Module 3 provides an overview of the skills, techniques, and practices used in technical communication. These include audience analysis, document design, user experience, and usability testing. There are several intended outcomes from Module 3:

1. Research and present a work of technical communication scholarship
2. Identify technical communication practices and skills
3. Connect the foundations of technical communication with its contemporary practice
4. Finalize details for ATS archive project and communication project

Unless otherwise indicated, all work for Module 3 should be completed by midnight on Tuesday, May 30 (delayed for Memorial Day weekend).

Lecture Notes

Review Module 3 Lecture Video post (above) with notes and slides.

Readings & Resources

• Open Technical Communication
  • Chapter 4: Document Design
  • Chapter 5: Processes and Guidelines in Technical Writing
  • Chapter 6: Usability Testing
• Technical Writing
  • Chapter 2: Audience Analysis
  • Chapter 11: Basic Design & Readability in Publications
• Chris Anderson’s How to Give a Killer presentation
• Carmine Gallo’s What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation
• Panopto’s The Best Way to Record a Powerpoint Presentation

Business & Professional Communication Library Guide — Marcia Whitehead, our SPCS Library Liaison, has put together this library guide for research in business and professional communication. Because UR doesn’t have an independent program in technical communication, but does have the Robins School of Business, the library guide leans toward a “business communication” approach. However, the principles and theories of business communication as presented in business schools and courses, while focused on finance and business administration workplaces, remain applicable to the broader field of technical communication.

Activities

Follow the guidelines for the Scholarship Presentation to:

1. Select an article, chapter, or book that describes the field of technical communication and its intersection with your professional context.
2. Read and summarize the content and significance of the article in a slidedeck using a presentation program like Powerpoint.
3. Practice and record your narrated presentation.
4. Submit as assigned.

Review instructor responses to the two proposals (Fabric of Digital Life project and communication project) you submitted as blog posts in Module 2. Continue the conversation as needed with the instructor to finalize your AI-augmented technology artifact contribution and your communication project.

Responses

Watch all of your classmates’ scholarship presentations (you should be able to access all of them using the Presentation category). Reply in a threaded comment to at least two of these presentations with responses of about 100 words each. Responses to these posts are due by midnight on Friday, June 2 (postponed for Memorial Day weekend).

Project Work

Scholarship Presentation: Submit as assigned.

Fabric of Digital Life Project: Review feedback and finalize your AI-augmented technology artifact submission with the instructor in threaded comments on your blog post.

Communication Project: Review feedback and finalize the details of your communication project in preparation for developing your proposal.

Upcoming Project Reminders

Employment Project: Finalize the job posting for which you might be interested in submitted an application. Create a LinkedIn profile if you don’t have one. Here’s a useful resource: 20 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile in 2023

Ticket Out

Complete the Module 3 Ticket Out only after completing all other sections of the module. Completing the Ticket Out lets me know that you’ve completed the Module’s assignments.