Technical Communication for Engineers

Introduction to Technical Communications and their types

Dr. Arun K. Saraf,

Professor
Department of Earth Sciences

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• Knowledge of a language is equally important, however, the
presentations (both written and oral) have to be brief, precise and
easily comprehensible.
• Further, communication skills can’t be learn in one day, nevertheless,
orderly approach can produce steep and comfortable learning curve.
• Practice makes a man perfect
• Sincere efforts with time can make almost everyone a good
communicator and orator.
• Finally, constant assessment predominantly self appraisal is important
for further improvements.

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Definition: Technical communication is a broad field and includes
any form of communication that exhibits one or more of the
following characteristics:
 Communicating about technical or specialized topics, such as
Civil Engineering, Geology, Environmental related issues etc.
 Communicating using technology, such as PowerPoint, video
conferences, emails, web pages, help files, or social media sites.
 Providing instructions about how to do something, regardless of
how technical task is or even if technology is used to create or
distribute that communication.

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The importance of technical communicators is:
(a) To make information more useable and accessible to those
who need that information
(b) to advance the goals of the institutions/ organizations /
companies that employ them.
For examples:
Software instructions help users be more successful on their own,
improving how easily those products gain acceptance into the
marketplace and reducing costs to support them.

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• Functional specifications and proposals help one group of technical
experts communicate effectively with other technical experts, speeding
up development cycles, reducing rework caused by misunderstandings,
and eliminating risks associated with miscommunication.
• Training programs provide people with new or improved skills, making
them more employable and their organizations and products more
efficient and safe.
• Well-designed and updated websites make it easier for users to find
information, increasing user traffic to and satisfaction with those
websites.
• Technical illustrations clarify steps or identify the parts of a product,
letting users focus on getting their task done quickly or more accurately.
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What all technical communicators have in common is a user centred /
target oriented attitude for providing the right information content, in
the right way, at the right time to make someone’s life easier and more
productive.

Interesting video - though English is good, but difficult to understand

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 Types of technical communications

1.Written
2.Oral

Both are important and requires systematic learning

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Usability studies uncover problems with how products are presented to
users, helping those products become more user friendly.
A partial list of the different aspects within technical communication:
• Engineers and Scientists
• Technical Writers & Editors
• Indexers
• Information Architects
• Instructional Designers
• Technical Illustrators
• Globalization & Localization Specialists
• Usability & Human Factors Professionals
• Visual Designers
• Web Designers & Developers
• Teachers & Researchers of Technical Communication
• Trainers and E-Learning Developers
• …
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Varities of purposes require communication skills:
1. Seminars (written and oral)
2. Conferences and workshops (written and oral)
3. Dissertations (written and oral)
4. PhD thesis (written and oral)
5. Group discussions (mainly oral)
6. Technical reports (written and oral)
7. Research and consultancy proposals (written and oral)
8. Manuscripts (mainly written)
9. Purchase of equipment (mainly written)
10. Official letters (mainly written)
11. Emails (mainly written)
12. SMS / Whatsapp / Twitter / Instagram messages (mainly written)
13. …

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Key contents of a typical written technical communications:
1. Title / topic
2. Abstract / synopsis / summary / extended abstract
3. Keywords
4. Introduction
5. Background / review work
6. Inputs (datasets, field data etc.)
7. Analysis methods / approach / algorithms etc.
8. Results
9. Discussions
10. Outcome / observations
11. Conclusions
12. References / bibliography
13. Acknowledgement
14. …

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 Example: Current Science
The articles should include an abstract, introductory paragraph,
brief subheads at appropriate places, illustrations that will help a
general reader, and references.

https://www.currentscience.ac.in/php/inst_authors.php
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1. Title / topic / headline
• It is very important and really showcase of your work / presentation
• Has to be brief, precise, focused, informative and easily
understandable
Good examples:
1. How to have a healthier and more productive home office?
2. Does a major earthquake precede a thermal anomaly?
3. Covid-19: Blessing in disguise
The above topics:
• Make a specific, actionable promise with your headlines.
• Sometimes, unusual adjectives can help add interest.

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Bad examples:
1. Corona virus is here! A nightmare that could happen
The above title:
• Seems to play on the above mentioned scare tactics, but it ultimately
fails because the article goes on to say that it can’t happen.
2. Benefits of field investigations for Civil Engineers: A Quantitative
Investigation
The above title:
• Describes the topic and the method of the study but is not
particularly catchy.

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Few points before finalizing title / topic / headline

http://www2.geof.unizg.hr/~znevistic/ids2018/ppt/PDS_Dubrovnik_abstract_writing.pdf
• Is this a good title?
• What do you expect from this article?
• Is it specific enough to tell you what the article is about?
• Is it concise enough to generate your interest?
• Your opportunity to attract the reader’s / audience
attention.
• Keep it informative but concise.
• Avoid technical jargon and abbreviations if possible.

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An example of bad, really bad
communication!

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Dear R P Tech Computer
What do think about IIT Professor by giving such type of lucky draw
scheme to avial a personal trip to singapur. Do you think that
availing this type of offer is illigal because we buying computer HH
we are going to avial this type hell scheme buy a laptop from public
money. If you realy wants to do dignified bussines with us then give
us straight forward concession on actual prince so that we can save
some public money for other purposes. Otherwise stop this shity offer
to the faculty of IIT and kindly consider my humble request and avoid
such schemes. This will help you to feel proud by dealing with IIT
Professors.
I am telling you again with conviction that don't try to allure any
faculty/staff from IIT and note it down being a reputed proud Indian
help us to maitain our dignity.
I am requesting all faculty to avoid this firm for buying laptop from
him because this company is noting seriously to us.

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An example of really bad personal
communication

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THANKS

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