Technical communication is characterized by several key traits that ensure information is conveyed effectively. These traits are crucial for creating documents that are easily understood and useful for their intended audience. According to the provided references, here are the 7 major traits of technical communication:
Key Traits of Technical Communication
| Trait | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity and Precision | Using language that is clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for misinterpretation. | Instead of saying "the device might have problems," state "the device may not power on if the battery is low." |
| Audience Awareness | Understanding the needs, knowledge level, and expectations of the intended readers. | A technical manual for engineers will differ significantly from a user guide for the general public. |
| Purpose-Driven | Having a clear objective and ensuring all communication elements contribute to achieving that objective. | A troubleshooting guide aims to help users solve specific problems with a product. |
| Technical Language Use | Using specialized vocabulary and terminology specific to the subject matter. | Using terms like "CPU," "RAM," and "API" in a computer hardware manual. |
| Diverse Formats | Utilizing various formats (e.g., reports, manuals, websites, videos) suitable for different types of information. | A complex dataset might be better understood through an interactive dashboard rather than a text report. |
| Visual Support | Incorporating visual aids such as diagrams, charts, and images to enhance understanding. | Using a flowchart to demonstrate a complex process or a screenshot to show a button's location. |
| Accuracy | Ensuring all information presented is factual, correct, and up-to-date. | Verifying measurements, specifications, and data before publishing a document. |
In-depth look at the 7 Major Traits
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Clarity and Precision: Technical writing aims to eliminate ambiguity. This involves choosing words carefully and constructing sentences that are easy to understand.
- For instance, instead of saying, "The system could act strangely sometimes," it’s better to say, "The system may exhibit unexpected behavior if the user attempts to run two conflicting programs simultaneously.”
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Audience Awareness: Knowing who the readers are allows the writer to tailor the language, tone, and level of detail.
- A software engineer document would be different from a user guide for the general public. A guide for the end user may include screen grabs and highlight the key areas.
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Purpose-Driven: Every piece of technical communication should serve a specific purpose, whether it’s to explain a procedure, persuade a client, or report on findings.
- An instruction manual is intended to help the user understand a device.
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Technical Language Use: While clarity is key, technical writing should also use the terminology that's accurate for the field.
- Using acronyms correctly and consistently, like API or HTML, is important in software development.
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Diverse Formats: Technical information can be communicated through various media such as print, digital, and multimedia formats.
- This includes websites, tutorials, instructional videos, or training documents.
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Visual Support: Visual elements help clarify complex information, making it more accessible and understandable.
- Using infographics to demonstrate data or screenshots to guide users.
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Accuracy: Providing correct and verifiable information builds trust and prevents errors.
- For example, ensuring all specifications are correct or checking calculations.
By focusing on these seven traits, technical communicators can produce content that is not only informative but also highly effective and usable.
