Full Description
Thoroughly updated to discuss the use of tools such as Skype and social media, this concise volume shows how effective communication—via written text and spoken presentations—can positively impact project management in professional environments.
Professional communications are the "information product" of all organizations and businesses. Based on that premise, this book offers communications strategies that will benefit any organization that disseminates technical information in-house and/or to customers. The popular work provides easy-to-understand and apply guidelines for designing and writing effective technical documents, as well as other related communications. What makes this new edition especially valuable is that it maintains the quality of information that distinguished the previous editions, but is now updated to encompass current technology and trends, including today's prevalent communication tools such as social media.
The book begins by looking at skills common to all technical writing and offering general advice on designing and writing reports. Next is a discussion of specific types of reports along with common problems and issues writers face. Finally, the work overviews other forms of communications such as professional presentations. The updated material also considers the growing importance of interviews and focus groups as information-gathering tools, the influence of visual rhetoric, and the use of technologies such as Skype and webinars.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
PART I: WRITER, AUDIENCE, AND DOCUMENTATION
1 Who We Are and What We Do
2 How to Define High-Quality Documentation
3 How to Define Your Audience
PART II: GETTING STARTED
4 How to Get Organized
5 How to Get Information with Interviews
6 How to Explain Your Subject
7 How to Use Graphics with Reports and Papers
8 How to Use Writing Tools
PART III: HOW TO WRITE A PAPER OR REPORT
9 How to Organize a Paper
10 How to Write the Discussion or Body of an Article
11 How to Write the Exit
12 How to Write the Lead
PART IV: HOW TO WRITE SPECIFIC DOCUMENTS
13 How to Write Specifications
14 How to Write Procedures
15 How to Write Proposals
16 How to Write Analysis Reports
17 How to Write Product Descriptions
PART V: HOW TO WRITE AND DESIGN FOR DIGITAL MEDIA
18 How to Use the Internet in Professional Environments
19 How to Design and Write for Mutlimedia Applications
20 How to Design and Write for Social Media
PART VI: HOW TO WRITE AND DESIGN ASSOCIATED COMMUNICATIONS
21 How to Write Public Relations Documents
22 How to Write Marketing and Advertising Documents
23 How to Design Training Programs
PART VII: FINISHING YOUR WORK
24 How to Avoid Common Writing Problems
25 How to Edit and Revise Your Work
PART VIII: PRESENTATIONS AND MEETINGS
26 How to Make Professional Presentations
27 How to Use Visuals with Presentations
28 How to Run Effective Meetings
PART IX: CONCLUSION
29 Final Thoughts
Index
