Printed Page xii

Acknowledgments

All of the examples in this book—from single sentences to complete documents—are real. Some were written by my students at Boise State University. Some were written by engineers, scientists, health-care providers, and businesspeople, with whom I have worked as a consultant for more than 35 years. Because much of the information in these documents is proprietary, I have silently changed brand names and other identifying information. I thank the dozens of individuals—students and professionals alike—who have graciously allowed me to reprint their writing. They have been my best teachers.

The Eleventh Edition of Technical Communication has benefited greatly from the perceptive observations and helpful suggestions of my fellow instructors throughout the country. I thank Rebecca Agosta, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; James Anderson, University of Arkansas; Gabriella Bedetti, Eastern Kentucky University; Teriann Blaisdell, University of Texas at Arlington; Osen Bowser, Central Piedmont Community College; Lee Brasseur, Illinois State University; Steven Cohen, University of Maryland; Armondo Collins, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Dan Colson, Emporia State University; Tracy Dalton, Missouri State University; Jan Ellsworth, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Joe Erickson, Angelo State University; Cynthia Faircloth-Smith, Southwestern Community College; Mary Faure, The Ohio State University; Brian Fehler, Tarleton State University; Samantha Gendler, University of Maryland, College Park; Ian Granville, University of Florida; Julia Hardie, Louisiana Tech University; Jennifer Hewerdine, Southern Illinois University; Catherine Howard, University of Houston–Downtown; Bobby Kuechenmeister, University of Toledo; Amber Lancaster, University of Maryland–University College; Zretta Lewis, Texas A&M International University; Chadwick Lyles, Louisiana Tech University; Bruce Magee, Louisiana Tech University; Jodie Marion, Mt. Hood Community College; Tanya McInnis, Bowie State University; David Merchant, Louisiana Tech University; Josie Mills, Arapahoe Community College; Melissa Mohlere, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Michele Mosco, Arizona State University; Vicki Moulson, College of the Albemarle; Richard Ogle, University of Houston–Downtown; Amy Patterson, Moraine Park Technical College; Lori Pennington, Boise State University; Kristin Pickering, Tennessee Technological University; Cassie Plott, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College; Justin Rademaekers, Purdue University; Lisa Ragsdale, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sumita Roy, Southern University; Dr. Laurie Rozakis, Farmingdale State College; Michelle Schafer, University of Florida; Charles Sides, Fitchburg State University; Krista Soria, University of Alaska Anchorage; James Tichgelaar, The Ohio State University; Nicole Wilson, Bowie State University; and several anonymous reviewers.

I would like to acknowledge the contributions of one of my colleagues from Boise State University, Russell Willerton. Russell developed two of the new LearningCurve activities and contributed substantially to the new test bank and to various instructor resources. I greatly appreciate his expertise and hard work. I also wish to thank Elaine Silverstein, who developed the text’s other four LearningCurve activities with great patience, wisdom, and care.

I have been fortunate, too, to work with a terrific team at Bedford/St. Martin’s, led by Regina Tavani, an editor of great intelligence, judgment, and energy. Regina has helped me improve the text in many big and small ways. I also want to express my appreciation to Joan Feinberg, Denise Wydra, Karen Henry, Leasa Burton, and Molly Parke for assembling the first-class team that has worked so hard on this edition, including Andrea Cava, Brenna Cleeland, Anna Palchik, Carrie Thompson, Sarah and Pablo D’Stair, Quica Ostrander, and Sally Lifland. For me, Bedford/St. Martin’s continues to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism in publishing. The people there have been endlessly encouraging and helpful. I hope they realize the value of their contributions to this book.

My greatest debt is, as always, to my wife, Rita, who, over the course of many years and eleven editions, has helped me say what I mean.