Different Types of Technical Writing

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNICAL WRITING?
Have you ever submitted a resume for a job, written an email to your boss, created a PowerPoint
presentation or written directions for a friend on how to use an item? Then you've already
written a technical document.
Technical writing includes a wide range of documents used to inform or persuade a target
audience with a specific need.
Technical documents include memos, graphics, letters, fliers, reports, newsletters, presentations, web
pages, brochures, proposals, instructions, reviews, press releases, catalogs, advertisements, handbooks,
business plans, policies and procedures, specifications, instructions, style guides, agendas and so forth.
Technical writing opens the door to a career that simplifies complex topics and provides users with
valuable how-to guides. Think of technical writing as copy writing’s most basic, straight-to-the-point
version of organizing facts to educate and explain how to do something. To be honest: this type of
writing is tough, because writers act as middlemen between developers and consumers.
It may be easiest to understand the differences in them by grouping them into three main categories:
traditional technical documents, end-user documents and technical marketing communications.
Types of Technical Writing

Technical writing provides detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill. The
most common types include:
Traditional: Repair manuals, medical studies
End-user documentation: Electronics, consumer products
Technical marketing content: Press releases, catalogs
Traditional Technical Writing

While traditional technical writing sounds broad, pieces of content within this category are specifically
written for professional audiences. These experts rely on traditional technical writing for targeted
research papers, programming guidelines, and repair manuals.
1. Science and Medical Papers
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Research results can be hard to explain, so scientists collaborate with technical writers to interpret
and organize findings. These results are published in medical journals, so the presentation of
material requires fine detail, accuracy, and organization. These papers act as learning resources for
practitioners to understand procedures and results. As with any form of research, technical writers
ensure that proper credibility is given in the text.
2. Professional Reports and Reviews

In addition to writing for scientists and doctors, technical writers assist in creating reports for
business growth and educational institutions. Examples of professional reports include project and
business status reports, legal case reviews, and personnel activity reports.
End-User Documentation
Almost every product you purchase has a written explanation of operation. These “how-to” pieces are
written to help users understand and operate products correctly. After all, what good is a product if
users don’t know how to properly use it? Since end-user documentation requires clear and concise
instruction, it’s important to create content that breaks down technological terms to layman’s terms.
Specific examples of end-user documentation are as follows:
1. User Help Guides

When software product users have questions that needs specific answers, they turn to user help guides.
These are written to provide clear and sensible answers to common questions that may develop as use
of software programs continue. User help guides are broken down into sections depending on the type
of ‘help’ needed – allowing users to read ahead or re-read information to make their understanding of a
product stronger.
2. Product Manuals
Product manuals are those small booklets that highlight a product’s main features, general maintenance,
and basic operation. Examples of product manuals you’ve heard of include owner’s manuals for cars
and operator’s manuals for heavy machinery.
3. Assembly Guidelines
Since assembly guidelines tell users how to physically set up a product, technical writers are
responsible for writing clear and user-friendly, step-by-step instructions. It’s important for these
instructions to be written in a way that ensure users can accurately assemble products. Just think: if you
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used the assembly guide that came with your new entertainment system, you probably would have put it
together in half the time!
4. Technical Books
Similar to user help guides, technical writers are hired to write guides for users to understand the ins
and outs of a product; most often software products. It’s critical for these technical books to be
accessible and of interest to non-expert users.
Technical Marketing Content

If you have an eye for detail and a way with words, creating technical marketing content is the category
for you. Developers’ products wouldn’t be much use if consumers don’t understand how to properly
operate them. To avoid this, technical marketing content serves as a bridge for products, consumers,
and businesses understand each other.
1. White Papers and Case Studies

White papers are written to highlight a company’s success — and in this case, success with certain
products or services. Technical writers investigate problematic topics of a specific audience and
integrate a company’s product to create solutions. On the other hand, case studies are experience
reports that provide details of how an account’s business goals were met with the help of a product.
2. Proposals and Pitches

Many B2B (business to business) sale relations involve proposals and pitches written by technical
writers. Once a company presents the specs for a collaboration or solution, tech writers join the team to
explain the technical aspects of proposals. Once the business plan is set, technical writers then
gather key elements of the executive summary to create a pitch.
3. Brochures
Brochures in technical communications are more than pretty pictures of an island you’d like to plan a
vacation to. Brochures take users to a deeper level of understanding and appeal through clear
descriptions, functions, and uses of a product.

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WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TECHNICAL WRITING?

Types of Technical Writing

Traditional Technical Writing

1. Science and Medical Papers

2. Professional Reports and Reviews

1. User Help Guides

Technical Marketing Content

1. White Papers and Case Studies

2. Proposals and Pitches

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