1. Communication, Your Career, and This Book
Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication, 8th ed.

2. Writing and Technology – What is Technical Writing????
College graduates typically spend one day a week – writing
Technology is a tool to record communication
Technology, should not be confused with the term, technical:
Technology is integral to its production,
Technical writing doesn’t have to be about technology or other scientific subjects.
When combined with the word communications (or writing), technical refers to communication in a specialized field of knowledge that is limited to experts or specialists. Thus, technical communications or writing refers to “writing in, of, or for a specialized field of knowledge.”
Technical writing is reader-centered

3. Writing at Work . . . . Reader centered
Serves practical purposes.
Addresses complex audiences.
Addresses international and multicultural audiences.
Uses distinctive types of communication.
Employs graphics and visual design to increase effectiveness.
Requires collaboration. 
Is shaped by social and political factors.
Is shaped by organizational conventions and culture.
Meets deadlines.
Is produced with advanced computer technology.
Is sensitive to legal and ethical issues.

4. Characteristics of Technical Writing
Technical writing is characterized not only by its specialized field of knowledge but also by its language, appearance, and structure
Technical communications rely on both verbal and visual components.
Often communicated through graphics and page design even communications that rely heavily on verbal components often do so with the help of visual cues.
Technical communication is based on the needs of a specific audience
The audience in technical writing, is complex and diverse.
A technical writer, for example, might need to prepare a report that will be read and used by employees at three different levels, who will not only read the document differently but also read it for different reasons. The writer, must find a way to accommodate the different styles of and purposes for reading.
The culture of the organization or company for which the document is being prepared as well as the gender and ethnicity of the writers and readers further complicates the writer-audience relationship

5. Technical Communications and Business Communications
Don’t confuse or combine technical and business communications.
Technical communications include letters and memos, instructions, reports, proposals, oral presentations, and deal with communications in the context of a specialized field of knowledge,
Business writing includes minutes, agendas, vision and mission statements, job descriptions, performance reviews, and business plans

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