Although creative writing is a complex and complicated discipline in its own right, it would be wrong

to consider that mastering it can give you any edge at all in technical writing. Technical writing
follows a completely different set of rules and principles; and the importance of their proper
implementation can hardly be overestimated. After all, the everyday workings of modern world
depend in a much more crucial way on technological documentation than on fiction and even
journalism – for good or worse.

Technical writing deals with specific knowledge, generally in the sphere of science and technology,
and may be used in a wide variety of media: technical documentation, manuals, scientific articles,
dissertations and so on. Each of these kinds of writing follows its own set of rules, and in order to
write, for example, an article in a scientific magazine one doesn’t simply have to know his subject –
one has to know the conventions of this genre, the way scientific and technological thought is to be
expressed. It doesn’t mean that otherwise you wouldn’t be understood – although in some cases you
really wouldn’t – it simply means that no self-respecting magazine is going to accept your article if it
isn’t written properly.

And it isn’t merely an arbitrary choice to do something in a specific way – it is a result of the long
evolution of language used in science and technology. A lot of different other ways were tried out
and found wanting – thus, what we have now is the most effective way of imparting knowledge found
so far.

That is why technical writing is of such tremendous importance. At a glance one may say that
students of technology and science should concentrate on their primary disciplines – their particular
branches of technology and science – in order to achieve more in them, and skills of communication
and writing are superfluous at the very best, redundant at the very worst.

It is, however, far from being true. A person may be an excellent scientist or engineer – he may even
have ideas in his head that, if properly addressed, can change the way we perceive his discipline, or
even science in general. But if he lacks these necessary writing skills he won’t be able to impart his
ideas, to persuade others in their merits. And in our modern competitive world it is more important as
ever.

A second-rate specialist with a better grasp of technical writing can prepare a better, more organized
project than a brilliant expert who neglected this part of his education. And taking into consideration
that the majority of technologists and engineers today are working in business, in competitive fields,
it is worth mentioning that their (Engineering) department is always just one of many, and it has to
contend with other units: management, marketing, design and so on.

Although technically all departments within one company strive to achieve one and the same goal,
they don’t necessarily agree on how it is to be done. Engineers, when all is said and done, do the
work that is the job of others to sell – they are by definition less inclined to deal with other people,
prove their point and sell their ideas than, let’s say, marketing department. And if a technologist is
going to be competitive in such an environment, he has to have tools to prove his point – namely,
good understanding of technical writing.

That is why every person willing to pursue a career in science and technology will do himself or
herself a world of good by doing their best and getting the grasp of technical writing before it
becomes an issue.

Technical Writing
Accuracy
One of the essential characteristics of technical writing is maintaining accuracy. If you are writing a review
of a newly launched Nokia mobile phone and you miss on one important detail, this will convey the
customers that there is nothing special about this product and they would buy another mobile phone
instead. Technical writing requires that the information you provide is based on accuracy and quality
content.

Clarity
Write the technical document in a layman’s tone so that the customers who are not really techie fans are
also able to understand what the product is all about. Try cutting down on the use of jargons because
again, this is going to confuse the customers. Keep your language and expression simple and
meaningful. Use of complicated words may put the readers in a quandary.

Descriptiveness
Be as descriptive in distinguishing the technical product as you can. More than half of the customers
come from a non technical background and they need to have sufficient details otherwise they will not be
able to picture the product correctly. If you are creating a manual for an electronic product which explains
how to operate it, make sure you cover every aspect of its functioning.
 Correctness
Technical writing requires that you use correct grammar and sentence structure. Write down the key
features in the form of headings, sub headings or bullet points as this will make the manual easy for the
customers to read.

Uses of Technical Writing

Technical writing is commonly used to create brochures, newsletters, instruction manuals on how to use a
specific electronic/chemical product, product descriptions and various marketing and promotional
materials Hence it broadly falls into the category and advertising and marketing copywriting.

Technical writing is totally different from essay and creative writing. It is a misconception that technical
writing is too stiff and mechanical. However, there are a few basic characteristics of technical writing,
which you must understand before making your mind to create technical write ups.

Types of Technical Writing

Technical writing can be broadly divided into the following kinds:

 Legal
 Medical
 Scientific
 Mechanical
 Business
 Expository

Characteristics of Technical Writing

Technical writing, just as any other form of writing, has certain characteristics
which distinguish it from other types of writing. It is very different from writing
opinion pieces, essays, prose, non-fiction or fiction.
 It is clear and straight forward. If you are interested in technical writing for
professional purposes, it is very important to know that this type of writing
 requires that the writer stick to the subject matter and relay information in a
clear and concise manner.
 The language is very direct and straight to the point. The writing will avoid
words that people do not understand and will avoid an eloquent writing
style.
 It is very detailed and informative. The perfect example of technical writing
is a textbook. The written content of most textbooks is geared to providing
information by describing the subject matter as fully as possible.
 It is very structured. This type of writing has a very obvious composition
that makes it easy for the reader to follow along. Solid structure is needed
with technical writing as it allows the audience to easily access the
information as needed.