Content writing covers the realm of creativity, but there is another side of the content which comes under the domain of technical. There is no way to ignore both, as they are like yin and yang where they both complement each other for the growth of a brand. In this blog we will answer all your questions pertaining to technical writing.
What is Technical Writing? An Introduction
To put it simply, it is the discipline of writing which aims to simplify complex or technical ideas to a level of instruction that can be easily comprehended by a majority of people. Its target is to provide detailed but graspable information on the covered products, services, and processes function.
Few examples of it would be FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), customer service scripts, how-to videos and user manuals, and even release notes.
Take it this way, all the times when you have selected the “Help” option, it was to seek the help of a technical content writer.
Who Is a Technical Writer? A Definition
The technical writer definition is quite easy to explain. It is someone who has in depth knowledge of the products and services procured. The knowledge is necessary since for resolution of issues, nuanced knowledge of the subject matter is required.
A technical writer also needs to be well versed with content creation since even technical content needs to cross a certain threshold of readability. Also, these technical blogs need to be free of grammatical errors to ensure that the reader finds them reliable.
Skills Needed for Technical Writing:
- Proficiency with a language, and the ability to curate something technical in general words.
- Ability to carry out in depth research, and create content after understanding the basic crux of the matter.
- Capacity to understand the audience, and to satisfy the technical needs intricately.
- Communication skills and efficient grasping
What shall be the types of technical writing? A simplified list
There are a large number of documents which will fall under the various types of technical writing in existence. A few examples of the same would be:
Manuals
- Frequently Asked Questions (Faqs)
- Online Help Systems
- Software Installation Guides
- Tutorial Videos
- Packaging of Products
- Policy Statements
- Customer Service, and Customer Guides
- Warning Scripts
- Contracts
- Terms and Conditions
- Legal Disclaimers
- Legal Notices
- Reference Guides
- Course Materials
- Release Notes
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Service Level Agreements
- Company Documents
What Qualities Define Good Technical Writing? A Necessity
Now that you have a basic idea of technical writing, and its relevance, we will now provide you with the qualities that define the quality of technical writing. This is a checklist, and most options need to be ticked.
Graphical Representation
The phrase which states “a picture is worth a thousand words” cannot be more true when it comes to technical writing.
A pictorial representation of the steps provided by you, or a small image which makes the reader understand that what exactly they have to look for makes the write-up all the more convenient.
Also, don’t just be limited to photos. You can also make use of small videos that make the comprehension easier.
Teamwork
Like every other task involving creation, technical writing also takes better shape when made in a team.
By team, we mean a team of experts with different skill sets. When one can work on the text, the other can look for images, and the third can carry out the research to make the task simpler. There are multiple types of technical writing, and the team should be diverse.
It can be safely said that every member should act like a cog which makes machinery work perfectly.
Planned Approach
Before you start writing, make sure that you create a blueprint. This will act as a guide whenever you hit a roadblock.
A planned way to curate content is always beneficial, and when the technical aspect is involved, then it’s crucial.
Details at an Arm’s Length
Cramming up your content with minute details would only increase the inconvenience. You need to create a balance between the amount of details, and the elaboration accompanying it.
This would increase the convenience quotient for the audience. This ultimately translates to higher views, and shares.
Precise Communication
The way of communicating should be up to the mark. This includes the tone of writing. A technical blog should be written as a direct communication between the writer and the reader, and it has to be formal with a tad bit of fun sprinkled across.
Not to forget, segregate your content into multiple sections and subheadings. This would help the audience to comprehend more.
Grammatical Proficiency
After the content is drafted, check for any grammatical inconsistencies. This plays a key role in the immersiveness of the blog. The more errors a reader faces, the higher are the chances of exiting your blog.
To conclude, now that you are aware of what is technical writing and what the types of technical writing are, it’ll help you differentiate the same from creative writing. If you possess the qualities needed to excel in the field of technical writing, then go for it because there is a huge scope lying ahead in this field.
