Engineering Communication, 2nd Edition

Chapter: 1 Engineering and Communication
1.1 I am an Engineer, Not a Professional Communicator
1.2 Writing Demonstrates My Competence as an Engineer
1.3 Writing and Speaking Can Help Me Discover What I Really Think
1.4 My Reader or Listener (My Audience) Is Always My Client
1.5 It is My Responsibility to Turn Data into Information My Readers Can Use
1.6 My Audiences Will Change, and so Must My Writing and Speaking
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 2 Discovering Ideas and Facts: Researching
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Framing Your Writing Project
Lab Reports
Research and Recommendation Reports for Decision Makers
2.3 Researching
Published Information
Unpublished Information: Interviews
Unpublished Information: Surveys
Evaluating Sources of Information
2.4 Managing and Documenting Information
2.5 Avoiding Plagiarism
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 3 Organizing Ideas and Facts: Starting to Write
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Starting to Write
3.3 Drafting for Myself
3.4 Using Writing to Think Clearly
3.5 Using Writing to Solve Problems
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 4 Writing: Taking Control
4.1 Writing for Control Comes After Drafting for Content
4.2 Readable Style
Passive and Active Voice: What Is All the Fuss?
Wordiness: Learn to Prune
Empty Pronouns
Noun Compression: Let Some Air in
4.3 Constructing Powerful Paragraphs
Maintain Logical Linkage
Maintain Focus
Maintain Parallelism
4.4 Grammar and Sentence Structure: Diagnosing and Curing the Problems
4.5 Words: Picky, Picky
Verb Tenses
4.6 Punctuation: Why Should I Care?
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 5 Displaying Data in Written Documents
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Displaying Your Data
5.3 Figures and Tables: Which is Which?
Tables
Figures
5.4 Guidelines for Designing Figures and Tables
Graphs
Tables
Taking Control of the Design
A Word about Titles
5.5 Integrating Text with Figures and Tables
Using Graphics Designed by Others
5.6 Mathematical and Chemical Notation
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 6 Revising: When Will I Ever Be Finished?
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Writing is Rewriting
Rewriting: Guidelines for Revising, Editing, and Proofreading Your Writing
6.3 Organizing a Peer Review
6.4 About Grammar Checkers
6.5 Revising First for Structure and Content
6.6 Editing for Logic and Flow (Mostly Paragraph Level)
6.7 Editing for Sense and Meaning (Mostly Sentence and Word Levels)
6.8 Proofreading for Final Copy
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 7 Speaking: Do I Really Have to Stand Up and Talk in Front
of All Those People?
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Planning the Content of a Presentation: Outlining
Audience
Highlighting
Three Sections
7.3 Planning the Visuals
Modes of Delivery
Designing Slides
7.4 Planning the Delivery
Rehearsing
Videoreporting
Anticipating Questions
7.5 Controlling Nervousness
Before Your Talk
Just Before and during Your Talk
7.6 Handling Questions
7.7 Preparing for a Team Presentation
Summary
Problems
Further Reading

Chapter 8 Producing Engineering Documents: The Final Product
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Designing Professional Documents
Disseminating Documents Digitally
8.3 Sample Correspondence
A Word about Using the Sample in This Section
Notes on Sample Memo
8.4 Sample Research Proposals
A Word about Using the Samples in This Section
8.5 Sample Progress Report
A Word about Using the Samples in This Section
Organization of a Progress Report
8.6 Sample Feasibility Report



A Word about Using the Sample in This Section
Front Matter: Cover Page
Front Matter: Letter of Transmittal
Front Matter: Title Page
Front Matter: Table of Contents and List of Illustrations
Body of the Report: Executive Summary
Body of the Report: Introduction
Body of the Report: The Central Sections
Wall Design Alternatives
Solution Criteria
Evaluation of Wall Designs
Factual Summary and Rating Procedure
Body of the Report: Conclusions
Body of the Report: Recommendation
Back Matter: List of References
Back Matter: Appendices
Summary
Problems
Further Reading
Index