Communication for Information and Systems

Communication for Information and Systems Technology

Why should people engaged in technical writing consider the importance of persuasion in their writing?

Although it is believed by some that technical communication is not the place for persuasion, the majority of writers feel that successful forms of technical communication rely heavily on persuasion. Technical writing may be geared towards providing information, but it is still important that the reader be convinced of what they are reading and persuasive techniques can go a long way in achieving this goal. Lay et al. (2000) emphasize that technical work is human and thus requires that the writer be persuasive in convincing the reader that the solutions and information offered are effective and accurate.

From reading this text, what do you understand by the terms 'digital divide' and 'knowledge gap'?

The term 'digital divide' refers to the unequal access within society to the information provided through access to the Internet. Because knowledge and information can be seen as a commodity, and because access to the Internet can vary based on socio-economic status, education or technological ability, a gap has emerged between those who have access to the Internet and those who do not. The author (in Schement, 2002) compares the concept of the digital divide to the previously studied notion of a 'knowledge gap' which referred to the unequal distribution or access to knowledge that has historically been created between various social groups, such as the rich and the poor, or those with access to education and those without.

3. What can be done to alleviate the difficulty in maintaining both text-based and 'normal' web sites?