Transcript What is “Technical Writing”?

What is
“Technical Writing”?
Dr. Mike Downing
Technical Writing
Clarity
 Technical Writing teaches writers how to
explain, in simple language, technical and
scientific concepts (or processes) that are
difficult for the average reader to understand.

Examples of technical writing include user
manuals, “help” documentation, medical
descriptions, scientific writing, process
description, white papers, analysis, and stepby-step instructions.
What is technical writing?
Comprehension
You cannot write about a topic you do not
understand. This means to have to
develop your expertise in a particular area
before you can expect to be paid to
produce documents related to that field.
You must understand your topic
Expertise
Therefore, it is a good idea for you to being
thinking about a particular area of
expertise as you move through school so
that you can take a few classes in that
area. For example, if you are interested in
writing about technology, be sure to take
at least one computer class.
Developing expertise
Purpose
 Understand the purpose of your writing. If
you don’t know what you want to
accomplish, nobody else will.

It is helpful to write a single-sentence
purpose statement: The purpose of this
document is to explain the functions of
GE’s new digital alarm clock (for
example).
Why are you writing?
Audience
 Always ask yourself: “Who will be reading the text
that I have written?”
 A boss? [Upward communication]
 A co-worker? [Lateral communication]
 Someone outside the organization? [Outward
communication]
 People that you supervise? [Downward
communication]
 Anyone who might stumble upon the company
website?
 An expert?
 All of these factors will play a role in your writing.
Audience considerations
Logical Order
 Technical writing typically is based on logical order. First,
one step, then another, then another.
◦ Sometimes, it is important for the reader to be aware of
several steps at once.
◦ Sometimes it is important for the reader to consider all
of the instructions before proceeding.
 In any event, you must make the reading pattern clear at
the outset: READ ALL DIRECTIONS BEFORE
CONSTRUCTING ROCKET.
 You can also use parenthetical information to refer to other
points within the document (e.g. See Section One)
Organizing Information
Money
 Excellent technical writers can earn a
great deal of money. According to Peter
Kent, author of Making Money in Technical
Writing, technical writers can make more
than $100,000 per year and some make
more than $150,000.
Rewards
Questions?