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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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:
© 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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.
Source: beingindian.com
© 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. SOURCES AND REFERENCES
in-the-engineering-field /
londyn-clipart
© 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER

17. QUERIES?
© 2016, STC INDIA CHAPTER