An International Technical Communication Curriculum: The Value Added  

In the expanding global economy, the focus on international communication has largely been devoted to machine translation of technical documents, and in a world of online information it only makes sense to take advantage of the computer’s speed and relative accuracy in translating documents. However, with the emphasis on machine translation as the standard, we still need well-trained people to conduct international business intelligently and effectively. The prototype curriculum presented below outlines some of the objectives and components for a program which focuses on both the technological and cultural elements of international technical communication.

Heba, Gary M. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Education>TC>International

International Technical Training and Communication: Case Studies from the Industry  

A key element for the success of any business that operates in today's fast changing business environment is the optimization of communication and training resources. This is especially critical for a medical device company. The challenges of local language, culture, and regulations must be addressed by an iterative examination and adaptation of sales training and product literature to local needs. We developed strategies for planning, training, translating, producing, and implementing that provide our sales staff, physicians, and patients with useful product and therapy information.

Guthertz, Harriet and Richard J. Mann. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>TC>Education>Case Studies

Internet Links for Technical Communicators

A short collection of links to academic and professional resources online.

Miami University, Oxford. Resources>Directories>TC

An Interview with Edward R. Tufte    

An interview between Mark Zachry, Charles Paine, and Edward R. Tufte.

Zachry, Mark and Charles Paine. Technical Communication Quarterly (2004). Articles>TC

Interview with George Hayhoe, editor of Technical Communication Journal, on Technical Writing in China and Korea

Keith Hoffman, president of the Madison Wisconsin Four Lakes Chapter, talks with George Hayhoe, editor of the Technical Communication Journal, about the emergence of technical communications in China and Korea, and the forces behind the push for technical communicators.

Hayhoe, George F. and Keith Hoffman. Tech Writer Voices (2007). Articles>TC>International>Podcasts

Introducing Technical Communication Into the High School Curriculum  

For years, technical employers have been lamenting: 'We want to hire employees who can communicate well with their co-workers, their supervisors, and the company's customers!' Now, a new course being taught in Canadian high schools will prepare students to do exactly that. The course has been developed by the Province of Manitoba, the first province to start teaching Technical Communication in the Canadian public school system. The curriculum has been pilot-tested for two years and the program goes full stream in September 1996.

Blicq, Ronald S. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Education>TC

Introduction to Technical Communication: Perspectives on Medicine and Public Health

Over the course of the semester we will explore the full range of writings by physicians and other health practitioners. Some of the writer/physicians that we encounter will be Atul Gawande, Danielle Ofri, Richard Selzer, and William Carlos Williams. Students need have no special training, only a general interest in medicine or in public health issues such as AIDS, asthma, malaria control, and obesity. The writing assignments, like the readings, will invite students to consider the distinctive needs of different audiences.

Taft, Cynthia. MIT (2007). Academic>Courses>TC>Biomedical

Intuitive Ethics: Understanding and Critiquing the Role of Intuition in Ethical Decisions      

This article examines the role intuition plays in forming ethical decisions.  First, the article reviews examples of intuitive ethics in professional communication research.  Second, the article suggests that intuition is the naturalization of dominant cultural values and beliefs.  Third, the article considers naturalized values within institutions and organizations, demonstrating how naturalized values can lead to unquestioned and oppressive institutional practices.  Ethical inquiry, according to this view, investigates and denaturalizes those assumptions that are carried forth by intuition.  Fourth, the article offers a pedagogical example of this theory, demonstrating how a group of business communication students investigated the intuitive practices of a non-profit organization.  The article concludes by suggesting the value that a “critique of intuition” may have for the teaching, study, and practice of professional ethics.

Faber, Brenton D. Technical Communication Quarterly (1999). Articles>TC>Ethics

IRTC Downloads

This page provides links to files that people have provided to me to host for downloading. I am looking for files to add to this section, for example, collections of useful macros, templates, or useful utilities. Please email me if you have something you would like to see published here.

Soltys, Keith. IRTC. Resources>Software>TC

Is Technical Communication Like Riding a Bicycle?

I'm sure many of you have heard the expression, 'It's just like riding a bicycle,' which is applied to something that once learned, is just about impossible to forget. The same may be said for driving a manual transmission automobile; I can go years without driving one, but can easily drive one when I need to. (With the exception of VW bugs, whose clutches I have never managed to master.)

Mannion, Doreen A. Carolina Communique (2003). Articles>TC

Is Technical Writing Right For You?

Times are tight, and as a writer, maybe you find yourself looking for a new way to use your love for words in a way that generates a more steady stream of income. You come across articles and ebooks on technical writing and wonder if it may be right for you. You already know technical writers penned every owner’s manual for all the gadgets and gizmos, appliances and machines in your every day life. Did you also know they prepare reference manuals, product specifications, assembly instructions, parts lists, help screens and website text? Add to that all the mountains of information they create for businesses – employee handbooks, policy manuals, training manuals, and other documents specific to that type of business. If your only ambition is to see yourself on the NY Times Bestseller List, obviously technical writing isn’t for you. On the other hand, if you have ever had to wade through a user guide that was so vague or so far over your head that you thought I could have written a better book than this, technical writing may be worth considering.

Sommer, Diane. About.com (2003). Careers>Writing>TC

Is There a Place for Technical Communication in the Public Sphere?  

Programs in technical communication have, at least in their recent history, emphasized the preparation of students for corporate positions. We claim the ubiquity and relevance of our work to all areas of life, and indeed it is easy enough to find examples of 'technical communication' everywhere. But this observation is not the same as observing that there is a role for technical communicators everywhere.

Rude, Carolyn D. CPTSC Proceedings (2002). Presentations>TC>Cultural Theory

Is This Ethical? A Survey of Opinion on Principles and Practices of Document Design    

In a national survey, 500 technical communicators and 500 technical communication teachers were asked to assess the ethics of seven document design cases. According to the 455 respondents, manipulating typography and leading to fit more or less information on a page and using persuasive coloring or spacing are ethical practices, while the manipulation of pictorial illustrations and the distortion of graphics are unethical. Opinion on using typography to decrease readability is divided. In five of the seven cases, women are consistently more lenient or men consistently more strict in their answers: common practices, specifications, reader's responsibility, writer's responsibility, writer's intentions, consequences, judgments, principles, and insufficient information. The explanation most often given was consequences, indicating a 'goal-based' philosophy of ethics.

Dragga, Sam. Technical Communication Online (1996). Careers>TC>Document Design>Graphic Design

Islam’s Influence on the Egyptian Business Environment: Tips for a Technical Communicator

While disjointed communication may characterize the communication that occurs between Arabs and westerners, technical communicators should work to resolve conflicts and avoid misunderstandings.

Abolrous, Sally. University of Washington-Seattle (2002). Articles>TC>Regional>Middle East

ISO 9001: “Of TC, by TC, and for TC”  

Our company obtained ISO 9001 certification as of May 8, 1998. This certification covers 'planning, design, and production of publications based on orders received' (including operation manuals, work manuals, brochures, leaflets, training textbooks, and booklets; and electronic editions of such publications). We are the first publishing firm in Japan to receive any of the 39 certifications available in the ISO 9000 series (hereafter referred to as “ISO 9000s”). Given the vital role that the publishing industry plays in today’s multimedia era, information quality has assumed a role of unsurpassed importance. If members of the industry are to fulfill their key role, they will be required to achieve greater conformity both to ISO standards and to technical communications (TC) needs.

Shidahara, Nobuyoshi. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>TC>Assessment>ISO 9001

The Issue of Archiving and Obsolescence

We can be almost certain that CDs will be obsolete in about five years. But what should we do about it?

Pinkham, Gordon. MetroVoice (2004). Articles>TC>Technology>Standards

Issues and Questions on Usability Testing: An Open Discussion Session  

Many technical communicators are assuming new roles as usability specialists or are doing user analysis, task analysis, and usability testing for their own documents. Many others would like to start disability testing. In this open discussion session, you can ask questions and share experiences with a panel of four technical communicators/usability specialists and with other conference attendees.

Hackos, JoAnn T., Janice S. James, Janice C. 'Ginny' Redish and Chauncey E. Wilson. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Usability>TC

Issues in Technical Writing

Now it is very important to recognize the vital role of a technical writer and services expected to provide to justify the requirements of this profession. Since technical writer is a sub category of technical communication, that involves other categories involved in documentation, like content writer, software configuration manager, technical editor, information designer and many more.

Albing, Bill. KeyContent.org (2005). Articles>TC>Communication>Technical Writing

It's Not the Tool, It's the Writer

This blog post ponders whether or not technical communicators are sometimes too enamoured with the tools, and because of that lose sight of what's best for the reader.

DMN Communications (2008). Articles>TC>Technical Writing>Technology

ITCF (International Technical Communication Forum)  

The ITCF (International Technical Communication Forum) is one of the activities of the STC Tokyo Chapter. Almost all of the Tokyo Chapter members are Japanese. But to take full advantage of this chapter of the STC, we have planned to hold English speaking meetings. These meeting helps us to learn not only the differences of viewpoints and cultures between both countries but also how unstable and diissatisfied native English speakers are.

Kobayashi, Norio. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>TC>Regional>Japan

Jack Molisani on Trends in Technical Communication

Shares some trends in the technical communication industry, arguing that writers need to become hyphenated to move forward and be successful in the future. Molisani owns a technical writing staffing company and also produces the Lavacon conference, which is in New Orleans this year, but is traditionally in Hawaii. He says users aren't concerned about polished language these days; they just want accurate, relevant content.

Molisani, Jack and Tom H. Johnson. Tech Writer Voices (2007). Articles>TC>Planning>Podcasts

January 15, 2002, through April 15, 2002  

This report covers specifications, standards, and amendments received from January 15, 2002, through April15, 2002.

Bach, Claudia. Intercom (2002). Articles>History>TC