1.6 Highlights and Main Takeaways
What Is Technical Communication? Why Is It Essential to Most Every Industry?
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Technical communication is any form of communication that relays information about technical or specialized topics, especially those in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics). Technical communication also encompasses the utilization of software or technology to disseminate any communication.
Four Main Rhetorical Theories in Technical Communication
Writerly theory: Describes technical processes and procedures in a linear fashion, with the tone being focused on the expert’s top-down approach.
Readerly theory: Focuses on the narration of the technical processes and procedures. It gives readers more context, may use allegory, and may not follow a linear presentation of the ideas or concepts.
Designerly theory: Explains the perspective called “maker’s knowledge” that is bidirectional—based around a designer’s or engineer’s experiential knowledge, and the relationship to the theories on which that knowledge is framed.
Hypertext theory: Approaches the readers in a topic-based way, allowing them to consume different facets of technical processes or procedures using links, footnotes, references, charts, graphs, and so on.
Effective Research Methodology Usually Incorporates Four Main Elements
Measurement Objectives: Have clear objectives to help you focus on why you are researching and what outcomes you hope to have.
Data Collection: Determine which data should be collected, how you intend on collecting it, and what the most reliable source of information will be.
Recommended Survey: Conduct a survey or look for data that support a hypothesis. Ensure that surveys or measurement tools are reliable and valid.
Reporting a Plan: Consider how you will present your information and to which audience. Will you offer a PowerPoint, or create a manual of instructions?