What is Technical Writing?
"Technical writing conveys specific information about a technical
subject to a specific audience for a specific purpose. The words and graphics
of technical writing are meant to be practical: that is, to communicate a body
of factual information that will help an audience understand a subject or carry
out a task."
—Michael H. Markel
Director of Technical Communication
Boise State University
Technical writing is...
| • Business letters |
• Operational guides |
| • Presentation materials |
• Press Releases |
| • Newsletters |
• Web pages |
| • Web applications |
• Travel guides |
| • Scripts |
• Training materials |
| • Meeting minutes |
• Advertising copy |
| • Magazine articles |
• Instructional posters |
| • Resumes and cover letters |
• Contracts, proposals, and grants |
| • Feasibility reports |
• Procedures |
| • Questionnaires and forms |
• Scientific papers |
| • Data books and catalogs |
• Cookbooks |