Ethics Decision Checklist What is the nature of the ethical dilemma? What are the specific aspects of this dilemma that make you uncomfortable? What are your competing obligations in this dilemma? What advice does a trusted supervisor or mentor offer? Does your company’s code of conduct address this issue? Does your professional association’s code of conduct address this issue? What are you unwilling to do? What are you willing to do? How will you explain or justify your decision?

This can be done by lying, misrepresenting facts, or just “twisting” numbers to favor your opinion and objectives

Collecting information from multiple brokers would demonstrate thorough and unbiased research. (See chapter 10 for more on research.)

Email is a good way to communicate when:

Contrast helps draw the reader’s eyes to specific elements in your text, and it also helps the reader follow the flow of the information

Think of the text as a room for your thoughts

Formatting of all business letters—but especially the application letter—must be neat and professional. It is recommended that you use left alignment for all text, since various software programs can wreak havoc with indentations and tabs. Common business letter formats include the block letter, the semi-block letter, the alternative letter, and the simplified letter. Block format, among the most widely used business letter formats, is recommended for application letters. The application letter includes five main sections: 1) heading and greeting/salutation, 2) introductory paragraph, 3) middle paragraphs, 4) closing paragraph, and 5) complimentary close.

Deciphering the Job Description

Texting is not useful for long or complicated messages, and careful consideration should be given to the audience

A memo includes a header or heading block, an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.

Netiquette matters—remember the golden rule in all communications.

However, technical writing is always much more concerned with articulating a clearly defined purpose with a specific, known reader.

many of the decisions you make as a technical writer depend on who will read your report