Introduction to

Technical Communication
Definition and Characteristics of
Technical Communication
Week 1
 Technical Communication
encompasses a set of activities that people do to
discover, shape, and transmit information.

Four Basic Modes of Communication

Listening Speaking Reading Writing

Technical Writing Academic Writing
used in technical disciplines used in academic disciplines
everyone can be an audience audience is mostly scholars

Technical Writing Creative Writing

show the viewers enthrall, entertain, and
factual knowledge evoke a feeling
launched in a logical technique written in the author’s own style
 Understanding Purpose
Communication that helps Communication that
others learn about a reinforces or changes
subject, carry out a task, or attitudes and motivates
make a decision. readers to take action.

Understanding Audience
having a clearly defined audience, and getting to
know the intended readers, viewers, or listeners
 The Challenges of Producing
Technical Communication

Purpose
Audience Setting
FACTORS

Document Process
 Importance of
Technical Communication
• Types of Technical Writing
• Basic Principles of Good Technical Writing
• Characteristics/Properties of Technical Writing
• Qualities of a Technical Writer

Week 2
 Types of Technical Writing
1. Traditional Technical Writing
specifically written for professional audiences

a. Science and Medical Papers

act as learning resources for practitioners to understand
procedures and results
b. Professional Reports and Review
written for business growth and educational institutions
 Types of Technical Writing
2. End-user Documentation
helps users understand and operate products correctly

a. User Help Guides

give clear and sensible answers to common questions that
may develop as use of software programs continue
b. Product Manuals
highlight a product’s main features, general maintenance,
and basic operation
 Types of Technical Writing
c. Assembly Guidelines
tell users how to physically set up a product

3. Technical Marketing Content

attract and retain a clearly defined audience to drive profitable
customer action; to convince the reader to buy a product or service.
a. Brochures
describes the main features of the
product, any specifications for its use
Basic Principles of Good Technical Writing
Mills and Walter (1980)

1. Think of a specific reader; consider him as

intelligent but uninformed.
2. Establish your purpose for writing.
3. Use language that is simple, concrete, and
familiar.
4. Check your writing; provide an overview and a
reiteration.
5. Make your report attractive to look at.
 Characteristics or Properties of
Good Technical Writing
• Accurate – deals with facts that are
completely true
• Clear – easily understood by the audience
• Formal – conform to conventions in writing
• Graphical – visually represent information
• Objective – maintaining an impersonal
view/tone
How to build objectivity in writing?

1. Use passive voice instead of active voice

structures.
2. Use third-person point of view.
3. Downplay the subject or personal nature of
the text by avoiding the use of emotive
words like dissatisfied, uninteresting, or
undignified.
 Characteristics or Properties of
Good Technical Writing

• Practical – applicable in real-life situations

• Procedural – presents information in a
systematic and methodical manner
• Special – inclined to be exclusive and selective of
its topic, language, methodology and its readers
• Diversionary – sensitive to pitfalls or hidden
dangers arising from diversity
 Characteristics or Properties of
Good Technical Writing

• Straightforward – presenting concepts directly

• Authoritative – command action or enforce
something on someone or to a group of people
• Presentable – free from typographical and
grammatical errors; ensuring neatness, proper
arrangement, and quality work
Qualities of a Technical Writer
1. Adequate knowledge of the subject matter
2. Ability to compile information
3. Ability to organize facts or ideas
4. Ability to analyse and synthesize
5. Ability to learn and use specialized vocabularies
6. Ability to write at the readers’ comprehensive level
7. Ability to use inductive and deductive reasoning
8. Accuracy of language
Qualities of a Technical Writer

9. Objectivity in presenting facts and issues

10. Ability to write concise prose
11. Ability to determine the effectiveness of words,
sentences, and paragraphs
12. Ability to conform to the code of ethics in the
technical writing professions