Technical communication uses elements of document design such as visuals, graphics, typography, color, and spacing to make a document interesting, attractive, usable, and comprehensible. While some documents may be totally in print, many more use images such as charts, photographs, and illustrations to enhance readability and understanding and simplify complex information. Research and Technology Oriented: Because of workplace demands, technical and workplace writing is often created in collaboration with others through a network of experts and designers and depends on sound research practices to ensure that information provided is correct, accurate, and complete. Ethical: Lastly, 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. You'll learn more about these in a later chapter on ethics. What Standards Should I Observe to Make my Writing Successful? Good question! As a member of an organization or team, even as a student, you want to produce the absolute best writing you can. Here are the standards you must follow and some tips to help you. If you keep these in mind as you work through your learning in this text, hooray for you! You get the great writer award! You will also have a tremendous advantage in the workplace if your communication and design skills meet these standards. First and most important, your writing must be honest. Your trustworthiness in communication reflects not only on you personally but on your organization or discipline. Your writing has to be clear so that your reader can get from it the information you intended. Strive to make sure that you have expressed exactly what you mean, and have not left room for incorrect interpretations. Next, good writing is accurate. Do your homework and make sure you have your facts right. There is no excuse for presenting incorrect information. Also make sure you have all the facts, as your writing must also be complete. Have you included everything that your reader needs? Your audience has neither time nor patience for excessive verbiage, so simplify and cut any clutter. Good writing is always concise writing. Your document should be attractive and pleasing to look at. Just as you wouldn't eat a hamburger from a dirty plate, your reader will not be moved by a document that is not carefully designed and professional. Without exception, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure have to be correct. Even a single grammatical or spelling error can cause your reader to dismiss you as not professional, as not caring enough to edit carefully. Poor writing at this level reflects poorly on your organization as well, and most companies can't mandate good writing with a law!
Note 1: Visuals and Document Design
Design components like images, graphics, color, and spacing are just as important in technical communication as words. These components aid in making material more comprehensible and interesting. Because images may make complex information easier to understand and make it easier to read, this demonstrates that presentation is equally as important as content.
Note 2: Research and Cooperation
This section emphasizes how research and teamwork are frequently used to generate technical communication. This is crucial since writing in the workplace needs to be trustworthy and precise. It demonstrates that technical writing needs to be grounded in facts and collaboration to guarantee accuracy rather than being merely subjective.
Note 3: Technical Communication Ethics
Technical writers must adhere to ethical standards, which include respecting copyright laws and refraining from giving inaccurate or deceptive information. This is crucial since unethical communication can undermine confidence and result in legal issues. It demonstrates that authors have obligations to both their organization and their audience.
Note 4: The Value of Conciseness and Clarity
The chapter illustrates that in order for readers to grasp the idea quickly, writing must be clear and succinct. Because workplace readers frequently lack the time to read lengthy or complex texts, this is crucial. Effective communication is enhanced and misconceptions are avoided with clear writing.
Note 5: Concern Regarding Grammar and Professionalism
According to this section, a writer can come out as unprofessional with just one spelling or punctuation error. This raises the question of how much a reader's trust in the writer is impacted by grammar. It demonstrates the need of proofreading since mistakes can undermine confidence even when the content is accurate.