21 Self/Source/Audience- the three components of Tech Writing

Three components for understanding the process of technical writing:

Self (writer)

Recognize your role in the writer/reader relationship. Be familiar with these questions:

o   Who am I (in the writing process)? Why am I communicating information?

o   What are my goals? Where do I want to go (with the info I provide)?

o   What is my purpose? Why do I want to go there?

o   How am I going to achieve my goals and purposes? What method of communication will I use?

Source (organization)

Recognize the group/individual for which you are writing, whether it’s for a business, a non-profit group or your own personal needs.

§  Whom am I representing? What are their goals/purposes?

§  What position do I have with them?

§  How do I represent them? What resources do I need?

§  Why do they need representation?

Audience (reader)

Recognize the individual, group that you will be presenting information to.

What do they need to know? How do I decide?

How do I go about doing that? What tools do I need?

What is their level of understanding (knowledge)?

How do they feel about the topic and about me (attitude)?

Why are they involved with this written communication (purpose)?