Download the Best Book on Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition) in Mobi Format
Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition)
If you are looking for a comprehensive and practical guide on how to communicate effectively in technical contexts, you might want to check out Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition) by Sharon J. Gerson and Steven M. Gerson. This book provides a proven, complete methodology that emphasizes the writing process and shows how it applies to both oral and written communication. With an emphasis on real people and their technical communication, it provides complete coverage of communication channels, ethics, and technological advances. This edition includes information on dispersed teams, collaboration tools, listening skills, and social networking. Using before/after documents, authentic writing samples and skill-building assignments, the book provides a balance of how-to instruction with real-world modeling to address the needs of an evolving workplace .
Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition) mobi download book
In this article, we will give you an overview of what this book covers and how you can download it in mobi format for your Kindle or other e-reader devices.
What is technical communication?
Technical communication is the process of conveying information that helps people accomplish their goals in specific situations. Technical communicators use various modes and media to communicate with different audiences for different purposes. For example, they may write manuals, reports, proposals, instructions, websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, or presentations. Technical communicators also need to consider the ethical and legal implications of their work.
Technical communication is important because it helps people understand complex information, solve problems, make decisions, perform tasks, or achieve goals. Technical communication also enhances the credibility and reputation of individuals and organizations that produce high-quality documents or presentations.
The writing process for technical communication
The writing process for technical communication consists of four phases: planning, drafting, revising, and editing. These phases are not linear but recursive; that is, you may move back and forth among them as you work on your document. The following table summarizes the main activities and outcomes of each phase.
Phase Activities Outcomes --- --- --- Planning Analyze your audience, purpose, and context A clear understanding of your communication situation and goals Drafting Organize your information, use appropriate style and tone, and create effective visuals A rough draft of your document that conveys your main message and supports it with evidence Revising Improve your content, structure, and design A revised draft of your document that is coherent, logical, and appealing Editing Check your grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics A final draft of your document that is accurate, consistent, and error-free Planning your document
Planning is the first and most important phase of the writing process. It involves analyzing your audience, purpose, and context to determine what you want to communicate and how you want to communicate it. Some of the questions you should ask yourself during the planning phase are:
Who are your primary and secondary audiences? What are their needs, expectations, backgrounds, and attitudes?
What is your main purpose? Do you want to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain your audience?
What is the context of your communication? What are the constraints and opportunities of the situation?
What are the best modes and media for your communication? Do you need to use text, graphics, audio, video, or a combination?
What are the criteria for evaluating your communication? How will you measure its effectiveness and quality?
By answering these questions, you can develop a clear understanding of your communication situation and goals. You can also create a document plan that outlines the scope, content, and organization of your document.
Drafting your document
Drafting is the phase where you translate your ideas into words and visuals. It involves organizing your information, using appropriate style and tone, and creating effective visuals to support your message. Some of the strategies you should use during the drafting phase are:
Use a clear and logical structure for your document. Use headings, subheadings, lists, transitions, and other devices to guide your reader through your document.
Use a style and tone that suit your audience, purpose, and context. Use plain language, active voice, positive tone, and respectful language to communicate clearly and courteously.
Use visuals to enhance your message. Use tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, photos, or other graphics to illustrate your points, show relationships, or simplify complex information.
By using these strategies, you can produce a rough draft of your document that conveys your main message and supports it with evidence. You can also solicit feedback from others to improve your draft.
Revising your document
Revising is the phase where you improve the content, structure, and design of your document. It involves reviewing your draft critically and making changes to enhance its coherence, logic, and appeal. Some of the questions you should ask yourself during the revising phase are:
Does your document achieve its purpose? Does it address the needs and expectations of your audience?
Does your document have a clear and logical structure? Does it have an effective introduction, body, and conclusion?
Does your document have a consistent and appropriate style and tone? Does it use plain language, active voice, positive tone, and respectful language?
Does your document have effective visuals? Do they support your message, show relationships, or simplify complex information?
Does your document have an attractive and professional design? Does it use fonts, colors, white space, and other elements to enhance readability and aesthetics?
By answering these questions, you can revise your draft to improve its content, structure, and design. You can also use peer review or usability testing to get feedback from others on how to improve your document.
Editing your document
Editing is the final phase of the writing process. It involves checking the grammar, punctuation, spelling, and mechanics of your document to ensure its accuracy, consistency, and error-freeness. Some of the tools and techniques you should use during the editing phase are:
Use a spell checker and a grammar checker to identify and correct common errors.
Use a style guide and a dictionary to ensure consistency and correctness in formatting, citations, terminology, and usage.
Use proofreading symbols and techniques to mark and correct errors on your document.
Read your document aloud or have someone else read it to you to catch any errors or awkward phrasing.
By using these tools and techniques, you can edit your document to ensure its accuracy, consistency, and error-freeness. You can also use a professional proofreading service to get a final check of your document.
The oral communication process for technical communication
The oral communication process for technical communication consists of three phases: preparing, delivering, and following up. These phases are similar to the writing process, but they also involve some specific skills and strategies for speaking effectively in front of an audience. The following table summarizes the main activities and outcomes of each phase.
Phase Activities Outcomes --- --- --- Preparing Analyze your audience, purpose, and context A clear understanding of your communication situation and goals Delivering Use verbal and nonverbal skills, visual aids, and presentation software A confident and engaging presentation that conveys your main message and supports it with evidence Following up Handle questions and feedback A successful completion of your presentation and a positive impression on your audience Preparing your presentation
Preparing is the first and most important phase of the oral communication process. It involves analyzing your audience, purpose, and context to determine what you want to communicate and how you want to communicate it. Some of the questions you should ask yourself during the preparing phase are:
Who are your primary and secondary audiences? What are their needs, expectations, backgrounds, and attitudes?
What is your main purpose? Do you want to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain your audience?
What is the context of your communication? What are the constraints and opportunities of the situation?
What are the best modes and media for your communication? Do you need to use text, graphics, audio, video, or a combination?
What are the criteria for evaluating your communication? How will you measure its effectiveness and quality?
By answering these questions, you can develop a clear understanding of your communication situation and goals. You can also create a presentation outline that summarizes the introduction, body, and conclusion of your presentation.
Delivering your presentation
Delivering is the phase where you present your message to your audience. It involves using verbal and nonverbal skills, visual aids, and presentation software to communicate effectively and confidently. Some of the strategies you should use during the delivering phase are:
Use verbal skills to speak clearly, fluently, and persuasively. Use appropriate language, volume, pace, intonation, and emphasis to convey your message.
Use nonverbal skills to enhance your message. Use eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, posture, and movement to engage your audience.
Use visual aids to support your message. Use tables, charts, graphs, diagrams, photos, or other graphics to illustrate your points, show relationships, or simplify complex information.
Use presentation software to create and display your visual aids. Use PowerPoint, Google Slides, or other tools to design and deliver your presentation.
By using these strategies, you can deliver a confident and engaging presentation that conveys your main message and supports it with evidence. You can also adapt to the feedback and reactions of your audience.
Following up your presentation
Following up is the final phase of the oral communication process. It involves handling questions and feedback from your audience to complete your presentation and leave a positive impression. Some of the strategies you should use during the following up phase are:
Handle questions politely and professionally. Listen carefully, acknowledge the questioner, answer briefly and clearly, and thank them for their question.
Handle feedback constructively and graciously. Accept compliments, respond to criticism, and learn from suggestions.
Follow up with additional information or action if needed. Provide references, resources, or contact details if requested by your audience.
By using these strategies, you can successfully complete your presentation and leave a positive impression on your audience. You can also evaluate your performance and identify areas for improvement.
The ethical and legal issues in technical communication
Technical communication is not only a matter of skill and technique, but also a matter of ethics and law. Technical communicators have to consider the ethical and legal implications of their work and act accordingly. They have to respect their audience, colleagues, employer, and profession, and comply with intellectual property laws, privacy laws, and accessibility laws. The following sections summarize the main ethical principles and legal regulations that affect technical communication.
Ethical principles for technical communicators
Ethics is the study of moral principles that guide human behavior. Technical communicators have to follow certain ethical principles to ensure that their communication is honest, fair, respectful, and responsible. Some of the ethical principles for technical communicators are:
Respect your audience. Consider their needs, expectations, backgrounds, and attitudes. Provide them with accurate, complete, and relevant information. Avoid misleading, deceiving, or manipulating them.
Respect your colleagues. Collaborate with them effectively and efficiently. Acknowledge their contributions and give them credit. Avoid plagiarizing, stealing, or sabotaging their work.
Respect your employer. Fulfill your duties and obligations faithfully and professionally. Protect their interests and reputation. Avoid disclosing confidential or proprietary information without permission.
Respect your profession. Follow the standards and guidelines of your field and organization. Maintain your competence and credibility. Avoid conflicts of interest or unethical practices.
By following these ethical principles, technical communicators can ensure that their communication is ethical and trustworthy.
Legal regulations for technical communicators
Law is the system of rules that governs human behavior in society. Technical communicators have to follow certain legal regulations to ensure that their communication is lawful, compliant, and accessible. Some of the legal regulations for technical communicators are:
Intellectual property laws. These are the laws that protect the rights of creators and owners of original works, such as books, articles, music, movies, software, or inventions. Technical communicators have to respect these rights by obtaining permission, citing sources, and paying royalties when using someone elses work.
Privacy laws. These are the laws that protect the rights of individuals and organizations to control their personal or confidential information, such as names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, bank accounts, or medical records. Technical communicators have to respect these rights by obtaining consent, protecting data, and following policies when collecting, using, or disclosing such information.
Accessibility laws. These are the laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities to access information and services without barriers or discrimination, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the United States or the Equality Act in the United Kingdom. Technical communicators have to respect these rights by designing documents and presentations that are accessible to people with various physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments.
By following these legal regulations, technical communicators can ensure that their communication is lawful, compliant, and accessible.
How to download the book in mobi format
If you are interested in reading Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition) by Sharon J. Gerson and Steven M. Gerson on your Kindle or other e-reader devices, you might want to download it in mobi format. Mobi is a file format that is compatible with most e-reader devices and applications. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to download the book in mobi format from Google Books:
Go to https://books.google.com/books/about/Technical_Communication_Process_and_Prod.html?id=KCevAgAAQBAJ, which is the Google Books page for the book.
Click on the "Buy ebook" button on the right side of the page.
Select your preferred retailer from the list of options. For example, you can choose Amazon.com if you have an Amazon account.
Follow the instructions on the retailer's website to purchase and download the book in mobi format.
Transfer the downloaded file to your e-reader device using a USB cable or a wireless connection.
Enjoy reading the book on your e-reader device!
Note: You can also download a free sample of the book in PDF format from Google Books by clicking on the "Free sample" button on the right side of the page. However, you will not be able to download the entire book for free.
Conclusion
Technical Communication: Process and Product (8th Edition) by Sharon J. Gerson and Steven M. Gerson is a comprehensive and practical guide on how to communicate effectively in technical contexts. It covers the writing process and the oral communication process for technical communication, as well as the ethical and legal issues that affect technical communication. It also provides authentic examples, exercises, and assignments to help you develop your skills and knowledge. If you want to read this book on your e-reader device, you can download it in mobi format from Google Books by following the steps described above.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about technical communication and the book:
What are the benefits of technical communication? Technical communication helps people understand complex information, solve problems, make decisions, perform tasks, or achieve goals. It also enhances the credibility and reputation of individuals and organizations that produce high-quality documents or presentations.
What are the challenges of technical communication? Technical communication involves various challenges, such as adapting to different audiences, purposes, and contexts; using appropriate modes and media; complying with ethical and legal standards; and keeping up with technological changes.
What are the skills and qualities of a good technical communicator? A good technical communicator needs to have skills and qualities such as: research, analysis, organization, writing, editing, proofreading, design, presentation, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, attention to detail, accuracy, consistency, clarity, conciseness, courtesy, and professionalism.
What are some examples of technical communication? Some examples of technical communication are: manuals, reports, proposals, instructions, websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, presentations, brochures, flyers, newsletters, resumes, cover letters, emails, memos, letters, etc.
Where can I find more resources on technical communication? You can find more resources on technical communication by visiting websites such as: Purdue OWL, Technical Communication Body of Knowledge, Society for Technical Communication, IEEE Professional Communication Society, etc.
71b2f0854b