Task A.
Definition:
Technical writing is a form of writing on a topic or subject that requires guidance,
instructions and explanations. Technical writing needs supervision to ensure accuracy of facts.
Overview:
Technical writing refers to any written work that deal with specialized subjects or topics
usually found in sciences and industries. This is because technical writing deals with objects,
processes or an abstract idea. The tone is utilitarian, as technical writing prefers accurate, direct
and correct details rather than style, mystery, rhetoric and emotion. Thus, technical writing
requires the writer to be formal.
Components:
There are five (5) key components found in technical writing. The necessary components
of technical writing include:
Development – Is a necessary part of technical writing because practice is always key to
accomplishing a task that requires good fundamentals of technical writing. Practice of
technical writing is key to being adept at composing documents such as memorandums,
letters, business papers and thesis or research papers.
Grammar – If correctness in grammar is already important in essay and literature, then it
is already much more strict in terms of technical writing. Errors such as misspellings and
poor choice of words are a bad look on a document paper and makes the writer look
unprofessional which defeats the purpose of technical writing. According to a survey
(Gerson), 700 technical writers were asked to enumerate which components are necessary
to master in technical writing. 98% of these technical writers agreed that correct grammar
is one of the most important key components in technical writing.
Organization – Technical writing has a different approach in constructing sentences and
paragraphs compared to essays. Essays start with topic sentences then a transition
between, followed by the body paragraph and thesis statement whereas technical writing
Style – Technical writing, unlike creative writing, has the opposite approach. Technical
writing avoids being vague, vivid, mysterious, emotional and colorful. Technical writing
prefers being straight to the point and direct as possible, as it is not in the writer’s goal to
confuse the reader of the document. Technical writing is neutral and emotionless in order
to avoid biases that stem from emotion. Thus, technical writing is fair with everyone.
Document Design – Technical writing is very specific and strict when it comes to design
unlike its creative counterpart where the writer is able to have freedom with their work.
Thus, why creative works like essays are very verbose, wordy and tend to use phrases
that catches the writer’s emotions. Meanwhile, technical writing employs specifications
like margins and word count, this is to restrict the document from wasting words and
being verbose because technical writing needs to be taken seriously.
Explanation:
Technical writing has a different approach when it comes to conveying information and
trying to explain and disseminate the information. Unlike creative writing, technical writing must
avoid being nuanced and littered with mystery. Technical writing must always be direct with the
facts given and provide them with impeccable accuracy. Technical also writing serves other
purposes beyond simply stating information in scripted documents. Additional purposes of
technical writing include instruction, documentation, problem solving, compliance and
regulation, training and practice, communication, reference, decision-making, marketing and
sales and lastly, archiving knowledge. In summary, technical writing is a necessary multi-
purpose tool that is able to accomplish work that includes information, instructing, problem-
solving, ensuring compliance, training, facilitating communication, aided decision-making,
promoting products, and preserving knowledge.
Visuals:
In technical writing, visuals is one of the necessary key components that can help convey
and further elaborate information in case written text is not sufficient enough. These kinds of
graphics and images can aid the reader in comprehending a challenging process or in visualizing
data trends. Visuals can also highlight important details or deliver information rapidly. Types of
visuals in technical writing are:
Graphs
Charts
Tables
Photographs
Diagrams
Maps
Conclusion:
In conclusion, technical writing is a necessary practice in order for a person to be able to
construct documents that are handled by institutions and industries. And being able to write in a
technical manner is key to surviving in the current modern world because of the sole reason that
everything is run through technology and complex processes in order to get a process such as a
letter of request to be approved and done.
Reference(s):
https://pressbooks.library.tamu.edu/howdyorhello/chapter/when-and-why-to-use-graphics-and-
visuals/
https://www.slideshare.net/sqjafery/technical-writing-77369155
