The Language Of Technical Communication

"The Language of Technical Communication" has a dual objective: to define the terms that form the core of technical communication as it is practiced today, while predicting where the field will go in the future. The choice of terms defined in this book followed two overarching principles: include all aspects of the discipline of technical communication, not just technical writing, and select terms that will be relevant into the foreseeable future. "The Language of Technical Communication" is a collaborative effort with fifty-two expert contributors, all known for their depth of knowledge. You will probably recognize many of their names, and you will probably want to learn more about the ones who are new to you. Each contributed term has a concise definition, an importance statement, and an essay that describes why technical communicators need to know that term. You will find well understood terms, such as content reuse and minimalist design, alongside new terms, such as the Internet of Things and augmented reality. They span the depth and breadth, as well as the past and future, of technical communication.

A Strategic Guide to Technical Communication incorporates useful and specific strategies for writers, to enable them to create aesthetically appealing and usable technical documentation. These strategies have been developed and tested on a thousand students from a number of different disciplines over twelve years and three institutions. The second edition adds a chapter on business communication, reworks the discussion on technical style, and expands the information on visual communication and ethics into free-standing chapters. The text is accompanied by a passcode-protected website containing materials for instructors (PowerPoint lectures, lesson plans, sample student work, and helpful links).

Lukens Steel was an extraordinary business that spanned two centuries of American history. The firm rolled the first boiler plate in 1818 and operated the largest rolling mills in America in 1890, 1903, and 1918, Later it worked on the Manhattan Project and built the steel beams for the base of the World Trade Center. The company stayed in the family for 188 years, and they kept the majority of their business papers."The Language of Work" traces the evolution of written forms of communication at Lukens Steel from 1810 to 1925. As standards for iron and steel emerged and industrial processes became more complex, foremen, mechanics, and managers began to use drawing and writing to solve problems, transfer ideas, and develop new technology. This shift in communication methods - from 'prediscursive' (oral) communication to 'chirographic' (written) communication - occurred as technology became more complex and knowledge had to span space and time.This richly illustrated volume begins with a theoretical overview linking technical communication to literature and describing the historical context. The analysis is separated into four time periods: 1810 to 1870, when little writing was used; 1870-1900, when Lukens Steel began to use record keeping to track product from furnace, through production, to the shipping dock; 1900-1915, when written and drawn communication spread throughout the plant and literacy became more common on the factory floor; and 1915-1925, when stenographer typists took over the majority of the written work. Over time, writing - and literacy - became an essential part of the industrial process.

In recent years Extensible Markup Language (XML) has had a major impact on software development and data interchange and has begun to have a similar effect in technical communication. This resource fills an important gap in the market by providing a broad introduction to XML and its role in technical communication.

Technical Communication for Engineers has been written for undergraduate students of all engineering disciplines. It provides a well-researched content meticulously developed to help them become strategic assets to their organizations and have a successful career. The book covers the entire spectrum of learning required by a technical professional to effectively communicate the technicalities of his subject to other technocrats or to a non-technical person at their proper levels. It is unique inasmuch as it provides some thoughtful pedagogical tools that help the students attain proficiency in all the modes of communication. Key Features • Marginalia, which are spread throughout the book to clarify and highlight the key points. • Tech Talk passages, which throw light on the latest advancements in communication technology and their innovative use • Application-based Exercise, which encourages the readers to apply the concepts learnt to real-life situation • Language-based Exercise (Grammar & Vocabulary) to help readers assess their language competency • Ethical Dilemma, which poses a complex hypothetical situation of mental conflict on choosing between difficult moral imperatives • Experiential Learning-based Exercise (Project Work) devised to help learner ';feel' or ';experience' the concepts and theories learnt and thereby gain hands-on experience