1. Technical Communication: Foundations
Prof. Q

2. Overview Defining Technical Communications Features and Purposes
Types of Documents
Teamwork and Global Issues
The Research Process
Audience and Purpose
Ethics

3. About Technical Communication
The exchange of information that helps people interact with technology, advance workplace goals, and solve complex problems.
Day-to-day questions:
How do I set up my new technology?
How do I attach a document to an ?
Workplace questions:
What is our competition doing?
What new technologies should our company adopt?
Specialized questions:
What are the technical limits to wind energy?
Do the benefits of new vaccienes outweigh their risks?

4. About Technical Documents
Reader-Based
Task-Oriented
Context-Sensitive
Design-Based
Written, Visual, Digital, and Oral

5. Features of Technical Communicatin
Focus on reader
Efficient and accessible
Clear and relevant
Uses media effectively
Created by both individuals and teams
Targets a global audience
Persuasive and Truthful
Based on research

6. Typical Forms of User-Centered Communication
Instructions (How to’s)
User Manuals (Detailed Instructions and Warnings)
Reports (Analyze an Issue)
Memos (Answer Questions)
Procedures (Comply with Regulations)
Balancing Persuasion and Information
Deliver usable information
Consider how to get the desired response

7. Purpose of Technical Communication
To inform (Sample document on P. 9)
To instruct (Sample document on P. 11)
To persuade (Sample document on P. 13)

8. Common Types of Technical Documents
Memos – Internal Communication
s – General Communications
Letters – Personal Communications, Paper Trail
Instructions – Explain Steps (Tasks)
Procedures – Explain Steps (Policy)
Manuals – Comprehensive Instructions
Brochures – Give Information
Proposals – Offer Solutions
Reports – Analyze Problems

9. Activity
Find a technical document from your field and evaluate using the checklist below.

10. Teamwork, Ethics, Persuasion, and Global Issues in Technical Communication

11. Strategies for Organizing a Team Project
Appoint a group manager
Define a clear and definite goal
Identify the type of document required
Divide the tasks
Establish a timeline
Decide on a meeting schedule
Establish a procedure for responding to each other’s work
Select a group decision-making style
Decide how to evaluate each member’s contribution
Prepare a project planning form
Submit regular progress reports

12. Strategies for Running a Meeting
Set an agenda
Ask each person to prepare as needed
Appoint a different observer for each meeting
Begin by summarizing the minutes from last meeting
Give all members a chance to speak
Stick to the issue
Keep things moving
Observe, guide, and listen
Summarize major points before calling a vote
End the meeting on schedule

13. Technology and Team Projects

15. IM

16. Project Management Software

17. “The Cloud”

18. Digital Whiteboards

19. Web Conferencing

20. Other technology
Teleconferencing
Blogs
Intranets
Wikis

21. Identifying Group Conflicts
Gender differences
Cultural differences
Interpersonal differences

22. Dealing with conflict Listen actively Avoid gender and cultural bias
Research cultures other than your own
Give everyone a chance to be heard
Take everyone’s feelings and opinions seriously
Don’t be afraid to disagree
Offer and accept constructive criticism
Find points of agreement with those who hold different views
When the group does make decisions, support it fully

23. Class Activity – General Application
Find an example of technical communication in your field.
Explain where teamwork was important and why.

24. The Research Process in Technical Communication

25. Thinking Critically About Research
Think about your audience.
Think about the rhetorical situation.
Think about authorship.
Think about authorial intent.

26. Strategies for Thinking About Research
Ask the Right Questions – Don’t be overly broad or too narrow.
Explore a Balance of Views – Don’t just rely on one expert.
Explore your Topic in Depth – Show knowledge of your topic.
Evaluate your Sources – Make sure you have reliable information.
Interpret your Findings Objectively – Try to show lack of bias.

27. Using Primary Sources Interviews Surveys Observations Events
Processes in action

28. Using Secondary Sources
Blogs
Wikis
Web pages
Books
Articles
Magazines
Photographs
Recordings
Consider table 3.1 on page 44.

29. Tips for Research Using the Internet
Expect limited results from any one search engine.
When using a search engine, use varied queries.
Consider the domain name and the site’s author.
Identify the site’s purpose and sponsor.
Look beyond the style of a site, and assess the currency of the materials.
Save what you need.
Remember to be ethical on your research.

30. Types of Internet Sources
Websites
.com
.gov
.edu
.org
Magazines and Journals
Blogs
Wikis
Forums, BBS systems, and Mailing Lists
E-libraries

31. Types of Hard-Copy Sources
Books
Periodicals

32. Group Activity
Identify at least eight reliable and valid sources of information related to your company’s focus.