Introduction

to Technical
Writing
 Learning Objectives
• Define technical writing;
• Understand the goal, significance, and purposes of
technical writing;
• Enumerate the keys and characteristics of good
technical writing;
• Identify the components of technical writing;
• Determine the traits/qualities of good technical
writing; and,
Definition of
Technical Writing
What Technical Writing is not…

• Literature.
• Narrative or expository essay writing.
• Journalism, written to report the news.
• About poetic images, personal experiences

(Gerson, 2014)
 What is Technical Writing?
• Communication written for and about business and
industry, focusing on:
• products and services and on how to manufacture, market,
manage, deliver, and use them.
• An instructional manual for tools, equipment, and machinery
• A memo listing meeting agendas.
• A letter from a vendor to a client .
• A recommendation report proposing a new computer system.

(Gerson, 2014)
 What is Technical Writing?

• A direct, informative, clear, and concise use of language written

for a specific audience.
• A writing discipline for complex information and technical
processes.
• The practice of documenting processes while providing
important, usable, and accurate knowledge .

(Gerrish, 2007)
 What is Technical Writing?
• An audience-centered means of communication that requires
direction, instruction, or explanation.
• A discipline that conveys specific information about a technical
subject to a specific audience for a specific purpose.
• It provides factual information to elicit a better understanding
of technical know-how of the subject being written about in
clear and concise terms.

(Markel, 2000)
(Gerson, 2014)
(Gerson, 2014)
What is the goal of
Technical Writing?
The GOAL of Technical Writing is to…

• clearly communicate a select piece of

information to a targeted reader or
group of readers for a particular
purpose in a manner that the subject can
readily be understood.
What is the
significance of
Technical Writing?
Technical Writing is significant because…

• it translates the complex operations and

functions of tools and equipment, concepts
and designs, goods and services, and
processes and procedures into a language
comprehensible to the average reader.
What are the
purposes of
Technical Writing?
The PURPOSES of Technical Writing are to…

• inform without having due expectations of any

action on the part of the reader.
• instruct and persuade in the form of directions,
instructions, or procedures, so that readers will
be prompted to take action.
• propose or recommend in response to a request
for proposals
What are
the Keys
to Good
Technical Writing?
Keys to Good Technical Writing

• Use only direct and straightforward approach.

• Always be certain of your reader.
• The order is important.
• Offer visual assistance.

(Western Wyoming University cited by Brooks, 2014)

What are
the Characteristics
of Good
Technical Writing?
Good Technical Writing should be…

• Plain, clear, and straightforward.

• Very straight to the point and very clear in terms
of language use and usage.
• Detailed, insightful, and comprehensive.
• Very well-organized.
What are
the Components of
Technical Writing?
Technical Writing Components
• Development
• Grammar
• Organization
• Style
• Document Design