Response to the 4 readings

These four readings all convey information about technical writing from four very different aspects. Each reading is helpful in piecing together what technical writing actually entails and means. The four readings create a culmination and overview of technical writing.

The first reading is great because it actually defines what technical writing is and how it is different from other forms of communication. I love how the writer completely defined and described communication, because communication is the ultimate goal of technical writing. The writer also broke down communcation into three parts: technical, newsmedia, and interpersonal. This division makes it clearer to me what "technical" writing actually is and how it contributes to communication.

The second reading is a good follower of the first reading. Since I now know what part technical writing takes in communication, this reading gives a practical application of what technical writers actually "do". I do not think this reading fully describes technical writing, but I realize that was not the purpose of this reading. However, this reading is a good illustration and generalization of the type of works technical writers create. The third reading also provides many illustrations of how technical writing applies to every day occupations. It highlights the need for technical communicators within several different occupational fields.

The last reading is my favorite because it provides an overview of technical writing. I believe this reading will be the most helpful to me when I try to apply technical writing to my career choice. The first slide really lays out the process of technical writing. I can already see how anyone in the legal field would use this process to prepare forms, write out legal documents, etc. I also like how the third slide distinguishes technical writing from other forms of communication in a clearcut manner.