QUEZONIAN EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE, INC.

Dr. R. Soler St., Zone II Poblacion, Atimonan, Quezon

Tel. No. (042) 316-4129 / Email: [email protected]

SELF Learning Module 1

ELT 9: TECHNICAL WRITING
Instructor: MRS. BABYLYN E. CALCETAS
Topic: Introduction to Technical Communication
Objectives:
At the end of the module, the students should be able to:
1. clarify the relationship between technical communication and technical
writing, 2. gain insights into the many features and characteristics of technical
communication,
3. do reflective analysis.

1.Defining Technical Communication

 The exchange of information, ideas and knowledge between sender and receiver
through an accepted code of symbols.
 Two-way process.
 The exchange of information that helps people interact with technology and solve
complex problems.
 To interact with technology in so many ways, we need information that is not only
technically accurate but also easy to understand and use.
 Technical communication serves various needs in various settings

source: Basher, B. et.al. ppt.

II. Characteristics of Technical Communication

 Communicating about technical or specialized topics, such as computer applications,
medical procedures, or environmental regulations.
 Communicating about technical or specialized topics, such as computer applications,
medical procedures, or environmental regulations.
 Communicating by using technology, such as web pages, help files, or social media
sites.
 Providing instructions about how to do something, regardless of how technical the
task is or even if technology is used to create or distribute that communication. The
value that technical communicators deliver is twofold: They make information more
useable and accessible to those who need that information, and in doing so, they
advance the goals of the companies or organizations that employ them.
  Software instructions help users be more successful on their own, improving how
easily those products gain acceptance into the marketplace and reducing costs to
support them.
 Medical instructions help patients and care-providers manage a patient’s treatment,
improving the health of the patient while reducing costs and risks associated with
incorrect care.
 Functional specifications and proposals help one group of technical experts
communicate effectively with other technical experts, speeding up development
cycles, reducing rework caused by misunderstandings, and eliminating risks
associated with miscommunication.
 Training programs provide people with new or improved skills, making them more
employable and their organizations and products more efficient and safe.
 Well-designed websites make it easier for users to find information, increasing user
traffic to and satisfaction with those websites.
 Technical illustrations clarify steps or identify the parts of a product, letting users
focus on getting their task done quickly or more accurately.
 Usability studies uncover problems with how products present themselves to users,
helping those products become more user friendly.

III. Features of Technical Communication  General & Technical Communication

General Technical
Contains a general message Contains a technical message
Information in style and approach Mostly formal in style and approach
No set pattern Follows a set pattern
Mostly oral Both oral and written
Not always for specific audience Always for a specific audience
No use of technical terms or graphics Frequently involves jargons, graphics etc.
 Technical Communication: A Digital and a Human Activity. People make
information meaningful by thinking critically and addressing such questions as; 1.
Which information is relevant to this situation?
2. Can I verify the accuracy of this source?
3. What action does it suggest?
4. How does this information affect me or my colleagues?
5. With whom should I share it?
6. How might others interpret this information?
 The Five C’s of Technical Communication
1. Clear 2. Correct 3. Concise 4. Consistent 5. Comprehensive 
Forms of Technical Communication
1. Face-to-face communication
2. Telephone Talk
3. Meetings
4. Seminars
5. Conferences
6. Dictation
7. Instructions
8. Presentations
9. Group Discussions
10. Interviews (employment/press)
11. Video Conferences
12. Voice Conferences

 Forms of Technical Communication

1. Memos
2. Letters
 3. E-mails
4. Faxes
5. Notices
6. Circulars
7. Newsletters
8. Reports
9. Proposals
10. Research Paper
11. Bulletins
12. Brochures
13. Manuals
14. In-house journals
 Main Features of Technical Communication
1. reader-centered
2. accessible and efficient
3. often produced by teams
4. delivered in paper and digital versions
 Levels of Communication
1. Extra personal
2. Intra personal
3. Inter personal
4. Organizational (-internal operational-external operational-personal) 5. Mass (large
reach-impersonal-presence of a gatekeeper)

source: Basher, B. et.al. ppt.

 Purpose pf Technical Communication

1. To inform: anticipate and answer your readers’ questions
2. To instruct: enable your readers to perform certain tasks
3. To persuade: motivate your readers
IV. Different Jobs within Technical Communication
 Technical Communication is Part of Most Careers
Whatever your job description, expect to be evaluated, at least in part, on
your communication skills. Most professionals serve as part-time technical
communicators. Full –time technical communicators serve many roles.
 The following is a partial list of the different jobs within technical
communication:
1. Technical Writers & Editors
2. Indexers
3. Information Architects
4. Instructional Designers
5. Technical Illustrators
6. Globalization & Localization Specialists
7. Usability & Human Factors Professionals
8. Visual Designers
9. Web Designers & Developers
10. Teachers & Researchers of Technical Communication
11. Trainers and E-Learning Developers
 What all technical communicators have in common is a user-centered approach to
providing the right information, in the right way, at the right time to make someone’s life
easier and more productive.

V. Technical Writing means…

 Provides details-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill. The most
common types include:
1. Traditional: repair manuals, medical studies
2. End-user documentation: electronics, consumer products
3. Technical marketing content: press releases, catalogs

1. Traditional Technical Writing

While traditional technical writing sounds broad, pieces of content within this
category are specifically written for professional audiences. These experts rely on
traditional technical writing for targeted research papers, programming guidelines, and
repair manuals.
2. End-User Documentation
Almost every product you purchase has a written explanation of operation. These
“how-to” pieces are written to help users understand and operate products correctly.
After all, what good is a product if users don’t know how to properly use it? Since
enduser documentation requires clear and concise instruction, it’s important to create
content that breaks down technological terms to layman’s terms. Specific examples of
end-user documentation are as follows:
3. Technical Marketing Content
If you have an eye for detail and a way with words, creating technical marketing
content is the category for you. Developers’ products wouldn’t be much use if consumers
don’t understand how to properly operate them. To avoid this, technical marketing
content serves as a bridge for products, consumers , and businesses understand each
other.

VI. Five Basic Principle of Technical Writing

 There are five principles that technical writers must bear in mind to be successful.
1. Content
2. Awareness of purpose
3. Writing style
4. Accessibility
5. Grammar or usage

References Cited:
 Sanchez, H., Tejeda E., Gonzales, N., Frias, A., Tirado, I., Ramos, D., (2009). English for
professional success. Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd.
 Retrieved from: https://www.slideshare.net/jaggithemanager/technical-
communication15019021. Technical communication. Ppt.
 Retrieved from:https://pressbooks.bccampus.ca/technicalwriting/part/techcomm/. What is
technical communication.
Challenge yourself!
Quiz 1: self-Reflection
Directions: Express your understanding by answering questions below in not
more than 10 sentences.
1. Why are technical communication skills important?
Technical communication abilities make it easier to explain instructions and facilitate
the straightforward exchange of ideas, both of which reduce the likelihood of errors.
These abilities are used on a daily basis by scientists and engineers, particularly
when composing letters and reports that call for clear writing. Effective teamwork is
another benefit of having strong communication skills, and companies respect
employees who can clearly explain concepts. These abilities also help with
 presenting concepts to other groups, which facilitates learning new information. All
things considered, good communication and writing promote greater problem-solving
and teamwork.
2. In what ways is technical communication part of most career?
Because it facilitates the transparent exchange of ideas and information, technical
communication is crucial in the majority of professions. Writing emails, reports, or
directions is a need for many occupations, and effective communication makes
teams more productive. Additionally, it makes complicated activities easier to
understand, which is why businesses seek out employees with strong
communication skills. While good writing and speaking facilitate problem-solving,
poor communication can result in errors and misunderstandings. Technical
communication is an essential ability for success in every work because many
careers use documents and presentations to exchange ideas.
3. How effective is technical communication to technical writing?
In technical writing, technical communication is crucial since it makes
information understandable and clear. Effective technical writing makes
difficult concepts easy to understand so that readers may follow directions
without difficulty and avoid errors and misunderstandings. Technical
writing is more effective when one has great communication abilities
because many occupations entail producing emails, manuals, and reports.
Because effective technical writing fosters collaboration and increases
productivity, employers respect employees who can write clearly. All
things considered, technical communication improves writing and makes it
more beneficial in any kind of employment.

Quiz 2: Enhancing Vocabulary

Directions: Define the following terminologies operationally used in the subject.
1. technical communication
Technical communication, which is frequently employed in fields like
engineering, science, business, and technology, is the act of conveying
complicated information in an understandable and straightforward manner. In
order to assist individuals, comprehend technical concepts and finish tasks, it
involves authoring reports, manuals, emails, and presentations.
2. technical writing
The process of producing concise, thorough, and organized writings that convey
technical knowledge is known as technical writing. It entails creating guides,
reports, instructions, and other documents that aid customers in comprehending
and efficiently utilizing complicated ideas, goods, or procedures.
3. communication
The exchange of ideas, information, or messages between individuals by spoken,
written, or other means is known as communication. It facilitates mutual
understanding and productive collaboration in a variety of contexts.
4. inform
To inform is to communicate or give others precise and understandable
knowledge. It assists people in learning more, comprehending a subject, or acting
appropriately in light of the information provided.
5. instruct
Giving precise instructions or explanations to assist someone grasp a task or
procedure is known as instructing, and it is used to help people carry out actions
accurately and effectively.
6. persuade
Persuasion is the process of using logic, evidence, or an emotional
appeal to get someone to believe, agree, or act. It is employed in
communication to successfully sway ideas and decisions.
Quiz 3: Pre-writing
Directions: Reflect on the topic/lessons just read. In relation to your experience
as student, what kinds of documents have you written that could fall under genre
of Technical writing? Write a paragraph or two in not less than 300 words on a
topic about you have specialized knowledge, and can use specialized
terminology to explain the idea or instruct reader.
As a student, I have come across a variety of documents that are classified as technical
writing. Writing lab reports for my science classes is among the most frequent examples. A
organized format is necessary for these reports, which must include sections like the
introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. I have to explain experiments, methods,
and results using exact language and technical jargon. Research articles, in which I examine
and offer data on scholarly subjects, serve as another illustration. I adhere to particular
formatting rules like APA or MLA style, utilize formal language, and correctly reference
sources in these articles.
I have also authored educational materials, including detailed instructions for group projects
or presentations. For instance, I wrote a tutorial on how to utilize a particular software
package for my computer science class. For this, I had to simplify complicated procedures
into easy-to-follow directions, utilizing screenshots and diagrams to aid comprehension.
Additionally, I have experience working on project proposals, where I was required to specify
goals, procedures, and anticipated results for group projects. To guarantee clarity, these
materials needed a formal tone and well-structured arrangement.
I am particularly knowledgeable in the field of graphic design. I've created guides that
explain how to utilize design programs like Canva and Adobe Photoshop. I utilize technical
terms that designers are familiar with when describing ideas like layering, image resolution,
and color correction. For novices, I want to make instructions simple, but for more
experienced users, I want to give detailed explanations. I've improved my technical
communication abilities by writing these guides, which have helped my audience grasp
difficult subjects clearly.
All things considered, my student experience with technical writing has enhanced my
capacity to communicate ideas in an understandable and expert manner. Both my academic
and professional futures will benefit from these abilities.

Prepared by:

BABYLYN E. CALCETAS, MEM

Instructor

For QECI use only