<

Go to the Net

[Skip Navigation]

Chapter 1: Communicating in the Workplace

1.1 Survey of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Membership 1.2 Surveys of Workplace Writing 1. 3 Definitions of Technical Writing 1.4 Other Resources on Technical Writing 1.5 Collaborative Writing 1.6 Visual and Spatial Design 1.7 More About Ethics 1.8 Cyberphobia 1.9 Information about Tech Writing and Careers 1.10 Sample Mission Statements 1.11 Links to Sample Technical Documents

Chapter 2: The Technical Writing Process Today

2.1 The Writing Process 2.2 More About Rhetoric 2.3 More About Rhetoric 2.4 Writing a Purpose Statement 2.5 Helpful Tools for Doing Research 2.6 Introductions and Conclusions 2.7 Genres of Writing 2.8 Links to Logical Mapping Software 2.9 Writer's Block 2.10 Techniques for Invention 2.11 Style 2.12 More About Document Design 2.13 More About Editing 2.14 The Writing Process 2.15 Information on Sleep Deprivation 2.16 How to Overcome Procrastination 2.17 Working in Teams

Chapter 3: Readers and Their Contexts of Use

3.1 Websites that Discuss the 5-W and How Questions 3.2 What Else Do Readers Want? 3.3 Downloadable Writer-Centered Analysis Chart 3.4 Links to Controversial Documents 3.5 Downloadable Reader Analysis Chart 3.6 The Common Sense Trap 3.7 Websites that Search for People 3.8 Internet Search Engines 3.9 Search Engine Tips 3.10 Downloadable Context Analysis Chart 3.11 More Help with Reader Analysis 3.12 International Readers 3.13 Information Sources on Foreign Countries 3.14 Native American Cultures 3.15 Graphics in Other Cultures 3.16 Politeness Strategies 3.17 Information on Waste Incinerators

Chapter 4: Working in Teams

4.1 Tuckman's Teaming Theories 4.2 Other Planning Strategies 4.3 Samples of Mission Statements 4.4 More on Sharing Team Responsibilities 4.5 Project Software Sites 4.6 Resolving Conflict in the Workplace 4.7 Effective Meetings 4.8 Mediation 4.9 How to Fire Someone 4.10 Virtual Teaming 4.11 Team Role Theory 4.12 Groupware Links 4.13 More about Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) 4.14 More about Telecommuting 4.15 The American Solar Challenge

Chapter 5: Ethics in the Technical Workplace

5.1 Definitions of Ethics 5.2 More about Einstein 5.3 Sources of Golden Rule 5.4 Manuel Velasquez 5.5 United States Constitution 5.6 Conservation Ethics 5.7 U.S. Copyright Law 5.8 Solving Ethical Dilemmas 5.9 Moral Leaders 5.10 Codes of Ethics 5.11 Strategies for Handling Unethical Situations at Work 5.12 Examples of Whistleblowers 5.13 Ethics Websites 5.14 Websites on Wired Ethics 5.15 Trademark and Patent 5.16 Internet Libel, Slander, and Fraud 5.17 Environmental Protection

Chapter 6: Persuasion and Planning

6.1 More about the Field of Rhetoric 6.2 More about Reasoning 6.3 Websites that Discuss using Logic 6.4 Information about Using Examples 6.5 Values-based Persuasion 6.6 Using Identification to Sell Products 6.7 What People Think They Need 6.8 More About Framing 6.9 Project Planning Tips 6.10 How to Set Objectives 6.11 Software with "To Do List" Functions 6.12 More About Creating a Schedule 6.13 Free Online Calendar Programs 6.14 Etiquette in Asian Cultures 6.15 More About High-Context Cultures 6.16 Native American Cultures

Chapter 7: Researching and Managing Information

7.1 Information Glut 7.2 Websites on Creativity 7.3 Mapping in the Workplace 7.4 Refining Hypotheses 7.5 Research Methodologies 7.6 More Tools for Doing Electronic Research 7.7 Internet Search Engines 7.8 Links to Solid Electronic Sources of Information 7.9 Blogs 7.10 Online News Services 7.11 Catalog of U.S. Publications 7.12 Empirical Research Methods 7.13 Qualitative Research Methods 7.14 Scientific Method 7.15 Note-Taking Strategies 7.16 Links to Note-Taking Software 7.17 Tips on Paraphrasing and Summarizing 7.18 Help Citing Sources 7.19 Junk Science 7.20 Help Evaluating Electronic Sources 7.21 Plagiarism 7.22 Substance Abuse on College Campuses 7.23 Genetic Engineering

Chapter 8: Organizing and Drafting

8.1 Why Documents Need Introductions and Conclusions 8.2 The Histories of Genres 8.3 Outlining Strategies 8.4 Help Using Outline View 8.5 Advice on Presentation Software 8.6 How Readers Read Introductions 8.7 Sample Introductions 8.8 More Help Writing Introductions 8.9 Sample Sections 8.10 Cause and Effect 8.11 Arguing Costs and Benefits 8.12 Chronological Order 8.13 Examples Used in Documents 8.14 Sample Conclusions 8.15 Help Writing Conclusions 8.16 Sample Documents for the Exercises and Projects in Chapter 8

Chapter 9: Using Plain and Persuasive Style

9.1 Classical Rhetoricians on Style 9.2 Writing and Revising Sentences 9.3 Interesting Discussions of Plain Style 9.4 More Examples of Revised Sentences 9.5 Online Writing Centers and Labs 9.6 Bureaucratic Style 9.7 Eliminating Prepositional Phrases 9.8 More on Improving Style at the Sentence Level 9.9 More about Paragraphing 9.10 Examples of Kinds of Sentences in Paragraphs 9.11 More Advice about Writing Paragraphs 9.12 Revising Paragraphs 9.13 Given/New Method 9.14 Passive Voice 9.15 Improving Tone 9.16 Similes and Analogies 9.17 More about Metaphors 9.18 Sample Documents for Sentences and Paragraphs 9.19 Metaphors about Wars 9.20 Ephedra

Chapter 10: Designing Documents and Interfaces

10.1 Learn More about Gestalt Psychology 10.2 Samples of Unbalanced Pages 10.3 Samples of Unbalanced Webpages 10.4 Downloadable Templates 10.5 More Advice on Interface Design 10.6 More Balancing Techniques 10.7 Texts that Use Alignment Well (and Badly) 10.8 More Information on Using Headings 10.9 Using Rules and Borders 10.10 Typeface History 10.11 Advice About Using Lists 10.12 Using the Styles Menu in Your Word Processor 10.13 Downloadable Templates 10.14 Webpages with Contrast Problems 10.15 Advice on Thumbnailing 10.16 More about Binding Documents 10.17 More About Paper 10.18 Sample Documents and Websites for Critiquing

Chapter 11: Creating and Using Graphics

11.1 More Examples of Text to Table Conversions 11.2 Guidelines for Using Graphics 11.3 Other Graphs that Tell Simple Stories 11.4 Unethical Graphs 11.5 Information on Labeling and Placing Graphs 11.6 Samples of Documents with Graphs and Charts 11.7 Sample Line Graphs 11.8 Sample Bar Charts 11.9 Help Making Tables 11.10 More Pie Charts 11.11 Sample Flowcharts 11.12 More about Project Management Software 11.13 Using Spreadsheet Programs to Make Graphs 11.14 Tips About Photography 11.15 More about Using Electronic Images 11.16 Samples of Line Drawings 11.17 Internet Sites for Mapping 11.18 Free Icons and Clip Art 11.19 More About Video Editing Software 11.20 Legal Music Download Sites 11.21 Sample Charts, Graphs, and Data Sets 11.22 Sample Documents for the Collaborative Project 11.23 Samples of Annual Reports

Chapter 12: Revising and Editing for Usability

12.1 Variations on the Levels of Edit 12.2 More Help with Revision 12.3 More about Editing Design 12.4 More about Copy Editing 12.5 Improve Your Grammar 12.6 Quick Answers to Grammar Issues 12.7 Short Essays on Grammar Issues 12.8 The History of Punctuation Marks 12.9 Help Using Your Spell Checker 12.10 Online Dictionaries 12.11 Word Usage 12.12 More About Using Copy Editing Symbols 12.13 More Online Editing Tips 12.14 More about Usability Testing 12.15 Longer Texts for Editing Practice

Chapter 13: Using E-Mail and Instant Messaging

13.1 History of E-Mail 13.2 Free E-Mail Service 13.3 Corporate E-Mail Policies 13.4 Classic E-Mail Blunders 13.5 How E-Mail Evolved 13.6 Managing E-Mail 13.7 Emoticons 13.8 Cool Signature Files 13.9 Help with Spam 13.10 Creating E-Mail Filters 13.11 Managing E-Mail 13.12 Netiquette 13.13 Virus Hoaxes 13.14 Finding a Listserve That Interests You 13.15 Free Instant Messaging 13.16 Using Instant Messaging 13.17 IM Abbreviations

Chapter 14: Designing Websites

14.1 More about How the Internet Works 14.2 Interesting Splash Pages 14.3 Organizational Structures for Websites 14.4 Worksheets for Analyzing a Website's Rhetorical Situation 14.5 Worksheets for Analyzing Your Website's Audience 14.6 Ethics Involving Websites 14.7 International and Cross-Cultural Issues Involving Websites 14.8 Samples of Good and Bad Homepages 14.9 Other Example Node Pages 14.10 More Information about Help Software Packages 14.11 More about Copyright Issues and the Internet 14.12 Web Authoring Software 14.13 Websites that Discuss Internet Style 14.14 Designing Interfaces 14.15 More about Using Images 14.16 Editing Websites 14.17 More about FTP 14.18 Websites for Critiquing

Chapter 15: Starting Your Career

15.1 Statistics and Trends about Employment 15.2 Websites that Will Help You Answer Questions about Setting Goals 15.3 Links to Job Search Sites 15.4 Professional Groups in Your Major 15.5 Major Newspaper Classified Ads 15.6 Headings for Your Resume 15.7 More Help with Resumes 15.8 Sample Resumes 15.9 Services for Managing Your Letters of Reference 15.10 Resume Templates 15.11 Help with Scannable Resumes 15.12 Sample Application Letters 15.13 More Advice about Letter-Writing Style 15.14 Samples of Online Portfolios 15.15 Finding Materials for a Portfolio 15.16 Interviewing Strategies 15.17 Strategies for Answering Tough Questions 15.18 Good and Bad Samples of Resumes

Chapter 16: Preparing and Giving Presentations

16.1 Websites that Discuss Giving Presentations 16.2 Learning More about Analyzing Audiences 16.3 Audience and Context Analysis Worksheets 16.4 Time Management Strategies 16.5 Presentation Software Packages 16.6 More about Presentation Technologies 16.7 Sample Poster Presentations 16.8 More Ideas on Starting a Presentation 16.9 Setting the Right Tone at the Start 16.10 Good Grabbers 16.11 Ending a Presentation 16.12 Answering Questions 16.13 Improving Your Style 16.14 Advice for Presenting Well 16.15 Advice on Creating Visuals 16.16 Advice on Delivering Presentations 16.17 Improving Your Voice, Rhythm, and Tone 16.18 Toastmasters and Groups Like It 16.19 Practice and Rehearsing Tips 16.20 Evaluation Form for Presentations

Chapter 17: Letters and Memos

17.1 When is E-Mail Not Appropriate? 17.2 Sample Letters and Memos 17.3 History of Letter Writing 17.4 Blunders in Letters and Memos 17.5 Help Writing a Letter or Memo Introduction 17.6 Inquiry and Response Letters 17.7 Samples of Claim and Adjustment Letters 17.8 Samples of Refusal Letters 17.9 Avoiding Bureaucratic Writing 17.10 Templates for Downloading 17.11 Help with Formatting Letters and Memos 17.12 Make Your Own Templates 17.13 Revision Challenge

Chapter 18: Technical Definitions