4.3: Self/Source/Audience- the three components of Tech Writing

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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)?

Eng 235. Authored by: Jeff Meyers. Provided by: Clinton Community College. License: CC BY: Attribution