LESSONS IN TECHNICAL EDITING FROM HARRY POTTER, GAME OF THRONES, AND SULTAN © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

AGENDA The importance of words The significance of technical communication The role of a technical editor Reality check—challenges versus idealism Out-of-the-box lessons Summary Queries and Answers © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

KEY OBJECTIVES Work with diverse audiences and manage complex projects. Improve interpersonal communication skills. Improve technical communication, especially, technical editing skills. © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

WORDS ARE ALL WE HAVE An average employee spends 20 percent of their time writing Managers spend 70 percent of their time writing CEOs spend 90 percent of their time writing Source: American Management Association Source: https://www.youtube.com/e94e3296-baf8-4779-ace4-ed309addfd9a © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

LET’S COMMUNICATE, TECHNICALLY Technical Communication Products Discoveries Designs Methodologies Ideas Understand Enjoy Support Fund Use Complex to simple; technical to (sometimes) non-technical © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

WHAT DOES A TECHNICAL EDITOR DO? Reader’s eye The purpose of the document Structure and flow Content gaps Writer’s hand Clear and correct documents Readable content Style and consistency Organization’s heart Quality assurance Compliance with standards Branding and corporate style Editing is the same as quarreling with writers— same thing exactly. --Harold Ross © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

BEHIND THE SCENES—THE IDEAL WORLD Clear, concise, and correct content Research& Design Engineer Technical Editor Technical Writers Product Engineer Application Engineer Dumbledore’s Army, Image by Afiya licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution SA License/ © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

REALITY BYTES I need the document, NOW! I need coffee! Do they even understand what a technical editor does What’s with the attitude!? I need coffee! What do these writers know… Why is no one responding? This document has so many errors. Who’s responsible? I am an intern. How would I know anything? I will have to redo everything myself © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

THE AUDIENCE IS NUMBER ONE! I am friends with your mother. I am here to help. Don’t eat the help. Think from the perspective of the audience. Use the words and phrases that will connect. Image credit: Duncan Hull, licensed under a Creative Commons License Attribution 2.0 License © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

Keep learning different strategies. BUILD NEW SKILLS Keep learning different strategies. If one method hits a plateau, try a new one, or a mix of methods. https://www.xyztimes.com Source: beingindian.com © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

It’s not about you, or them. Think of the bigger picture. AVOID THE GAME OF EGOS It’s not about you, or them. Think of the bigger picture. Image credit: Creative Commons © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

Be prepared for any crisis. Think things through. HAVE A PLAN, ALWAYS! Be prepared for any crisis. Think things through. Keep calm and safe. Image credit: Kravinoff licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Image credit: Deviantart.com licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

Don’t let the bad times bother you. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF Stay positive Don’t let the bad times bother you. © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

BELIEVE IN THE TEAM © Anshoots Photography © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

Offer the audience’s perspective on content. TO SUMMARIZE Offer the audience’s perspective on content. Train to learn and improve. Collaborate rather than confront. Be prepared and plan. Keep believing in yourself. Build and be a part of a team by negotiating, not dictating. © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER © Anshoots Photography

SOURCES AND REFERENCES http://gifmaker.me/ https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/what-is-the-importance-of-technical-communication- in-the-engineering-field.394080/ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Think_outside_the_box.svg http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=39698&picture=tower-bridge- londyn-clipart http://missdaintyk.deviantart.com/art/Dumbledore-s-Army-318499970 https://www.flickr.com/photos/dullhunk/14906849355 http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=165939&picture=two-dragons http://iamdaenerystargaryen.deviantart.com/art/Ned-Stark-Wallpaper-259881043 © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

QUERIES? © 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER