On December 13, the English Writing Teaching and Research Center, Zhejiang University hosted a lecture titled “Breaking Barriers between Language and Technology: How Technical Communication Empowers China’s Intelligent Manufacturing” successfully. The event featured Associate Professor HE Wenzhong as the keynote speaker and was moderated by Professor WANG Min, Executive Director of the English Writing Teaching and Research Center.
The lecture began with Dr. HE Wenzhong adeptly analyzing the importance of technical communication for Chinese enterprises venturing into the global market, illustrated through a series of real-world corporate case studies. These examples underscored the critical role that technical communication plays in enhancing competitiveness, reducing costs, and optimizing customer service. By leveraging technical writing, companies can effectively convey product information, user manuals, and troubleshooting solutions to end users, significantly boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Dr. He then elaborated on the definition and core characteristics of technical writing. He explained that technical writing is a form of writing designed to explain complex concepts to specific readers clearly and concisely, often referred to as “instruction manual” writing. This type of writing is widely utilized in fields such as engineering, computer hardware and software, finance, consumer electronics, and biotechnology. The primary objective of technical writing, he noted, is to simplify complex information and present it in a way that is easily comprehensible and applicable for users. Dr. He emphasized that technical documentation is not merely a supplementary product but an integral component of the product itself. He further noted that technical communication is a professional skill requiring rigorous training, that different purposes and readers demand tailored approaches and content, and that companies must distinguish technical writing from other forms of writing. Moreover, he stressed the importance of information design and user experience in technical communication.
Building on this foundation, Dr. He shared some key principles for writing concise technical English while also providing actionable writing strategies. He also introduced the utility writing software, explored the impact of AI on technical writing, and suggested some insightful books for self-study, which opened up new perspectives for the audience on technical writing.
The lecture received an enthusiastic response and high praise from both faculty and students. Attendees expressed that Dr. He’s insightful presentation provided a deeper and more comprehensive grasp of technical writing. Many remarked that they had acquired practical skills and methodologies, essential for laying a solid foundation for their future academic research and career development.
English Writing Teaching and Research Center, ZJU
December 16, 2024
Translated by SUN Fangrui
Proofread by XU Xueying
