E011, Technical Communication, appears in WGU technology programs including the BSIT to MSIT pathway. The guide for that pathway says the course teaches IT managers to convey complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
It covers writing, presentation and visual communication, and audience analysis so messages fit stakeholders. Other WGU programs list a Technical Communication course with a different description, so confirm which version applies to your degree. The usual difficulty is adapting level: writing the same detail for every reader.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | Western Governors University (WGU) |
| Course code | E011 (codes may be updated; guides list titles) |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Competency units | 3 in current guides |
| Prerequisites | None stated in the BSIT to MSIT guide |
| Format | Competency-based |
The Competencies
The BSIT to MSIT program guide lists four competencies:
| Competency (WGU wording) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Conducts an audience analysis to plan communication strategies | Working out who the readers are, what they know and what they need |
| Creates written communication to inform audiences of an IT issue | Memos, reports or notices that explain a problem clearly |
| Delivers a presentation regarding information technology issues | Structuring and presenting spoken, visual content |
| Visualizes data and information to meet audience needs | Charts and diagrams that make the point quickly |
Another WGU program guide describes a version stressing editing professional communications, digital etiquette and persuasive, research-based artifacts. If your course page lists those instead, follow it.
Key Concepts Explained
Audience Analysis
Ask who will read or listen, what they already know, what decision they must make and how much time they have. Executives need the impact and recommendation; technicians need steps and detail.
Example: A server outage report. For executives: "Online orders were unavailable for 40 minutes. The cause is fixed and a monitoring change will prevent repeats. No customer data was lost." For technicians: timeline, root cause, configuration change and rollback steps. The facts are the same; the level and order differ.
Plain Structure
Lead with the point, then support it. Use short paragraphs, descriptive headings and lists for steps. Define unavoidable jargon.
Visualizing Information
Choose the chart for the message: a line for trends over time, bars for comparison, a table for exact values. Label axes, remove clutter and give the chart a title that states the takeaway.
Typical Assessment Tasks and How to Approach Them
Check your course page for the exact format. Tasks commonly include:
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Audience analysis | Planning | Profile the audience and state what each group needs |
| Written communication | Clarity and tone | Lead with the issue, impact and action required |
| Presentation | Delivery and structure | Open with the point, one idea per slide, rehearse timing |
| Data visual | Clear display | Pick the right chart and label it fully |
Edit Before You Submit
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Can a reader state the main point after ten seconds? |
| Level | Is jargon explained or removed? |
| Action | Is it clear what the reader should do? |
| Visuals | Does each chart support one point? |
| Proofreading | Grammar, punctuation and consistent terms checked? |
An Audience Profile Template
| Question | Executive | Technical team |
|---|---|---|
| What do they need? | Impact and decision | Cause and steps |
| What do they know? | Business context | System detail |
| How much time? | One page or a few minutes | More detail is acceptable |
| Best format? | Summary and one chart | Report with technical appendix |
Presentation Tips
- State the main message in the first thirty seconds.
- Use one idea per slide and few words.
- Practice aloud with a timer.
- Prepare answers to the two questions you most expect.
Same Facts, Two Messages
Executive version: "The patch deployment finished on schedule. Two systems need a restart tonight, with no customer impact expected. Please approve the maintenance window."
Technical version: "The patch completed on 48 of 50 hosts. Two hosts are pending reboot. Reboots are scheduled for 22:00 with rollback to the previous snapshot if services fail health checks." The facts match; the level, length and the ask differ.
Where Students Get Stuck
- One level for all readers. Adapt depth and order.
- Burying the point. Put the conclusion first.
- Crowded slides. Reduce to one message per slide.
- Misleading charts. Use honest scales and clear labels.
Study Tips for E011
- Write the same update twice, once for executives and once for engineers.
- Read your text aloud to hear awkward phrasing.
- Time your presentation and cut to fit.
How We Help with E011
Send the brief, audience details, rubric and evaluator comments. A writer can prepare a model document or presentation outline, explain how to adapt the level, or review your draft.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with Western Governors University. Our work is a study and reference aid; you complete and submit your own work under WGU's academic integrity policy, and we never take assessments or access student accounts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The BSIT to MSIT program guide states there are none.
Not exactly. Another WGU guide describes a version focused on editing and digital etiquette, so confirm with your course page.
Identifying who will receive your message, what they know and need, and shaping content accordingly.
The BSIT to MSIT guide lists delivering a presentation about IT issues as a competency.
Use lines for trends, bars for comparisons and tables for exact figures.
No. We never take assessments or access accounts. We provide model examples and feedback.