The document discusses technical communication, which refers to both the process of sharing technical information in the workplace and the documents and presentations used. It notes that technical communicators have three roles - as a writer, member of a project team, and information resource for others. Technical communication skills are important for one's career, making employees more valuable. Technical communication has six main characteristics, including addressing readers, helping solve problems, and using design and words or images to increase readability.

1. Technical communication
has two meanings:
• the process of making and sharing technical
information in the workplace
• a set of applications—the documents you
write and the presentations you deliver
Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 1

2. You have three roles
as a communicator:
• the writer of a document
• a member of a project team
• an information resource for others
Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 2

3. Technical communication
affects your career:
• Companies say communication skills are
important.
• Strong communication skills make you a more
valuable employee.
Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 3

4. Technical communication
has six main characteristics:
• It addresses particular readers.
• It helps readers solve problems.
• It reflects the organization’s goals and culture.
• It is produced collaboratively.
• It uses design to increase readability.
• It consists of words or images or both.
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5. Communicators use design features
to accomplish three basic purposes:
• to make the document look attractive and
professional
• to help readers navigate the document
• to help readers understand the document
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6. Images help the writer
perform five main functions:
• to make the document more interesting and
appealing
• to communicate and reinforce difficult concepts
• to communicate instructions and descriptions of
objects and processes
• to communicate large amounts of quantifiable data
• to communicate with nonnative speakers
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7. An example of technical communication
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2005 <www.mypyramid.gov/downloads/sp-MiniPoster.pdf>.
Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 7

8. An example of technical communication
Source: Sage Software, 2009
<http://download.act.com/act2010/
docs/act_usability_and_productivit
y_whitepaper.pdf>.
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9. An example of technical communication
Source: Marathon
Technologies, 2010
<www.marathon1.c
om/why_marathon_
video.html>.
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10. There are eight measures of excellence
in technical communication:
• honesty
• clarity
• accuracy
• comprehensiveness
• accessibility
• conciseness
• professional appearance
• correctness
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11. You must communicate
honestly for three reasons:
• It is the right thing to do.
• If you are dishonest, readers can get hurt.
• If you are dishonest, you and your
organization could face serious legal charges.
Chapter 1. Introduction to Technical Communication © 2012 by Bedford/St. Martin's 11

12. Technical communication
must be clear for two reasons:
• Unclear technical communication can be
dangerous.
• Unclear technical communication is
expensive.
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