Definition of Technical Writing

also called Business Writing

the kind of writing that is commonly done in the workplace
Technical communication can be written, oral, or visual.
Technical writing is composed in and for the workplace.
Technical writing is a significant factor in work experience for a variety of
reasons.

(1) Technical writing falls into the non-fiction category of writing as it deals with
facts and figures rather than imagined scenarios and characters. Writers with skills
in interpreting and presenting data in an organized format and writing in easily
understandable language excel at different kinds of technical writing.
(wikipedia.com)
(2) Technical writing is a type of writing where the author is writing about a
particular subject that requires direction, instruction, or explanation. This style of
writing has a very different purpose and different characteristics than other writing
styles such as creative writing, academic writing or business writing.
(3) Technical writing is sometimes defined as simplifying the complex. Inherent in
such a concise and deceptively simple definition is a whole range of skills and
characteristics that address nearly every field of human endeavor at some level. A
significant subset of the broader field of technical communication, technical writing
involves communicating complex information to those who need it to accomplish
some task or goal.
(4) In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics defines technical writers as those who
put technical information into easily understandable language. They work
primarily in information-technology-related industries, coordinating the
development and dissemination of technical content for a variety of users; however,
a growing number of technical communicators are using technical content to
resolve business communications problems in a diversifying number of industries.
(5) Technical writing transfers information about a situation, product, service, or
concept, by written, oral, or visual means, to audiences of varying levels of
technical knowledge, so that each member of the audience clearly understands the
message.

(6) The Society for Technical Communication (STC) offers this definition of
technical writing: "the process of gathering information from experts and
presenting it to an audience in a clear, easily understandable form."

Characteristics of Technical Writing (Conway, 1987)

1. Concrete Language- Use of concrete word than of an abstract one
2. Denotative Language- Utilization of the dictionary or lexical meaning of a
word
3. Objectivity- An impartial, impersonal or unemotional weighing of evidence
of information
4. Targeted or Defined Audience- Defining the audience helps the writer
know what to write and how to write it
5. Style- Adopts a different style from a literary writing, must be economical ,
clear, concise and concrete
6. Common Format- Adhere to the practice of using standard layouts or
formats

Guidelines in Technical Writing

Methods for Content Organization

Spatial
General to Specific
Chronological
Mechanism Description
Process Description
Classification

Qualities of an effective Technical Writer?

Superior Communication Skills
HOTS or Higher-Order Thinking Skills
Persuasive Skills
Integrity
Zest

Outputs (End Products) of Technical Writing

1. Abstract summarized form or a resume of any longer piece of writing.
2. Brochure a pamphlet or printed information material given to a customer in
order to convince or persuade him to take an action on the companys
services.
3. Business Letter written communication used to transact business which
cannot be conveniently conducted orally.
4. Contract formal arrangement made between two or more persons,
organizations or parties to do something on mutually agreed terms.
5. Feasibility Report intended to examine the advantages and disadvantages
of a certain project for determining the possibility of going into it.
6. Graphic Aids pictures, graphs, diagrams, and other printed materials used
in illustrating important details in a report.
7. Instructional Manual describes the procedures on how to install, maintain
and operate an equipment or gadget.
8. Memorandum written communication circulated within the company and its
branches which is used to disseminate a message of information.
9. Monograph textbook treatment that requires a full illustration a thorough
documentation.
10.Policy course of action adopted or pursued by an individual, party business
and industry.
11.Printed Action Memo this prepared form requires only a checkmark in an
appropriate square to indicate its message.
12.Proposal merely suggests an activity or project to be pursued for a change
or an improvement.
13.Specification contains detailed information about performance courses,
materials for construction needed, theory of operations, sample calculations,
tables and operating data or information.
14.Technical Report provides useful information about a complete program of
work, for reference and permanent record.
15.Article for Technical jargon information published in a journal reporting an
achievement or discussing a certain problem.

1. Who is my audience?
a. Experts (highly-technical)
b. Neophytes (semi-technical)
c. Non-specialists (non-technical)
2. What
a.
b.
c.

kind of language is to be used?

Professionals
Subprofessionals
General public

3. What
a.
b.
c.

is the purpose of the document?

To inform (memos, advertisements, curriculum vitae, cover letters)
To instruct (manuals, workbooks)
To request permission (proposals, researches)

4. What is the Format?

Purposes
to make whatever information you are conveying as clear and easily

understood as possible.

Kinds of Technical Writing

History of Technical Writing
Technical Writing vs. Academic Writing
Technical Writing vs. Creative Writing

IMPORTANCE OF Technical Writing

Completion of a task
Facility of Work
Improvement of Interpersonal Relationships
Increase of Income
Means of Job promotion
Improvement of Personality traits
Security of Records