Technical Communication – definition
TC is the theory and practice of effective info exchange at work- working communication
TC is a sub-discipline of communication studies (CS) that deal with the processes of transmitting or exchanging info other sub-dis. Mass communication, mass media com, business com, health com, etc.
TC is more general in theory than other sub-disciplines of CS
-mass, health and business com deal with only one profession
TC is widely applied to the com. activities in many professions except literature
The principles and skills of TC is also applicable in other languages, not only English
The purposes: 2 major
- to inform- enables audience to understand info
-to persuade – to convince audience to accept idea
TC is not for the purpose to appreciate art or literature or drama
What is effective communication?
II. Features of modern communication
Our age is the age of info. No technology – no work, life.
Typical features of MC
- we have too much info to deal with
- we have to handle multidisciplinary info that we do not understand
We cannot change the features in modern communication
But we can change out language to make it work for us. We can make it simpler and easier.
How to improve our language for effective communication?
III. Pragmatic rules in TC
Def: Rules of Language in use concerning the application of language
- to intend audiences
- in specific contexts
- for particular purposes
These rules work in specific conditions
Rule 1: Follow the time order in process description: what happens first, comes first.
Rule 2: Put condition before action in instruction writing.
There exist different pragmatic rules of language in specific contexts.
Sentences of the same meaning but different structures may affect the efficiency of communication.
The objective of TC is to put the pragmatic rules into practice so as to increase the efficiency of