Technical Communication: Definition and Characteristics

1
Technical Communication Definition and
Characteristics

• Dmitri Stanchevici
• Introduction to Technical Writing

2
What is Technical Writing or Technical
Communication?

• Technical writing describes communication at the
  workplace
• Technical writing also refers to information
  about technology
• Technology 1) practical knowledge, 2) tools and
  appliances
• The modern workplace depends on technology so
  much that technical writing is also called
  business, professional, or workplace writing

3
Technology in todays workplace

• We live in a world in which many of our everyday
  actions depend on complex but important technical
  information Household appliances, banking
  systems, online courses, business negotiations,
  government correspondence and affairs, and almost
  every other aspect of your daily life is affected
  by technologies and technical information (Gurak
  and Lannon 4).

4
What does technical writing do?

• Technical writing helps perform jobs better
• It does it by
• Informing
• Describing
• Instructing
• Persuading
• These goals are achieved through technical
  documents

5
Examples of Technical Communication (from Gerson
and Gerson)

• Memos and electronic mail (e-mail)to set meeting
  agendas and to ask and answers questions
• Lettersto sell, complain, hire, fire, ask and
  answer questions, and explain the contents of
  attachments
• Reportsto report on job-related travel or
  incidents, to study options and recommend action,
  to report on the progress of ongoing projects,
  and to document meeting minutes
• Proposalsto highlight problems, to suggest
  solutions, and to recommend action
• Brochuresto sell and inform, using six-to
  eight-panel (back and front) foldouts

6
Examples of Technical Communication (cont.)

• Newslettersto report on corporate activities to
  both employees and stakeholders
• Fliersto sell and inform, using brief,
  single-sided documents
• Resumesto help you find a job
• Web sitesto sell and inform, using
  multiscreened, Internet-based, hypertext-linked
  communication
• User manualsto explain the steps in a procedure
• Technical descriptionsto explain the parts of a
  mechanism, tool, piece of equipment, or product
  (3)

7
Technical Writing is Different from Academic
Writing because

• Technical writing achieves job goals
• It addresses a variety of readers
• Writing at work, you have to make more effort
  than at school to persuade your reader to read
  the document
• Workplace writing creates legal liability for the
  writer and the organization

8
More characteristics of technical communication
(from Markel)

• Addresses particular readers
• Helps readers solve problems
• Reflects an organizations goals and culture
  (supports the organizations mission)
• Is produced collaboratively
• Uses design to increase readability
• Consists of words or graphics or both
• Is produced using high-tech tools

9
Sources

• Gerson, Sharon J. and Steven M. Gerson. Technical
  Writing Process and Product. 5th ed. Upper
  Saddle River, NJ Pearson, 2006.
• Gurak, Laura J. and John M. Lannon. A Concise
  Guide to Technical Communication. 2nd ed. Review
  Copy. New York Pearson, 2004.
• Houp, Kenneth W., Thomas E. Pearsall, Elizabeth
  Tebeaux, and Sam Dragga. Reporting Technical
  Information. 11th ed. New York Oxford UP, 2006.
• Markel, Mike. Technical Communication. 7th ed.
  Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2003.
• Technology. Meriam-Webster Online. 2005-6.
  Merriam-Webster Online, Incorporated. 10 January
  2006 lthttp//www.webster.com/dictionary/technology
  gt.
• VanAlstyne, Judith S. Professional and Technical
  Writing Strategies Communicating in Technology
  and Science. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ
  Pearson, 2005.