According to Chapter 3, entitled Readers and Contexts of Use, from Technical Communications Today, one of the most important aspects of technical writing is an understanding and appreciation of the reader. To fully accomplish this, the writer is advised to make preparations by completing both Reader Analysis and Context Analysis charts. Such preparations will provide countless benefits, including a stronger and more persuasive technical document.
The Reader Analysis chart, as shown in the reading, assists the writer in better understanding the reader according to his or her needs, values, and attitudes. In this chart, all four possible readers are considered, namely primary, secondary, tertiary, and goalkeepers. Through outlining each reader’s needs, a more focused technical document can be produced. In analyzing readers’ values and attitudes, the writer gains a strong understanding of the readers’ perspective and is better prepared and able to anticipate how individuals will act or respond.
The Context Analysis chart, again illustrated in the text, allows the writer to better profile the actual context in which the technical document will be read. The contexts considered include physical, but also economic, political, and ethical. Economic context should be considered as it places limits on the kinds of actions that the reader may take. In analyzing political context, the writer is able to consider trends, both on a micro and macro scale, that may affect the reader’s interpretation of the document. Finally, a consideration of the ethical context will assist the writer in anticipating the emotional response of the reader, according to varying cultural values and standards.
After presenting the Reader Analysis and Context Analysis charts, Chapter 3 begins to focus on international, and cross-cultural, communication, which continues to grow in importance in an ever-strengthening global economy. Several examples and illustrations highlight the importance of considering the context of the reader in technical communications.
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Of all the responses that I’ve read, I think you’ve offered the best explanation and review of the charts presented in our source text from TCT. After reading this piece, it has become apparent how important profiling readers is; what isn’t necessarily apparent is how to do that exactly. Although the source text offers a variety of techniques and methods to do so, it doesn’t say specifically which methods are the best. Your response seems to target and emphasize the importance of the visual aids one would use to prepare for a technical writing, including the Reader Analysis chart and the Context Analysis chart. After reading chapter 3 of TCT, I agree fully that both of these charts will greatly aid in drafting a more successful and accepted technical document.
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I agree with jstn that your post did a good job in emphasizing the importance of the visual aids presented in this chapter. When reading a book for, usually, any class, I generally skip over graphs and charts that are presented. In my opinion they usually seem to be a waste of time. After reading your post I went back and looked at the section you talked about, and it helped me to realize the importance of using these tools that were presented to us for effective technical writing. It was also nice that you chose to point out and emphasize the more important features of these tools.