Definition for Technical Writing

If you are curious about finding a definition for technical writing, you have come to the right place! Whether you are interested in becoming a technical writer or just want to know more about this particular line of work, then keep reading for an outline of exactly what this kind of writing entails.

Need a definition for technical writing?

Andrew McQuinn, MPC defines technical writing as the following: "Technical Writing is a term that represents an increasingly broad set of activities that are designed to communicate understandable information that can help people be productive."

In other words, a technical writer takes technical terminology and writing and puts it in terms that a specific subset of people can understand. What is this specific subset? Well, that depends on whom you are writing for. If you are a technical writer in the medical industry, you may be writing documents for hospital staff such as doctors and nurses. If you are writing in the computer industry, you may be writing documentation for people as learned as electrical engineers, or novices such as end users. It all depends on what you have experience in doing and what companies are hiring you to do.

Technical writing is a very diverse field, and in this line of work, you can end up writing about all sorts of interesting things. This is also one of those jobs where you can either freelance from home or work full time in a corporate environment, so there is a lot of flexibility in this career path. If you have a brain that easily grasps language and concepts, then you might consider becoming a tech writer.

Technical writers write all sorts of things depending on their background. In a city planning setting, technical writers may be tasked with writing complicated manuals that talk about a city’s power grid and how it can be maintained. In this case, a tech writer will be writing for high-level technical personnel and would be using language that the average person would probably not understand.

In a software setting, a technical writer may find themselves building how-to manuals and help files so that others can learn to use everyday software applications. In this setting, a tech writer would talking in a way to help non-technical people get a basic grasp of simple concepts so that they can do their job or make their life easier.

Learn to write about technical concepts.

What are some of the topics that technical writers write about? Here is just a small sampling:

• Computer programming
• Architecture
• Civil engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Website technical support
• Software technical support
• Product manuals for electronics
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (or HVAC for short)
• How professional equipment works, such as fire trucks, microscopes and surgical equipment

Technical writers can write for all sorts of companies, and their work appears in books, magazines, manuals, help files, FAQs, marketing brochures and more.

If you need a further definition for technical writing or just want to know more about the craft, the Internet is a great place to find information. Here are some links that will help you in your research:

• This career guide from State University.com talks about the career of technical writing, what skills are necessary and what a technical writer can expect to earn in a year.
• PC Magazine lists the term ‘’technical writer’’ is its online technical encyclopedia.
• Dennis G. Jerz answers the question, “what is technical writing?”
• If you want to learn more about what it takes to be a technical writer, here is an online tech writing textbook that can give you a lot of insight into this career choice. Be sure to check out the About Tech Writing section.

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