2  How to use this book

This book is meant to serve as a text book. It contains a consistent perspective, with subsequent parts connecting to and building on previous material. Although each section it meant to be read as a complete, ordered sequence, each part can be approached as a stand-alone, un-ordered unit. That is, readers are invited to jump in at any point, although this approach may obscure the unifying themes themes throughout the book.

As a text book, it is intended for use in a course focusing on communication in undergraduate and graduate level STEM programs. Professors will benefit from the suggested curricula — as well as assignment suggestions — ready for use in their courses which can be found in the Instruction chapter (in part V — Master).

Smaller groups and shorter format instruction is also possible in a workshop setting. Instructors will also benefit from plans for instruction spanning a shorter time frame which can also be adapted to small study groups. It is in this context that this material would be applicable to the workplace.

Individuals will find that the text book serves as a reference to keep handy for a variety of situations they will encounter during their studies or work life.

Figure 2.1 provides a visual summary of ways individuals and groups can use this book.

Figure 2.1: Individual and groups of difference sizes can use the material in this book for various purposes. This ranges from occassional reference for individual in academia and industry to a text book for semester-long courses.