Types of Technical Communication: an overview
Edited by Asheesh Kamal
LIS Cafe Website, 2022

 

Technical communication may be classified as
(1) Oral,
(2) Non-verbal,
(3) Written and Electronic.

 

Oral Communication

In recent years there is an increasing awareness of the importance of oral communication. Oral presentation of technical data appears to have higher impact on the intended audience than the other forms. In a survey conducted in 1980 to rank the types of technical communication, according to their importance it was noted that oral communication stands far above the other forms of technical communication.

 Non-verbal Communication

It is a mode of communicating information which the communicator is not aware of. These are like Body motion, personal appearance, intonation, use of space and distance, expression of the eyes, etc. constitute what is called visible code or nonverbal communication. According to a study, 45% of the message is conveyed orally and 55% silently. Whether non-verbal communication has really any important role to play in oral presentations is now a subject of discussion the world over. One school of thought believes that it has little role to play while those engaged in mass communication research feel that non-verbal communication is as important as any other modes of communication.

 Written Communication

This is the commonest and most popular kind of technical communication. It is that which sets a permanent record of technologies to the user. It sets an unusually high value of objectivity, accuracy and restraint. It is intended for users who have some special interest in the subject. Written reports appear in the form of research papers, technical articles, books/monographs, symposia proceedings, patents, thesis/dissertations and many forms of trade literature.

Electronic Communication

 Advances in the field of electronics and telecommunication have resulted in the development of many electronic devices, such as computers, electronic mail, telex and fax machines, desktop publishers, CD-ROM disks, and videotext machines. Almost all of them are now put to effective use in technical communication.

 

Reference:
1. Wikipedia
2. IGNOU Study Materials