Technical Writing - Emergency Management Institute

UNIT 3: COMMUNICATION CONSIDERATIONS AND MODELS
Cultural preferences
Target audiences for technical writers can be wide and varied. Analysis should provide
information on the audience and direction on how to adapt to an array of cultural
preferences. Following are many of the cultural elements that a technical writer may
need to consider.
Formality
Formality is a matter of defined behaviors within cultures that dictate degrees of
formal actions and common practices which vary among cultures. In the western
world it is common to shake hands when introduced, yet in some eastern cultures
the accepted norm involves additional actions such as bowing and exchange of
formal names.
Directness
American directedness in business is well established, yet in some cultures such
forwardness can be considered rude and impolite. Directness is considered a
respectable trait in one instance and just the opposite in others.
Language
Translation is the obvious consideration is communication between different
languages. Yet even when speaking the same language there are particular words
that have distinctly different meaning. America, The United Kingdom, Australia,
and Canada all have a large population which primarily speaks English yet the
jargon and vernacular can have dramatically different definitions. Expand your
audience to people who speak English as a second language and the intent can
quickly become lost to confusion.
IS-613 Technical Writing Page 3.10