The document provides information about a technical communication class. It summarizes key points from several chapters: 1) It analyzes the intended audience for a set of questions - ranging from ages 17-60s, with an intermediate level of expertise and at least an 11th grade education. 2) It discusses important concepts like rhetoric, constructive conflict, and selecting appropriate software programs for technical documents. 3) It provides examples of capabilities of word processing software and considerations for communicating effectively online through social media and varying audiences/cultures.

1. TWC 301: Week 1
Group 1: Robin Berger, Tayler Blackman, Amber
Bonsall, and Erin Burk

2. Week 1: Audience Analysis
Age range of the reader: The reader of these questions could be anywhere from
seventeen years old to mid sixties. The purpose of the questions is to examine the
relevance and effectiveness of what is communicated via the Internet, a medium that is
commonly used within this age range. In addition, the questions are to quiz the reader on
the ability to communicate effectively through technical communication, as well as utilize
constructive conflict.
Level of expertise: Intermediate level expertise would be ideal for this audience. The
audience would have to understand the politics behind communication online and what
it represents as well as the etiquette behind it. Furthermore, they must also understand
proper communication, problem solving tactics, and how to use simple software
programs.
Level of education of the reader: The audience should have at least an 11th grade
education, preferably at least some college background.

3. Audience Analysis, Cont’d.
Cultural perspective of the reader: These questions are geared for any culture, for
the questions themselves ask the audience to think outside their cultural knowledge, as
well as their opinions on the relevancy of connect with anyone via the internet or through
group projects.
Attitudes of the reader: Interested and willing to obtain a better understanding of
how the technical communication, conflict solving, and the Internet should be utilized, as
well as proper ethics.
Expectations of the reader: To understand the proper way to communicate through
technical communication and electronic technologies, in addition to working through and
practicing constructive conflict.
Context in which the document will be viewed by the reader: Informal, but
important to remember and comprehend.

4. TCTC, Chapter 1
Technical communication is the job of all employees. Many people do not
realize that technical communication is not just the job of a manager or owner.
In fact, the majority of technical communicators are simply employees whose
job requires them to write memos, manuals, reports, emails, and other forms of
technical and professional communication.

5. TCTC, Chapter 1
Technical and professional communication is all around us in the workplace.
These forms of communication relay important information in a way that the
audience will easily be able to understand. The most common forms of
technical communication include emails, memos, instructions, reports, and
manuals.

6. Questions
Technical communicators are only those who are managers, owners, ect.
● True
● False
Technical communication is all around us. Choose the three examples that best
describes a form of technical and professional communication.
● Memo
● Text Message
● E-mail
● Instructions
● Facebook Post

7. TCTC, Chapter 2
Rhetoric is very important in communication. Thinking rhetorically can help
understand the underlying message in an author’s passage as well as help a
person be more persuasive. Although there has been no widely accepted single
definition for the term, “Rhetoric”, Aristotle summarises it best as the study of
the available means of persuasion in any given situation.

8. TCTC, Chapter 2
Writing for a workplace setting can be very difficult. Workplaces are filled with
people that have different ideas and beliefs. Audience members will have
varying attitudes and expectations about writings and will interpret them in
different ways. It is important when writing in a workplace setting to clearly
explain what is being said and write only what is important and necessary for
the audience to understand.

9. Questions
Thinking rhetorically is critical in the art of persuasion.
● True
● False
All audience members will interpret your writings the same way.
● True
● False

10. Team Writing, Chapter 5
Constructive conflict is essential for anticipating problems and working through the pros
and cons of different ideas to come up with or create the best solution. This is a way to
have healthy problem solving when working in a group. Constructive conflict usually
occurs when two or more people are working towards the same goal but have different
ideas on how to pursue it. When working in a group it is important that all group
members get along, work together, and find optimal solution to a problem. There are
four things team members need to engage in constructive conflict. These four things are
present evidence and reasons in support to their ideas, listen closely to others’
viewpoints, carefully consider the merits and drawbacks of all opinions presented, and
work toward a solution by building and improving on all ideas presented.

11. Team Writing, Chapter 5
Constructive conflict is not just based off positive attitudes and good team players there
are strategies that will help a group with constructive conflict. These four strategies will
help prevent problems in the group:
The first strategy is to before you even start with the project, clarify roles and
responsibilities up front in a task schedule. The best strategy that follows this is to
include revision in the task schedule and allow for plenty of time to implement
revisions. Next, make sure you lay some ground rules for conversation such as set
aside time for brainstorming, get input from everyone in the group, restate ideas,
and set time limits. The last strategy is to decide in advance how impasses will be
handles such as majority rules, supervisor decides, or client decides.

12. Questions
True of False: Constructive conflict is only based off of positive attitudes and good team
players?
A.) True
B.) False
Which is not a ground rule for conversation?
A.) set aside for brainstorming
B.) get input from everyone in the group
C.) supervisor decides
D.) restate ideas

13. Chapter 3: Part 1
Electronic Technology programs are prevalent today in efficiently creating documents.
Such programs include: word processors, presentation, graphics and imaging, web
authoring, and desktop publishing software. It is recommended to select a software
program based on personal skill-set, to be capable of properly utilizing it to the fullest.
Word processing is very commonly used (such as Microsoft Word) for documents. Each
of these software programs will allow the user to revise documents, check for
grammatical errors and misspelled words, create tables of data, and change the overall
style of the piece. In addition, the author may utilize multiple screens to create more than
one version of a document if necessary. If websites are included in the work, a hypertext
link may be attached and recognized by the program. It is amazing how helpful and
simplistic this type of software may be in creating documents.

14. TCTC, Chapter 3: Part 1
True or False: When selecting computer software for technical
communication, it is most important to utilize a program that is high in quality,
rather than taking into account user skill.
a. True
b. False
Which of the following is NOT a word processing capability:
a. Use of multiple windows to create several versions of one document.
b. Manipulate a photograph by erasing away portions.
c. Convert the document to an HTML format to be used on the web.
d. Include active hypertext links that may be clicked on to open a website.

15. TCTC, Chapter 3: Part 2
Our world is changing so rapidly, staying relevant through social media and internet
based communication is imperative to thrive in this technologically based world.
Knowing how to communicate to different audiences and cultures is a skill that builds
your outreach and effectiveness exponentially. Even from research done within our own
class, airing on the side of caution and being more formal and politically correct is always
a safe option compared to its alternative. Email, Facebook, video chat, all these media
offer the ability to communicate for many reasons to intended as well as unknown
audiences. Anything passed through these mediums can easily be identified from outside
parties, which is why it is so important to uphold certain terms and etiquettes. Knowing
the main purposes for each medium and their vantage point allows you to maximize your
ability to communicate effectively and show your audiences you can adapt and continue
to learn instead of remaining stagnant.

16. TCTC, Chapter 3: Part 2
1. Internet and website communication ethics have become an increasingly popular topic of
discussion over the recent years. With its fast paced adaptation the ability of the web is ever
changing. How should users learn to effectively conduct themselves through this medium when
their audience and style is constantly changing? The internet crosses country and cultural
borders so how can users make what they write on the web cross through those communication
boundaries as well?
2. What are the differences between videoconferencing and groupware? Why would one be used
opposed to the other? And what makes each of these viable and relevant in today’s business
world?