Technical Writing 101: Technical Ultimate Guide
Tags: datascience, python, writing
Published: 2023-06-16 22:09:29


Complex technical information can sometimes be too complicated for a non-technical user. As a result of this, a user may miss important information or in the case of a manual, the user may end up doing the wrong thing. This can be frustrating and one can give up on accomplishing a task if there is no technical expert around to translate for them. This information is therefore required to be put in a simple language that users understand and can undertake a task with a lot of ease without the need for a technical expert around them.

Consider, if you went to a stall to purchase an electronic gadget that needs a connection of a few components like a desktop computer and you have never operated one let alone assemble it, you will need a technical expert to help assemble it.

**What is technical writing?**

The computer is packed together with a document known as the manual to help the user assemble it with ease. This manual has a step-by-step guide on how and where to connect each component for you to successfully use the computer. This guide also has images of the various points of connection which helps increase your chances of success to have it running.

Technical writing is therefore a form of writing that communicates information about specialized topics, particularly related to applied sciences and industrial products, in a simple, precise, and understandable way. It employs other aspects of technical communication such as images, videos, and graphs to improve the clarity of the message.

Writers provide guides, instructions, or explanations on technical concepts such as medical procedures, and computer applications. This form of writing is different from other writing techniques like content writing and academic writing.

**What is the Difference Between Technical Writing and Other Forms of Writing**

While all forms of writing are meant to send a particular kind of message, they differ in very many ways. These are the intended purpose of the content, audience, content, and the language used in the article.

*Content writing* is the form of writing that is meant to inform, educate or entertain a reader. This content is written for the general audience where the topics of discussion are not researched in-depth to appeal to readers.

*Academic writing* on the other hand is the form of writing whose goal is to show a point of view or research on a specific subject.

Technical writing is a form of writing that the content contains clear, concise, and understandable information, instructions, or guidance intended for a particular audience. The content is researched in depth and simplified. It is meant to teach and not entertain the audience.

**What are the Guidelines for a Good Technical Writing**

Technical writing is very important in many fields today. The content, therefore, needs to be written in a very clear, precise, and understandable way. For effective communication, a writer is required to follow a few basic guidelines;

***1. Understand your Purpose***
This is a very important stage and can be referred to as the pre-writing stage. It informs the direction the writing will take. At this stage, the writer is prepared on what to write through various activities;

***a. Identify your audience***
Knowing your audience enables the writer to determine how they will communicate the message. The audience can be grouped into;

i. Non-specialists' audience - These are users or an audience without technical know-how.

ii. Managerial or Executive audiences - They mostly use technical documents in decision-making. Writers use simplified language, graphs, images, and videos to effectively communicate concepts.

iii. Expert audience - These are audiences in the same profession such as engineers, and IT professionals. The language here may be different as opposed to the other audiences as they are at the same level hence a better understanding of concepts.

iv. Technicians - these are those that build, operate, maintain and repair what experts design.

***b. Establish the scope, process, and time duration.***
The writer is tasked to determine the scope, processes required, and duration for documentation of the task at hand.

***c. Plan out your information or message***
Before embarking on actual writing, a writer is able to draw a layout of what to communicate in the technical document. This can be achieved through looping, storyboarding, bubble-mapping, outlining, and list-making.

**2. Establish the solution to a problem**

Technical content is driven by problem-solving. This requires writers to understand their audience well and their various problems. Identifying a particular topic of study helps the writer understand what to research extensively in order to give clear information to the audience

**3. Provide the right information**
Content needs to be extensively researched for the writer to give clear and concise information derived from the topic of study.

**4. Style formatting and Readability**

Technical content is used for teaching and not to entertain, inspire or convince. Crafting effective and readable sentences becomes important in enabling your audience quickly understand information and act in that respect effectively. Complicated words, inappropriate tone, and poor sentence structures frustrate your audience.
To ensure effectiveness, a writer can;

i. User proper grammar
ii. Write concisely and clearly
iii. Use an active voice
iv. Avoid multiple jargon and
v. Avoid long sentences

**5. Revise and re-revise**
The writer needs to proofread the technical document multiple times to make sure that sentences are well crafted, and images are well placed and clear before they can publish.

*Conclusion**
Technical writing is becoming an increasingly important role in business functions today. This requires writers to understand and adhere to the guiding principles of writing. The message, instructions, or guidelines should be clear, coherent, concise, concrete, correct, complete, and courteous to effectively communicate and make a good writer.