Table of Contents:

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