Transcript Communication Technology

Communication Technology
What is Technical
Communication?

Producing technical
communication involves
creating, designing and
transmitting technical
information so that
people understand it
easily and use it safely,
effectively and
efficiently.
What is Technical
Communication?
Much of what you
read everyday is
technical
communication.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
Textbooks
Phone Books
Procedures
Manuals
Websites
What is Technical
Communication?
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The words and the graphics in these
documents are meant to be practical.
They communication information to help an
audience understand a subject or carry out
a task.
Example:
1.
2.
A biology text helps students understand the
fundamentals of plant and animal biology.
A software program describes how to use the
program effectively.
Who Produces Technical
Communication?
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Most technical communication is produced
by one of two different categories:
1.
2.
Technical Professionals – engineers,
scientists, business people and other technically
trained individuals.
Technical Communicators – a person who
creates documents including manuals,
proposals, reports, sales literature, websites,
letters, journal articles and speeches.
Technical Communicators
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Employees within
organizations
Employees of
companies that offer
communication
services to other
organizations
Freelancers
Freelance
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Although most technical communicators are
employees within organizations, many work
as independent contractors – sometimes
called freelancers.
Freelancers focus on individual projects that
can last a few weeks, months or years.
These independent contractors can work at
home, at the clients facility or both.
Technical Communication
and Your Career
Your first step in obtaining a position is to
write two technical documents.
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2.
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Application Letter
Resume
These documents will help an organization
decide whether to interview you.
At the interview your oral communication skills
will be evaluated along with your other
qualifications.
Working World Values Good
Communication Skills
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Job ads in newspapers and professional
journals suggest that the working world
values good communication skills.
The steady growth in continuingeducation courses in technical and
business communication also reflects
the demand for effective
communicators.
Working World Values Good
Communication Skills
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Organizations are paying to send their
professionals back to the classroom to
improve their technical communication
skills.
The facts of corporate life today are
simple: If you can communicate well,
you are valuable. If you cannot, you are
must less so.