Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, Third Edition

Third Edition

Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma

User-friendly approach with simple and easy-to-understand language
Numerous examples and practice exercises
Practical tips on pronunciation, accent, intonation, grammar, and vocabulary basic to effective technical communication
Discussion on the topics essential for enhancing the skills required to communicate through the web
CD includes:
Videos on Group Discussion, Interviews, and Presentation
PowerPoint Presentations
Telephonic conversation
Role Play
Phonetics- spoken practice
Listening practice and negotiation skills
Text supplements

Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, Third Edition

Third Edition

Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma

Description

The text material has been restructured to provide a more balanced and exhaustive coverage of the subject.

The text discusses the core concepts of technical communication and explains them with the help of numerous examples and practice exercises. The book also provides support for soft skills laboratory sessions through a companion CD.

With its in-depth coverage and practical orientation, the book is useful not only for students, but also as a reference material for corporate training programmes.

Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, Third Edition

Third Edition

Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma

1. Basics of Technical Communication
Introduction
Importance of Technical Communication
General and Technical Communication
Objectives and Characteristics of Technical Communication
Process of Communication
Levels of Communication
Flow of Communication
Visual Aids in Technical Communication
Exercises
2. Barriers to Communication
Introduction
Noise
Classification of Barriers
3. Non-verbal Communication
Introduction
Kinesics
Proxemics
Chronemics
Correlating Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
Cross-cultural Variations
Exercises
4. Active Listening
Introduction
Reasons for Poor Listening
Traits of a Good Listener
Listening Modes
Types of Listening
Barriers to Effective Listening
Listening for General Content and Specific Information
Exercises
5. Effective Speaking
Introduction
Basic Sounds of English
Word Stress
Sentence Stress
Intonation
Achieving Confidence, Clarity, and Fluency
Vocal Cues
Exercises
6. Conversations and Dialogues
Introduction
Conversations
Telephonic Conversations and Etiquette
Dialogue Writing
Exercises
7. Formal Presentations
Introduction
Planning
Outlining and Structuring
Nuances of Delivery
Controlling Nervousness and Stage Fright
Visual Aids in Presentations
Application on MS PowerPoint
Exercises
8. Interviews
Introduction
Objectives of Interviews
Types of Interviews
Job Interviews
Resumes
Media Interviews
Press Conferences
Exercises
9. Group Communication
Introduction
Forms of Group Communication
Use of Body Language in Group Communication
Discussions
Group Discussions
Organizational GD
GD as Part of Selection Process
Meetings
Conferences
Symposia and Seminars
Brochure
Bulletin
Newsletter
Exercises
10. Reading Comprehension
Introduction
Improving Comprehension Skills
Techniques for Good Comprehension
Predicting the Content
Understanding the Gist
SQ3R Reading Technique
Study Skills
Exercises
11. Elements of Effective Writing
Introduction
Rights Words and Phrases
Sentences
Writing for the Web
Exercises
12. The Art of Condensation
Introduction
Steps to Effective Precis Writing
Guidelines
Samples
Exercises
13. Technical Reports
Introduction
Characteristics of a Report
Categories of Reports
Formats
Prewriting
Structure of Reports
Types of Reports
Writing the Report
Exercises
14. Technical Proposals
Introduction
Definition and Purpose
Types
Characteristics
Structure of Proposals
Style and Appearance
Evaluation of Proposals
Exercises
15. Formal Letters, Memos, and Email
Introduction
Letter Writing
Business Letters
Cover Letters
Memos
Emails
Exercises
16. Research Papers and Technical Descriptions
Introduction
Research Paper
Technical Description
17. Grammar and Vocabulary Development
Introduction
A Brief History of Words
Using the Dictionary and Thesaurus
Changing Words from One Form to Another
Word Formation: Prefixes and Suffixes
Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms
Confusables
One-word Substitutes
Homonyms
Homophones
Eponyms
Phrasal Verbs
Nouns
Gerunds
Infinitives
Subject-verb Agreement
Tenses
Active and Passive Voice
Conditional Sentences
Adjectives and Degrees of Comparison
Adverbs
Conjunctions
Prepositions
Articles
Exercises

Technical Communication: Principles and Practice, Third Edition

Third Edition

Meenakshi Raman and Sangeeta Sharma

Author Information

Meenakshi Raman, Professor and Head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS, Pilani, Goa Campus, and Sangeeta Sharma, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS, Pilani

Meenakshi Raman Ph.D, is presently Professor and Head, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Goa Campus of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani. She has several years of teaching experience and has been teaching courses on professional and technical communication at various levels.

Sangeeta Sharma Ph D, is presently Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, at BITS, Pilani. She has several years of teaching experience. She is currently teaching courses on communication and advertising at BITS, Pilani, and has published several articles on communication.