Note: This text is used by students in the online version of
TCM1603, Introduction to Technical Communications, taught by David
A. McMurrey, at Austin Community College. Please excuse the occasional
references to our course and its assignments. If you'd like more information
about the Technical Communications program at ACC, contact Dr. Katherine
Staples at (512) 223-4831 or David McMurrey at (512) 223-4804 or at
davidm@austin.cc.tx.us.A hardcopy of this textbook is available from Ginny's in Austin, Texas. Call (512) 476-9171; ask for the McMurrey TCM1603 course guide.
INTRODUCTION: TECHNICAL WRITING AND THIS COURSE
EXAMPLES, CASES & MODELS: INDEXMAIN UNITS
Chapter 1. Business correspondence and resumes
Chapter 2. Technical reports
Chapter 3. Proposals and progress reports
Chapter 4. Headings
Chapter 5. Lists
Chapter 6. Special notices
Chapter 7. Graphics and tables
Chapter 8. Instructions
Chapter 9. Recommendation and feasibility reports
Chapter 10. Abstracts, introductions, and conclusions
Chapter 11. Report format and final packaging
Chapter 12. Oral presentations
APPENDIXES
Appendix A. Audience analysis
Appendix B. Libraries, documentation, cross-referencing
Appendix C. Other types of technical reports
Appendix D. Common grammar, usage, spelling problems
Appendix E. Power-revision techniques
Appendix F. Strategies for peer-reviewing and team-writing
Appendix G. Information structures