How to Write and Present Technical Information

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.

Like its predecessors, the new edition of this popular guide uses a friendly, straightforward approach to help scientists and engineers demystify the process of writing and presenting technical information. Among the topics covered are gathering information, writing different types of documents, editing the work, and making presentations. New chapters explain how to write and design for electronic media, including multimedia products and the World Wide Web. Also new are chapters on how to write public relations materials and marketing and advertising copy, which are intended to help technical professionals acquire a broader range of skills-an important factor in this age of downsizing.