What+is+Technical+Writing?

 Technical writing programs are cropping up in university catalogs with increasing regularity. While I don't imagine many of our students dream at night about an exciting career as a technical writer, the ability to write clearly and concisely about ones field can be the ticket for a promotion when the time comes.

Technical communications—or technical writing, can cover any technical topic. The applications in the CTE classrooms and shops are endless. The term "technical" refers to knowledge that is not generally found in everyday conversation or mainstream publications. The information is much more specific, using the language that is closer to that of experts in the field. As students move through their education and begin to focus on a particular career area, they organically develop a working technical vocabulary. When this technical language is put into a formal communication, whether it is a brochure, email, incident report or full-scale management report, one is engaging in technical communications. The critical role of audience makes this a unique genre. As the receiver of the information, audience is everything. Technical communications provide information to readers (or listeners or viewers) in a manner that is adapted to their needs, level of understanding, and background. There are several questions one must answer before the message can even begin the draft stage. Two big questions to consider are “What is the reader’s educational level?” and “What is the reader’s literacy level?” The goal of most technical writing is to make it approachable to the beginner in the field. In a sense, a good technical writer has the ability to "translate" technical information to the novice.

In the 21st century, technological information across the CTE areas seems to be mushrooming. As conditions in a field change and new technology affects the marketplace, it is the job of the technical writer to serve as the conduit between the old age and the new. With some guidance and encouragement, our students can become these modern-day translators.