Blogging: Technical Writing

Basic skills of a successful technical writer:

            Technical writing presents information which is gathered from experts which specialize in fields of importance, clarifying technical jargon into written communication that is easily understood.

            Some of the skills needed for technical writing include;

1)     Skilled interview techniques

2)     Organizational Skills

3)     The skills to use page layout programs, desktop publishing, and word processing programs.

4)     Communication skills

 

 

            Technical writing communicates data by transcribing information into written from. The technical writer retrieves data by using the interview process, and or diagrams, or data which otherwise would be too complicated for normal assimilation in an organized format that informs and gives definitions with instructions that describe an application.  The skills which would be vital in a position of a technical writer would be, but not only, the interview process which would entail questioning, note taking, and translating. The importance of organization is relevant to the matter being considered, as well as writing and computer skills which are necessary as a form of communicating technical data into a language which readers can understand, thus assisting the reader in performing their job more efficiently with the incorporation of new information.

            Communication skills are the foundation of good technical writing; effective communication requires the skills to produce quality content, language, format, and more. To present appropriate content, writers must understand the audience and purpose, and the skill of proficient communication is well complemented by the other skills needed to present good technical written communication.  

Technical writing comes in many forms and formats.  Collaborative efforts with regard to writing involving an educated team of experts can complement a project of difficult subject matter which associates with the audiences of the intent and profanely may have a positive effect on the project, from start to finish. In the same way, working in a group situation can create hardships which can directly damage the project. The individual writing process can be based on the personal value of the writer, or from a professional outlook which the writer may interject less opinionated writing which may give the audience a better understanding. Either type of process, technical writing should be organized as well as approaching the project in a professional manner. 

The visual elements or graphic designs which are incorporated into a technical document may offer a better understanding of the communication which is intended. There are various methods used to create and combine the computerized graphics to complement a technical document that illustrates in art form the message which otherwise would be left out.

            There are many types of diagrams that if used correctly proficiently deliver information, below are just a few:

I.      Engineering Diagrams

II.    Pie Charts

III.  Flow Charts

IV.   Tables

V.    Decision trees, Timelines, Cause and effect, Network, Bar, and Organization charts

           

            The technical writer must first consider the audience; this will ensure that the appropriate graphic is used. Design, placement, fonts, explanations (or commentary line) of the visual design should be incorporated as well. The technical writer must consider the many software programs that offer visual elements which will enhance the document. The writer must also consider when to use these graphs or other visuals, also, which one would be appropriate for the technical document and serve its purpose. An effective technical document is written with the use the right software, and there are many visual effects in which to choose. Utilized properly the writer can create a distinct written technical document that stands out and allows the reader to better understand what they are reading.

 

“Globalization of communication requires an increase in the graphs (tables, bar charts, line graphs, pie charts, flow charts, and organization charts) and other visuals (drawings, maps, photographs, text art, clip art, and icons) that communicate faster and more universally”.  Chapter 3. Utilizing Graphics and Other Visuals Professional and Technical Writing Strategies: Communicating in Technology and Science, Sixth Edition, by Judith S. VanAlstyne. Published by Prentice-Hall. Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.