1. Communication Skills for Engineers
The 5 Cs of
Technical Communication
January 20, 2006

2. Lecture Objectives
The 5Cs – Characteristics of effective technical communication
Identify
Define
Identify strategies
Look at examples
January 20, 2006

3. The 5 C’s of Technical Communication
Clarity
Conciseness
Concreteness
Coherence
Context
January 20, 2006

4. CLARITY Structural (document level) Abstracts
Introductions (Scope & Objectives)
Table of Contents
Appropriate graphics
Descriptive titles
Subject headings
January 20, 2006

5. CLARITY Stylistic Use simple, direct language
Do not overload your sentences
Use precise, specific word choices
January 20, 2006

6. CLARITY Grammatical Consider syntax Be aware of punctuation
Use active vs. passive verb forms
January 20, 2006

7. CLARITY
Contextual
Use reporter questions – Who, What, Why, Where, How, When, Which
Consider your audience/environment receiving the communication
Avoid abbreviations, acronyms, and jargon
January 20, 2006

8. CONCISENESS Document level
Narrow your focus/scope – clear intro & develop a detailed outline
Use graphics – tables, graphs, photographs, diagrams, flowcharts, etc.
Revise your writing
The Mayfield handbook of technical and scientific writing -
January 20, 2006

9. CONCISENESS Paragraph/sentence level Avoid Wordy expressions
Camouflaged words
Repetition
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10. CONCRETENESS Technical accuracy Precision Accurate word choices
January 20, 2006

11. COHERENCE Document level Paragraph level
Provide a road map that link your ideas - abstract, introduction, problem statements
Paragraph level
Use a topic sentence and supporting sentences
Repeat terms that link ideas logically
Use transitional words to establish links between ideas
January 20, 2006

12. COHERENCE Paragraph development patterns Definition Analysis
Exemplification
Comparison and Contrast
Description
January 20, 2006

13. CONTEXT Define purpose Identify and analyse audience
Consider response/effect
Consider ethical, safety, and legal implications
January 20, 2006

14. Technical Communication Some Guidelines
Express NOT Impress
Communicate NOT Confuse
January 20, 2006