This glossary gives you a quick reference for the concepts, methods, and practices used in technical communication.
Each entry has a short, plain-language definition. Some are marked Core (essential for beginners) and others Pro (common in professional practice).
Looking for software and platforms (like Google Docs, Snagit, or Camtasia)? Check the Tools Directory instead. The glossary focuses on ideas you’ll use to analyze, design, and explain information.
Accessibility (Core) – Designing content so it can be used by people of all abilities, including those with visual, auditory, motor, or cognitive differences. This includes practices like using alt text, clear headings, captions, and sufficient color contrast.
ADDIE (Core) – A framework for instructional design with five phases: Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate. It provides structure for creating training materials.
Audience analysis (Core) – The process of identifying who will read/use your document and tailoring it to their needs.
Bloom’s Taxonomy (Pro) – A classification system for levels of learning objectives, from basic recall (remember, understand) to higher-order skills (analyze, evaluate, create).
Content reuse (Pro) – Using existing content across multiple documents or projects to save time and maintain consistency.
DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) (Pro) – An XML-based standard for creating modular, reusable content. Common in large organizations with complex documentation needs.
Information architecture (Pro) – The way content is organized, structured, and labeled to help users find what they need.
Instructional design (Core) – The practice of systematically designing, developing, and delivering training materials to help learners achieve specific outcomes.
Localization (Pro) – Adapting content for different languages, cultures, or regions.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) (Core) – A lightweight version of a deliverable created to test or showcase essential features before investing in a polished version.
Portfolio (Core) – A collection of work samples that demonstrate your skills and methods to potential employers or clients.
Rhetorical situation (Core) – The context in which communication occurs, defined by the relationship between writer, audience, purpose, and medium.
Single-sourcing (Pro) – Writing content once and reusing it in multiple outputs (e.g., PDF, web, help system).
Style guide (Core) – A set of rules for consistent writing, formatting, and design across documents.
Structured authoring (Pro) – Writing content in small, modular chunks using defined structures (like XML) so it can be reused or published in many formats.
Task-based writing (Core) – Focusing on the steps users need to complete a task, rather than describing features in isolation.
Usability testing (Pro) – Observing real users as they interact with content to identify what’s confusing or unclear.
User persona (Core) – A fictional profile representing a typical audience member, used to guide design and writing.
Version control (Pro) – A system for tracking revisions to content, useful for collaboration and rollback.
XML (Extensible Markup Language) (Pro) – A standardized markup language used to structure and store content in a machine-readable way. Often used in structured authoring and publishing systems.