1. What is TECHNICAL WRITING? …and why do I care?

2. Technical Writing is… a writer’s presentation of information that helps the reader solve a particular problem. proposals, manuals, web pages, lab reports, newsletters, letters, resumes, memos, reports, proceduresTechnical communicators write, design, and/or edit proposals, manuals, web pages, lab reports, newsletters, letters, resumes, memos, reports, procedures and many other kinds of professional documents.

3. Quickly… FOCUS ON THE READER. –Who your audience changes the way you write– vocabulary, tone, and format. KNOW YOUR PURPOSE. –Know what your audience needs, your goal as a writer, AND display that in a summarizing title. CATCH ‘EM EARLY. –Put the most important and interesting information FIRST. Don’t waste time introducing anything!

4. TONE AUTHORITATIVE –giving directions to people “below” you, wanting to sound like an authority figure PERSUASIVE –Making others do what you want them to. Do you think the use of rhetorical questions would be good for this tone? INFORMATIVE –You know all things. You are the “end all”, the fountain of knowledge.

5. but WHY? Because EVERYONE in EVERY JOB writes. The average employee spends 20% of his/her week WRITING. It shows your employer and clients that you can think logically and communicate your thoughts clearly. It’s an extension of your communication skills, which all jobs require.