TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Technical communication is the exchange of information that helps people to interact with technology and to solve complex
problems. When installing a new device, such as a printer, a computer desktop, or a refrigerator, you look first the manual. Before
entering establishments, you fill out monitoring forms to be given by the guards. And when instructing your sibling or your friend to do
something for you that may involve your mobile phone, laptop, or bicycle, you transmit the needed information to him or her. All these
activities have a common denominator – the sharing of technical information.
Almost everyday, we decide or take actions that depend on technical information. Whether oral or written, a particular technical
information follows the process of communication and essentially remain the same in purpose, with the intended audience. We either
give or receive information with others during this process. Ask yourself of the following example communication scenarios:
 Have I ever given someone written directions or drawn map to my home?
 Have I ever asked for brief instructions on how to play a particular sport or game?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, or have had similar experiences, then you have already engaged in technical
communication.

GENERAL COMMUNICATION VERSUS TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Communication is important in one’s daily life. It is an integral part of daily activity. When an alarm clock goes off, it is
communication through sound, urging one to get out of bed. When one feels loyal towards a particular brand of toothpaste, it is possible
that the television (TV) or social media commercials for that brand have been successful in communicating the message or in persuading
the buyers. Watching news on TV, saying goodbye to one’s family, calling a cab, and giving directions are all different types of
communication. At the workplace, all activities revolve around oral or written communication. Interacting with one’s manager, reading
the newspaper at home, or even dreaming in one’s sleep are all examples of communication.

GENERAL COMMUNICATION TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

· contains a general message · contains a technical message
· informal in style and approach · mostly formal
· no set pattern of communication · follows a set pattern
· not always for a specific audience · always for a specific audience
· does not involve the use of technical vocabulary or graphics, etc. · frequently involves jargons, designs, graphics, etc.

However, you have to draw a clear understanding how technical communication differs from general communication. Messages that
are non-technical or informal in nature are categorized as general-purpose communication, whereas messages pertaining to technical,
industrial, scientific, or business matters belong to the category of technical communication. The table above shows the differences
between these two categories.

TECHNICAL WRITING
in order to maintain its accuracy and quality, technical communication is produced by way of writing to ensure a viable and a
successful outcome. In short, technical communication is writing-intensive, as you have to communicate and to interpret the technical
information for your audience’s use. These audience or your readers may need that technical information to perform a task, to answer a
question, to solve a problem, or to make a decision, etc. In order for you to fulfill these purposes, you have to convey the technical
information in a paper (document).

Technical writing is a written communication performed or done in a specific field or job that conveys a technical information to
specific audience/readers. The word ‘technical’ comes from the Greek word technikos and Indo-European word teks, which mean art,
craft, or skill. Therefore:
 Technical writing relates to your skill in practical, industrial, and scientific subjects.
 Technical writing involves a specific and a specialized topic, area, or profession.

WHERE DO WE USE OR ENCOUNTER TECHNICAL WRITING?

Technical writing is used in scientific fields, business sectors, jobs, professions, agencies, organizations, and academic institutions
which produce documents either on a paper or electronic form. We can also see them in bulletin boards and signages on the roads or in
public places – in short, we can find technical documents everywhere.

WHAT TECHNICAL WRITING IS?

 an instructional manual for cooking a particular dish
 an instructional manual for setting up a new gadget/appliance
 a memo listing meeting agenda
 a letter of intent from teachers to parents
 a recommendation report proposing a new computer system, a new grading system, a new strategic plan, etc.
 a report of health department about new cases of COVID-19
 a traffic sign that guides motorists
 a research paper initiated by workers such as scientists
 a tardiness report from Prefect of Discipline (POD)
 an academic progress report given by the teacher to the parents
 an action research done by a student or a scholar

WHAT TECHNICAL WRITING IS NOT?

 not a literature
  not an essay
 not journalism
 not a script for a play
 not an editorial or a feature article on a newspaper
 does not describe personal experiences
 does not narrate a story
 does not focus on poetic images or memes
 does not focus on theoretical knowledge that you learn in school

WHY DO YOU UNDERTAKE TECHNICAL WRITING?

 to help you to fulfill a task
 to prepare you in the research process and engagement in the succeeding years
 to let you improve your writing skills necessary in your future job

GENERALIZATION
Through technical communication, we can be able to relay essential topics or information that may help the audience in the
doing their tasks or in making decisions to get things done. With the help of written communication, the technical information can be
recorded for the purpose of informing the intended audience.
Technical writing plays an important role everywhere. Without it, a certain company or work would not operate, a specific field
ceases to function, and a particular object/mechanism/technology could not be installed properly. In short, it enables various purposes
in our society.

REFLECTION:
 How significant is acquiring technical writing skills?
 How can technical writing affect your life as a student?
 How does technical writing help you in improving communication and relationship with people?

Reading makes a full man;

Conference a ready man;
and Writing an exact man.
- Of Studies, Francis Bacon