Lesson 2 - Preliminary

Relevant Laws and Ethical Considerations Related to Technical Writing

  • Course: GE English 102 | Functional Literacy Across Disciplines

  • Arranged by: Ivy M. Camañan, LPT, MA-LIT

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify proper ethical practices in technical writing.

  • Determine the Do's and Don'ts of technical writing.

Discussion Questions

  1. What is plagiarism, and how can technical writers avoid it?

  2. Why is it important for technical writers to cite their sources correctly?

Key Legal Areas in Technical Communication

  1. Copyright Law

    • Protects creators of original works (literary, artistic, etc.).

    • Grants exclusive rights to use, reproduce, and display work.

  2. Trademark Law

    • Legal considerations for the use of trademarks in technical documents.

    • Important to use trademarks correctly to avoid legal issues (e.g., “make a copy using a Xerox® machine” instead of “Xerox® the document”).

    • Correct symbols: ™(unregistered), ®(registered).

  3. Contract Law

    • Relevant when creating or managing contracts and legal documents.

    • Intersection with product documentation, service agreements, and NDAs.

  4. Liability Law

    • Technical writers may face legal responsibilities for content accuracy.

    • Important to provide complete and non-misleading information to avoid legal issues.

Principles of Ethical Communication

  • Technical writers must exercise prudence and carefully research material.

  • Similarities to researchers in terms of considering the bounds of information.

Do's of Technical Writing

  • Abide by relevant laws.

  • Follow corporate or professional codes of conduct.

  • Tell the truth and be clear.

  • Avoid discriminatory language.

  • Acknowledge assistance from others.

Don'ts of Technical Writing

  • Avoid false implications and exaggerated claims.

  • Do not use euphemisms for serious issues.

  • Never mislead readers.

Group Activity: The Role of Bias in Technical Writing

  • Objective: Analyze bias in technical content creation and its ethical implications.

  • Considerations include:

    • Impact of bias on credibility and accuracy.

    • Strategies to maintain objectivity.

    • Ethical differences across industries (e.g., healthcare vs. finance).

Group Activity Rubric Criteria

  • Objectivity Maintenance: Depth of explanation and practical examples.

  • Depth and Insight: Understanding and critical thinking.

  • Organization and Clarity: Logical flow and grammatical accuracy.