Chapter 1 Understanding Technical Communication Technical Communication: Strategies for College and the Workplace by Dan Jones & Karen Lane Chapter 1 Understanding Technical Communication Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Technical communication . . . Frequently deals with scientific or technological subjects Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Technical communication must . . . meet the information needs of the audience work with a specialized vocabulary create a helpful design provide illustrations whenever appropriate Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Workplace writing includes. . . correspondence (letters, memos, e-mail) notes manuals (instructions) proposals reports —Continued— Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Workplace writing includes. . . policies and procedures job descriptions performance evaluations promotional materials (posters, brochures, flyers) Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Technical communication fails . . . when writers focus on what they want to say rather than on what the readers need to read or on what the listeners need to hear.

A technical document that ignores the audience . . . is poorly organized has inappropriate content does not allow readers to picture themselves in the text lacks clarity Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ineffective technical communication . . . wastes time increases expenses causes missed deadlines decreases productivity —Continued— Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Ineffective technical communication . . . affects promotions affects morale damages reputations Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Effective technical communication . . . saves time saves money achieves the purpose enhances your career Copyright © 2002 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Longman Publishers. All rights reserved.