Technical communication involves conveying scientific, engineering, or other technical information through various written and oral forms. It aims to define, create and deliver information for the safe, efficient and effective use of products. The key characteristics of technical communication are that it is clear, correct, concise, consistent and comprehensive. Some common forms of technical communication include technical reports, forms, memos, emails, business letters, resumes, manuals, presentations, video/audio conferences, instructions and seminars. These forms are used to inform, instruct and influence audiences through factual information tailored to specific technical topics and users.

1. Forms of Technical
Communication

2. What is Communication?
 Communication is the art of transmitting information, ideas and
attitudes from one person to another
 Personal process
 Occurs between people
 Means to influence others
 Tools for controlling and motivating people.
 It is a social and emotional process.
 Expression of thoughts and emotions through words & actions

3. Process of Communication?
SenderSender MediumMedium
FeedbackFeedback
ReceiverReceiver
encode decode

4. What is Technical Communication?
 The process of defining, creating and delivering information for the
safe, efficient and effective use of products
 Broad field and includes any form of communication
 conveys scientific, engineering, or other technical information
 Factual Communication, usually about products and services
 Specific Audience

5. Characteristics of Technical Communication?
 The Five C’s of Technical Communication:
 Clear: easily understood by intended Audience
 Correct: follows grammatical and technical conventions
 Concise: clear without excess verbiage.
 Consistent: builds trust
 Comprehensive: contains all necessary information

6. Purpose of Technical Communication?
 Technical Communication serves three purposes that
sometimes overlap :
 Inform:
 Instruct:
 Influence
/Persuasive:

7. General Vs Technical Communication
General:
Contains a general
message
Informal in style and
approach
No set pattern
Mostly oral
Not always for a
specific audience
No use of technical
terms or graphics
Technical:
Contains a technical
message
Mostly formal in style
and approach
Follows a set pattern
Both oral and written
Always for a specific
audience
Frequently involves
jargons, graphics etc.

8. Forms of
Technical Communication
Written Forms:
Technical Reports
Forms, Memos, and E-
mail
Business Letters
The Job Search:
Resumes and Letters
Manuals
Faxes
Oral Forms:
Presentations
Video Conferences
Audio Conferences
Interviews(Employmen
t/Press)
Instructions
Seminars
Telephone Talks

9. Technical Reports
 Factual writing, based on evidence, containing organized
information on a particular topic
 Used for the study of existing procedures and practices
 Used for launching new projects
 Assessing the progress of the on-going projects

10. Objectives of Technical Reports
 To record an experiment
 To record technical specifications
 To document current status
 To record and clarify complex information for future reference
 To document schedules, timetables, and milestones
 To present information to a large number of people

11. Three Basis Format of Technical Reports
Descriptive ReportDescriptive ReportLab ReportLab Report ProposalProposal

12. Significance of Technical Reports
 Provide information in a scientific way
 Help in planning new ventures
 Persuade and motivate the readers
 Help in keeping records which provide necessary feedback

13. Forms, Memos and E-mail
 Forms: Forms are preprinted formats for recording
specific pieces of information
 Memos: Memos are brief, open-ended communications
addressed to a specific person about a stated subject
 E-mail: E-mail provides and electronic medium for both
types of communication – memos and forms

14. Business Letters
 Written by an authorized person of an organization
 Will be sent to other firms and organization, customers, suppliers,
companies, government offices etc

15. Objectives of Business Letters
 To create and establish new business relationships and to sustain
existing business relationships are the ultimate purposes
 To inform
 To congratulate
 To order
 To request
 To sell a product, service
 To apply for a job

16. Types of Formal Business Letter
Positive LettersPositive Letters
Letters of
Inquiry
Letters of
Inquiry
Negative
Letters
Negative
Letters

18. Significance of Business Letter
 Helps in reaching a large and geographically diverse audience
 Economic (as compared as phone call)
 Serves as a permanent records
 Assists in sustaining business relationship

19. The Job Search: Resumes and Letters
 Resumes: technical specification that describes you,
your education, related skill, experience
 Job Application: is likes a sales letter as it written to
sell one’s services
 Avoid saying anything that cannot be supported by
documents
 Exaggerations should be avoided

20.  Process of presenting a topic to an audience
Presentations