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November 21, 2008
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Author Topic: Technical writing  (Read 1019 times)
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Sabrina
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« on: April 05, 2007 »
Technical writing has a significant share in freelance writing as a whole. But I haven't seen any topic on technical writing here. I suggest that we should discuss experience of technical writing if there's any, communicate about technical writing issues and also share useful resources.
For those who wonder what technical writing is about there's a nice resource http://ca.essortment.com/whatistechnica_rdcm.htm.
Also visit site of Society for technical communication Smiley
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Roger
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« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2007 »
Sabrina, thanks for the topic Kiss
Technical writing may be quite complicated issue for an ordinary freelancer. By saying that, I mean that one need to have some good experience in particular technical sphere or even a degree.  I know one freelancer who has degree in engineering so he is really skilled in technical writing.
It also depends on the purpose of such writing: whether you write magazine article or you write instruction for some hi-tech device.
In case you write magazine article about difference between intercontinental ballistic rockets on liquid and solid fuel you might not need engineering education. You can just research the matter through appropriate resources.

 
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Simon
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« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2007 »
Technical writing is the area where writer’s freedom is limited. Furthermore much attention should be given to details and terminology.  A technical writer should know the subject matter he is writing about. In some sophisticated technical areas a writer needs to study the subject before he can write something worth reading. For those who are interested and have little experience in technical writing there is a good writing course
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Sandy
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« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2007 »
Guys, thank you for provided links, especially the one with 19 steps.
As for problems when writing technical stuff, yeah, I agree that if you do not understand what you are writing about you can hardly write it comprehensibly.
On the other hand, even if you are absolutely humanitarian in your approaches you can learn technical stuff. A friend of mine works in recruiting company, which recruits mainly IT specialists. She knew nothing about IT, but now she conducts interviews with candidates and her work is highly estimated by her senior manager.
What I'm trying to say is that we can learn almost anything if we have to.
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Sarah
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« Reply #4 on: April 23, 2007 »
Quote from: Simon on April 05, 2007
Technical writing is the area where writer’s freedom is limited. Furthermore much attention should be given to details and terminology.  A technical writer should know the subject matter he is writing about. In some sophisticated technical areas a writer needs to study the subject before he can write something worth reading. For those who are interested and have little experience in technical writing there is a good writing course

From what is written above I assume that technical writing is a VERY boring field of writing. Actually, I wonder whether it's writing at all. I mean writing is supposed to be creative. Can technical writing be creative?
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AshleyS
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« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2007 »
Sarah, I also think technical writing is a dull thing. I want to write about vital issues for society rather than some manual. On the other hand I realize that technical writing deserves respect from writers of all kinds, because it as well requires good skills and high expertise.
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Sarah
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« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2007 »
AshleyS, of course it deserves respect! I didn't mind to show disrespect in some way, I've just stated that it is not creative, not interesting for me. However, for people with technical education and with delight for the particular subject it could be interesting.
Moreover, there will be always a need for technical writers. To write about vital issues for society is much more interesting, I agree with you, but someone has to write technical stuff.
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