Technical writers are the people who write manuals and step-by-step instructions. Good writers can turn complicated tasks into easy how-tos. Their explanations can tell someone how to build, operate, repair or maintain things. Some common elements in technical writing are:
- Description
- Definition
- Information
One thing that sets a good technical writer apart from the rest is the ability to write to his audience. What good is the product of a writer that uses complicated language in an instruction piece for a 6-year old child?
Here are some of your most common audiences:
- Experts. These are the people who know the product inside and out and who have designed it. They could probably do your job if they only knew how to write. They usually have advanced degrees and need help in communicating to the techs and execs.
- Technicians: They have a highly technical knowledge with a bent towards practicality. They are the ones who build, operate, maintain and repair the stuff the experts design.
- Executives: These people operate in higher echelons of the business, government or academic world. They make the financial and production decisions.
- Non-specialists: This audience has the least amount of technical knowledge. They want to use a product or learn more about it.
It is a good idea to get background information on these groups and the product or service you will be writing about. You might even be required to write one technical document that needs to address more than one or all the groups above.