Most people believe that technical writing is similar to writing for a class: you begin with a thesis, refine it, develop structural sentences, eliminate first-person viewpoint, add an intro, body, and conclusion, and so on. Actually, this is not true at all. Technical writing is different from academic writing in almost every respect, including how to start a paper. Here are the main assumptions behind technical writing: 1. The reader knows nothing about the topic. The writer assumes that the reader has no idea what he or she is talking about. The writer must therefore explain the most complicated concepts in simple terms. This is not easy! 2. The reader is familiar with general terminology related to the subject. If the reader does not know some specific word or phrase, they will have to be explained. However, the writer can use their expertise to simplify unfamiliar words and phrases, thus reducing the need for external help. For example, when writing about chemicals, it is useful if the writer knows the meaning of toxic and non-toxic substances; without such knowledge, they would have to be defined by a person who understands these topics. 3. The reader wants to learn something new.