What follows is the beginning of an annotated bibliography I began as I research a paper I am writing for an Honors class at BYU. The topic for the paper is a research paper that addresses some aspect of writing within your discipline. I have chosen engineering/technical fields in general, and am focusing on visuals. Any thoughts, comments, or resources are greatly appreciated.
IEEE: Ex) J. K. Author, “Title of chapter in the book,” in Title of His Published Book, xth ed. City of Publisher, Country if not USA: Abbrev. of Publisher, year, ch. x, sec. x, pp. xxx–xxx.
[1] T.E. Pearsall, "Think Visually," The Elements of Technical Writing, 2nd ed. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2001, ch.6, pp. 49-65.
- "Graphics of various kinds play a major role in technical writing, often presenting data and ideas more efficiently and precisely than words."(49) Consistent caption placement (49) Photos w/ rulers effectively show scales. (51) Site/annotate all photos. (51) Minimize extraneous detail. (53) Easier to focus and annotate drawings. (54) Flowcharts show process well. (57) Use both simple and complex charts, most of the interpretation will be done in the accompanying text. (60) Graphs summarize, show treands and relationships well. "Bar and pie graphs show well the relationships among data. Line graphs are superior to bar graphs for showing the shapes of data." Line graphs show trends well, best for technical audiances only. (62)
[2] C. Matthews, A Guide to Presenting Technical Information: Effective Graphic Communication, Suffolk, UK: Prof. Engineering Pub. Ltd, 2000.
- "Graphs are best at showing relationships. These may be tight algebraic relationships linked by ridgid constants and coefficients, or softer more inferred ones providing information in the form of general guidance ance trends. The power of graphical methods lies in their ability to provide answers to several questions at once. Because of the complexity that can result, graphical presentations need to be properly ordered if they are to communicate their information clearly." (11) "Just about any technical information that can be presented in tabular form can be presented as a graph, and vice versa. This does not mean that tables and graphs are interchangeable, merely they use the same source data in their formation. Tables are useful when: data values are widely spread; it is only necessary to compare like with like (i.e. there is a single type and character of data); the amount of data is small - less than about 25 entries. These points demonstrate the common limitations of presenting technical information in a table, the main one being that it is difficult to assimilate large amount of data at first glance. This makes features such as trends and overall patterns inherent in the data difficult to spot without detailed study. Tables also suffer from the disadvantage that they can only hold a single 'field' of data so multiple tables have to be used in order to portray a complex techical picture." (23) Graphs present the following well: an instant in time; relationships between numbers; equalities and inequalities; trends; correlations between realtiy and projections; times-series data (over a preiod of time). (24) Thru page 76 contains significant data for each type of chart/graph. Perhaps best contained in a single table for my purposes?
[3] R. L Miller, Jr. How to Write for the Professional Journals Westport: Quorum Books, 1988.
- " This work is organized around the assumption that professionally trained people have non-verbalized thoughts worth publishing." (ix) The rest of this book is less relevant to my topic and more relevant to my life's work. However, it is worth having for this first project if only for that opening line. Thank you R.L. Miller.
[4] J. M. Lannon,"Part IV Visual, Design, and Usability Elements" Technical Communication, 8th ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc, 2000, ch. 14, pp. 256 - 295
-why visuals are essential, when to use a visual, what types of visuals to consider, how to select visuals for your purpose and audience, what different types of visuals are and their uniqunesses, followed by a small section on visual distortion and emphasis. Apparently we shouldn't lie to audiences by making something appear to be what it is not.
[5] J. W. Souther, M. L White, "Designing the Report", Technical Report Writing, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1977, ch. 5, sec. 2, pp. 42-48
- Emphasises, provides a plan for the careful integration of visuals in technical writing. "some provide visual or statistical support that the readers need if they are to understand a report...should be placed near the discussion and closely integrated with it. Other illustrations provide supplementary data and detail for few reader who may require them. Usually placed in the appendix so that they do not get in the way of most readers." (42) Giving guidance the reader on the purpose of the individual, "when to use the illustration, where to find it, what to look for, what the significance of the material is" (42) When to use an illustration, "Detail difficult to describe verbally, overall relationship of detail, and emphasis". (43-44) Basics on how to refer to images, and captions. (46)
[6] W. C. Crow, "Graphic Images: Powerful Partners of Words in Print", Communication Graphics, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1986, ch. 6, pp. 75 - 104
- Not much on what I am looking for. If I ever want to make the pictures that go into technical writing I will come to this source again. (Maybe)
[7] W.S Robertson, W.D. Siddle, Technical Writng and Presentation New York: Pergamon Press, pp. 80-95 (ebooks2&3)
- Important to have good, helpful illustrations. (81) Illustrations should emphasis one point, and eliminate all detail that does not do that effectively. (83) General description of line drawings, line graphs, block graphs, "cake" diagrams. (84-89) Use of colour, too expensive?
[8] A.D. Farr, Science Writing for Beginners Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp.42-49 (farr1)
- Mostly on how to put drawings in pictures...from a time before computers. How sad.
[9] R. Goldbort, "Scientific Visuals", Writing for Science New Haven: Yale University Press, pp.174 - 193
- Purposes, important pieces of a table (177-181), important pieces of a figure (181 - 193)
[10] C. Turk, J. Kirkman, " ", Effective Writing: Improving scientific, technical and business commmunicatiion, 2nd ed. New York: E&F.N. SPON, pp. 149 - 193
- Not sure yet
IEEE: Ex) J. K. Author, “Title of chapter in the book,” in Title of His Published Book, xth ed. City of Publisher, Country if not USA: Abbrev. of Publisher, year, ch. x, sec. x, pp. xxx–xxx.
[1] T.E. Pearsall, "Think Visually," The Elements of Technical Writing, 2nd ed. Needham Heights: Allyn & Bacon, 2001, ch.6, pp. 49-65.
- "Graphics of various kinds play a major role in technical writing, often presenting data and ideas more efficiently and precisely than words."(49) Consistent caption placement (49) Photos w/ rulers effectively show scales. (51) Site/annotate all photos. (51) Minimize extraneous detail. (53) Easier to focus and annotate drawings. (54) Flowcharts show process well. (57) Use both simple and complex charts, most of the interpretation will be done in the accompanying text. (60) Graphs summarize, show treands and relationships well. "Bar and pie graphs show well the relationships among data. Line graphs are superior to bar graphs for showing the shapes of data." Line graphs show trends well, best for technical audiances only. (62)
[2] C. Matthews, A Guide to Presenting Technical Information: Effective Graphic Communication, Suffolk, UK: Prof. Engineering Pub. Ltd, 2000.
- "Graphs are best at showing relationships. These may be tight algebraic relationships linked by ridgid constants and coefficients, or softer more inferred ones providing information in the form of general guidance ance trends. The power of graphical methods lies in their ability to provide answers to several questions at once. Because of the complexity that can result, graphical presentations need to be properly ordered if they are to communicate their information clearly." (11) "Just about any technical information that can be presented in tabular form can be presented as a graph, and vice versa. This does not mean that tables and graphs are interchangeable, merely they use the same source data in their formation. Tables are useful when: data values are widely spread; it is only necessary to compare like with like (i.e. there is a single type and character of data); the amount of data is small - less than about 25 entries. These points demonstrate the common limitations of presenting technical information in a table, the main one being that it is difficult to assimilate large amount of data at first glance. This makes features such as trends and overall patterns inherent in the data difficult to spot without detailed study. Tables also suffer from the disadvantage that they can only hold a single 'field' of data so multiple tables have to be used in order to portray a complex techical picture." (23) Graphs present the following well: an instant in time; relationships between numbers; equalities and inequalities; trends; correlations between realtiy and projections; times-series data (over a preiod of time). (24) Thru page 76 contains significant data for each type of chart/graph. Perhaps best contained in a single table for my purposes?
[3] R. L Miller, Jr. How to Write for the Professional Journals Westport: Quorum Books, 1988.
- " This work is organized around the assumption that professionally trained people have non-verbalized thoughts worth publishing." (ix) The rest of this book is less relevant to my topic and more relevant to my life's work. However, it is worth having for this first project if only for that opening line. Thank you R.L. Miller.
[4] J. M. Lannon,"Part IV Visual, Design, and Usability Elements" Technical Communication, 8th ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc, 2000, ch. 14, pp. 256 - 295
-why visuals are essential, when to use a visual, what types of visuals to consider, how to select visuals for your purpose and audience, what different types of visuals are and their uniqunesses, followed by a small section on visual distortion and emphasis. Apparently we shouldn't lie to audiences by making something appear to be what it is not.
[5] J. W. Souther, M. L White, "Designing the Report", Technical Report Writing, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1977, ch. 5, sec. 2, pp. 42-48
- Emphasises, provides a plan for the careful integration of visuals in technical writing. "some provide visual or statistical support that the readers need if they are to understand a report...should be placed near the discussion and closely integrated with it. Other illustrations provide supplementary data and detail for few reader who may require them. Usually placed in the appendix so that they do not get in the way of most readers." (42) Giving guidance the reader on the purpose of the individual, "when to use the illustration, where to find it, what to look for, what the significance of the material is" (42) When to use an illustration, "Detail difficult to describe verbally, overall relationship of detail, and emphasis". (43-44) Basics on how to refer to images, and captions. (46)
[6] W. C. Crow, "Graphic Images: Powerful Partners of Words in Print", Communication Graphics, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1986, ch. 6, pp. 75 - 104
- Not much on what I am looking for. If I ever want to make the pictures that go into technical writing I will come to this source again. (Maybe)
[7] W.S Robertson, W.D. Siddle, Technical Writng and Presentation New York: Pergamon Press, pp. 80-95 (ebooks2&3)
- Important to have good, helpful illustrations. (81) Illustrations should emphasis one point, and eliminate all detail that does not do that effectively. (83) General description of line drawings, line graphs, block graphs, "cake" diagrams. (84-89) Use of colour, too expensive?
[8] A.D. Farr, Science Writing for Beginners Oxford, United Kingdom: Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp.42-49 (farr1)
- Mostly on how to put drawings in pictures...from a time before computers. How sad.
[9] R. Goldbort, "Scientific Visuals", Writing for Science New Haven: Yale University Press, pp.174 - 193
- Purposes, important pieces of a table (177-181), important pieces of a figure (181 - 193)
[10] C. Turk, J. Kirkman, " ", Effective Writing: Improving scientific, technical and business commmunicatiion, 2nd ed. New York: E&F.N. SPON, pp. 149 - 193
- Not sure yet
Starting in a few weeks, your Dad will be the Chair of the awards committee for a major orthopaedic organization. One of our new awards is for "video" presentations which augment a research report. It has been surprisingly difficult to get good video which adds significantly to usual charts and tables and written word. Still, the future of research presentations we feel is in the multi-media and video and interactive realm - so we offer the prize to encourage its development.
ReplyDeleteDo you think that part of the problem is that some see visual/video presentations as a something difficult to learn how to do? I know that even people who more or less keep up with the rapid changes in communication fear the visual because they feel that they need some sort of artistic skill to use them "correctly". Which I have found to be almost completely untrue.
ReplyDeleteWhen you say "video" do you just mean something other than the static page? All presentations can benefit from a more interactive format. Most students around here are just discovering Prezi, which is pretty cool, but our professors seem stuck on transparencies and projectors. I wonder what else we will see in the future.