Technical Writing

Introduction
Whats in store for you this
semester

Contents
Purpose of course
Technical writing characteristics
Technical writing
Course requirements
Safe computing

Definition/Purpose of
Course
Technical communication is the art and
science of making complex technical
information accessible, usable, and relevant to
a variety of audiences in a variety of settings.
Composition of the types of documents
technical professionals write
Review of the planning, drafting, and editing
processes
Interaction with new technologies and new
environments

Accessibility
Accuracy no errors of fact or grammar
Clarity no ambiguity
Completeness all necessary information is
present
Dictionappropriate and grammatically
correct language
Organizationlogical arrangement of parts
Visual effectiveness page/screen design,
graphics

Usability
Allows audience to perform the task
or retrieve the information they need
Studies design of table of contents,
index, headings, etc.
Keeps learning curve short

Relevance
Focus on your audiences need for
information.
Give only whats needed.
Use language that fits your audience
and situation and is consistent.

On-the-job Writing
Communicate expertise to clients,
customers, and the public
Report tech activities to
supervisors and others
Write proposals
Instruct lay people
Correspond with colleagues and
clients

Tech Communicators
Skills
Facility with language
Use of critical thinking skills to solve
problems
Ability to assess situations,
determine what the most important
issues and the subsidiary ones are
Ability to organize a document that
presents the information clearly

Skills, continued
Awareness of the persuasive nature of
writing and ability to compose
documents that convince your reader(s)
to act as you suggest or to trust your
point of view
Ethical behavior shown by avoiding
deceptive graphics, presenting
information truthfully, balancing ethical
and moral beliefs with the demands of the
job

Writing Assignments
Application, followup letters, and
rsums
Technical Definition
Proposal
Collaborative
process manual and
oral presentation
Product/service
comparison

Formal report
Progress Report
Personal and
professional
website
Class notes
Report outline in
PowerPoint.

Home Page Creation

Create or update your web site.
Put the pages together manually first
Use an editor or continue to work
manually once youre working on your
own.
Link to a web site you already have,
adding the requirements for this new
part of your site.

Safe Computing
Check your own disks for viruses.
Back up your work (you can save on
both the S/T drive and a 3.5 floppy/data
CD).
Dont forget to take your disk with you
at the end of class.
Put your name, phone number/e-mail
address on the label.
Save often; dont rely on autosave.