Careers in Technical Communication ENGL 4100 – Introduction to the Profession Adapted from TTU’s Web Site (

What do tech writers do? high tech: online help, print manuals websites: e-commerce, information proposals editing, testing

Where to tech writers work? high tech –IBM, National Instruments government, business –AOL, AKT Thiokol, Hill AFB social service, environmental writing –United Way, Survivors at the Summit, Department of Interiors

What is the job like day to day? cross-functional teams –identify needs, plan products, development research, writing, review, testing training: learning software, products Technical communicators spend about half their time writing and editing

Where does the TC fit in? Technical communicators increasingly participate in product design They contribute verbal ability but also design and management strengths –defining problems –imagining solutions –managing the process to achieve solutions –using technology

Writing Technical Documents determining needs developing a concept selecting and arranging materials to serve function and aesthetics

Documentation materials text type and space on page or screen visuals and graphics media sound animation

Documentation strategies content development arrangement: for emphasis, comprehension, use style: word choice, sentence structure, tone visual design

Design criteria for technical writing Conventional textual measures of “good” –spelling, grammar, organization, accuracy Follows William’s C.R.A.P. principle –contrast, repetition, alignment, proximity

Design criteria for technical writing Some measures outside the text –Can people use it easily? –Do users solve their problems efficiently and fairly? –Does it reflect good social values--ethics, access (culture, race, gender), accuracy

Career opportunities in high tech: more jobs than available applicants starting salaries: mid-30s to low 40s for B.A.; up to 60K for Master’s in TC “hot job,” U.S. News Oct 1998; “one of fastest growing,” Money

Concepts emphasized TC Courses  Understanding documents as tools of solving workplace problems  Analyzing audiences, needs, and constraints  Gathering information through secondary and primary research  Writing as an expert to someone who knows less: responsibilities, strategies  Writing for efficient reading and use  Using information ethically