FOCUS ON WRITING. As a technical communicator, you will sometimes encounter technical terms that need to be defined or revised for a non-expert audience. But how do you define a technical term if you don’t fully understand it yourself?
Usable communication must be written in terminology and language consistent with the audience’s background and level of understanding. Use online dictionaries and usability resources to help you revise the language of your documents for non-technical audiences.
Find an article in a technical or science journal in your field or area of interest and create a list of unfamiliar terms. Use the following resources to look up definitions of these terms, and then write your own brief definition of each, directed at a non-specialist audience.
• http://dictionary.langenberg.com
A portal site that connects to dozens of online dictionaries of various types and specialties.
• www.webopedia.com
An online dictionary and search engine focused on computer and internet technology definitions.
• www.techweb.com/encyclopedia
Definitions for over 20 000 information technology terms and acronyms.
• http://upassoc.org
The website for the Usability Professionals’ Association.