Purpose of Technical Communication
According to Tebeaux & Dragga, the primary goal of technical communication is to help readers do what?
Act or make decisions efficiently
What first step should writers take when analyzing their audience?
Identify readers' knowledge level and purpose for reading.
Zinsser says every writer's first principle is what?
Clarity
What is one strategy for cutting wordiness in technical writing?
Eliminate redundant modifiers or unnecessary phrases
Before drafting, what do Tebeaux & Dragga say writers must define?
The document's purpose and intended audience.
What is Zinsser's first principle for good writing in Ch . 1?
Clarity
Give one ethical principle Tebeaux & Dragga highlight for all technical communicators.
Honesty (or accuracy or respect for the reader).
Which chapter emphasizes the need to “strip every sentence to its cleanest components"?
Chapter 2 – Simplicity
Why is the active voice often preferred in technical documents?
It makes sentences more transparent and more direct.
Name one method for gathering information before writing a technical document.
Interviews, surveys, or reviewing existing documentation.
Tebeaux & Dragga warn that visuals must meet this ethical requirement.
Accuracy / must not mislead
Why is considering multiple audiences (primary and secondary) important?
Different readers may use the document differently and require different levels of detail.
Give an example of "clutter" Zinsser tells writers to remove.
Pompous phrases like "at this point" or redundant modifiers
Give an example of jargon that might confuse a non-specialist reader.
(Any valid example, such as “synergistic paradigm shift”).
Why is outlining important in the planning stage?
It organizes ideas and ensures logical flow before drafting.
Zinsser argues that every sentence should contain these two qualities, in addition to clarity.
Simplicity and humanity
Zinsser warns writers to respect readers' time. How does this connect to ethics?
Wasting readers' time violates the writer's responsibility for clarity and concision.
What two qualities, besides clarity, does Zinsser say every sentence should have?
Simplicity and humanity
According to Zinsser, why must writers avoid vague qualifiers like "very" or "really"?
They weaken the meaning and add no precision.
How can early collaboration improve a technical document?
It brings multiple perspectives and improves accuracy.
According to Tebeaux & Dragga, Ch . 2, what is the first step before drafting a technical document?
Analyze purpose and audience
What is a potential ethical problem when using visuals in technical communication?
Misleading or distorting information through inaccurate graphics or charts.
Zinsser argues that good writing reflects the writer's humanity. What does he mean by that?
Writing should sound natural and authentic, revealing the writer's voice.
Tebeaux & Dragga advise using “plain English.” What is the main benefit?
Ensures comprehension by readers with varied backgrounds.
What risk arises if research is rushed or incomplete?
Errors or gaps in information can mislead readers or cause decisions based on faulty data.