Reading Response #1

Technical communication is accurately understanding and conveying information to a wide variety of audiences in different genres. Although defining technical communication can be difficult, it’s also about being able to be accurate in conveying that information, and this can be done in many, many ways.

 After reading the McDowell article, it seems as though technical communication can encompass anything from informational brochures to instruction booklets to graphic design. That it started as such a lowly thing is kind of impressive, when we look at how far it’s come and how many schools now offer it not only in classes but also as a major. As jobs became more and more demanding in that people needed the ability to give instruction on creating, building, fixing, etc, weapons during WWI and WWII, it just seems as though the growth of technical communication was just natural. It became a necessary skill, and therefore it became marketable.

On a personal note, the most experience I have in technical communication is graphic design. Having taken some graphic design classes at Parkland College, I’m well aware of how many different ways there are of communicating with people via technology. For one project in particular, we actually had the opportunity to meet with a client, talk to them, and figure out what they wanted for a T-shirt design for Arbor Day. Because our client was in a very particular branch of arboreal culture, we had to talk with them about what that branch even was, and what they expected for a final result. By the end of the project, everyone in the class became an “expert” in this company. And not only did this class digitally create T-shirts (with the final design becoming a T-shirt the company would sell), we also created websites, designs for organic food cartons, and DVD covers.

Technical communication can encompass everything, and even though we’ve only had two class sessions, I can definitely see that! I’m really looking forward to being able to learn more about technical design, everything it involves, and how to write for it.