Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface. I. PLANNING TO WRITE. 1. The Quest. Technical Writing Theorems Technical Writing Can Be Creative Tell 'Em The Value of Technical Communication to You Comparing Technical Writing to Engineering and Science 2. Audience. General Education Level Experience and Expertise Breadth of Audience Native Language Native Culture Audience Motivation Medium and the Message Becoming the Audience Summary of Audience 3. Documentation Plans. Document Specifications (Doc Specs) Doc Specs: Sample Documentation Project Plans Documentation Project Plan: Sample Summary of Documentation Specifications II. WRITING: GENERAL PRINCIPLES. 4. Words. Jargon Consistency Verbs Adjectives and Adverbs Pronouns: He, She, and They Pronouns: You Pronouns: It and They Fluffy Phrases Commonly Confused Words Summary of Words 5. Sentences. Active Voice and Passive Voice Active Voice Is Better When Is Passive Voice Okay? Short = Sweet Causes of Long Sentences One Sentence = One Thought Parenthetical Clauses Summary of Sentences 6. Paragraphs and Sections. Sentence Transitions Paragraph Length Paragraph Transitions Sections Summary of Paragraphs and Sections 7. Lists. Bulleted Lists Elements in Bulleted Lists The Length of Each Element Numbered Lists Directions Introductions to Lists Parallel Lists Summary of Lists 8. Tables. Column Headers Units of Measure Arrangement of Columns and Rows Parallelism in Tables Amount of Text in Cells Rules Shading Captions Summary of Tables 9. Graphics Graphics Time Series Extra Detail in Online Graphics Before and After Callouts versus Embedded Text Graphics That Orient Readers Screenshots Color Blindness Block Diagrams Text That Supplements Figures Technical Photography Line Art Enhances Technical Photographs Big Picture First, Then Details Layout: Controlling Focus Layout: Keeping Eyes on the Page Layout: White Space Summary of Graphics 10. Professional Secrets.

The fastest way for professionals to master technical writing! You're a technical professional, perhaps a programmer, engineer, or scientist. You are not a professional writer, but writing is part of your job (specs, manuals, proposals, lab reports, technical presentations, Web content, data sheets, and so on). Welcome. This book is for you. It's all you need to clearly communicate technical ideas to any audience--technical or nontechnical--and motivate them to act. Barry J. Rosenberg organizes every facet of effective technical writing into more than 175 short, concise, fast-paced tutorials. You'll find loads of examples (what to do and what not to do) plus start-to-finish instructions for writing exactly the kinds of documents you need to create. Need specific solutions? This book's bite-size, visual, high-efficiency format delivers them instantly. Dig in, get started, and get results! * Make all your documents and presentations clearer, more concise, and more compelling * Understand your audience, and target your content appropriately * Learn how to write for an international audience * Use active voice to communicate with confidence and authority * Produce effective lists, tables, and graphics * Create useful examples * Write effective manuals and release notes * Implement solid technical Web sites * Develop winning research, business, and book proposals * Create and present compelling PowerPoint presentations * Write e-mails that don't ignite flame wars * Learn how to integrate documentation development into best engineering practices Downloadable examples are available on the Web.