PART ONE The Writing Process
Chapter 1 Assessing Audience, Purpose, and Medium: A Case Study Writing Systematically Determining Your Purpose Assessing Your Audience's Needs Considering the Context Generating, Gathering, and Recording Ideas and Facts
Brainstorming — Using Other Sources of Information Establishing Your Scope Organizing Your Ideas
Selecting the Appropriate MediumE-mail Memos Letters Faxes Instant Messaging Text MessagingTelephone and Conference Calls Voice-Mail Messages Face-to-Face Meetings Videoconferences Web Communication
Writing for Results Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 2 Organizing Your Information Outlining Traditional Roman Numeral Outline Decimal Numbering System Outline
How Audience and Purpose Shape Organization: A Case Study Essential Organizing Patterns Sequential Chronological Spatial Division and Classification Decreasing Order of Importance Increasing Order of Importance General to Specific Specific to General Comparison Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 3 Writing the Draft Beginning Your DraftKeeping Your Audience in Mind Writing from the Audience's Point of View Accommodating Multiple Audiences Writing for an International Audience Persuading Your Audience
Development Strategies Explaining a Process Describing Information Defining Terms and Concepts Explaining Cause and Effect
Writing an Opening Writing a Closing Case Study: Drafting the Lifemaker Brochure Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 4 Revising the Draft 94Content and Organization Coherence Paragraph Unity Transitions
Transitions Between Sentences — Transitions Between Paragraphs Emphasis Active and Passive Voice Subordination Parallel Structure Lists Other Ways to Achieve Emphasis
Point of View Language Context and Word Choice Conciseness
Redundancy — Padded Phrases Bias
Sexist Language — Other Types of Biased Language Plain Language
Affectation — Technical Terminology — Jargon Proofreading Physical Appearance Case Study: Revising the Lifemaker Brochure Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
PART TWO Essential Skills: Collaboration, Research, and Design Chapter 5 Collaborative Writing Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaborative Writing Functions of a Collaborative Writing Team Planning Research and Writing Review and Revision
The Role of Conflict in Collaborative Writing Leading a Collaborative Writing Team Schedule Review Transmittal Sheet
Collaborating with Other Departments Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 6 Researching Your Subject Conducting Primary Research: Experience, Interviews, Observations, and Questionnaires Beginning with Experience Interviewing for Information
Determining Whom to Interview — Preparing for the Interview — Conducting the Interview — Expanding Your Notes After the Interview Observing Firsthand Using a Questionnaire
Disadvantages — Selecting Questionnaire Recipients — Preparing and DesigningYour Questionnaire Conducting Secondary Research: The Library and the Internet Developing a Search Strategy Workplace Sources of InformationLibrary Research
Using Library Catalogs to Locate Books — Using Databases to LocateArticles — Using Reference Works to Locate Facts and Topic Overviews — Other Library Resources Searching the Web
Search Engines — Subject Directories — Locating Business and Government Sites Evaluating, Recording, and Acknowledging Research Sources Evaluating Sources
Authority — Accuracy — Bias — Currency Taking Notes Quoting from Your Sources
Direct Quotations — Indirect Quotations — Deletions or Omissions — Inserting Material into Quotations — Incorporating Quotations into Text Paraphrasing Summarizing Avoiding Plagiarism and Copyright Violations
Acknowledging Your Sources — Common Knowledge — Copyright — Public-Domain Materials — In-House Materials Documenting Sources APA Style
APA In-Text Citations — APA Citation Format for a References List — APA Documentation Models MLA Style
MLA In-Text Citations — MLA Citation Format for a List of Works Cited — MLA Documentation Models Other Style Manuals Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 7 Designing Effective Documents and Visuals Understanding Design PrinciplesDesigning Documents Typography
Typeface — Type Size Highlighting Devices
Typographical Devices — Headings and Captions — Headers and Footers — Rules, Icons, and Color — Integrating Other Design Elements — Thumbnail Sketches — White Space — Left- or Full-Justified Margins — Lists — Illustrations Creating Visuals Designing and Integrating Visuals with Text Tables Graphs
Line Graphs — Bar Graphs — Pie Graphs — Picture Graphs — Dimensional-Column Graphs Organizational Charts Maps Photographs
Highlighting Photographic Objects — Using Color Using Visuals to Communicate Internationally
Colors — People, Parts of the Body, and Gestures — Cultural Symbols — Reading Practices — Directional Signs Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
PART THREE Writing at Work: From Principle to Practice Chapter 8 Understanding the Principles of Business Communication Writing in a Multi-Media EnvironmentSelecting the Appropriate Media E-mail Text and Instant Messaging Memos Business letters Web Correspondence
Developing Style and Tone Audience and Writing Style Goodwill and the "You" Viewpoint
Structuring Effective Correspondence Direct and Indirect Patterns
Direct Pattern — Indirect PatternOpenings Closings Clarity and Emphasis
Lists — Headings Subject Lines Observing Protocol
Organizational Rank — Copy Protocol Meeting the Deadline: The Time-Sensitive Message Understand the Assignment Gather Information Organize Your Thoughts Write the Draft Polish the Draft Take a Well-Deserved Break
Writing E-mail, Text, and Instant Messages Review and Confidentiality Implications Observing Netiquette Design Considerations Salutations, Closings, and Signature Blocks Writing and Managing Instant Messages
Designing Memos Memo Format Additional Pages
Designing Letters Common Letter StylesHeading Inside Address Salutation Subject LineBody Complimentary Closing Writer's Signature Block End Notations Continuing Pages Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 9 Writing Business Correspondence Routine and Positive Messages Covers (or Transmittals) Acknowledgments Inquiries Responses to Inquiries Sales and Promotions
Sensitive and Negative Messages Routine and High-Stakes Refusals Complaints Adjustments Collections
Writing International Correspondence Culture and Business-Writing Style Language and Usage Dates, Time, and Measurement Cross-Cultural Examples Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 10 Writing Informal Reports Planning and Writing Informal Reports Considering Audience Collecting Information Parts of the Informal Report
Introduction — Body — Conclusions and Recommendations Types of Informal Reports Progress and Periodic Reports
Progress Reports 362 — Periodic Reports Investigative Reports Incident ReportsTrip Reports Test Reports Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 11 Writing Formal Reports Transmittal Letter or Memo Front Matter Title Page Abstract Table of Contents List of Figures List of Tables Foreword Preface List of Abbreviations and Symbols
Body Executive Summary Introduction
Introducing the Subject — Stating the Purpose — Stating the Scope — Previewing How the Topic Will Be Developed Text (Body)
Headings — Explanatory Notes — Graphic and Tabular Matter Conclusions Recommendations Works Cited (or References)
Back Matter Bibliography Appendixes Glossary Index Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 12 Writing Instructions Planning Instructions Learn to Perform the Operation Yourself Assess Your Audience and Purpose
Coworkers — Consumers — International Readers Organize the Instructions
Writing Instructions Write Directly to Your Reader Include Warnings and Cautions
Language of Warnings — Visual Symbols and Signal Words Using Illustrations and Design Principles Illustrate for Clarity Design for Ease of Use
Testing for Usability Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 13 Writing Proposals Planning and Writing Proposals Audience and Purpose Project Management Repurposing Content (Boilerplate) Organization Persuasive Writing
Internal Proposals Routine Internal Proposals Formal Internal Proposals
External Proposals Solicited Proposals Unsolicited Proposals Grant and Research Proposals
Cover Letter — Title Page — Introduction/Summary/Abstract — Literature Review — Project Narrative — Project Description — Project Outcomes — Budget — Schedule — Conclusion Sales Proposals
Meeting the Deadline: The Time-Sensitive Proposal Requests for Proposals RFP Structure Information about Your Company Project Description Delivery Schedule Proposal Description Vendor Qualifications Proposal-Evaluation Criteria Appendixes Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 14 Giving Presentations and Conducting Meetings Preparing and Delivering Presentations Determining Your Purpose Analyzing Your Audience Gathering Information Structuring Your Presentation
Introduction — Body — Closing — Transitions Using Visual Aids
Using Presentation Software — Using Flip Charts, Whiteboards, and Chalkboards — Using Handouts Delivering Your Presentation
Practicing Your Presentation — Dealing with Presentation Anxiety Reaching Global Audiences
Listening Fallacies About Listening Steps to More Effective Listening
Make a Conscious Decision — Define Your Purpose — Take Specific Actions — Adapt to the Situation Meeting the Deadline: The Time-Sensitive Presentation Part I: Planning Your Presentation (45 Minutes)Part II: Creating Your Presentation (90 Minutes)Part III: Practicing Your Presentation (45 Minutes)Part IV: Delivering Your Presentation (allotted time)
Conducting Productive Meetings Planning a Meeting
What Is the Purpose of the Meeting? — Who Should Attend? — When Should the Meeting Be Held? — Where Should the Meeting Be Held? — What's on the Agenda? Running a Meeting
Dealing with Conflict — Making a Record of Decisions and Assignments — Closing the Meeting Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 15 Writing for the Web:Writing for Rapid Consumption Crafting Content for the Web Using the Inverted Pyramid Using a Simple Style and an Appropriate Tone Writing Concisely Chunking Content Linking to Internal Content Linking to External Content
Highlighting Information Using Headings and Subheadings Using Bulleted and Numbered Lists Giving Directional Cues Providing Keywords for Content Retrieval Using Graphics and Typography
Graphics — Font Size and Style — Line Length — Special Font Characters Enhancing Access to Content Ensuring Access for People with Disabilities Considering International Users
Repurposing Existing Content Protecting the Privacy of Your Users Documenting Sources of Information Contributing to Collaborative and Multimedia Content Blogs
Organizational Blogs — Writing for Organizational Blogs — Tagging Blog Postings Wikis Podcasts FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Questions to Include — Placement Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
Chapter 16 Finding the Right Job Determining the Best Job for You Networking Campus Career Services Web Resources Advertisements Trade and Professional Journal Listings Private and Temporary Employment Agencies Internships Government Employment Services Letters of Inquiry and Informational Interviews Job-Search Record Keeping
Preparing an Effective Resume Analyzing Your Background Organizing Your Resume
The Heading — Job Objective vs. Tagline — Qualifications Summary — Education — Employment Experience — Related Skills and Abilities — Honors and Activities — References — Portfolios Electronic Resumes
Scannable and Plain-Text Resumes — E-mail — Attached Resumes — Web Resumes Sample Resumes
Writing an Effective Letter of Application Opening Paragraph Body Paragraphs Closing Paragraph Sample Letters
Doing Well in the Interview Before the Interview During the Interview
Behavior — Responses — Salary Negotiations — Conclusion Sending Follow-up Correspondence Sending a Resignation Letter or Memo Chapter Summary — Exercises — Collaborative Classroom Projects — Research Projects
PART FOUR Revision Guide: Sentences,Punctuation, and Mechanics Proofreaders' Marks Sentences Sentence Faults Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices Sentence Fragments Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
Pronouns Pronoun Case
Determining Case — Using Who
or Whom
Pronoun Reference Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
Person — Gender — Number Adjectives and Adverbs Comparatives and Superlatives Placement
Verbs Subject-Verb Agreement
Intervening Words — Inverted Word Order — Collective Subjects — Compound Subjects — Indefinite Pronouns — Relative Pronouns — Singular Nouns Ending in -s
— Book Titles — Subject Complements Voice Mood Tense
Punctuation Commas Linking Independent Clauses Introducing Elements
Clauses and Phrases — Words — Quotations Enclosing Elements Separating Elements
Items in a Series — Adjectives — Dates — Numbers — Addresses — Names Using Commas with Other Punctuation Avoiding Unnecessary Commas
Semicolons Colons Apostrophes Showing Possession
Singular Nouns — Plural Nouns — Compound Nouns — Coordinate Nouns — Possessive Pronouns Indicating Omission Forming Plurals
Quotation Marks Identifying Quotations Setting Off Words, Phrases, and Titles
Words and Phrases — Titles of Works Using Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation
Periods Question Marks Exclamation Marks Parentheses and Brackets Hyphens Linking Modifiers Separating Prefixes and Suffixes Other Uses
Dashes Ellipses Slashes Mechanics Capitalization Proper Nouns Common Nouns First Words Specific Groups Specific Places Specific Institutions, Events, Concepts Titles of Works Professional and Personal Titles Abbreviations, Letters, and Units
Numbers Words or Numerals Money Plurals Measurements Time and Dates Addresses Documents
Abbreviations Names of Organizations Measurements Personal Names and Titles
Italics Foreign Words and Phrases Titles Proper Names Words, Letters, and Numerals Subheads
English as a Second Language (ESL) Count and Mass Nouns Articles Prepositions Gerunds and Infinitives Adjective Clauses Verb Tenses Present Perfect Present Progressive
Helping Verbs Conditional Sentences