Includes indexes.

pt. I. Writing -- 1. What is good writing? -- An example of plain English -- So--what is good writing? -- 2. Developing a good style -- Use common words -- Use contractions -- Use pronouns -- Use active voice -- What is passive voice? -- Is there another way to identify passive voice? -- Is passive voice really that simple to identify? -- What problems does passive voice cause? -- When is passive voice all right? -- Use short sentences -- Don't write sentences that are too long -- Do have some short sentences -- Use the proper tone -- Use grammar checkers -- Average sentence length -- How hard your words are to read -- Sentences using passive voice -- Readability indexes -- 3. Using examples and comparisons -- Examples -- Brief examples -- Narrative examples -- Combination of a brief and narrative example -- Comparisons -- Brief comparisons -- A longer (and famous) comparison -- Examples and comparisons -- 4. Making your page look inviting -- Choose your typefaces carefully -- Use a typeface with serifs for body text -- Use a sans serif typeface for headings and illustrations -- Use typesetting, not typewriting, conventions -- Use block paragraphing -- Design good headings -- Use at least two headings of each type -- Consider informative headings -- Put more space above than below your headings -- Consider a down-style heading -- Differentiate levels of headings -- Use good layout for lists -- Choose a good bullet symbol -- Use good spacing for your bulleted lists -- Use a system for punctuating your bulleted lists -- Learn how to use bulleted paragraphs -- In summary -- 5. Making your main point easy to find -- Start with your main point -- Put your bottom line in the subject line -- What are types of "bottom line"? -- Is there always a bottom line? -- Where are other good places to put the bottom line? -- Use a blueprint -- Create "to do" lists for your readers -- Prepare good executive summaries -- 6. Illustrating your ideas -- Tables -- Flowcharts -- Decision trees -- Clip art -- Simple drawings -- Graphs -- 7. Getting beyond periods and commas -- Question mark -- Rule 1 : use a question mark when you're seeking information -- Rule 2 : use a question mark as a tag at the end of a sentence -- Rule 3 : ask a question you're going to answer -- Dash -- Rule 1 : use a dash at the end of a sentence to emphasize what comes next -- Rule 2 : use dashes to emphasize an idea in the middle of a sentence -- Colon -- Rule 1 : use a colon at the end of a sentence to emphasize what comes next -- Rule 2 : use a colon to point to a list or indented material -- Semicolon -- Rule 1 : use a semicolon to separate two related sentences -- Rule 2 : use a semicolon to separate certain complicated phrases -- Ellipsis -- Rule 1 : use an ellipsis to show a reflective or dramatic pause -- Rule 2 : use an ellipsis to show that a list could be much longer -- Rule 3 : use an ellipsis to show you've left out words in a quotation -- Comma -- Rule 1 : use a comma after introductory material -- Rule 2 : use a comma to separate two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction -- Rule 3 : use a comma to set off parenthetical material -- Rule 4 : use a comma to separate items in a series -- 8. Learning commonsense rules -- Overcoming mythical rules -- Myth 1 : never end a sentence with a preposition -- Myth 2 : never begin a sentence with and or but -- Myth 3 : never split an infinitive -- Avoiding common grammar errors -- Keep your lists parallel -- Make your pronouns agree -- Avoid comma splices and fused sentences -- 9. Making the most of e-mail -- Be brief -- Be careful with your tone -- Remember you're creating a public document -- Watch your spelling and grammar -- 10. Writing for the Web -- Understand how viewers look at Web pages -- Don't write what viewers won't read -- Write in chunks -- Make your home page user-friendly -- Make your content pages efficient -- Make good design choices -- 11. Preparing a reÌ?sumeÌ? and cover letter -- Preparing a reÌ?sumeÌ? -- Complete sentences versus action verbs -- Information almost every reÌ?sumeÌ? should have -- Other sections you might want to use -- Preparing a cover letter -- 12. Documenting your sources -- Identifying borrowed material -- Framing a short quotation -- Framing a long quotation -- Framing a mixed paraphrase and quotation -- Using parenthetical documentation -- Parenthetical information within your text -- A "works cited" list -- pt. II. Speaking -- 13. What is business speaking? -- What types of business presentations are there? -- Computer presentations -- What does this part of the book cover? -- 14. Using good techniques of delivery -- Move around the room -- Use some noticeable gestures -- Vary your voice's inflection and loudness -- Make eye contact with all parts of the room -- Be careful with humor -- Involve your audience -- Be creative with group presentations -- 15. Developing a clear structure -- The introduction -- Have a cover slide -- Have an explanation slide -- Have a purpose slide -- Have a bottom-line slide, if you have a bottom line -- Have a blueprint slide -- The middle part of the presentation -- Use a moving blueprint slide -- Decide how to handle questions -- The end -- Putting it all together -- 16. Designing visual aids -- Design your body slides using master slides -- What is a master slide? -- How should you design your master slide? -- Make your blueprint slides distinguishable -- Prefer a sans serif typeface -- Place your content toward the top -- Don't use too many words -- Prefer images instead of words -- 17. Giving a Presentation using a computer -- What equipment do you need? -- How should you design your presentation? -- Build almost everything on your slides -- Choose your transition effects carefully -- Consider using special features -- How should you give your presentation? -- 18. Rehearsing, setting up the room, and overcoming nervousness -- Rehearsing, rehearsing -- Rehearse by yourself -- Rehearse in front of others -- Setting up the room -- Position the screen (if it's portable) -- Set up the projector -- Position tables and chairs -- Adjust the lights -- Adjust the temperature -- Check the microphone -- Eliminate distractions -- Overcoming last-minute nerves -- 19. Preparing an annotated presentation -- Cover slides -- Executive summary -- Other slides -- Appendix A. Final project : learning computer techniques -- Overview -- Topics -- Appendix B. Final project : creating reports -- Overview -- Group presentation -- Final paper -- Appendix C. Formats for letters and memos -- Letters -- Memos -- Appendix D. Sample papers -- Sample paper : "Working in Thailand" -- Sample paper : "Managing a pizza parlor" -- Sample paper : "360-degree feedback" -- Appendix E. Commonly confused words.