© M. Reber 8/6/2015 Technical Communications An Overview.

© M. Reber04/19/23

Technical Communications

An Overview

Technical Communications

What is technical communication? Why should I care? How does technical communication relate to my job? How is technical communication different from other

communication? What are characteristics of technical communication? What jobs are available to those with technical

communications skill? What industries hire individuals with technical

communications skill?

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What is Technical Communication?

Applied communication designed to accomplish specific tasks or to help solve problems, such as: Informing users about an update in computer

software Instructing assembly line workers to produce a new

product Warning customers about unsafe ways to operate a

machine Instructing buyers how to assemble a bicycle

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Communication that conveys complex information in an easy-to-understand manner, often to inexperienced users, on topics such as: Repairing a copy machine Selecting a home computer Operating a digital camera Creating handmade ceramics Assembling a kite

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Technical communication exists in many forms: User manuals Training materials Videotapes Satellite broadcasts Workshop outlines and handouts Reports Interviews Persuasive speeches

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Why Should I Care?

Even if you don’t plan to become a professional communicator, you will be, or already are, a technical professional who communicates!

Studies show that 44% of your professional time will be spent in some kind of writing activity, including: Brainstorming Notetaking Organizational planning Drafting, revising and editing

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Why Should I Care?

The California Employment Development Department expects the number of technical writing jobs to grow 23.3% between 2002 and 2012

Whatever your particular technical profession, you will spend a significant part of your time communicating, even more than you spend in school

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Why Should I Care?

Technical communication skills can be used in a variety of fields Journalism Marketing Business Management Administration Software Engineering Education Biotech/Pharmaceuticals

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How Does It Relate to My Job?

Engineers are often responsible for writing feasibility studies for such technological changes as: New buildings Electrical systems Computer networks

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How Does it Relate to My Job?

If your goal is to manage the technical products division of an industrial corporation, you will use: Written specifications Lectures Videotapes

These items will then teach: Technicians to install products Sales people to sell products Customers to use and adapt those products

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How Is Technical Communication different from other Communication? Technical communication emphasizes conveying information so it

can be understood quickly/easily It differs from other types of communication in its emphasis on

clarity, accuracy, conciseness, consistency, readability, and usability Technical communication is usually put to some use rather than

enjoyed for its own sake Individual voice, poetic expression, and metaphorical language are generally

de-emphasized, discouraged, or entirely eliminated The purpose of communication is to instruct, not showcase the beauty of

language or impress with extensive vocabulary Technical communication explains how to accomplish a variety of

tasks, some extremely dangerous with grave consequences for mistakes

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How Is Technical Communication different from other Communication? Technical communication is a collaborative

effort, unlike most other types of writing Various individuals work together to create one

technical document: writers editors technical experts graphic artists

You can rarely claim full authorship of any document The company’s name, rather than yours, usually

appears on the final product

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How Is Technical Communication different from other Communication? Technical communication represents a company’s

image, brand, practices, and goals The manner of communication accomplishes several

purposes: Conveys how a company is perceived Conveys a generally accepted image of what a company

"stands for" Suggests a mental picture to the public Reinforces the company’s brand image or equity in the

marketplace

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What are Characteristics of Technical Communication? Reader-Based Orientation Focus on Subject Corporate Representation Collaboration Style Organization Visual Display

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Characteristics include…

Reader-Based Orientation Write and design NOT from the point of view of what

you know, but from what inexperienced users NEED to know

Focus on Subject The main subject or topic determines the kind of

information you write and the form it takes Focus on subject because your purpose is to instruct or

describe rather than to evoke images or emotions

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Corporate Representation When you create documents at work, you create them as

a representative of the company that hired you Communication within some companies must reflect

corporate images and philosophy in regards to safety, outreach to the public, environmental awareness, etc.

You must follow the company style guide consistently and precisely

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Collaboration Different people possess different skills, education,

experience, or special knowledge The most effective documents are often produced by

collaborative groups or teams For example, a computer manual might require input from:

Software developer Systems analyst Technical communicator Document manager Graphics specialist

One person cannot know it all! 17


Style Use terminology, language, and organization the

reader can understand and readily identify with. Communicate directly, personally and in a complete,

no-nonsense manner Avoid being overly formal and distant from your reader

Use “you” to talk to the reader rather than writing in passive voice

Your document should be “task-oriented” to help the reader do something, rather than merely descriptive

Follow the company style guide in every detail to ensure consistency of voice, style, and conventions

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Organization Use deductive organization – reveal your conclusions

up front and then demonstrate how you reached them Give readers a preview of what’s to come so they can

scan a document quickly to get the information they need

Present information in a way that will be logical to a beginner.

Break the whole into parts Separate out tasks the user must do chronologically

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Visual Display Readers rely on visual cues to process information

Use visual displays to group information into different units Groups are often separated by white space, bullets

or numbers Use visual displays to order groups hierarchically to convey

order and importance Filter information by differences and similarities

Readers will visually abstract the purpose of the elements in a document based on its relationship to the entire document

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What jobs are available to those with technical communications skill? Summary of Technical Writing Opportunities

Jobs are not industry specific One job fits many industries Many industries use the same skills

Multi-Industry Positions Copy writer, marketer Web content writer Technical editor Grant writer

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What jobs are available to those with technical communications skill?

Multi-Industry Writing Skills Business plans Proposals Progress reports Instructions User’s guides Organizational policies and procedures Abstracts Oral presentations

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? High-tech

Examples of high-tech writing jobs Technical director or supervisor Technical writer Technical editor Technical translator Marcomm

Duties could include Develop standard documentation methods Create and/or edit user guides or marketing materials Oversee internal processes and documentation Administer overall goals and policies for TWRT department 23

What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill?

Previous experience writers may need Software programming languages Publishing software applications Hardware expertise Graphic design Desktop publishing

Average compensation for high-tech technical writing positions

$55,444-$141,799

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? Aerospace and Defense

Examples of aerospace and defense jobs Contract and RFP writer Reporter and analyst Grant writer Technical writer

Duties could include Writing manuals and procedures Acquiring contracts Scheduling Documenting research and test findings

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Examples of aerospace and defense industries Commercial aviation

Boeing Co. Defense

NASA Raytheon Halliburton Lockheed Martin

Average compensation for aerospace and defense technical writers

Average salary or staff position $57,000-$90,000

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? Pharmaceutical and biotech

Examples of pharmaceutical and biotech jobs Product development Clinical trial writer

Duties could include Document quality control procedures Develop and document procedures for FDS regulatory

compliance Develop and document facilities management and

manufacturing processes

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Previous experience writers may need Medical or scientific research Lab procedures Pharmaceutical manufacturing

Average compensation for pharmaceutical and biotech writers

Average salary for staff position $53,000-$90,000

Average payment for freelance positions $35-$100+/hour

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? Media Jobs

Examples of media jobs Editors Journalists, news reporters, and correspondents Advertising, marketing, and public relations specialists Web designers

Duties could include Generating stories and leads Editing articles, scripts, and other copy Maintaining strategic relationships through written

communication Planning the aesthetics of a magazine spread or Webpage

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Average compensation for media jobs Communications editor

$64,000

Journalists, news reporters, and correspondents From $39,000-$63,000

Advertising, marketing, and public relations specialists From $60,000-$96,000

Web designers $80,000

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? Agriculture

Examples of agriculture jobs Technical background reports writer RFP writer Statistics analysis writer

Duties could include Documenting procedures and practices Writing technical manuals for equipment Developing quality standards to government specifications

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Agriculture industry facts Agriculture is the world’s largest industry Agriculture industry makes up 40% of world labor force Major players in the agriculture industry are:

US Government Department of Agriculture Agribusiness firms like Archer Daniels Midland Biotech organizations like Monsanto

Average compensation for agriculture technical writers Average salary for staff position for private sector

$45,000-$88,000 Average salary for staff position for government job

$43,000-$93,000

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What industries hire individuals with technical communications skill? Non-profit

Examples of non-profit jobs Grant writers Contract/budget analyst Project coordinator

Duties could include Writing internal management guides Writing newsletters and press releases Designing brochures and flyers Writing case statements Writing funder and board reports

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Administrative assistant Online content writer Event planner


Average compensation for non-profit technical writers Average salary for a staff position:

From $37,000 to $53,000 Average payment per freelance project

From $25-$35/hour to $60-$100+/hour $2,000-$14,000+ per project Percentage commission

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References for Salary Information

idealist.org indeed.com and multiple job listing Websites CIA World Fact Book monster.com

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© M. Reber 8/6/2015 Technical Communications An Overview.

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