Different Types of Mediums
Once there is an understanding of the project's goals and the intended audience, it is time to select the proper medium for the final presentation. Between the physical and the digital realm, there is an abundance of presentation mediums that can be chosen. As the "age of the internet" continues to grow and expand, technical writers must learn the proper tools to use to present their message. Examples of digital media can be extensive; however, there are many sources that have broken down the most common and effective mediums, as can be seen in the diagram below.
All media serve very specific purposes and change the experience of the user, so careful selection of a medium is critical in the world of technical writing. Some examples of useful mediums and their purposes may be the use of a flyer and QR code pairing for an upcoming event, or a webpage for the presentation of a new organization and its available resources. Additional research into the needs of the project and similar project examples should be used during the media selection process.
How to Choose the Correct Medium
Outside research into each medium and an understanding of each purpose are requirements for a technical writer. Creating a "cheat sheet" based on the outside research for each medium that allows the writer to quickly reference and select the proper media can be a worthwhile investment. One such source example is
"Choosing a Medium for Your Message." This source discusses the differences that can arise when choosing to present information in the digital realm rather than the physical.
The article presents a diagram that breaks down some of their main media selection ideas, as seen below, that follows their train of thought through two main media ideals:
The authors write about the combinations of electronic media and how this can allow creators to develop elevated ways to present their text. However, they also discuss what makes digital presentaions difficult and what problems can occur, before creating a list of guidelines for using such media.
Some important questions a technical writer should ask while they are selecting a medium include:
- How interactive should this piece be?
- Is there a need for graphics, and if so, how many will be included?
- Where will this piece be displayed?
- How will it be accessed?
These guiding questions can help draw conclusions that will allow for the most successful medium to be utilized. Working out the needs of the audience and the client should allow for a clear choice when it comes to media selection, but it is important to organize this information through research and a structure that allows technical writers to construct the most impactful delivery method.