>Use Specialized Software 43</p>
<p>Chapter 5. Improving the Coherence of Your Writing 47</p>
<p>Write Informative Titles and Headings 48</p>
<p>Use Lists to Communicate Parallel Information 50</p>
<p>Use Introductions to Forecast Discussions 52</p>
<p>Use Conclusions to Complete Discussions 55</p>
<p>Chapter&nbsp;6 Writing Better Paragraphs 59</p>
<p>Begin with a Clear Topic Sentence 59</p>
<p>Support the Topic Sentence Logically 61</p>
<p>Emphasize the Coherence of the Paragraph 62</p>
<p>Keep Paragraphs to a Manageable Length 65</p>
<p>Chapter 7. Writing Better Sentences 67</p>
<p>Determine the Appropriate Stylistic Guidelines 68</p>
<p>Use the Active and Passive Voices Appropriately 68</p>
<p>Choose Appropriate Sentence Patterns 70</p>
<p>Focus on the Real Subject 72</p>
<p>Focus on the Real Verb 73</p>
<p>Use Modifying Elements Effectively 74</p>
<p>Keep Parallel Items Parallel 76</p>
<p>Chapter 8 Choosing the Right Word 79</p>
<p>Choose Simple, Clear Words and Phrases 79</p>
<p>Avoid Unnecessary Jargon 82</p>
<p>Avoid Euphemisms 82</p>
<p>Avoid Cliches 82</p>
<p>Avoid Sexist Language 83</p>
<p>Use Readability Formulas Carefully 84</p>
<p>Chapter 9 Creating and Integrating Graphics 87</p>
<p>Determine Whether You Need Graphics 87</p>
<p>Determine What Kind of Graphic to Use 89</p>
<p>Make the Graphic Honest 90</p>
<p>Make the Graphic Self–Sufficient 91</p>
<p>Determine Where to Put the Graphic 95</p>
<p>Tie the Graphic to the Text 95</p>
<p>Chapter 10. Improving Page Design 99</p>
<p>Leave Adequate Margins 100</p>
<p>Consider a Multicolumn Format 101</p>
<p>Use Appropriate Line Spacing 102</p>
<p>Use Appropriate Justification 104</p>
<p>Understand the Readability Levels of Type Fonts 106</p>
<p>Use the Different Members of a Type Family 107</p>
<p>Use Type Sizes Appropriately 108</p>
<p>Use Uppercase and Lowercase 110</p>
<p>Design Titles and Headings for Emphasis and Clarity 110</p>
<p>Design Lists for Clarity 112</p>
<p>Part II: Applications 115</p>
<p>Chapter 11. Letters 117</p>
<p>Learn the Standard Letter Formats 117</p>
<p>Learn Letter Protocol 118</p>
<p>Forecast the Purpose of the Letter 122</p>
<p>End on a Positive Note 123</p>
<p>Achieve a Natural Tone 124</p>
<p>Chapter 12 Memos 127</p>
<p>Create an Informative Heading 128</p>
<p>State the Purpose Up Front 128</p>
<p>Include a Summary 129</p>
<p>Conclude with an Action Statement 130</p>
<p>Chapter 13. Minutes 135</p>
<p>Include the Necessary Housekeeping Details 136</p>
<p>Record Events Accurately 136</p>
<p>Record Events Diplomatically 137</p>
<p>Chapter 14 Procedures and Manuals 141</p>
<p>Emphasize Safety 142</p>
<p>Orient the Reader 145</p>
<p>Write Clear Instructions 148</p>
<p>Add Graphics to Clarify the Text 150</p>
<p>Design the Document for Easy Use in the Field 152</p>
<p>Anticipate the Need for Updates 154</p>
<p>Include Troubleshooting Tips 154</p>
<p>Chapter 15. Formal Elements of Reports 157</p>
<p>Transmittal Letter 158</p>
<p>Title Page 160</p>
<p>Table of Contents 160</p>
<p>Abstract 162</p>
<p>Executive Summary 164</p>
<p>Appendices 166</p>
<p>Chapter 16 Proposals I69</p>
<p>Plan Before You Start Writing 170</p>
<p>Show That You Understand the Readers Needs 171</p>
<p>Propose a Clear, Specific Technical Plan for the Project 174</p>
<p>Demonstrate Your Professionalism and Credibility 176</p>
<p>Use Graphics to Help Your Readers See Your Ideas 177</p>
<p>Evaluate the Proposal Carefully Before You Send It Out 178</p>
<p>Chapter 17. Progress Reports 183</p>
<p>Clarify the Context 183</p>
<p>Explain the Progress Clearly 184</p>
<p>Explain the Progress Honestly 185</p>
<p>Chapter 18. Completion Reports 189</p>
<p>Introduce the Report Clearly 190</p>
<p>Describe Your Methods 191</p>
<p>Present Your Results 192</p>
<p>Draw Conclusions from the Results 194</p>
<p>Present Your Recommendations 195</p>
<p>Appendices 197</p>
<p>A. Checklists 199</p>
<p>B. Handbook 207</p>
<p>C. Commonly Misused Words and Phrases 241</p>
<p>D. Guidelines for Speakers of English as a Second Language 247</p>
<p>E. Guidelines for Writing to Speakers of English as a Second Language 261</p>
<p>F. Selected Bibliography 265</p>
<p>Index 271</p>

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        Writing in the Technical Fields – A Step–by–Step Guide for Engineers, Scientists and Technicians