To: Nancy Myers

From: Christopher Tyler

Date: January 11, 2022
Re: Chapter 4 Outline

CHAPTER 4
OBJECTIVES IN TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

Achieving Clarity in Technical Communication

• Provide Specific Detail
o Achieve clarity by supplying precise quantified information. For example,
you can say 20 minutes ago rather than recently which is vague.
• Answer Reporter’s Questions
o To be a successful writer you need to answer reporter’s questions directly,
answering who, what, when, where and why.
• Use Easily Understandable Words
o Don’t use obscure words.
o Write to express and communicate to not
Simplifying Words, Sentences, and Paragraphs for Conciseness
• Conciseness Saves Time
o Keep it short and simple and precise.
• Technology Demands Conciseness
o Technology can limit your messages format and size.
• Conciseness Improves Readability
o Most of the population doesn’t have college reading level. Speak to the
general public when writing.
• Limit Word Length for Conciseness
o Longer words can make it difficult to understand the sentence.
• Limit Sentence Length for Conciseness
o Use an active voice when writing rather than a passive one
o Get rid of “Be” Verbs. For example:
▪ Is, are, was, were
o Avoid Shun words and camouflage phrases.
• Limit Paragraph Length
o Long excessive paragraphs are ineffective and hinders the readers
comprehension of the subject matter.
Achieving Accuracy in Technical Communication
• Proofreading Tips
o Let someone else read it
o Let it sit
▪ Helps you be more objective
o Print it out
▪ Proofreading is easier this way
o Use technology
Organizing Technical Communication
• Analysis
• Spatial Organization
• Chronology
• Importance
• Comparison/contrast
• Problem/Solution
• Cause/Effect
The Writing Process at Work
• Prewriting
o Brainstorming ideas before you write.
• Writing
o Write your Rough Draft
• Rewriting
o Proofread and edit your writing.