According to some blogs, technical writers need to know how to use certain tools in order to be effective in these modern times. But is this the truth? Let’s look at the current suggestions:
While you might already be an expert in technical writing, there is always someone else who is better informed (assuming you’re not the leading expert, of course) on the inner workings of what you’re documenting. These people are called subject matter experts (SME) and they’re an invaluable resource when you’re looking to create the most accurate documentation possible.
While the Internet has always been a place where you can learn about anything, open courseware seems to be more readily available than ever. Whether you’re interested in learning more about technical writing or you want to just find out how to use technical writing in your business, the more you know, the more you can fully utilize this type of writing.
While the technical document is necessary, that doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting. Of course, writing for a certain audience, you already have a reader who is interested in using the document – or who HAS to use the document in their work. As a technical writer, you can be interesting, even if you’re tasked with presenting facts.
Being an expert is a good thing. Being a technical writer is a good thing. But do the two have to go hand in hand?
While it’s certainly a good idea for medical writers to be experts in their field, especially when it comes to preparing documents for medical professional use, what about the everyday technical writer? And if you’re trying to hire a technical writer, do you need someone who’s an expert or do you just need a high quality writer? (more…)
We all make mistakes when we write, but when writing technical documentation, small mistakes can add up to a large consequence – and they could even harm the user or the person on the receiving end. Since it’s about that time to make New Year’s resolutions, it’s a good time to remember common mistakes made in technical writing – and then promise not to make them next year. Here are seven mistakes to be watch for and avoid in the new year.
When Stanford has something to say about technical writing, many of us eagerly listen. This academic institution is continuously questioning how things are done and how they can be done better – offering us an opportunity to grow. Even advice given back in 2006 as a discussion online can yield a wealth of tips for those interested in pursuing a career in technical writing, as well as for those interested in hiring a technical writer.
Last year, US News and World Report noted that technical writing was going to be one of the best careers for 2011, but what about 2012? Since we haven’t seen the new findings of news outlets (though the common lists for the year are certain to be released soon), let’s look back over the year at what technical writing has been able to provide in the changing economy.
According, again, to US News and World Report, the overall job market is going to grow in 2012, and this news offers a sigh of relief to those who haven’t been able to secure a new job, or who haven’t been able to get a job that works for their income needs.
But what about technical writing? (more…)
When it comes to technical documentation, most people would rather ignore the fine print and hope for the best. But when residents are faced with new regulations in their town, it seems that a different approach is needed. The students at Texas Tech in Texas decided to take their technical writing skills and create a user-friendly document for local residents. And isn’t that what technical writing is all about?
Helping Residents Understand
According to locals, the Lubbock Water Report has been a difficult subject with residents for years. While citizens want to learn more about their water supply and how it’s being handled, the dense materials in the report made that nearly impossible for anyone not already involved with creating this report. Students at Texas Tech’s 2011 Document Design course took the 2011 report and made it more readable. As a result, 70,000 residents were able to receive a new water report that was simple to read and easy to understand.
Interestingly enough, technical writing has not always been a proper profession. While it certainly was used in creating product manuals and in developing user handbooks, it wasn’t until 1980 that technical writing became a recognized profession – according to the legal system. Though perhaps this wasn’t necessary to do, a court case solidified the idea of a technical writer – and paved the way for the profession today.
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