Image by Col.Sanders via FlickrTechnical Writer
Anyone that has gone to college to pursue a degree in science or engineering, knows all about the technical writing course. In some cases it's an elective, in others it's required. The course for any technical majors and for writers in general, is invaluable, especially to anyone writing reports, papers and process documentation. If you have the option – take the course. Technical writing can be a lucrative field for a writer. The average salary according to PayScale.com, for a writer with a Bachelor of Science degree is from $41,000 to $64,000.
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Not everyone can write 'technical'. It takes several well developed and highly honed skills to become a proficient and successful technical writer. Some of the skills in your toolbox should include:
- Listening and Interpretation,
- Attention to Detail,
- Knowing your Audience,
- Solid research skills,
- Writing with clarity and impeccable grammar,
- Truth in writing.
But I'm Not a Scientist or an Engineer!
You don't have to be knowledgeable about the product or field that you are writing about, but it does help. Plus your client will be looking for a writer that can understand and interpret highly technical and specific information. The client wants a writer that can take their information and develop it into documents that will pique and hold their audience's interest. You won't be writing for you. Your article or your document will be written for your client AND for your client's audience. Know them both well. Conduct your research and write your article or document based on this.
Don't Fluff
As a technical writer you are disseminating information – not designing ads. Your client's audience is not making decisions based on how sexy a product is or if it's trendy this year. Whomever the end consumer is, they want fact not hype. Do your research. Back it up with valid resources. Use graphics (photos, technical drawings and illustrations, videos). Write clearly. Keep your sentences strong. Stay away from wordiness and stay on point.
How Boring
Not in the least! As a Technical Writer you are taking serious information and re-molding it so that it is presentable and understandable to other people who may not have the knowledge base that your client has available to them. You are adding value to a product or an idea that might otherwise be lost. It's exciting to be part of this and with each Technical Writing project that you work on, your own knowledge base, and consequently the respect that you receive as a writer, grows. So don't hesitate to take that Technical Writing course. The time spent will be time spent well.
Here are some essential reference books that I keep on my
Technical Writer's shelf:
Pearsall, S. E. (2001). The Elements of Technical Writing, Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.
Lundsford, A. A. (2006). easy Writer: third edition. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin's
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