Comparison of four readings

The overall message that seems to ring true in all of the readings is the importance of clear communication in the work place. As stated by members of the Society for Technical Communication, communication is a way to give and exchange information. They explain that technical communicators can range from writers to illustrators. The Bureau of Labor seems to agree, portraying technical communication as a means of expressing information in some form of language. At the Michigan Technological University they go a step further with their explanation by diving into the different forms of media with which technical writing can be presented; web pages, manuals, newsletters, ect. Lastly, it is the Power Point outline that most vividly portrays the meaning of technical writing. It depicts the different purposes for which this form of writing can be used, such as answering questions and solving problems. However, it also touches on the importance of content an organization to most effectively display ideas.
Reading these different articles and documents allowed me to gather ideas relevant to the career paths I am considering. A basic idea given in the STC reading that is relevant to any person's career is the idea that a good understanding of communication is fundamental in gaining the understanding of other people. Perhaps more specific to my interest in the field of engineering, is the statement by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that technical writing is often used to express the ideas and innovations of engineers and scientists. By reading the Michigan Technological University's page, I now understand the importance of multimedia in expressing one's self in the work place. Especially in the technical fields I am leaning towards, the use of different means by which to communicate information will be extremely important. The Power Point outline gave a clear message of how to correctly use technical writing in the work place, including the purposes it serves,and the efficient ways to present them.