What is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is an extremely useful talent. It is essential for anyone working in the tech industry, engineers and scientists explaining their findings, and anyone looking for full-time writing jobs. 

So, what does technical writing entail, and how can you get started as a technical writer? 

Understanding technical material and recording it in a document is not all that technical writing entails. High-level information is processed into digestible text for a specific audience via technical writing. This article will describe and clarify the technical writing process, as well as best practises and procedures to get started in the field.

What is technical writing? 

The Society of Technical Communication defines technical writing as "any type of communication that demonstrates one or more of the following qualities: 
-Technical or specialised issues, such as computer applications, medical processes, or environmental restrictions, require communication. 
- Using technology, such as online pages, assistance files, or social networking sites, to communicate. 
- Providing directions on how to perform anything, regardless of how complex the activity is or whether the communication is created or distributed using technology." 

This writing style applies to any text that seeks to explain complex information in detail. A technical writer communicates in a way that presents technical information so that the reader can use that information for an intended purpose.

Style
‍Technical writing has a clear, direct, and neutral style. The text should present the information in the most professional and accessible way possible. More important than that, it should be clear to your audience, the user or your consumer. They come first and foremost, so try to minimize the technical jargon and just write as if you’re having a pleasant conversation.

‍Role
‍Technical writing is used anytime technical information (such as instruction manuals) must be conveyed by text. The text will explain the scientific or specialized details and guide the reader in how to use that information. Due to the high-tech nature of workplaces and day-to-day life, technical writing is increasingly common.

‍Benefits
Technical writers have the great benefit of becoming lifelong learners. In order to communicate the content, you must be (or become) well-versed in that field. Therefore, with each new technical document, you will become an expert on that subject. While the reader does not need to know all the details, you need to have a depth of knowledge to select just the crucial elements to include. A broad understanding will ensure that the text is accurate and communicates the necessary data most efficiently.

Growing demand
‍According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for technical writers is projected to grow 10 percent from 2014 to 2024. Employment growth in this field will exceed the national average for other occupations due to the continued increase in scientific and technical products.

We created Dux to be an all-in-one tool for technical writers and product manufacturing teams, to create digital instructions. Digital instructions are cheaper, greener, and more convenient to customers.

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