Technical communication is the process of making and sharing ideas and information in the workplace. The Society of Technical Communications (STC) defines technical communication as a broad field that includes any form of communication that is about technical or specialized topics, uses technology such as web pages or help files, or provides instruction about how to do something.
Specifically,
technical writing involves communicating complex information to a specific
audience who will use it to accomplish some goal or task in a manner that is
accurate, useful, and clear. Whether you write an email to your professor or
supervisor, develop a presentation or report, design a sales flyer, or create a
webpage, you are a technical communicator. The occupation of technical
communicator stemmed from the need for technology-based documentation for
military and manufacturing industries. As technology grew, and organizations
became more global, the relevance of and need for technical communication
emerged. In short, we can say that:
Technical
communication may be defined as the transmission and reception of facts,
figures, ideas, and all sorts of scientific and technical information by
professionals in various fields such as engineering, medicine, science,
research, education, space, etc.
“Technical
writing is the practical writing that people do as part of their jobs”, writes
Pauley and Riordan.
Requisites of
technical communication:
1).
Proficiency in Subject: The command of the subject is the backbone of effective
technical Communication.
2).
Proficiency in Language: Proficiency in language is a must. Language error in
technical writing is never entertained.
3).
Proficiency in Structuring: To synchronize thoughts and information in a
logical order and to ensure coherence is the main intention of technical
communication.
Characteristics/Features
of Technical Communication:
●
Plain language and Relevant Content: The purpose of technical communication is
to inform, Instruct, or persuade a reader. Thus, the language needs to be
plain, straightforward forward with easily understandable terminology. A good
technical document doesn’t encourage unusual or unreasonable content and
loquacious phrases. Unnecessary words or content have to be avoided.
●
Specific Format: Technical document enables the reader to assimilate
information at a glance. Technical documents could be in the format of various
letters, reports, technical, manuals, memorandums, emails, fax, or any
presentation. For instance: Various journals and government documents require
specified:
➢
Font
➢
Line and paragraph spacing
➢
Margins
➢
Number of words
➢
Figures and graphics
➢
Division of section, etc.
●
Analysing audience: Technical and workplace documents address a specific
audience. In technical communication, the analysis of the audience is a must.
The communicator must keep in mind whether the audience is Technical
(Engineers, Scientists, Doctors, etc), Semi-Technical (Staff of admin, clerk,
secretary, etc), or Non-Technical (General public with a combination of
technical, semi-technical, non-technical, customers, clients, patients, etc).
The document must be designed in such a way as to meet the needs of its
specific readers in terms of subject matter, vocabulary, level details, and
writing style.
●
Rhetorical, persuasive, purposeful, and problem-oriented: Technical
communication is all about helping the reader or user of a document solve a
problem or compel others to act.
●
Professional: Technical communication reflects the values, goals, and culture
of the organization and as such, creates and maintains the public image of the
organization.
●
Research and technology-oriented: Workplace demands often technical and
workplace writing to be created in collaboration with others through a network
of experts and designers. This teamwork
depends on sound research practices to ensure that the information provided is
correct, accurate, and complete.
●
Ethical: Technical communication is ethical. All workplace writers have ethical
obligations, many of which are closely linked to legal obligations that include
liability laws, copyright laws, contract laws, and trademark laws.
●
Perceptible Aids or Visuals Aids: Perceptible aids enhance the effectiveness of
the technical presentation. It said that a picture is worth a thousand words.
People learn and retain information better that is presented to them visually
than that which is provided verbally.
●
Accessible: A foundational exigent for technical communication practices is to
create access to information and instruction for all users. We use our document
design expertise such as word choice and organization as well as our knowledge
of software tools to develop avenues that make information easier to understand
and use. Technical communicators are uniquely positioned to use their tools and
expertise to continue to develop inclusive environments.
●
Specific style: Technical documents have a set style based on a specific format
that straight away reaches the purpose of writing. Paragraphs are short,
focusing on only one idea, and clearly demarcated with headings and
subheadings, tables, and examples. The intention of technical communication or
writing is to inform rather than to entertain its style. Personal pronouns
should not be used. For instance: “I/We took measurements.” Rather than using
this statement, we should write “Measurements were taken”.
Purpose of Technical
Communication
•
To inform the worker and officials about what they are supposed to do.
•
To collect some information vital to making a decision.
•
To make inquiries, fix responsibilities, demand explanation, and enforce
discipline.
•
To advise or to seek advice.
•
To appreciate a work or to express disapproval.
