Book description
Taking a research-based, integrated problem-solving approach to technical and professional writing, this text provides a model that illustrates real working-world solutions to problems that students are likely to encounter in the workplace. Each chapter begins with a short scenario case study that deals with theoretical or applied issues of technical and professional communication. The problem is carried through its development and resolution, thereby preparing students to deal appropriately and successfully in the professional world,
Table of contents
- Copyright
- Preface
- 1. Professionalism and Problem Solving
- 2. Technical Problem Solving
- 3. Rhetorical Problem Solving
-
4. Solving Problems Through Advanced Research
- CASE STUDY: Patricia Wynjenek's Office
- Introduction to Some Essentials of Research
- Review of Kinds of Research
- Varieties of Primary Research
- Varieties of Secondary Research
- Conclusions
- Works Cited and/or Consulted
- Exercises
-
5. Collaborative Writing and the Uses of Technology
- CASE STUDY: Adrian Rivera's Office
- Basics of Collaboration
- Communicate to Solve Problems Collaboratively
- Collaborative Writing Strategies
- Technology for Collaboration
- General Guidelines for Use of Technology
- Technical Problem Solving and Planning
- Technology Support for Drafting, Distribution, Revision
- Pointers for Successful Collaboration
- Epilogue
- References
- Exercises
-
6. Solving Problems Through Proposals
- CASE STUDY: Patricia Wynjenek's Office
- Fundamentals of a Proposal
- Analyzing the Process of Proposal Writing
- Format of a Proposal
- Conclusions
- Exercise
- Sample Student Proposals
-
7. Solving Problems Through Periodic (Progress) Reports and Completion Reports
- CASE STUDY: Leah Feldstein's Office
- Fundamentals of a Periodic Report
-
Questions That Periodic Reports Answer
- What Project or Work Is Being Reviewed in the Report?
- What Period of Time Does the Report Cover?
- In Summary, What Has Happened during This Period?
- What Work Has Been Accomplished?
- What Problems Arose While Doing the Work?
- Is the Work on Schedule and within Budget?
- What Work Has to Be Done in the Future?
- Format and Substance of a Periodic Report
- Sample Professional Periodic Report
- Exercises
- CASE STUDY REVISITED: Patricia Wynjenek's Office
- Fundamentals of a Completion Report
-
Questions That Completion Reports Answer
- What Is the Problem? Why Does It Warrant Special Attention?
- What Work Was Done? How Was It Done? What, in General, Were the Results?
- What Conclusions Can Be Drawn from the Work That Was Done? How Can the Data be Interpreted? What Decisions, If Any Are Necessary, Can Be Made, Given What Is Now Known?
- Format and Substance of a Completion Report
- Sample Professional Completion Report
- Exercises
- Sample Student Completion Report
-
8. Solving Problems Through Trip Reports, Feasibility Studies, and Scientific Reports
- CASE STUDY: Bruce Kennewick's Office
- Fundamentals of a Trip Report
- Analyzing the Process of Writing a Trip Report
- Exercises
- CASE STUDY: Al Robinson
- Fundamentals of a Feasibility Study
- Analyzing the Process of Writing a Feasibility Study
- Sample Outline for a Feasibility Study
- Sample Engineering Feasibility Study
- Exercises
- Fundamentals of Scientific Writing
- Format and Substance of a Scientific Report
- Sample Student-Authored Scientific Article
- Exercises
-
9. Solving Problems Through Policy Statements, Manuals, and Procedures
- Distinguishing among Policy Statements, Manuals, and Procedures
- CASE STUDY: Ruth Warner's Office
- Rhetorical Problem Solving for Policy Statements, Manuals, and Procedures
- Guidelines for Writing an Enforceable Policy Statement
- Sample Policy Statement
- CASE STUDY: Bob Hanley's Office
- Guidelines for Producing a Functional Manual
- Sample Outline for a Manual
- CASE STUDY: Professor Rick Allen's Office
- Guidelines for Writing a Logical Procedure
- Sample Administrative Procedure
- Sample Operations Procedure
- Analyzing an Administrative Procedure
- Conclusions
- Postscript
- Exercises
-
10. Solving Problems Through Letters and Memoranda
- CASE STUDY: Super Bowl Sunday 3:20 P.M. – Jay Dalton's Cubicle
- Memos and Letters as Problem Solvers
- Format of a Letter and a Memo
- Conventions of Administrative Writing
- Reading and Writing Professionally, at Two Levels
- Analyzing the Administrative Writing Process
- Sample Professional Memo Written to Solve a Problem
- Postscript
- Transmittal Letters as Problem Solvers
- Sample Professional Transmittal Letters
- Writing For Someone Else's Signature
- Conclusions
- Exercises
-
11. Solving Problems in the Professional Job Search
- CASE STUDY: Evening Rush Hour
- Fundamentals of the Job Search
-
The Job Search Process
- Reactivate Placement File
- Approach Recommenders
- Research Possible Employers, and Find Position Descriptions
- Update Résumé
- Sample College Résumé
- Sample Professional Résumé
- Write Cover Letters
- Sample Position Description
- Sample Cover Letter for an Advertised Position
- Submitting an Unsolicited Application
- Sample Cover Letter for an Unsolicited Application
- Postscript
- Shaping Up a Student Résumé
- Revised Student Résumé
- Fundamentals of the Interview Process
- Conclusions
- Exercises
- 12. Solving Problems Through Document Design
-
13. Solving Problems Through Oral Presentations
- CASE STUDY: Leah Feldstein's Office
- The Naturalness of Oral Communication
- Rhetorical Analysis of an Oral Presentation
- Essential Elements in Preparing an Oral Presentation
- Planning the Text for an Oral Presentation
- The Mechanics of Effective Public Speaking
- Tips for Giving Oral Presentations to Specific Groups
- Conclusions
- Exercise
- Selected Problems of Usage and Style
Product information
- Title: Technical and Professional Writing: Solving Problems at Work
- Author(s):
- Release date: December 2001
- Publisher(s): Pearson
- ISBN: 0130550728
You might also like
audiobook
Professional Writing Skills
A bestseller since 1990 and fully updated in 2010, Professional Writing Skills: A Write It Well …
book
Business Writing for Technical People
In this book you’ll discover how to give your communication skills an upgrade, exploring the tips …
book
Technical Writing for Business People
Technical writing needs to be clear and it needs to be precise. This book shows you …
book
Technical Writing
Engineers and scientists of all types are often required to write reports, summaries, manuals, guides, and …