Word or phrase	Definition

Additional material	This is material that accompanies a technical publication, or keeps it contained. It might include: binders covers envelopes inserts reply cards tear-offs
Audio	This is sound that is included in a multimedia application. It might include: alerts animation sounds announcements music vocals
Body text	This is text contained in the main body of a technical publication. It might include: description instructions narrative prefaces
Client	This is a person, department, or organisation that commissions work. It is generally accepted that a client represents the interests of the users, unless otherwise specified. A client might be from within a technical communicator's own organisation or from another organisation, and is therefore: external internal
Components of the technical publication	These are the main parts or sections of a technical publication. They might include: appendices chapters content foreword pages sections supplementary components
Content	This is the essence of the technical publication. It should include: the meaning behind the text and graphics the subject matter of the technical publication
Designs	These cover all aspects of a technical publication, and particularly the components of the technical publication. It might include: output media production methods page components
Display text	This is text that assists the readability of a technical publication (whatever its output media). It might include: banners footers headers labels links titles
Error	An error could be due to editorial or printing mistakes. Errors might include: added component inconsistencies missing components spelling typographical wrong components wrong version wrongly-positioned components
Graphics	These are visual elements that are contained in a technical publication. They might include: banners diagrams drawings logos plans
Information	This is used throughout the standards to cover all types of information used within a technical publication or to actually assist the production of it. It might include: audio graphics text visual
Information systems	These are systems that record and store information, including a technical publication itself and information relating to its publication. They might include the use of: electronic paper
Instructions and guidance	These are parts of a technical publication that are designed to help the user navigate through it. They might include: contents glossaries help files indexes introductions references
Methods for creating the page layout	These are the principal ways in which pages can be designed. They might include the use of: computer type setting
Multimedia components	These are components used primarily in computer-based interactive publications. They might include: animation applets audio graphics hypertext photographs video
Output media	This is the form in which a technical publication is distributed to users. It might include: CD-Rom (or equivalent) computer hard storage (floppy disk or equivalent) on-line (intranet or internet) other transmission methods (eg phone help lines) paper
Page	This is the main method for displaying page components. They might include the use of: electronic display on a screen sheet of paper
Page components	These are components that appear on a page. They might include: multimedia components style text
People	A generic word that covers: clients colleagues specialists suppliers
Production methods	These are the methods for actually producing a technical publication. A publication might be provided in paper format, but is actually produced electronically. This could happen in reverse, with a technical drawing being produced by hand, and then scanned into a computer to be delivered on-line. Methods therefore might include the use of: electronic paper
Research methods	These cover any activity designed to elicit information on products and services. They might include: dismantling products interviews observation questionnaires
Resources	Resources are used in the production of a technical publication. They might include: equipment facilities finance materials people time
Revision	These are actions to improve something, and might include: adding removing replacing
Structure	A technical publication has a structure, both overall and on each of the pages. The structure determines how the user can navigate through the technical publication, and: determines which components are necessary the role of the components relationship of components to each other sequence of components
Style	A technical publication has a style, both overall and on each of the pages. It might include: colour dimensions texture typography
Supplementary component	This is material that is added to a technical publication. It might include: additional materials instructions and guidance title page division page
Technical publication	This is the main focus of the work. Technical publications are produced for every industry and for a wide range of purposes. Some of the more usual forms might include: handbooks instruction manuals maintenance manuals user guides
Text	Text is key to almost all technical publications, and comes in two primary forms: body text display text
Translation	This refers to the processing of words and syntax, and might include: controlled English foreign language
Users	These are the people who actually use a technical publication for the purpose for which it is designed. They might include: clients customers of clients others
Vocabulary	It is important to have an idea of the way a technical publication will be read or used by users. The vocabulary is aimed at a particular type of user, and is a coherent collection of: phrases styles words

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