Includes bibliographical references and index.

pt. 1. Understanding Technical Communication -- Ch. 1. Technical Communication in Today's Workplace -- Ch. 2. Writer and the Writing Processes in the Workplace -- Ch. 3. Audience and Technical Communication -- Ch. 4. Persuasion in Technical Communication -- pt. 2. Acquiring the Tools of Technical Communication -- Ch. 5. Collaboration -- Ch. 6. Secondary Sources of Information: Libraries and Online -- Ch. 7. Primary Sources of Information: Surveys, Interviews, Observations -- Ch. 8. Editing and Style -- Ch. 9. Document Design and Packaging -- Ch. 10. Visual Display and Presentation -- pt. 3. Creating Effective Documents -- Ch. 11. Creating Definitions and Descriptions -- Ch. 12. Instructions, Specifications, and Procedures -- Ch. 13. Reports and Studies -- Ch. 14. Reports for Decision Making -- Ch. 15. Proposals -- pt. 4. Developing and Maintaining a Professional Edge -- Ch. 16. Professional Communication -- Ch. 17. Oral Presentations in the Workplace.