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A Guide to Technical Writing (With Examples)

4-minute read

5th May 2023

You can find technical writing in lots of places, including in your home, at your job, in many industries, and in businesses of all sizes. If you need help with business writing specifically, check out how we can assist you .

In today’s post, we’ll break down what technical writing is and how to do it effectively. We’ll also provide some handy examples.

What Is Technical Writing?

Technical writing doesn’t always look very technical! It can be anything that describes how to do a task or how to operate a machine or system. Or it can cover a specialized topic. Technical writing includes recipes in your favorite cookbook, board game instructions, operator manuals, health and safety regulations, legal documents, and financial reports.

Instructions for Carrying Out a Task

This type of technical writing can be a recipe for a cake, the instructions for a board game, tips on how to walk your dog to heel, or the script for a social media video on how to cut your own hair.

Operating Manuals for Machinery, Appliances, or Systems

Technical writing can also be the user guide for a dishwasher, for a factory machine that makes cardboard boxes, a “how to” guide for spreadsheets, or instructions for changing the oil in your motorcycle.

Specialized Topics

The list here could be very, very long! Technical writing on specialized topics includes a company’s business reports, a medical consultant’s letter to a patient, health and safety regulations, employment policies, and legal documents.

So How Do I Produce a Great Piece of Technical Writing?

Let’s take it in three stages: Who? What? How?

Who Is It For?

In any type of writing, knowing your audience is important. This is particularly true of technical writing. Here are some examples of who might read technical writing:

· A renter of an apartment that needs details on their lease

· An electrical engineer who needs to know how the wiring is laid out in the apartment block

· The janitor of that same building who needs to know the location of the emergency lights

· The occupant of apartment 61, who needs to know how to use the oven in their kitchen

They all need information presented to them, but what information do they need?

What Do They Need?

The renter needs a legal document that leaves no room for doubt about their legal rights and obligations and those of their landlord. The document will be very detailed, containing terms that need careful explanation.

The electrical engineer needs accurate, clear information about the wiring, as they could get hurt or cause harm to someone else if the diagram is inaccurate.

The janitor needs clear directions and a map of where the emergency lights are.

The occupant of apartment 61 needs instructions that are written in plain English so they can use their oven safely.

How Should Technical Writing Be Composed?

Follow these steps when writing a technical document:

· Research and know your subject thoroughly.

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· Decide on the appropriate writing style. Just because it’s technical, doesn’t mean it has to contain lots of jargon . Be concise, be direct, and be straightforward.

· Consider whether you need to include diagrams, maps, images, charts, and/or tables.

· If writing instructions, take it one step at a time, write objectively , and make sure the instructions work!

Examples of Technical Writing

Let’s look at some examples:

The first version contains unnecessary words, but the warnings are not specific enough. The instructions should be concise and clear. In the second version, the danger is stated right away, and the critical warnings are concise and specific.

In these examples, the first version is unnecessarily wordy. It provides a lot of detail for minor tasks but gives vague instructions for bigger tasks. The second version is much clearer. The instructions are easier to follow, and they include each necessary step.

Good technical writing needs the following attributes:

1. Relevance

2. Accuracy

4. Accessibility

5. Simplicity

Really good technical writing will include these attributes every time.

Is technical writing difficult?

Technical writing does not have to be difficult if you follow our guide and do your research beforehand.

Are there professional bodies for technical writers?

There are several professional organizations for technical writing. This list from UTA Libraries is very useful.

What can I do if I’m not sure that my technical writing style is appropriate to my subject?

We have experts in many fields who can check your writing and advise on style .

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8 Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You

Become a Certified Technical Writer

As a technical writer, you may end up being confused about your job description because each industry and organization can have varying duties for you. At times, they may ask for something you’ve never written before. In that case, you can consider checking out some technical writing examples to get you started.

If you’re beginning your technical writing career, it’s advisable to go over several technical writing examples to make sure you get the hang of it. You don’t necessarily have to take a gander over at industry-specific examples; you can get the general idea in any case.

This article will go over what technical writing is and some of the common technical writing examples to get you started. If you’re looking to see some examples via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

If you’re looking to learn via video, watch below. Otherwise, skip ahead.

Let’s start by covering what technical writing is .

What Exactly is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is all about easily digestible content regarding a specialized product or service for the public. Technical writers have to translate complex technical information into useful and easy-to-understand language.

There are many examples of technical writing, such as preparing instruction manuals and writing complete guides. In some cases, technical writing includes preparing research journals, writing support documents, and other technical documentation.

The idea is to help the final user understand any technical aspects of the product or service.

In other cases, technical writing means that the writer needs to know something. For example, pharmaceutical companies may hire medical writers to write their content since they have the required knowledge.

If you’re interested in learning more about these technical writing skills, then check out our Technical Writing Certification Course.

8 Technical Writing Examples to Get You Started

As a technical writer, you may have to learn new things continually, increase your knowledge, and work with new forms of content. While you may not have experience with all forms of technical writing, it’s crucial to understand how to do it.

If you learn all the intricacies of technical writing and technical documents, you can practically work with any form of content, given that you know the format.

Therefore, the following examples of technical writing should be sufficient for you to get an idea. The different types of technical writing have unique characteristics that you can easily learn and master effectively.

1. User Manuals

User manuals or instruction manuals come with various products, such as consumer electronics like televisions, consoles, cellphones, kitchen appliances, and more. The user manual serves as a complete guide on how to use the product, maintain it, clean it, and more. All technical manuals, including user manuals, have to be highly user-friendly. The technical writer has to write a manual to even someone with zero experience can use the product. Therefore, the target audience of user manuals is complete novices, amateurs, and people using the product/s for the first time.

Traditionally, user manuals have had text and diagrams to help users understand. However, user manuals have photographs, numbered diagrams, disclaimers, flow charts, sequenced instructions, warranty information, troubleshooting guides, and contact information in recent times.

Technical writers have to work with engineers, programmers, and product designers to ensure they don’t miss anything. The writer also anticipates potential issues ordinary users may have by first using the product. That helps them develop a first-hand experience and, ultimately, develop better user manuals.

The point of the user manual isn’t to predict every possible issue or problem. Most issues are unpredictable and are better handled by the customer support or help desk. User manuals are there to address direct and common issues at most.

You can check out some user manual examples and templates here . You can download them in PDF and edit them to develop an idea about how you can write a custom user manual for your product.

2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

Standard operating procedures are complete processes for each organization’s various tasks to ensure smoother operations. SOPs help make each process more efficient, time-saving, and less costly.

An SOP document can include:

Everything from the method of processing payroll.
Hiring employees.
Calculating vacation time to manufacturing guidelines.

In any case, SOPs ensure that each person in an organization works in unison and uniformly to maintain quality.

SOPs help eliminate irregularities, favoritism, and other human errors if used correctly. Lastly, SOPs make sure employees can take the responsibilities of an absent employee, so there’s no lag in work.

Therefore, developing SOPs requires a complete study of how an organization works and its processes.

Here are some examples of standard operating procedures you can study. You can edit the samples directly or develop your own while taking inspiration from them.

3. Case Studies & White Papers

Case studies and white papers are a way of demonstrating one’s expertise in an area. Case studies delve into a specific instance or project and have takeaways proving or disproving something. White papers delve into addressing any industry-specific challenge, issue, or problem.

Both case studies and white papers are used to get more business and leads by organizations.

Technical writers who write white papers and case studies need to be experts in the industry and the project itself. It’s best if the technical writer has prior experience in writing such white papers.

The writing style of white papers and case studies is unique, along with the formatting. Both documents are written for a specific target audience and require technical writing skills. Case studies are written in a passive voice, while white papers are written in an active voice. In any case, it’s crucial to maintain a certain level of knowledge to be able to pull it off.

You can check out multiple white paper examples here , along with various templates and guides. You can check out some examples here for case studies, along with complete templates.

4. API Documentation

API documentation includes instructions on effectively using and integrating with any API, such as web-API, software API, and SCPIs. API documentation contains details about classes, functions, arguments, and other information required to work with the API. It also includes examples and tutorials to help make integration easier.

In any case, API documentation helps clients understand how it works and how they can effectively implement API. In short, it helps businesses and people interact with the code more easily.

You can find a great example of proper API documentation in how Dropbox’s API documentation works. You can learn more about it here .

5. Press Releases

Press releases are formal documents issued by an organization or agency to share news or to make an announcement. The idea is to set a precedent for releasing any key piece of information in a follow-up press conference, news release, or on a social media channel.

The press release emphasizes why the information is important to the general public and customers. It’s a fact-based document and includes multiple direct quotes from major company stakeholders, such as the CEO.

Usually, press releases have a very specific writing process. Depending on the feasibility, they may have an executive summary or follow the universal press release format.

You can find several examples of press releases from major companies like Microsoft and Nestle here , along with some writing tips.

6. Company Documents

Company documents can include various internal documents and orientation manuals for new employees. These documents can contain different information depending on their use.

For example, orientation manuals include:

The company’s history.
Organizational chart.
List of services and products.
Map of the facility.
Dress codes.

It may also include employee rights, responsibilities, operation hours, rules, regulations, disciplinary processes, job descriptions, internal policies, safety procedures, educational opportunities, common forms, and more.

Writing company documents requires good technical writing skills and organizational knowledge. Such help files assist new employees in settling into the company and integrating more efficiently.

Here are some great examples of orientation manuals you can check out.

7. Annual Reports

Annual reports are yearly updates on a company’s performance and other financial information. Annual reports directly correspond with company stakeholders and serve as a transparency tool.

The annual reports can also be technical reports in some cases. However, mostly they include stock performance, financial information, new product information, and key developments.

Technical writers who develop annual reports must compile all the necessary information and present it in an attractive form. It’s crucial to use creative writing and excellent communication skills to ensure that the maximum amount of information appears clearly and completely.

If the company is technical, such as a robotics company, the technical writer needs to develop a technical communication method that’s easy to digest.

You can check out some annual report examples and templates here .

8. Business Plans

Every company starts with a complete business plan to develop a vision and secure funding. If a company is launching a new branch, it still needs to start with a business plan.

In any case, the business plan has a few predetermined sections. To develop the ideal business plan, include the following sections in it.

Executive Summary – includes the business concept, product, or service, along with the target market. It may also include information on key personnel, legal entity, founding date, location, and brief financial information.
Product or Service Description – includes what the offering is, what value it provides, and what stage of development it is in currently.
Team Members – includes all the information on the management team.
Competitor and Market Analysis – includes a detailed analysis of the target market and potential competitors.
Organizational System – includes information on how the organizational structure would work.
Schedules – include start dates, hiring dates, planning dates, and milestones.
Risks and Opportunities – include profit and loss predictions and projections.
Financial Planning – includes planned income statements, liquidity measures, projected balance sheet, and more.
Appendix – includes the organizational chart, resumes, patents, and more.

The technical writer needs to work closely with the company stakeholders to develop a complete business plan.

According to your industry, you can check out hundreds of business plan samples and examples here .

Becoming an Expert Technical Writer

Becoming an expert technical writer is all about focusing on your strengths. For example, you should try to focus on one to two industries or a specific form of technical writing. You can do various writing assignments and check out technical writing samples to understand what you’re good with.

You can also check out user guides and get online help in determining your industry. Once you’ve nailed down an industry and technical writing type, you can start to focus on becoming an expert in it.

In any case, it always helps to check out technical writing examples before starting any project. Try to check out examples of the same industry and from a similar company. Start your writing process once you have a complete idea of what you need to do.

Since technical writing involves dealing with complex information, the writer needs to have a solid base on the topic. That may require past experience, direct technical knowledge, or an ability to understand multiple pieces of information quickly and effectively.

In becoming a technical writer, you may have to work with various other people, such as software developers, software engineers, human resources professionals, product designers, and other subject matter experts.

While most organizations tend to hire writers with a history in their fields, others opt for individuals with great writing skills and team them up with their employees.

Technical writers may also work with customer service experts, product liability specialists, and user experience professionals to improve the end-user experience. In any case, they work closely with people to develop digestible content for the end customers.

Today, you can also find several technical writers online. There is an increasing demand for technical writing because of the insurgence of SaaS companies, e-commerce stores, and more.

In the end, technical writers need to have a strong grasp of proper grammar, terminology, the product, and images, graphics, sounds, or videos to explain documentation.

If you are new to technical writing and are looking to break-in, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course , where you will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.

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10 Best Technical Writing Examples & Samples

Users searching for complicated technical topics find it hard to understand, emphasizing the need for clear and helpful examples of technical writing. However, with the assistance of these writing examples, you can understand the complex applications of technical products. In this article, we’ll discuss the demanding technical writing examples and the best tool to modernize the technical writing process.

What is Technical Writing?

Technical writing is a unique way of explaining tricky stuff in a clear and short way. It’s all about breaking down complex ideas, processes, or steps in different technical areas for a group of interested people. Besides, the main goal is to help them understand and use information about a product, system, or process.

Meanwhile, examples of technical writing in everyday life encompass user manuals for electronics, software guides, scientific papers, and engineering reports. In technical writing, the language is precise, avoiding confusing words or unclear phrases. Additionally, visual aids like pictures or charts are often used to make things easier to understand. In addition, technical writing helps share knowledge and ensure we use new technology best in many different areas.

Top 10 Examples of Technical Writing

Technical writing covers many areas that explain complicated topics clearly for specific audiences. It’s a key way we share information about products or systems. Thus, in this section, we will check out 10 examples of technical writing in different areas.

1. User Manuals

User manuals accompany products like electronics, which provide a comprehensive guide for users, particularly beginners. In contrast, these manuals traditionally featured text and diagrams for user understanding. However, modern ones include photos, disclaimers, flow charts, warranty information, and troubleshooting guides. However, technical writers collaborate with engineers to ensure thorough coverage of user issues through firsthand experience.

The creation, publication, and maintenance of user manual guides are simplified through the use of documentation tools designed for them. Evidently, Docuo by Spreading creates, maintains, and publishes technical product documentation without any need for code.

2. Standard Operating Procedures

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) promote organizational efficiency to streamline tasks from payroll processing to manufacturing. These technical writing examples foster uniformity and ensure everyone collaborates seamlessly for consistent quality. Hence, proper use of SOPs minimizes irregularities, favoritism, and errors among employees.

Additionally, SOPs enable employees to seamlessly assume responsibilities in the absence of a colleague. If you want to develop effective SOPs, it requires a thorough understanding of organizational processes.

3. Press Release

Press releases are formal technical writing examples as announcements from organizations to share news and make significant declarations. These documents set a model for subsequent releases through press conferences, news releases, or social media. Moreover, these structured documents highlight the information’s importance to the public from key stakeholders.

Furthermore, press releases may include an executive summary or follow a universal format, typically following a specific writing process. Besides, for businesses, the integration of press releases into their technical writing strategy can significantly enhance the influence and distribution of crucial information.

4. Business Plans

A business plan serves as an example of technical writing and is a detailed document that helps to outline a company’s objectives and strategies. It covers financial, operational, and marketing aspects that are essential for both startups and established companies. In addition to that, businesses can secure investment and get aid in obtaining loans with well-planned strategic goals.

The components of an effective business plan include an executive summary, market analysis, product/service details, and financial planning. Moreover, these technical documents secure both innovations and technological assets and frequently integrate the recording of intellectual property.

5. Company Documents

Business documents stand as representations of individuals, departments, and the entire organization. They fulfill business needs for both those within the company and external stakeholders. However, these include various forms, such as accounting papers, reports, proposals, letters, meeting summaries, customer service records, and operational documents.

You can craft effective company documents by starting with a well-organized outline, avoiding unnecessary details, and using active verbs for engagement. Plus, organizations can establish and maintain quality standards to support continuous improvement initiatives.

6. Annual Reports

An annual report is one of the technical writing examples that provides a summary of a business’s achievements and future vision. It is distributed annually to shareholders for comprehensive insight into the business’s performance. Moreover, these reports serve as a marketing tool to impress investors and attract new stakeholders.

A standard report for public companies includes the CEO’s letter, financial data, new product plans, and research and development. Furthermore, they vary in length from 20 to 200 pages and should be reader-friendly, with essential components. These key aspects include a cover page, table of contents, mission statement, CSR initiatives, and graphics.

7. API Documentation

API documentation acts as a crucial resource for developers, aiding them in interacting with a product’s code to implement an API efficiently. This documentation includes clear instructions and tutorials designed to simplify the integration process with various APIs, including web APIs and software APIs. Additionally, it ensures that users can understand, utilize, and integrate the API effectively with comprehensive guidance.

This technical writing example serves as a valuable tool to enhance the accessibility of a product’s codebase and foster a smoother collaboration between developers and the API. It offers direction on best practices for authentication, authorization, and security to help developers secure interaction with API.

8. Software Installation Guides

Effective software documentation, like installation guides, is essential for guiding users through the process of implementing and installing computer software. A comprehensive installation guide should feature detailed workflows, video tutorials, FAQs, and troubleshooting instructions. In many cases, automation by programmers streamlines the installation, with technical writers contributing alert boxes and ReadMe files.

In this way, well-crafted software installation documentation facilitates a smoother user experience in navigating the intricacies of software implementation. Moreover, it boosts user confidence to make them more comfortable and capable of using software.

9. Request for Proposals

A Request for Proposal, or RFP, is a crucial business document that announces a project and invites bids from eligible contractors. The language of this technical writing example employed in the document is persuasive, and the effectiveness of an RFP can significantly impact the success of the deal. A perfect RFP should distinctly outline project goals, challenges, the scope of work, and the criteria for evaluation.

Moreover, if an RFP is written poorly, it undermines risks to the success of the procurement process and makes it imperative to convey project details for optimal results. In brief, organizations can enhance transparency in the recruitment process with fairness and accountability in vendor selection.

10. Bid Documentation

Bid documentation creates technical materials outlining the components of a construction project, which is essential for soliciting proposals. This example of technical writing includes estimates, specifications, and project plans, providing a comprehensive overview of the undertaking. As a result, it has a crucial role in the procurement process to provide necessary details for potential bidders to submit competitive offers.

Essentially, the bid documentation acts as a comprehensive guide, ensuring that those interested in the project fully grasp its complexities. In this situation, these documents perform the role of a formal agreement between organizations and bidders to offer legal protection by defining terms and conditions.

Streamline Your Technical Writing with Docuo

In technical writing, success centers on being effective and clear in conveying complex topics to intended audiences. For this purpose, Docuo powered by Spreading has streamlined various aspects of technical writing. Therefore, the AI-integrated tool writes technical content and enables users to publish it seamlessly in a customer-facing portal without any code.

Moreover, it assists you with writing and improving your existing document by rectifying errors in grammar and spelling. Users can generate different technical writing samples such as user manuals, software installation guides, and many more with the help of this efficient tool.

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8 Great Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You

Detailed examples are a treasure for technical writers. They are a great way to understand and adapt to the best practices that can make your technical writing content stand out.

An example of good technical writing can help you identify phrases, words, and practices that can improve your content. They can also help you start writing a type of technical document you haven’t read before.

However, there aren’t only good examples of technical writing out there. A poorly written technical document example can also teach lessons on avoiding common mistakes. The example work allows you to develop a writing outlook to create successful technical documentation.

We will discuss technical writing and how you can write a technical document. We will also enlist eight technical writing examples that may help you write exceptional pieces.

What is Technical Writing?

Whenever technical information is written and documented, it is technical writing. Technical writing contains all documentation for complex technical processes. It includes executive summary statements, reports, briefs, and much more.

It can also include high-tech manufacturing, biotech, aerospace, finance, IT, engineering, and supply chain information. The format of a technical document is no longer bound to lengthy user manuals; it must be distilled and presented unambiguously. It can also come in technical reports, emails, briefs, press releases, or policies.

Technical writing continues to be a high conversion skill in all professional workplaces. Its demand grows at 10% annually from 2014 to 2022 — faster than any other occupation. Therefore, it would be great if you learned to write complex documents for your organization, and we have prepared a list of technical writing examples to help you understand and write better.

8 Best Technical Writing Examples

1. user manuals.

Writing a user manual is a daunting task for a technical writer , as it contains all the instructions a user needs to operate a product or feature. Writing a user manual requires a combination of organizational and technical writing skills, so it is an essential example of technical writing to follow.

Before moving into the components of a user manual, make sure you have worked on three things: 1) collecting information, 2) choosing structure and style, and 3) putting the manual together.

Here are five major components of effective user manuals:

It is the central part or body of the user manual that explains the process. The logical, numbered steps help the user solve the problem. Illustrations can also be used to facilitate component or experience visualization.

2. Content

Avoid technical language whenever there is a risk of isolating audience segments. The best way to make your content super easy is to imagine you are writing for a junior high school student. Tables and graphs can also be included to show how content sections relate, complement, and contrast.

3. Glossary of Terms

Every industry has its language and vocabulary. But some users are not familiar with even the most commonly used terms. A glossary of terms serves as their reference and a home for each term. It eliminates the need for technical writers to restate and re-explain definitions repeatedly.

4. Table of Contents

As a general rule, if a user manual exceeds 10–12 pages, you must use a table of contents. The entries are listed in order of presentation with accompanying page numbers.

5. Precautionary Information

Notes of caution, warnings and danger notices help user safety. They also help the manufacturer address liability concerns related to the product. Also, use universal graphic symbols to present each type of risk to the reader.

A user manual’s content can range from less than a dozen to hundreds of pages. The more complex the product or service, the lengthier the manual. In its ideal state, a user manual is a set of instructions presented in a style and format that helps quick reference and facilitates the product’s success in the market.

Unbounce’s user manual is a sublime example of effective user documentation. Their documentation is easy to navigate, with each step having its table of content to make it easy to find. Refer to their user manual as a standard if you ever write a user manual.

2. API Documentation

Similar to the user manual, API documentation helps guide the user through configuring an API. Before we move to API documentation, let us reveal exactly what API is.

API is the short form for the application programming interface. It is like a bridge between your computer, mobile phone, or other application and external resources.

In simple words, APIs allow the software to interact with other software programs, resources, and databases. Since APIs are built by software developers, it is easier for a software developer to create the documentation.

Moving on to the next part of writing API documentation, here is what you must include.

An Overview

An overview is just like an abstract page of a project report. It contains a summary of the API and the problem it is solving. It also includes the benefits of using the particular API over similar ones.

2. Tutorial

It is the main instructional body of the documentation. A tutorial must include different content formats you are using to explain the concept of the API to the user. It also contains links for reference and a detailed guide for integrating and consuming the API, so it functions properly.

3. Examples

Once you have explained how the API works and provided steps, it is a good idea to show examples of it. Examples of calls, error handling, responses, and other operations can help demonstrate how the developer interacts with the API.

4. Glossary

Although a glossary is optional, it is recommended for your API documentation. Instead of boring the user with long text blocks, explanations of various terms, images, and schemas can be pushed to the glossary. Then you can reference these things in the documentation and link to the glossary.

Stripe API Reference is the best example of API documentation and a work of art. It includes a sleek, two-panel design, with explanations written in plain English on the left and handy code snippets on the right. It has all the crucial information one needs.

3. Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)

A standard operating procedure or SOP is a set of written instructions. They describe the step-by-step process of performing a routine activity. SOPs follow the same approach every time to guarantee that the organization remains consistent and complies with industry regulations and business standards.

SOPs provide the policies, standards, and processes required for the organization to succeed. They also benefit a business by reducing errors and increasing profitability and efficiencies. They create a comfortable work environment and generate guidelines for how to resolve issues and overcome obstacles.

Before writing the SOP, ensure the writers perform a risk assessment. It will help them determine any obstacles that may arise during the process. They should also consider the risk associated with those obstacles.

Here are the three components that comprise a standard operating procedure.

Title Page: A title page lists the title of the SOP, what it is written for, its SOP identification, and the names and signatures of the people who prepared and approved the manual.
Table of Contents: It provides easy access to the various sections in large SOPs.
Steps of Procedure: It includes explanations of the task’s goal, roles and responsibilities, terminology, regulatory requirements, descriptions of what should be done to complete each step, and a discussion of decisions that must be made. It is the central part and takes the main portion of the SOP.

Once technical writers finish the draft, it must be reviewed, edited, and tested. The process should repeat until all stakeholders have written and approved an SOP. At this point, the SOP can be distributed to each person who needs it.

SOPs record the production line procedures used to train employees and make products. It can also be used in finance and administrative environments to document the processes of customer finance collection. Examples of how an SOP is used can be found in a manufacturing environment.

Both case studies and white papers are the most potent and sought-after types of content. Both can help an organization generate leads for the business. However, both differ in purpose, audience, and funnel stage.

A white paper is a technical document that helps readers understand an issue and devise a strategy to solve a problem or make a decision. It is a lengthy piece of content, at approximately 2,000 words or six pages. White papers can be practical to target people at all steps of the funnel.

One white paper can create awareness of a persona’s problem by targeting someone at the top of the funnel. While a second can focus on advanced product uses, targeting someone at the bottom of the funnel.

The components of a white paper include:

Introduction with a problem statement
Proposed solution

On the other hand, a case study features extended testimonials on how a product or service helped a customer. It is shorter than a white paper and consists of around 800 words. These are best suited for the audiences at the top or middle of the funnel. Use these to create awareness of a problem and show how a solution worked for a real customer.

A case study’s must-have components include:

Executive summary
Outlining customer’s challenges
The leading reader through the customer’s journey
Moment of discovery
Writing solutions as the central part
Walking reader through implementation
Celebrating customer results
Closing with CTA

Gravitate’s setting the stage for success is the best example of how to transform a detailed case study for an easier read. It introduces the customer to give visitors a little background of what they do. Then they dive straight into their role of helping the customer with a robust marketing strategy.

Global Trade Professionals Alliance’s (GTPA) Capacity Building And Standards Development For Inclusive Trade is the top example of a white paper. It starts with an overview of the problem, then states the role of GTPA in solving the problem, and finally, it reveals the outcomes and way forward.

4. Press Releases

A press release is a short yet compelling news story. It is written by a public relations professional and sent to targeted members of the media. Its goal is to press release the interest of a community or business. The press release contains all the necessary information for the journalists to quickly produce their stories.

It is also defined as a brief, printed statement highlighting significant facts of a news story in journalistic style. A press release can read like a news story, written in the third person but cites quotes and sources containing standard press release information.

Press releases are essential as they can be an excellent way to start a dialogue with a report. Journalists usually get dozens of irrelevant press releases every day. So, if you reach out to a reporter with a well-written press release, they may take notice and appreciate it. The press release also helps build credibility and control the narrative. Moreover, it can also build SEO traffic and increase customer engagement with your product or service.

A press release has six essential components. These include:

Data and location
Boiler place

The top example of a press release is Hobby Lobby’s press release . Hobby Lobby is a nationwide retail store that issued a press release announcing an increase in the minimum wage.

With an ongoing debate on minimum wage, the store gave a newsworthy story for corporations to instill a minimum wage increase. Not only did this build a positive brand image, but it also helped attract and retain more staff.

5. Business Plans

A business plan is a technical document that tells the company’s objectives in detail. It also describes the strategies for achieving these objectives. A business plan lays out a written guide for the firm from financial, operational, and marketing standpoints. The startups and established companies use business plans as their basic requirement. A business plan is essential for a company’s external and internal audiences.

For instance, a business plan can be used to bring investment even if the company won’t have an established track record. It can also help secure lending from financial institutions. Additionally, a business plan keeps a company’s executive team on the same page about strategic actions. It helps them meet established goals. Sometimes, a business plan is created for a based business that decides to move in a new direction.

Below are some of the most common components of a business plan.

Market analysis
Products and services
Marketing strategy
Financial planning

A business plan is not as difficult as one might think. It is a written tool about a business that projects 3 to 5 years ahead. It also outlines a company’s path to make money and grow its revenue. Think of your business plan as a living project for your business and not a one-time project. Break it down into mini plans like one for sales, pricing, marketing, and so on.

If you want to write your business plan, know there is no right or wrong way to write it. You can pick a plan format and start writing. It also helps you reach business milestones and get you the required funding. The important thing is that your business plan must meet your needs.

ThoughtCo’s business plan for a fictional company called Acme Management is the best example of a business plan. Its executive summary occupies nearly half the page. So, if you intend to write your business plan, follow this example as your guide.

6. Company Documents

Business or company documents are written papers that represent you, your department, and your company. Whether it is external parties or other stakeholders in your organization, a company document will list them all. For precision, a company document is any sort of format document that is used for business purposes.

Multiple things fall into the company documents category. The list can be extended, but we will only include the most common things considered for a company document.

Accounting Documents
Formal Letters or Memos
Financial Documents
Meeting Summaries
Business Plans
Customer Service Documents
Operational Documents

A company document is not only a representation of your company but also represents you. So, make sure you do a solid job putting these materials together. If you don’t know already, here is how you write the best version of a company document.

First, start with an outline that is well-organized and highly structured to be effective. If you begin writing prematurely, the thoughts will be less structured and repetitive. So, before starting, always do three things: 1) generate ideas, 2) organize, and 3) structure.

Secondly, do not bury the lead. Do not hide the most critical information deep within your writing. In company documents, do not start with a bunch of fluff. You do not need to introduce anyone and build anticipation. A business document should be as streamlined and straightforward as possible.

Thirdly, use active verbs. You do not need to make your business document a thriller; neither should it be dry and bland. Instead, make your documents a little more engaging to keep the audience engaged.

Syngenta’s financial report is the perfect example of a business document. Please give it a read to understand the main components of an excellent company document.

7. Annual Reports

As the name suggests, an annual report is a comprehensive overview of a business’s achievements and financial statements from the preceding year. It also tells the financial status and vision for the future. It is produced annually and provided to shareholders, stakeholders, investors, and others to inform them of the business’s overall performance.

Today, businesses and organizations create different types of annual reports. These are used as a marketing tool for organizations to impress their investors and donors1, showcase their brand to employees and companies, and attract new ones. Each type of annual report is designed with a specific goal in mind.

A standard annual report for a public company must have:

A letter from the CEO
Corporate financial data
Market segment information
Operation and impact
Plans for new products
Subsidiary activities
Research and development activities

Depending on the size of a company, an annual report can range between 20 to 200 pages. Remember that actual human beings read your annual report. So, it must not be filled with fluff. Make it easy to read, review, and understand for the concerned people.

The annual report’s main section should include the following as its components:

A table of contents
Mission and vision statement
CSR initiatives
An afterword
Charts, graphs, and tables

Concerning annual reports, MailChimp’s name tops the list for great examples. With bold colors and playful illustrations, the 2020 report feels more like a video game than a regular annual report. It includes yearly traditional report content, like information about products and sales, as well as fun anecdotes about their culture and data about value-based initiatives they will take. As a result, an exciting and entertaining recap of the year comes is formed.

6 Steps to Craft the Best Technical Document in 2022

After you know all the best technical writing examples, it is time to write one. But what if you write a technical document and no one reads it? To avoid this, here are six steps that one must follow to create a technical document that everyone loves to read.

1. Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is indispensable, especially when creating technical content for a product or service. For instance, a cab driver may have a different level of knowledge and understanding than a doctor reading your SOPs.

So, before you write or even create an outline, make sure you have a clear idea of who your readers are. Knowing this lets you adjust your tone, vocabulary, and framing accordingly. It also helps you to meet your readers’ needs from their point of knowledge.

2. Do Your Research

As a technical writer, you have to guide your readers through unfamiliar territory. For this, you must know everything about that particular thing. Otherwise, it will be unwise to expect a tremendous technical document. Remember, you can only teach what you thoroughly know and understand. A knowledge gap is immediately visible when you are not thorough in your research.

The best way to do this is to place yourself in your reader’s shoes. Then, imagine you had zero knowledge of a particular thing. Doing this will force you to cover all the potential questions that come to your mind.

3. Craft an Outline

An outline is essential because it gives a roadmap of what to cover in your piece. It can also help identify knowledge gaps as you conduct your research. A longer form of technical content, like white papers and case studies, always requires an outline. It serves as their marker to remind you of what you need to include in your technical document.

Some technical writing , like business plans and annual reports, has predefined formats. You can also use a template in place of an outline.

All in all, crafting an outline is an essential component of writing great technical content.

4. Prioritize Readability

Technical writing is more fact-based rather than entertaining. So, to tackle complicated topics, use sentences that are easily readable and can make your work more enjoyable to read.

In contrast, if you are verbose in your sentences and use words that are hard to understand, you will only frustrate your reader. To improve the readability of your technical content writing, apply these tips:

Use shorter, direct sentences that are easy to follow. Avoid passive voice wherever possible.
Add subheadings to break up the long texts for better readability.
Bold text and highlight paragraphs for emphasis and improving readability.
Add hyperlinks for web pages to reference and navigate to other sections of your piece.

5. Add Visuals

A technical document is all about words and sentences, but if you add visuals, it makes both writing and reading easier. Adding visuals is becoming less of an option and a necessity today. With flowcharts, illustrations, screenshots, and more, a technical document needs a dose of visuals to look presentable.

Whether creating a user manual or business documents, your reader will be happy to see product drawings, pie charts displaying the numbers, and more.

6. Cut the Fluff

Once you have written the technical document, the final part is to double-check the facts and cut the unnecessary information.

But what exactly is fluff? Fluff is anything that does not add value to your content; instead, it negatively impacts the understanding of your text. It can be a word, a sentence, or a phrase — if you find it, cut it off. Every word in your technical document must add value to your reader’s life.

Once you know the steps to write a technical document, it is time to learn the tips that will help you write effectively.

Tips for Improving Technical Writing

Poor writing affects the reader’s understanding of the product. It also damages the reputation of the company. So, how do you make your technical writing more inspiring and practical? Below are the five tips that will make your technical writing superb, even if you are just starting writing.

Stick to a technical writing style
Use plain language
Give important information first
Clear sentence structure
Don’t use passive voice

Good technical writing is not easy to achieve and often quite challenging to find. However, with these technical writing tips, you can take your writing to the next level and maximize the value you provide to your audience.

Now that you’ve read this guide, remember the document you create represents your company. If it’s written poorly, the user will consider it useless, and the company’s reputation will be at risk.

On the other hand, if it’s written well and follows every instruction, it will enhance user understanding, and the company will attract more attention.

So, read this guide carefully and create your technical documents accordingly. Whatever type of technical document you write, follow the rules defined above, and they will improve your skills. Always keep a note of your mistakes and things you have learned, and never stop honing your skills.

Published in What is Technical Writing?

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7 best technical writing examples to improve your skills

Afoma Umesi

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It’s no wonder that technical writing is a fast-growing field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the employment of technical writers will grow up to 12% from 2020 to 2030–a pace that’s faster than the average for all occupations.

If you’re looking to improve your technical writing skills and break into the field but are unsure how to do it, this article will help.

We’ll show you what technical writing is, how to write a technical piece (step by step), and then share some of the best technical writing examples you’ll ever find.

What is technical writing?

Technical writing is any writing designed to explain complex, technical, and specialized information to audiences who may or may not be familiar with them . It is typically used in technical and occupational fields like engineering, robotics, computer hardware and software, medicine, finance, and consumer electronics.

Usually, technical writing falls into one of three categories depending on whom it’s written for:

Consumer-directed technical writing refers to technical content written for end-users or consumers. Good examples include user manuals, employee handbooks, standard operating procedures (SOP), software user documentation (help files), troubleshooting guides, and legal disclaimers .
Expert-to-expert technical writing is written chiefly for a knowledgeable audience. It includes scientific papers, medical case studies, annual business reports, and legal case reviews .
Technical marketing content is technical information presented in a digestible format to promote a product or service. Think marketing case studies, white papers, product brochures, press releases, and business plans and proposals .

Like most types of content , technical writing is complex and nuanced in its own way. Let’s break down the steps to writing technical content that appeals to your audience.

6 Steps to Writing a Technical Piece That People Actually Want to Read

Instruction manuals, assembly guides, and research papers, oh my . Technical writing can quickly turn into a snooze fest if not done correctly.

How do you create a technical piece that people want to read?

1. Identify Your Audience

Knowing your audience is super important, especially when writing technical content.

For example, the new dad learning to build his first crib may have a different level of medical knowledge (and sheer focus) than the experienced doctor reading a medical research paper.

When you have a clear idea of who you expect to read your piece, you can adjust your vocabulary, tone, and framing accordingly.

This allows you to meet your reader at their point of knowledge .

2. Dig Deep in Your Research

As a technical writer, you’ll be guiding your reader through entirely unfamiliar territory.

You might be explaining how a new electronic tool works, what to expect from their new workplace, or what happened before their firm took on a new legal case. It is essential that you fully understand your subject matter .

You can only teach what you know, and knowledge gaps show when you aren’t thorough in your research.

Place yourself in your readers’ shoes. Imagine you had zero knowledge of the topic at hand and ensure your research covers all potential questions that come to mind. ‍

💡 Tip : If you need help understanding your topic, work with subject matter experts. Here are three helpful resources for collaborating with SMEs:

How to create great content with busy Subject Matter Experts
How to collaborate with a Subject Matter Expert
How to get the content you need from subject matter experts

3. Create an Outline

We recommend creating an outline to give you a sense of what you need to cover in your piece. This can also help identify knowledge gaps as you conduct your research.

When you’re writing longer-form content like white papers or case studies, an outline can serve as a marker to remind you of what you need to include .

In lieu of an outline, you can use a template . Some technical writing, such as business plans, have industry-accepted formats, including sections like an executive summary and competitor analysis.

4. Focus on Readability

Technical writing is not creative writing—you're writing to teach, not inspire or entertain. When tackling complicated topics, using readable sentences can make your work more enjoyable to read .

On the other hand, if you’re verbose or use words that are hard to understand, you’ll only frustrate your reader. If you want to improve readability in technical content, try these tips:

Use simple language: Strive for shorter, direct sentences that are easy to follow, and avoid passive voice wherever possible.
Use subheadings: For longer-form content like user documentation, white papers, and research papers , adding subheadings can break up long text walls.
Add bolded sections and callouts: Bolding text and highlighting paragraphs or callouts for emphasis will make reading easier.
Hyperlinks and jump links: If you’re writing technical content for webpages, add hyperlinks to any material you reference and jump links to other sections of your piece for easier navigation.

5. Add Visuals

We’re all about the words and the writing, but visuals can make your technical writing easier to understand! In technical writing, adding visuals is less of a luxury and more of a necessity . Visuals such as flowcharts, screenshots, and illustrations can add a much-needed dose of cheer to text-heavy documents.

Whether you’re creating a user manual or annual report for stakeholders, everyone will be happier with product drawings showing the directions or a pie chart displaying the numbers.

6. Cut the Fluff

When you’ve got all the words on paper, it’s time to double-check the facts with collaborators . Don’t be afraid to cut unnecessary information during this writing phase.

How do you identify the fluff? Removing fluff doesn’t impact the readers’ understanding of your text. It could be a word, a sentence, a paragraph, or a step in the directions. Every word in your technical document should count.

7 of the Best Technical Writing Examples from Technical SMEs

With some help from a few technical content experts, we’ve chosen different forms of technical writing across various industries so you can see the skill in action.

Pipedrive’s Developer Documentation

pipedrive developer documentation - technical writing examples

Developer documentation is essential for technical communication, and Pipedrive does it well. This technical document is geared toward layman product users and must be easy to understand, even while providing complex information. Notice the use of jump links and the callout box on the page.

Outfunnel’s Head of Marketing, Katheriin Liibert says about Pipedrive’s technical writing,

Digimind Consumer Brand Footprint Ranking 2021 Report

Digimind white paper - technical writing examples

Digimind goes the extra mile with their visuals in this white paper/industry report . It’s eye-catching and information–all the while remaining thoroughly professional and readable. Being a B2B brand does not mean boring text-only marketing copy.

University of Wisconsin Onboarding Tool Kit

University of Wisconsin’s onboarding handbook - technical writing examples

This onboarding/employee handbook wins for being easy to read with short sentences and bullet points that improve readability. The human resources department also adds quick links to any relevant documents new employees need to download or fill out.

Cell Reports Medical Study

[Cell medical report - technical writing examples]

Yes, a medical research paper with pictures!

Dr. Sophia Milbourne , a stem cell biologist and freelance science communicator, appreciates that this paper is a “great summary of the subject matter.” More importantly, Milbourne mentions that

LG Refrigerator Manual

[LG user manual - technical writing examples]

This basic user manual from LG gives users an overview of their new product and helps them make the best use of it. (The diagram will come in handy when an online article tells you to adjust the control panel and you’re not sure which knob it is.)

Mashable India’s User Agreement

Mashable India legal user agreement - technical writing examples

This is an excellent example of a consumer-directed technical document. Mashable India’s user agreement is a technical legal document including their disclaimer, use license, and usage conditions.

Lawyer and content writer Ejike Umesi acknowledges that the company follows the numbered styling typical of these documents. He says,

Slack Help Center

The Slack Help Center is an excellent example of technical writing that speaks to the layman. Slack is known for its brilliant UX copywriting . Amruta Ranade, Staff Technical Writer for Airbyte, admires the company’s documentation writing style.

“Slack’s Help Center shows incredible user-awareness. The information displayed is contextual, concise, and complete–it helps the user accomplish their task without distracting them or sidetracking them with extraneous information.”

Ramp Up Your Technical Writing

Whether you’re looking to set up a personalized template or collaborate with multiple editors in real-time , GatherContent helps you elevate your technical writing workflow.

With GatherContent, you can build templates for any content you create, including case studies! GatherContent also has helpful resources for helping you and your team prioritize user-led content .

If you publish your content online , you can connect GatherContent to your CMS of choice for seamless exporting. Planning, creating, and sharing great technical content doesn’t have to be so… technical.

Start your GatherContent free trial today.

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5 Strong Technical Writing Examples (and What They Do Well)

1. end-user manual, 2. api documentation, 3. annual report.

4. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

5. White Paper

Use these technical writing examples to improve your writing..

Technical writing is a type of writing that involves describing complex topics using language that is clear and concise.

Technical writers are often responsible for creating technical documentation, such as manuals, guides, and tutorials, for software programs, websites, and other technologies.

1. End-User Manual \n 2. API Documentation \n 3. Annual Report s\n4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) \n 5. White Paper s\n6. Service Level Agreements (SLA)"}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":769,"3":{"1":0},"11":4,"12":0}">Technical Writing Examples Include: 1. End-User Manual 2. API Documentation 3. Annual Reports 4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) 5. White Papers 6. Service Level Agreements (SLA)

This writing style requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to communicate effectively. The best way to improve your technical writing skills is to practice. You can use these five technical writing examples to help you do just that.

Also called user guides, instruction manuals, and end-user documentation, an end-user manual is content that guides someone on how to use a product or service. These documents are written with the assumption that the user has no technical knowledge or doesn't understand the technical terms of the topic.

Adobe created an end-user manual or guide for newbies learning InDesign's features. The company provides step-by-step instructions on how to use the software to create beautiful graphic designs and elegant layouts.

strong-technical-writing-example-adobe-indesign-screenshot

For example, users could begin clicking on sections to get an entire overview of InDesign. Or maybe they just want to create an ebook page. They can click on the corresponding section . Adobe includes clear instructions and images for each topic.

Become a technical writer today and advance your career in our course

Our Technical Report Writing course includes instructor feedback and guidance at key points while you write an actual work document. Receive one-on-one coaching to review your final document.

API documentation is a reference manual on how to effectively use and integrate the application programming interface (API). It's written for technical users who want to move forward in their software development.

Stripe, the online payment processing company, provides comprehensive documentation on its API -- from Authentication to Request IDs.

strong-technical-writing-example-stripe-screenshot

An annual report is a comprehensive technical document that a company presents to its shareholders to describe its activities from the previous year.

The formal document typically includes a report from the company's Chairperson, CEO, corporate info, mission statement, etc.

Below is an example of this technical document from the Canadian Hearing Services (CHS). Presented for 2020-2021, the report includes an overview of CHS, its business activities, and in-depth financial information.

strong-technical-writing-example-annual-report-screenshot

Related: Is Business Writing the Same as Technical Writing?

4. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

A standard operating procedure or SOP is a set of instructions on what steps to follow when performing some operational task.

These steps ensure that laws, industry regulations, or a company's quality standards are met. SOPs are typically required in industries such as manufacturing, warehousing, and restaurants.

The following SOP is for the Central Fire Protection District of Santa Cruz Counties' personal operating vehicles. It outlines the scope, purpose, definitions, etc., of using these vehicles to enforce safety laws and the safety of the drivers.

strong-technical-writing-example-SOP-example

A white paper is common in the technical world. It outlines a specific problem and provides solutions and solution benefits. It is a larger writing piece (typically 2,500 words) and deals with complex topics. It's also a widely-used marketing tool.

For example, Redpoint Global created a white paper to explain the problem of brands connecting with customers through their preferred touchpoints. The white paper then offers a solution for using a customer data platform.

Notice what these technical writing samples have in common: they are concise, clearly organized, and incorporate visuals as needed.

Whether you're writing end-user documentation, technical reports, or another type of company document, improve your technical content by following what these sample documents do well.

Let your target audience and purpose guide your technical document.
Follow a formal writing process to avoid getting stuck while drafting.
Add clear visuals and graphics that complement your written work and support reader understanding.
Edit, edit, edit. Ensure that your technical writing assignment is accurate, clear, and keeps the needs of your audience in mind.

Want to advance your technical writing career? We recommend taking a course to continually improve and hone your technical communication skills and share your knowledge as a subject matter expert. Check out our technical course options—with individualized instructor feedback—here.

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What Are The Differences Between Technical Writing And Creative Writing

By: Author Paul Jenkins

Posted on Published: June 7, 2023 - Last updated: July 31, 2023

Categories Writing

You’ve always had a passion for writing, but now you’re faced with choosing between two distinct paths: technical writing or creative writing. As an aspiring writer, it’s essential to understand the differences between these two forms of written communication, as each has its nuances and unique requirements that can make all the difference in which path leads to your career success.

In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between technical and creative writing – from their purpose and goals to target audience and essential skill sets – so you can confidently decide which path is right for you.

By understanding these distinctions, you’ll be better equipped to unleash your creativity while maintaining clarity and precision in your work. It’s time to break free from confusion and let your talent shine within the realm that truly resonates with you.

Key Takeaways

Technical writing focuses on explaining complex concepts accurately, while creative writing aims for audience engagement through storytelling.
Technical writing creates documentation such as user manuals, tutorials, FAQs, and white papers, while creative writing allows more freedom in style and content.
Technical writing adopts a neutral, objective voice, uses precise terminology, avoids colloquial language, and follows a specific structure for clear communication of complex information. In contrast, creative writing often employs a unique voice that reflects the author’s or characters’ personality within the story and has more latitude regarding word choice, including slang or poetic expressions.
Technical writing requires thorough research and fact-checking, ensures document consistency, and prioritizes clarity and accuracy. In contrast, creative writing adds depth to characters and stories through research, lends credibility to the fictional world through fact-checking, and incorporates emotional appeal to keep readers hooked.

Defining Technical Writing

You’ll find that technical writing focuses on clearly explaining complex concepts, processes, or procedures precisely and accurately. This type of writing often involves breaking down technical jargon into simpler terms to make the information accessible to a broader audience.

Technical writers create documentation types such as user manuals, tutorials, FAQs, and white papers to ensure that users can understand how products or systems work. Their main goal is to inform and engage readers who might feel overwhelmed by intricate details.

To satisfy your subconscious desire for freedom while still being concise and clear, technical writing aims at telling engaging stories in an easy-to-grasp language. Using active voice and contractions like ‘it’s’ instead of ‘it is,’ the text becomes more approachable without sacrificing accuracy.

The key here is finding the right balance between providing correct information and keeping the reader captivated throughout the piece. Remember that it’s essential to cater your writing style according to your audience’s needs so they can efficiently grasp new concepts or learn about new tools without feeling bogged down by overly complicated wording or explanations.

Defining Creative Writing

Creative writing is just a breeze compared to technical writing – you let your imagination run wild and create worlds filled with fascinating characters and stories!

With creative inspiration at your fingertips, you can explore the depths of your imagination and express emotions that resonate with readers. The freedom in creative writing allows you to break away from the confines of structured formats and rigid guidelines, allowing you to paint vibrant pictures using words as your brush.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that creative writing doesn’t require discipline or skill. Developing a unique voice and style that captivates an audience’s subconscious desire for freedom takes practice and dedication.

Imagination exploration may come naturally to some, but honing it into a well-crafted piece of literature is an art form. Whether you’re penning poetry or spinning tales of intrigue, remember that clarity and engagement are crucial in making your work truly memorable.

Purpose and Goals

Understanding the purpose and goals of creative writing is essential, as this helps you craft captivating stories that truly resonate with readers.

The primary aim of creative writing is audience engagement through storytelling, which allows readers to lose themselves in the world of your creation. This type of writing encourages imaginatively expressing ideas, emotions, and experiences while emphasizing content focus.

By honing your skills as a creative writer, you’ll be able to effectively transport your audience into new worlds and evoke powerful emotions within them.

To achieve this level of engagement, it’s crucial for you as a writer to tap into your subconscious desire for freedom and exploration. Creative writing provides an outlet for both the author and reader to break free from the confines of everyday life and experience something entirely different.

By carefully choosing your words, building vivid imagery, and creating dynamic characters, you will captivate and inspire those who read your work.

Ultimately, the purpose and goals of creative writing are rooted in connecting with readers on a deep emotional level while providing an escape from reality that fosters creativity within everyone who engages with it.

Target Audience

Understanding your target audience is crucial in crafting a story that resonates with them and evokes an emotional connection. In technical writing, your primary focus is to inform and educate the reader about a specific subject or topic.

This means you’ll need to present accurate information clearly and concisely, making it easy for the reader to understand complex concepts. Audience engagement is essential here, ensuring they can grasp the material without feeling overwhelmed or confused.

On the other hand, creative writing aims to entertain and captivate its audience by creating vivid mental images and thought-provoking narratives. Content personalization plays a significant role in this process, as tailoring your style and tone to your target audience’s preferences will help foster their subconscious desire for freedom through immersive storytelling experiences.

By understanding who you’re writing for and what they want from your work, you’ll be better equipped to create engaging content that speaks directly to their hearts, minds, and imaginations.

Writing Style and Tone

Mastering the appropriate writing style and tone is key to effectively connecting with your audience, whether you’re aiming to inform or entertain them. In technical writing, the focus is on accuracy and clarity, while creative writing allows more freedom in style and content.

Understanding the differences between these two types of writing will help you tailor your approach to best suit your audience’s needs.

Writing Voice: Technical writing typically adopts a neutral, objective voice conveying information without personal bias or opinion. On the other hand, creative writing often employs a unique voice that reflects the author’s or characters’ personality within the story.
Tone Variations: The tone in technical writing remains consistent throughout – informative and straightforward – whereas creative writing may employ various tones such as humorous, suspenseful, or emotional to engage readers and evoke different feelings.
Structure and Organization: Technical documents follow a specific structure for clear communication of complex information; creative pieces can have more flexible organization depending on artistic intent.
Language Choice: Technical writers use precise terminology and avoid colloquial language; creative writers have more latitude regarding word choice, including slang or poetic expressions.

By being aware of these distinctions in style and tone between technical and creative writing, you’ll be better equipped to craft engaging content that appeals to your audience’s subconscious desire for freedom while ensuring accurate information presentation.

Remember that mastering this balance is an ongoing process and worth pursuing as it improves your skills as a writer and enhances your ability to connect with readers from various backgrounds.

Structure and Format

Navigating the world of structure and format can be intriguing and challenging, as it’ll help you craft pieces that captivate your audience while maintaining a clear message. In technical writing, structure and format are crucial for presenting information in an organized, easy-to-understand manner.

This often involves using headings, subheadings, bullet points, numbered lists, tables, and charts to break down complex concepts into digestible chunks.

On the other hand, creative writing allows for more structural adaptability and format variations to suit the story or idea being conveyed.

As you explore different writing projects, remember that your choice of structure and format should always serve your intended purpose.

Whether creating a detailed user manual or penning a captivating short story, remember that your audience’s subconscious desire for freedom can be met through engaging storytelling combined with accurate information presentation.

By striking the right balance between these elements, you’ll create works that resonate with readers while effectively conveying your message.

Use of Language

As you delve into written expression, you’ll quickly find that how you wield your words can either enchant or inform your audience, depending on your goal.

In creative writing, language evolution and cultural influences significantly shape a story’s tone, style, and atmosphere. Writers often use rich vocabulary and diverse sentence structures to create vivid images and evoke emotions in their readers.

They may experiment with literary devices like similes, metaphors, and symbolism to convey deeper meanings beneath the surface of their narrative.

On the other hand, technical writing prioritizes clarity and accuracy above all else. The focus is on concisely presenting information while still maintaining an engaging storytelling approach. This means using straightforward language with minimal jargon or ambiguity – something that can be easily understood by a wide range of audiences regardless of their background knowledge or expertise.

While there might not be as much room for artistic flair as in creative writing, effective technical writers still need to consider factors such as audience needs and cultural influences when crafting content that speaks to their subconscious desire for freedom – freedom from confusion or misunderstanding when trying to grasp complex concepts or procedures.

Research and Fact-Checking

In your pursuit of crafting compelling content, thorough research and meticulous fact-checking become indispensable tools to ensure credibility and accuracy in both creative and technical writing. While these two forms of writing might differ in their objectives, structure, and style, the importance of research techniques and fact-checking methods cannot be overstated.

In creative writing, research helps you create well-developed characters, vivid settings, and engaging stories that resonate with readers. Employing proper fact-checking methods allows you to maintain a certain level of authenticity in the world you have created.

For instance, if your novel is set during a specific period or revolves around a particular topic or profession, it’s crucial for you as an author to have a good grasp of the historical context or relevant details.

On the other hand, technical writing demands precision and consistency; thus, using sound research techniques provides accurate information that your target audience can rely on.

Whether creating user manuals for software or composing scientific articles for publications, ensuring that each piece of information is correct builds trust with your readership while fostering professionalism within your work.

Imagery and Descriptive Language

You’ll find that mastering the art of imagery and descriptive language can truly elevate your writing, immersing readers in vivid scenes and stirring emotions with just a few carefully chosen words.

Visual storytelling is essential for both technical and creative writers, but it plays a more prominent role in the latter.

In creative writing, you can explore sensory appeal, using rich descriptions to evoke feelings, sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations that transport your audience into the world you’ve created.

In technical writing, imagery might be used sparingly to clarify complex concepts or make information more relatable; however, it’s important not to get carried away with descriptive language.

Instead of focusing on sensory appeal to engage your reader emotionally or transport them somewhere else mentally (which is often desirable in creative writing), concentrate on presenting information clearly and concisely.

This way, you’ll focus on helping your audience understand the material at hand while providing enough detail to keep them engaged and interested in what they’re learning.

Emotional Appeal

Emotional appeal plays a significant role in keeping your readers hooked, whether it’s through creative or technical writing. By tapping into the emotional impact of your content, you can create a powerful reader connection that keeps them engaged and invested in your work.

In creative writing, this often means creating relatable characters and evoking emotions through vivid imagery and storytelling. Meanwhile, an emotional appeal can be achieved in technical writing by presenting information that resonates with the reader’s experiences and needs.

When you focus on appealing to your audience’s subconscious desire for freedom, you ignite their curiosity and encourage them to explore new ideas.

This could involve crafting stories that inspire readers to question societal norms or break free from restrictive patterns in creative writing.

For technical writers, this might mean making complex concepts more accessible so that readers feel empowered to apply newfound knowledge in their personal or professional lives.

By incorporating emotional appeal into both forms of writing, you can foster deeper connections with your readers and leave a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Real-life Applications

By harnessing the power of emotional appeal, you’ll find that both your creative and technical writing endeavors can soar to new heights, opening doors in your readers’ minds like a master key unlocking hidden chambers.

Real-life applications of these two distinct writing styles are abundant, with practical implementation serving as an essential component for success in various fields.

Creative Writing:

Can foster interdisciplinary collaboration by uniting professionals from different backgrounds to solve complex problems
Helps convey abstract concepts through engaging storytelling, sparking curiosity, and inspiring innovation

Technical Writing:

Facilitates clear communication between team members in diverse industries, ensuring accurate information presentation
Streamlines processes and procedures by providing concise instructions, contributing to overall efficiency

Incorporating emotional appeal into your work will captivate your audience and grant them a subconscious desire for freedom – freedom to explore ideas beyond their current understanding or perspective.

Whether you’re weaving intricate tales filled with vivid imagery or breaking down complex technical jargon into digestible pieces, the ability to resonate emotionally with your reader is a vital tool that can greatly impact the effectiveness of your message.

As a writer who understands this power, you’ll be poised to influence change across many domains through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking.

Employment Opportunities

Mastering the art of emotional appeal in creative and technical writing can unlock many employment opportunities. It allows you to shape worlds with your words and guide readers on an unforgettable journey through innovative ideas.

As job market trends evolve, there is an increasing demand for skilled writers. Employers seek those who can engage audiences with compelling storytelling while presenting accurate and concise information.

From drafting engaging blog posts, creating captivating stories, or developing comprehensive technical documents, your expertise in these two distinct writing styles will make you highly sought by employers.

In addition to traditional full-time positions, numerous freelancing options offer the freedom and flexibility many crave. With platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer.com readily available, offering your writing services globally has never been easier and connecting with potential clients from diverse industries.

By honing your creative and technical writing skills, you’ll be able to tap into this ever-expanding market. You can embark on a fulfilling career path that allows you financial stability and the opportunity to quench your subconscious desire for freedom.

Educational Requirements

Regarding educational requirements, you’ll find a wide range of options for pursuing a career in creative and technical writing.

Industry demands are constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest trends and advancements in your chosen field is essential.

Some common educational paths for these careers include:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in English, journalism, communications, or related fields .
Specialized certification programs focused on specific areas, such as technical communication or copywriting.
Workshops, conferences, and online courses to enhance your skills and knowledge .

Although formal education can help you establish a strong foundation in writing principles and techniques, hands-on experience is just as valuable. You can build an impressive portfolio by participating in internships or freelance projects, demonstrating your ability to adapt to various styles and formats.

In addition, networking with other professionals can open doors for job opportunities while providing insights into their experiences navigating the world of creative and technical writing.

Essential Skill Sets

It’s crucial to hone various skills to excel as a creative or technical writer, as both fields require unique abilities and aptitudes. Skill development is an ongoing process that involves practicing techniques, learning new methods, and staying updated with industry trends.

For a creative writer, essential skills include developing compelling storylines, crafting engaging characters, maintaining consistency in style and tone, and effectively using literary devices.

In contrast, a technical writer must be adept at breaking down complex information into easy-to-understand language, designing user-friendly documentation formats, incorporating visuals when necessary, and ensuring accuracy in every detail.

Collaboration importance cannot be stressed enough for both types of writers. Creative writers often work closely with editors who provide feedback on their work while coordinating with other professionals like designers and marketers during the publishing process.

This requires strong communication skills and the ability to adapt one’s vision based on input from others.

Similarly, technical writers collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs), engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that their content accurately reflects the intended message while remaining accessible to the target audience.

Embrace your subconscious desire for freedom by honing these diverse skill sets; doing so will allow you to flourish in either realm of writing while maintaining versatility within your career options.

Tips for Success in Each Domain

To thrive in either domain, you’ll need to employ specific strategies tailored to the unique demands of each field while leveraging your core writing skills. Whether you’re pursuing technical or creative writing, professional development is crucial for staying ahead and overcoming writing challenges. Here are some tips for success in each domain:

For technical writing:

Stay updated with industry trends and technology advancements
Regularly attend workshops or conferences related to your niche
Focus on clarity and precision in language
Develop strong research skills to establish credibility
Learn various documentation styles and formats

For creative writing:

Experiment with different genres and styles to find your voice .
Join a writers’ group or take creative writing classes for feedback and support .
Read widely to expose yourself to diverse perspectives and ideas .
Balance self-expression with audience engagement by considering their desires, emotions, and needs .
Embrace vulnerability through an honest exploration of themes that resonate with readers.

In both fields, seeking continuous growth is essential. When engaging in technical writing, I strive for accuracy without losing sight of the importance of engaging storytelling.

Don’t be afraid to push boundaries in creative endeavors – remember that your audience has a subconscious desire for freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can a writer successfully transition from technical writing to creative writing, or vice versa.

Unleash your creative adaptations, finding writing balance in the transition. Embrace both worlds, blending concise language with engaging storytelling. Master accurate information presentation while satisfying your audience’s subconscious desire for freedom.

Are any specific software or tools recommended for technical writers and creative writers to enhance their work?

Explore software comparisons and tool adaptations to enhance your writing. Technical writers often use programs like Adobe FrameMaker, while creative writers benefit from tools like Scrivener.

Can someone excel in technical and creative writing, or is it better to focus on one area to build expertise?

You’re at a crossroads: balancing expertise or embracing skill versatility. Excelling in both technical and creative writing is possible, but focusing on one area might deepen your mastery.

How do the revision and editing processes differ between technical writing and creative writing? Are there any specific strategies or techniques that should be employed for each?

In revising creative writing, focus on storytelling and emotional impact. For technical writing, prioritize clarity and accuracy. Employ editing strategies to ensure consistency in style, tone, and formatting for each genre.

Are there any notable examples of individuals who have succeeded in both technical and creative writing, and what lessons can be learned from their careers?

You can achieve notable dual success in technical and creative writing, like Kurt Vonnegut and Samuel R. Delany. Career lessons to learn: adapt your style, embrace versatility, and keep an open mind for growth.

So, you see how different technical and creative writing can be? Coincidentally, mastering one might even improve your skills in the other.

Keep exploring both worlds to sharpen your writing prowess.

Remember, the key lies in understanding their unique purposes and styles. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up excelling at both!

Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing

Technical Writing

Today, after learning what creative writing is and how to get started in it , we’re going to compare the two of them.

There are writers all over the world in the two categories – and it boggles the mind to hear that millions have been made from both creative writing and technical writing. Some have made fortunes. While some have not made anything.

Enjoyment can be gained from both types, but it’s fair to say that they both serve different purposes. They both have their own do’s and don’ts and they both have their own rules. Both are governed by grammar and style. Both appear everywhere. So what’s the difference?

Here’s my take: creative writing is written for the right brain (creative) and technical writing is written for the left brain (logical). Confused yet? Wait, there’s more…

A Further Look into Creative Writing

Creative writing is written to entertain and educate. We enjoy reading novels and stories, not because they are necessary to read or helpful for us, just because we get a certain pleasure from reading them, the pleasure which can’t be got from reading technical writing.

Creative writing has so many genres and sub-genres that they deserve a whole section of an article for themselves. It sometimes follows a given set of rules, and sometimes throws caution to the winds and breaks all of them. Either way, talent is somewhat of a necessary ingredient if you want to write creatively. Of course, writing can be improved by practice. But if you don’t have the necessary talent, your writing would not give pleasure to anyone.

Skills and talent both make up creative writing. Hence, they are its constituents.

Further reading: An Introduction to Creative Writing

A Further Look into Technical Writing

Technical writing is wholly written to inform and sometimes to trigger the person reading into making an action beneficial to the one of the writer. Whoa, what a mouthful. That’s not a subject I’m going to cover here (copywriting), but if you want to know more about it, you can visit the master of its game, Copyblogger.com .

I already gave the examples of technical writing in the first post of the series. If you look at them with the context of copywriting, they make much more sense. Copywriters are some of the highest paid writers, says Copyblogger. Sales letters, pitches, advertisements, etc constitute copywriting.

Technical writing is not written to entertain. It has its own set of rules, conventions, do’s and don’ts, masterpieces and pieces of rubbish. There is a whole art to mastering technical writing, although it too is branched: online technical writing and offline technical writing. Personally, I think that if you want to master technical writing, you should first master concise and magnetic writing that draws the reader in, regardless of whether it’s creative or technical.

Are you a master or a learner of concise writing? If you are, so am I, and I’m going to cover it here in future posts. Creative leads or hooks contribute to it.

So that’s it for creative writing. The differences between creative writing and technical writing are that creative writing is written mainly to entertain with the creativity of the mind and technical writing is written mainly to inform in a formal manner or to incite the reader to make an action such as purchase the writer’s product.

This, in a mouthful, is the main difference. In the beginning of this article, I made my own claim: right brain vs. Left brain. However, they deserve an article of their own, and not here. If you want to know more, you can always do your own research.

For my part, I’m going to focus on creative writing tips here, mainly because this is a creative writing blog and I’m much more interested by creative writing than by technical writing. Next post will be solely on fiction writing elements. Stay tuned.

This is the third instalment in the 8-part series “Creative Writing 101.”

20 thoughts on “Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing”

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Great post, and you’ve summed up the difference quite nicely! Technical writing definitely requires a lot of analytical thinking. Persuasion is still necessary; you have to convince people to read the documentation, otherwise they don’t bother. You have to give them a good reason to learn. But it’s definitely more instructive. As a result, technical writers who dabble in fiction tend to write really dry stuff!

Great comment — I fully agree. Technical writers have to be passive writers. Informal language is of course a big no-no.

By the way, I checked out your blog, very nice. Just wondering why you don’t allow comments. Anyway, nice job.

I work in the United States, so it’s possible that the expectations are different, but here in the US, good technical writing is often quite informal and friendly. I’ve been a lead Technical Writer for more than 18 years, and not only is “informal” acceptable, it’s often expected.

The point of a well-written Technical document is to get the other person to understand the idea you want to convey. The best way to achieve that is with clear, simple language. Fancy, formal phrasing and choosing long words just to prove that you know them often distracts from the ideas you want to communicate.

For example, the first instruction that I give to Junior Tech Writers who work for me is: use contractions! No “it is” and “you will,” why clutter up the page? Instead, a good Tech Writer will use “it’s” and “you’ll” which keeps things simpler for the reader.

Passive voice is a real “no-no” when it comes to good Tech Writing. Almost everything is written in the imperative mood, for example: “Locate the ‘Create HTML’ link and click it.” The reader (at least in the US/European market that I write for) wants to know how something works as quickly and simply as possible. Apologetic or passive language is an frustrating distraction from what they want to learn.

Another important thing to note is how helpful a warm tone can be – this is part of the reason that the best tech docs are written in a casual voice. A warm, friendly, accessible style of writing sends the message that the topic being covered is not that complicated, and the reader will be able to understand it.

Finally, Technical Writing is one of the most creative kinds of writing out there. You need to be an extremely creative wordsmith to evoke passion, pathos and humor while discussing the requirements of an API. You also need very strong graphic and visual design skills. Document layout and the treatment of images is intrinsic to the clarity of the finished doc.

Take a look at some of those “For Idiots” books – they may not be my favorites, but they give an example of some of the things I’m talking about.

I hope I’ve given you all some food for thought, and I hope some of you start seeing Technical Writing in a new way.

Best of luck with your studies!

Thanks for such a nice, constructive comment. I just gave an exam on communication in my management undergraduate degree where I wrote that business writing is creative (going out on a limb). Turns out I was right, but I don’t know what the examiner will think (it wasn’t in the original answer of 7 Cs of Business Writing, so I’ll still probably get no marks for that).

Thank you very much for the blog post and comment. These tips are useful in fields outside of writing as well! Source: An engineer by day and comedian by night, who also works in N.A.

Thanks! As far as not allowing comments, I’ve found that between writing posts and family obligations, I just don’t have time to respond to comments. So I figured I’d just remove them. You’re blog is great; keep up the good work!

My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.

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Great post! However, I feel I have to point out that the whole thing with the right side of the brain being creative, and the left side being logical is simply pseudoscientific garbage.

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“The differences between creative writing and technical writing are that creative writing is written mainly to entertain with the creativity of the mind and technical writing is written mainly to inform in a formal manner or to incite the reader to make an action such as purchase the writer’s product.”

Nonsense. You’re confusing technical writing with marketing writing. Incite? User manuals are written to help users use their hardware or software product.

Technical writing is no longer limited to just user manuals. Content marketing is considered a part of technical writing. The “formal” part is, however, incorrect. Whether a technical document should be ‘formal’ or ‘informal’, depends on the audience or client’s requirements. For web readers, you should always follow an informal style.

Thank you sir! This article helps my take home essay assignments 🙂

great post sir i have a technical blog and i write a problem solution article and it is very difficult to me as a beginner to write problem solution article and i try to learn a unique technical writing and your post help me to differentiate in technical and creative writing thanx sir for giving a amazing and beneficial information.

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Hello: I checked out your website and it looks awesome. I want to publish my article for your website, its informative content and very helpful for your daily visitor. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks.

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Here’s what freelancers can do to protect their personal brands Here’s what freelancers can do to protect their personal brands

Going freelance can be deeply rewarding. You get to set your own working hours, choose your clients, and handpick the content you create based on your niche. However, the freedom of freelancing comes with responsibility. You have to protect your personal brand if you want to make it alone. A strong brand will help you find new clients, retain high-paying patrons, and justify increases in rates.

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Here are some guidelines to get you started before you exit from 9-to-5 work and venture out on your own.

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1. Technical Writing : Technical writing is a piece of writing which focuses on factual and straight forward content and technical papers are published to inform and instruct and educate the user about some specific topic. There exists specific readers who prefers technical papers. It gives readers information about some technical topics or it gives directions on how to do something.

2. Creative Writing : Creative writing is a piece of writing which focuses on imaginative and symbolic content and creative papers are published to entertain, provoke, inspire the user. There is no such specific readers who prefers creative papers. Anyone if wants can read creative paper and it gives readers a theme, message, moral or lesson which is helpful in their real lives or gives a temporary entertainment to the reader.

Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing :

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18 Expert Tips to Foster Creativity in Technical Writing

Technical writing job continues to grow over the years. In fact, it is #4 in Best Creative and Media Jobs and is expected to have a further vertical rise in 2022.

By definition, technical writing is any written form of writing or drafting technical communication used in a variety of technical and occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics, robotics, finance, medical and consumer electronics, and biotechnology.

Learn how these skilled writers add creativity in writing technical articles that help readers understand the subject effectively.

Christoph Trappe, The Authentic Storytelling Project

Any form of writing can use creativity. Find a new way to tell the story AND remember to actually tell a story. Sometimes cheesy can be fun and work for some brands even.

Warren Whitlock, WarrenWhitlock.com

All writing should use stories. Especially technical subjects. It’s science! Our brains are wired to store information as stories.

Our memories are connected to things like when we heard something, how we feel about things, and how things work together. Weave a story and your writing will be enjoyed and remembered.

Mariah Obiedzinski, MedTouch

Technical doesn’t have to mean dry. Infusing technical writing with conversational, recognizable language not only makes the piece more interesting to read but also makes it easier for readers to digest.

Less processing time gets them to the next step quickly and efficiently.

Lilach Bullock, LilachBullock.com

It can be difficult to find the right balance between the two, but I am a firm believer that injecting some of the writers’ personalities into technical writing can make for a better reading experience.

You can still be objective and critical even if you let your personality influence your writing; whether it’s a certain writing style, a pop culture reference, a real-life example, it brings more value to your writing and makes it stand out. That said, you also need to judge when it’s OK to show off your own writer personality and when you need to tone it down.

Nathan Bracy, Revenue River

Regardless of the technical nature of your blog, you have to understand that you’re creating content for people. Being creative in technical writing is a great way to present information in a new manner, and it’s a lot easier than you think.

Good writers will be able to creatively share information that makes it feel like their writing isn’t overly technical, and it’s easy to consume. This makes it valuable, which is the ultimate goal for any content piece.

Nina Mancuso, NinaEMancuso.com

It is always difficult to be creative with Technical Writing because the clients should always follow our written processes step-by-step for the best results.

However, whenever I edit content from the software developers, I look at the sentences as if they are a word puzzle.

Oftentimes, software developers have their own language, and it can be difficult to translate their words into procedures that our clients can understand. When that situation happens, I take apart the entire paragraph and read each sentence individually so that I can understand the process.

After I have an understanding, I rewrite the paragraph to be as clear and concise as possible by deleting the unnecessary words and restructuring the sentences. I enjoy puzzles so this editing aspect of Technical Writing is the most creative for me.

Unfortunately, I do not do anything creative that would make our manuals and help systems more interesting to read because most people using our documentation need it to install software or run updates, and those are specific procedures. But I do use colorful highlighters for all of my meetings and tasks because it is a fun way for me to keep track of all of my responsibilities.

Maddy Osman, The Blogsmith

There’s a story in even the most boring topics. The trick is to dig deep enough to find it. It’s not enough to consult just one source or one type of content.

Consider video content, infographics, interviews, and more as part of your initial information gathering.

When writing and editing your technical piece, keep asking yourself “Is this something my target customer would actually want to read?”. If the answer is “No”, a rewrite is due until you strike gold.

Zac Johnson, Blogging.org

If you want to bring boring content to life, it’s all about using visuals, quick headlines, and breaking apart your content. This is simply one of the best ways to get your point across, while also making it easier for your audience to consume and stay engaged.

With more people using mobile devices and focusing on visuals in social media, this is how content creation and marketing need to be approached as attention spans continue to drop.

Srish Agrawal, Srish.com

When publishing content on our site or to be shared on social media, we like to focus on infographics and visual graphs.

Many people think you need to have a lot of great internal data to accomplish this, but you can also use industry reports and simply reference them as the source.

Turn this data into an infographic and watch as it appeals to a much greater audience and receives more social shares in the process.

Sumit Bansal, Trump Excel

While the scope for being creative is limited in technical writing, we can think a little out of the box and make our article better. Before writing an article, first, decide the purpose of the article.

If it’s meant to answer a query, it’s better to keep it to the point and try and answer the query as soon as possible. You can take more creative freedom when you are writing an article to engage. One of the things that I have found really effective is using a current trend or buzzwords in your articles.

In one of my articles , I used the data from the ‘Game Of Thrones series to show my readers how to create a dashboard. I could have done it with any boring dataset, but with a little out-of-the-box thinking, I was able to create something that got a lot of responses and engagement.

Since I have to often explain difficult concepts and formulas in Excel to my readers, I try to take practical examples to make it easy. For example, in one of the Excel functions, I tried explaining it by taking an example of a chessboard .

James Nuttall, Ben Sherman

While the likes of instruction manuals, white papers, and journal articles don’t leave much room for adjectives, quotes or metaphors, creativity can often be fostered in the approach rather than in the actual practice.

Technical writers need to be creative in their way of thinking; what are the most digestible and effective way of presenting the information they are given? How will it be most accessible to all levels of readers?

This process takes a great deal of experimentation, which requires a creative thinker to be able to put together documents that can be interpreted and understood by all ranges of experience levels.

In turn, it often means that documents need to be drafted and re-drafted until the technical writer is satisfied that the documents are accessible for all levels. This can often stretch your creativity further than trying to write the greatest American novel ever could.

Paul Francis, The BHW Group

It is completely possible to include creativity in technical writing. In fact, we believe creativity is paramount to constructing a great article.

Technical writing can often be dense and difficult for readers to get through if you only present them with technical content.

Finding creative ways to frame your content not only makes your writing more relatable but also distinguishes you from the crowd. Here are some tips we’ve found to help engage readers and boost the quality of your writing:

References: When showing example code and samples, use well-known characters, films, or books to make it easier to follow. Not only does this liven up your article, it also leverages shared culture and experiences to convey information in a different way that can make complex topics simpler to digest.
Analogies: Use non-technical analogies when possible to lighten the tone of an example or section. Even technical writers struggle to make it through an entire article that only talks about technical things. This practice also helps you avoid littering your article with too much jargon that may impede someone’s understanding if they are not an expert in your field.
Story-building : It’s okay to be funny! It’s also more than okay to construct some sort of narrative to the way the content is presented – people love a good story and this is a chance to add some character to your article.
Visuals: Whether it’s a diagram or simply a cover photo for your blog, having visuals can break up the monotony of your writing (both literally and metaphorically) and give readers another way to absorb important contextual information on the subject topic.

John Lukaszczyk, Majux

I do SEO writing for law firms, so I avoid loose or light language as much as I can to keep things serious – but sometimes examples of conduct/situations are a good place to get creative.

Technical writing unavoidably uses complex language, and it’s sometimes impossible not to give your readers a headache. It’s important to lighten up your writing whenever you can.

Most of the time, any sort of narrative passage or conversational language can seem incredibly out of place. However, that doesn’t mean you should wholly avoid it.

Sometimes breaking away from a serious tone is exactly what your readers need. Especially if you’re writing for a tech audience (they’re usually a little less “stuffy”) or writing in-house materials (like manuals or documentation), adding creativity to your writing can keep your readers entertained and focused.

As long as your boss/supervisor is okay with the tone and it doesn’t detract from the tone of the content, go for it.

Justin May, Dock

Technical Writers can absolutely be creative. You often need it when you write documentation for products to imagine how a person will first interact with it. But there isn’t too much creativity allowed in the writing itself.

That doesn’t mean technical writers can’t use their creativity in other outlets. Much like many things in life, creativity is a skill that can be practiced and honed.

David Scarola, The Alternative Board

Based on the research, TAB Vice President David Scarola suggests the following sales tips for B2B business owners:

1. Don’t sell. Teach.

According to TAB’s survey, over half of B2B buyers believe the information they receive from vendors is too sales-oriented.

Win over customers by providing them with the educational resources they need – how your product works and why it’s so important for their industry – rather than focusing on making a sale. By teaching them, rather than selling to them, you create a trust-based relationship.

2. Generate positive reviews of your offering.

One of the best stories to tell about your product or service is a success story. With 93% of business owners turning to independent reviews before making a purchasing decision, it’s a good idea to work with precious customers and online influencers to develop a positive online presence for your product/service.

Third-party validation can make a big difference when convincing a business owner to make a purchase. It removes a lot of the guesswork and potential risk associated with the purchase. A recommendation from a friend, family member, peer, or even online influencer builds a powerful layer of trust, which may even shorten your sales cycle.

Tim Brown, Hook Agency

Recognize it’s crowded content marketing, take inspiration from the top 3, and take a new spin.:

Talking through technical writing with people writing on our blog, or our client’s blogs – we consistently talk about the fact that the content market is incredibly crowded.
To poke your head above the crowd, you need to take a fresh new spin on it – get creative in the way you position it, and get to the point quickly, before going more in-depth.

With this formula, and by reviewing all of the top items that currently rank for a particular topic and trying to combine the top 3 in a ‘super article’ you can break through the ‘boring content wall.

Daniel Houseman, Comm-Works

Frequently with technical writing, you are discussing highly complex concepts that people have little or no interest in. In other words, it can get dry quickly. Readers will let their minds drift if they cannot personally connect to what they are reading. Therefore, your writing needs to be both clear and engaging to be successful. This, however, requires great creativity.

Technical writers often need to think out of the box to create engaging content. They must use their creativity to make complicated concepts relevant and fascinating to their readers. One way to approach this is by asking yourself, “ How can I make this interesting for me?” If you enjoy writing the piece, chances are people will enjoy reading it as well.

Another way technical writers can generate interest in their piece is by connecting the topic to things the audience knows and understands. Putting complex concepts in the context of situations the audience has already experienced will make your writing more compelling. The connection, however, is not always clear. It is up to the writer to find a creative context that is both relatable to the reader and relevant to the writing. While it may be difficult at times, the final product is much more intriguing to the reader.

Bonus Tip: Define your audience and create a persona.

Technical writers have a certain audience in mind while they create a document every time. Whether it’s a superior, a colleague, or a client, they realize that each reader will have distinct demands and expectations. That is why establishing your target audience from the start and considering them at every stage of the writing process is critical.

Creating a persona is one approach to get really specific with your audience. A persona is a sort of imaginary person that represents all of the qualities of your perfect reader. You may ensure that you’re always adapting your message to the appropriate individuals by taking the time to develop your persona thoroughly.

When writing for a technical audience, it is important to remember that your reader may not have the same level of expertise as you do. As a result, it is important to use clear and concise language that can be easily understood. In addition, technical terms should be defined clearly and unambiguously. Finally, technical specifications and other information should be presented in an easy-to-follow format. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can ensure that your technical writing is accessible to all readers.

Wrapping Up

Writing should never be a chore. The more you enjoy writing, the more you will do it and improve your skills. Remember to follow the guidelines and make them your own when you work on your next article. If you allow creativity and technical writing to go together, they can work in tandem effectively.

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What Is Technical Writing?

Written by Scott Wilson

What is technical writing? Technical writing is the process of providing documentation and instruction for technical processes, procedures, or equipment. It provides accessible cues, techniques, and guidance for users of programs or machinery. Technical writers need both advanced writing skills and an understanding of the technology or systems they will be describing.

Technical writing is a category of expository writing: a written work designed to explain facts or process clearly and unambiguously to the target audience. You find technical writing in all kinds of places today:

User manuals for every kind of product or service
Help files embedded in computer programs
App introduction screens and overlays
YouTube training video scripts

Any effort to document how a product works or how to use it will fall into the category of technical writing.

As the world has become a more technology-driven environment, technical writing has become one of the essential writing skillsets needed by corporations and other organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for technical writers over the next decade is well above average, running at 12 percent. It’s a writing field that pays well too. The BLS shows technical writers earning an average of $81,470 per year. The top 10 percent rake in more than $125,010 annually.

Becoming skilled at technical writing is one way that any writer can find a path to a healthy income using their skills. And getting a college degree is the best way to become a technical writer today.

How Is Technical Writing Used Today?

Traditional kinds of technical writing could include:

Legal case analyses
Corporate operating procedures
Setup guides for computers
Software user manuals
Programming interface documentation
Product case studies

The information technology explosion and mass adoption of highly complex software systems and devices changed all that.

The technical writing process today requires both a special kind of writer and a special kind of writing. Technical writers must:

Be able to assess and understand the technology and processes they are being asked to document
Be able to work closely with engineers or developers.
Have a flair for using language to take highly technical concepts and explain them in simple, easy-to-grasp ways

And even as technology becomes more intuitive and seamless, technical writing is essential to the success of any mass market tech product launch. Even as it becomes more and more unnecessary to explain the complexities of software to users, technical writing is edging into the marketing world to ensure products are described accurately.

Command of metaphor, a broad vocabulary, and strong research skills are essential in technical writing. These are all skills that can be picked up through creative writing studies.

What Is the Goal of Technical Writing?

The goal of technical writing is to take a subject that is mysterious to the reader and make it clear. Technical writers are a kind of translator: they find ways to take complex information or processes and deliver it to the target reader in a way that is understandable, or even intuitive.

No one reads technical manuals or help articles for fun. There is also a need for technical writing to be as brief as possible. Finding ways to restate facts or procedures quickly but clearly is the real art of technical writing. The skill of getting directly to the point without leaving out any necessary pieces of information is the real art of technical writing.

What Is an Example of Technical Writing?

Corporate environments are full of technical writing. Reports, employee manuals, financial analyses and other memos and work products are often examples of technical writing. As a consumer, any new product you buy will also come with examples of technical writing. Every phone, food processor, or car sold today comes with some kind of user manual—that’s technical writing, too.

But technical writing is no longer restricted to traditional formats. Today, companies are working harder than ever to reach users in media they prefer. That’s lead to an explosion of YouTube or TikTok how-to videos… the scripts for which are all examples of technical writing.

Finally, a lot of technical writing has made it into technology products themselves. The next time you get a little pop-up describing a feature you are trying to use, or go through an intro screen with a tooltip, you’re reading a very concise, very tightly crafted piece of technical writing.

How To Get Into Technical Writing

There is big demand for talented technical writers today, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can apply.

Technical writers typically come to the field by one of two different routes:

Earning a degree and developing expertise in a technical field , then developing writing skills in order to document that field clearly.
Earning a degree in English or related subjects and then developing detailed understanding of a technical field in order to describe it accurately

That means acquiring two different kinds of education at some point in your career path. On either route, a degree or a certificate in writing is an option to help you fulfill one of those two legs.

Is Technical Writing a Good Career?

It’s also a lucrative path, as long as you earn at least a bachelor’s degree. The average salary for technical writers for 2021 according to BLS was $78,060 per year. The top ten percent, though, make more than $125,010 annually.

The job involves far more than writing. Unlike many writers, technical writers are almost always part of team. They have to perform work such as:

Interviewing engineers and other technical staff for information on products and processes
Reviewing work material and using products they will describe
Refine technical documentation based on end-user comments and questions

All of this comes with deadlines, which can make technical writing both fast-paced and stressful compared to some other writing jobs.

But it’s also exciting. Working in groundbreaking industries on new and innovative products is a kick. It’s also a constant opportunity to improve, honing your skills and knowledge to stay up-to-date with new trends and technologies.

One obstacle for many people interested in technical writing are technical skills. It’s important for a technical writer to be able to grasp the technology they are writing about sufficiently to explain it to someone else.

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough. ~ Variously attributed to Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman

Of course, just understanding the technology is only half the battle. Learning how to write about it is an undervalued but equally important skill. Many technical writing programs exist to help teach the basic skills and expectations on the writing side of the job, including:

Written communications
Digital literacy
Information management
Technology and culture

These programs also frequently offer degree tracks or concentrations in various industries that rely heavily on technical writers, such as health sciences or information technology.

Technical Writing Certification

In order to write a good user manual, you have to go beyond general understanding and into practical experience. For example, if you’re writing technical documentation for video editing software, you can’t just imagine how a video editor would use the app. You’d have to use it yourself and consult the developers who built it.

Second, consider enrolling in courses run by organizations such as:

The Society for Technical Communication (STC)
American Medical Writing Association (AMWA)
National Association of Science Writers (NASW)
International Technical Communication Qualifications Foundation (ITCQF)

Acquiring certification from one of these associations shows hiring managers that you’re serious.

The first step in getting any one of these specialized certifications is to enroll in the online courses these organizations offer.

Although these certifications offer the basic skills in expository writing and description that a technical writer needs, they may not be the end of the road in writing education. Writers are always growing, and creative writing programs are one option that offer enormous potential to polish all kinds of writing skills.

How To Improve Technical Writing Skills Through a Degree in Creative Writing

Technical writing has transitioned from a dry, by-the-numbers presentation of facts and features to a more user-friendly, tech-savvy field. Attention spans have been dropping through the technology era: in 2000, the average human attention span was 12 seconds. In 2013, it was only 8 seconds. That’s less than a goldfish. But it’s what technical writers have to work with.

That means creativity is the name of the game in getting technical data to the people who need it. The technical writer of tomorrow may need to be as familiar with screenwriting as manual formatting; they may have to work within the bounds of tiny tooltips or to create evocative stories to tell during first-use tutorials.

Although these are all kinds of expository writing, creativity and imagination are absolutely required to accomplish them. You need inspiration and flair to fit good communications into the time and space available to technical writers today. Creative writing degrees help you develop exactly those skills .

Creative Writing Programs Develop Different Perspectives To Help You Reach Your Audience

With broad exposure to different kinds of writing and literature, challenging assignments, constant feedback, and a diverse audience of fellow students and professors, studies in creative writing hone your ability to reach readers on every level.

Part of that comes through reading assignments in the program itself. Students are expected to read and analyze a wide range of different works by various authors. That process will expose you to many new techniques and ideas for making connections with different groups of readers.

Creative Writing Degrees Exercise All Your Writing Muscles

Creative writing programs are also well known for the sheer volume of writing and polishing that are required. This is excellent practice for technical writers, who frequently progress through multiple drafts and iterations. You’ll learn to take feedback and incorporate it into your work, as well as hone every paragraph down to polished perfection.

That level of commitment and production also builds necessary writing skills like research and outlining. Although the subject matter in a creative writing program may be different, the process of developing knowledge and breaking down concepts through outlining are key skill for every technical writer to develop.

In an era where technical writing is going through big changes, a creative writing degree will help you redefine the field for tomorrow. With core skills in the areas that make all writers great, creative writing graduates have everything they need to bend their career toward any field that interests them.

2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market salary figures for Technical Writers reflect national data. Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed September 2022.

What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)

Creative writing begins with a blank page and the courage to fill it with the stories only you can tell.

I face this intimidating blank page daily–and I have for the better part of 20+ years.

In this guide, you’ll learn all the ins and outs of creative writing with tons of examples.

What Is Creative Writing (Long Description)?

Creative Writing is the art of using words to express ideas and emotions in imaginative ways. It encompasses various forms including novels, poetry, and plays, focusing on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes.

Bright, colorful creative writer's desk with notebook and typewriter -- What Is Creative Writing

Table of Contents

Let’s expand on that definition a bit.

Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries.

It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.

In essence, creative writing lets you express ideas and emotions uniquely and imaginatively.

It’s about the freedom to invent worlds, characters, and stories. These creations evoke a spectrum of emotions in readers.

Creative writing covers fiction, poetry, and everything in between.

It allows writers to express inner thoughts and feelings. Often, it reflects human experiences through a fabricated lens.

Types of Creative Writing

There are many types of creative writing that we need to explain.

Some of the most common types:

Short stories
Screenplays
Flash fiction
Creative Nonfiction

Short Stories (The Brief Escape)

Short stories are like narrative treasures.

They are compact but impactful, telling a full story within a limited word count. These tales often focus on a single character or a crucial moment.

Short stories are known for their brevity.

They deliver emotion and insight in a concise yet powerful package. This format is ideal for exploring diverse genres, themes, and characters. It leaves a lasting impression on readers.

Example: Emma discovers an old photo of her smiling grandmother. It’s a rarity. Through flashbacks, Emma learns about her grandmother’s wartime love story. She comes to understand her grandmother’s resilience and the value of joy.

Novels (The Long Journey)

Novels are extensive explorations of character, plot, and setting.

They span thousands of words, giving writers the space to create entire worlds. Novels can weave complex stories across various themes and timelines.

The length of a novel allows for deep narrative and character development.

Readers get an immersive experience.

Example: Across the Divide tells of two siblings separated in childhood. They grow up in different cultures. Their reunion highlights the strength of family bonds, despite distance and differences.

Poetry (The Soul’s Language)

Poetry expresses ideas and emotions through rhythm, sound, and word beauty.

It distills emotions and thoughts into verses. Poetry often uses metaphors, similes, and figurative language to reach the reader’s heart and mind.

Poetry ranges from structured forms, like sonnets, to free verse.

The latter breaks away from traditional formats for more expressive thought.

Example: Whispers of Dawn is a poem collection capturing morning’s quiet moments. “First Light” personifies dawn as a painter. It brings colors of hope and renewal to the world.

Plays (The Dramatic Dialogue)

Plays are meant for performance. They bring characters and conflicts to life through dialogue and action.

This format uniquely explores human relationships and societal issues.

Playwrights face the challenge of conveying setting, emotion, and plot through dialogue and directions.

Example: Echoes of Tomorrow is set in a dystopian future. Memories can be bought and sold. It follows siblings on a quest to retrieve their stolen memories. They learn the cost of living in a world where the past has a price.

Screenplays (Cinema’s Blueprint)

Screenplays outline narratives for films and TV shows.

They require an understanding of visual storytelling, pacing, and dialogue. Screenplays must fit film production constraints.

Example: The Last Light is a screenplay for a sci-fi film. Humanity’s survivors on a dying Earth seek a new planet. The story focuses on spacecraft Argo’s crew as they face mission challenges and internal dynamics.

Memoirs (The Personal Journey)

Memoirs provide insight into an author’s life, focusing on personal experiences and emotional journeys.

They differ from autobiographies by concentrating on specific themes or events.

Memoirs invite readers into the author’s world.

They share lessons learned and hardships overcome.

Example: Under the Mango Tree is a memoir by Maria Gomez. It shares her childhood memories in rural Colombia. The mango tree in their yard symbolizes home, growth, and nostalgia. Maria reflects on her journey to a new life in America.

Flash Fiction (The Quick Twist)

Flash fiction tells stories in under 1,000 words.

It’s about crafting compelling narratives concisely. Each word in flash fiction must count, often leading to a twist.

This format captures life’s vivid moments, delivering quick, impactful insights.

Example: The Last Message features an astronaut’s final Earth message as her spacecraft drifts away. In 500 words, it explores isolation, hope, and the desire to connect against all odds.

Creative Nonfiction (The Factual Tale)

Creative nonfiction combines factual accuracy with creative storytelling.

This genre covers real events, people, and places with a twist. It uses descriptive language and narrative arcs to make true stories engaging.

Creative nonfiction includes biographies, essays, and travelogues.

Example: Echoes of Everest follows the author’s Mount Everest climb. It mixes factual details with personal reflections and the history of past climbers. The narrative captures the climb’s beauty and challenges, offering an immersive experience.

Fantasy (The World Beyond)

Fantasy transports readers to magical and mythical worlds.

It explores themes like good vs. evil and heroism in unreal settings. Fantasy requires careful world-building to create believable yet fantastic realms.

Example: The Crystal of Azmar tells of a young girl destined to save her world from darkness. She learns she’s the last sorceress in a forgotten lineage. Her journey involves mastering powers, forming alliances, and uncovering ancient kingdom myths.

Science Fiction (The Future Imagined)

Science fiction delves into futuristic and scientific themes.

It questions the impact of advancements on society and individuals.

Science fiction ranges from speculative to hard sci-fi, focusing on plausible futures.

Example: When the Stars Whisper is set in a future where humanity communicates with distant galaxies. It centers on a scientist who finds an alien message. This discovery prompts a deep look at humanity’s universe role and interstellar communication.

Watch this great video that explores the question, “What is creative writing?” and “How to get started?”:

What Are the 5 Cs of Creative Writing?

The 5 Cs of creative writing are fundamental pillars.

They guide writers to produce compelling and impactful work. These principles—Clarity, Coherence, Conciseness, Creativity, and Consistency—help craft stories that engage and entertain.

They also resonate deeply with readers. Let’s explore each of these critical components.

Clarity makes your writing understandable and accessible.

It involves choosing the right words and constructing clear sentences. Your narrative should be easy to follow.

In creative writing, clarity means conveying complex ideas in a digestible and enjoyable way.

Coherence ensures your writing flows logically.

It’s crucial for maintaining the reader’s interest. Characters should develop believably, and plots should progress logically. This makes the narrative feel cohesive.

Conciseness

Conciseness is about expressing ideas succinctly.

It’s being economical with words and avoiding redundancy. This principle helps maintain pace and tension, engaging readers throughout the story.

Creativity is the heart of creative writing.

It allows writers to invent new worlds and create memorable characters. Creativity involves originality and imagination. It’s seeing the world in unique ways and sharing that vision.

Consistency

Consistency maintains a uniform tone, style, and voice.

It means being faithful to the world you’ve created. Characters should act true to their development. This builds trust with readers, making your story immersive and believable.

Is Creative Writing Easy?

Creative writing is both rewarding and challenging.

Crafting stories from your imagination involves more than just words on a page. It requires discipline and a deep understanding of language and narrative structure.

Exploring complex characters and themes is also key.

Refining and revising your work is crucial for developing your voice.

The ease of creative writing varies. Some find the freedom of expression liberating.

Others struggle with writer’s block or plot development challenges. However, practice and feedback make creative writing more fulfilling.

What Does a Creative Writer Do?

A creative writer weaves narratives that entertain, enlighten, and inspire.

Writers explore both the world they create and the emotions they wish to evoke. Their tasks are diverse, involving more than just writing.

Creative writers develop ideas, research, and plan their stories.

They create characters and outline plots with attention to detail. Drafting and revising their work is a significant part of their process. They strive for the 5 Cs of compelling writing.

Writers engage with the literary community, seeking feedback and participating in workshops.

They may navigate the publishing world with agents and editors.

Creative writers are storytellers, craftsmen, and artists. They bring narratives to life, enriching our lives and expanding our imaginations.

How to Get Started With Creative Writing?

Embarking on a creative writing journey can feel like standing at the edge of a vast and mysterious forest.

The path is not always clear, but the adventure is calling.

Here’s how to take your first steps into the world of creative writing:

Find a time of day when your mind is most alert and creative.
Create a comfortable writing space free from distractions.
Use prompts to spark your imagination. They can be as simple as a word, a phrase, or an image.
Try writing for 15-20 minutes on a prompt without editing yourself. Let the ideas flow freely.
Reading is fuel for your writing. Explore various genres and styles.
Pay attention to how your favorite authors construct their sentences, develop characters, and build their worlds.
Don’t pressure yourself to write a novel right away. Begin with short stories or poems.
Small projects can help you hone your skills and boost your confidence.
Look for writing groups in your area or online. These communities offer support, feedback, and motivation.
Participating in workshops or classes can also provide valuable insights into your writing.
Understand that your first draft is just the beginning. Revising your work is where the real magic happens.
Be open to feedback and willing to rework your pieces.
Carry a notebook or digital recorder to jot down ideas, observations, and snippets of conversations.
These notes can be gold mines for future writing projects.

Final Thoughts: What Is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is an invitation to explore the unknown, to give voice to the silenced, and to celebrate the human spirit in all its forms.

Check out these creative writing tools (that I highly recommend):

Technical vs. Academic, Creative, Business, and Literary Writing: What Is the Difference?

Technical writing is all about the content that focuses on providing detailed and clear information on the product or service. It contains a factual and straightforward message. Technical writers convert complex technical information into useful and easy-to-understand language. You should know that there are different types of technical writing , for example, online tutorials , instruction manuals, API documentation, and so on.

The main idea of all types of technical writing is to help the end-user understand any technical aspect of the product or service.

In addition to technical writing, there are many types of other writings, such as creative, business, and literary writing. All of them have distinctive features. Let’s compare these writings to technical writing and see what they have in common and what makes them different.

Technical Writing vs. Academic Writing

Some people might think these two types of writing are similar. The truth is that these are two completely different categories. It may seem that academic writing should be more complicated since it is focused on some specific and narrow discipline. Indeed, this type of writing may describe very complex concepts and provide specialized knowledge.

Technical writing is intended to describe technical information. It may vary depending on the specifics of a particular industry.

Academic writing is aimed to present a certain point of view on a particular subject. Academic papers show results of research and demonstrate someone’s knowledge. In turn, technical writing explains something to readers and informs them. Technical papers often explain how to use a particular product or service. Technical documents can also describe procedures used by the manufacturer to perform certain tasks. What technical and academic writing have in common is that both types may contain jargon.

Academic and technical writing target different audiences. Academic papers are usually intended for fellow scholars. However, there are also academic pieces of writing intended for a broad audience. Technical writing is intended for people who use a product or service.

Technical Writing vs. Creative Writing

Creative writing is a piece of writing for entertainment and education. It focuses on imaginative and symbolic content, and creative papers are published to entertain, provoke, inspire the user. Technical writing, on the other hand, is not done to amuse its reader. It is used to inform someone. Some technical articles are sometimes made to trigger the reader to take action.

There is no such specific reader who prefers creative papers. Anyone can read the creative paper if they want to, and it gives readers a theme, message, moral, or lesson which is helpful in their real lives or provides temporary entertainment to the reader.

Creative writing has many genres and subgenres. If you want to write creatively, you should have talent. Of course, talent alone is not enough - practice is everything here.

It doesn’t mean that creativity can’t be used in technical writing. Technical articles contain so many facts and data that they can bore and overwhelm readers. This is where creativity in technical writing might come in handy. A tech writer should be creative to encourage their readers to continue reading the document.

Technical Writing vs. Business Writing

Business writing is just about any kind of writing people do at work, if we are not talking about journalism or creative writing. Business writing includes reports, emails, proposals, white papers, minutes, business cases, letters, copywriting, bids, and tenders.

However, many reports, bids, and proposals contain technical data and specifications. So business writers may find themselves editing technical content, and technical writers may be called upon to write persuasive documents for a non-technical audience.

The main objective for both these writings is to inform, be useful, build something or operate the equipment.

The language needs to be clear, concise, and accurate. Wordiness, repetition, and unfamiliar words that the audience may not understand do not belong in either business or technical writing.

Of course, you can use technical jargon in documents where the audience has the same technical background. But too much jargon tends to be a huge problem. So, if in doubt, avoid jargon or explain it.

Some business documents need to be persuasive, whereas technical documents tend to be neutral and objective.

However, there are differences in the content, language, and style of technical and business writing. More on technical writing in business is in our article What Value Technical Writers Bring to Business?

Technical Writing vs. Literary Writing

The main difference between technical writing and literary writing is that literary language is used in literary work while technical writing is used in writing for a particular field. Literary writing is used in fiction. Examples of literary writing include poems, novels, short stories, dramas, etc. The language used in literary writing is creative, imaginative and uses literary techniques like hyperbole, personification, similes, metaphors, etc.

Technical writing is the style of writing that is mostly observed in non-fiction. The language used in technical writing is direct, factual, and straightforward.

Literary writing appeals to emotions. Technical writing appeals to the mind.

Technical writing is aimed at people who have knowledge about a particular subject area. Literary writing is written for general readers.

Every writing style is important in its own way. They are used by writers depending on the subject matter, purpose, language, and target audience. Below is the table that summarizes what you found out about the types of writing mentioned in this article:

It doesn’t matter what you write: essays, business materials, fiction, letters, or just notes in your journal, your writing will be at its best if you stay focused on your purpose and target audience.

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Enchanting Marketing

Writing advice for small business

11 Creative Writing Techniques

Learn how to add pizzazz to any type of writing.

The articles below show you how to use creative writing tools in fiction or non-fiction. Each article features a series of examples so it becomes easier to apply the technique.

List of creative writing techniques

Click the links below to go to a specific section:

Personification

Show don’t tell

Repetition in writing

Contrast in writing

The rule of three in writing

Parallelism

1. Metaphors

Learn how to use metaphors and get inspired by these examples …

Learn how to use metaphors >>

Metaphor examples >>

Get inspired by over 10 simile examples by various authors …

Simile examples >>

3. Analogies

Get inspired by these analogy examples …

Analogy examples >>

Improve your writing style

Learn how to write better and find your voice. Get free writing tips in your inbox.

Get free writing tips >>

Get inspired by these imagery examples …

Imagery examples >>

5. Personification

Learn how to use personification to make your writing sparkle …

Personification examples >>

6. Show don’t tell

Get inspired by these examples of “show, don’t tell” …

Show don’t tell examples >>

7. Repetition in writing

Get inspired by these examples of word repetition …

Examples of repetition in writing >>

8. Contrast in writing

Discover how to use contrast in your writing …

Examples of contrast in writing >>

9. The rule of 3 in writing

Get inspired by these examples of the rule of 3 …

The rule of 3 in writing >>

10. Parallelism in writing

Get inspired by these examples of the parallelism …

Parallelism examples >>

11. Switch the point of view (POV)

Discover how to switch the point of view …

Point of view examples >>

Creative writing examples

Learn how to inject creativity in any writing.

Creative writing exercises

Try these exercises to add a touch of creativity to your writing.

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Technical Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 6

Edited by Kirk St.Amant and Pavel Zemliansky

1. Who Is the User? Researching Audiences for Technical Documents , Emma J. Rose

2. Assessing Sources for Technical Communication Research , Therese I. Pennell

3. Last to Be Written, First to Be Read: Writing Memos, Abstracts and Executive Summaries , K. Alex Ilyasova

4. Drafting Technical Definitions and Descriptions , Quan Zhou

5. Let’s Party: Composing a Review of the Literature on a Technical Topic , Daniel P. Richards

6. Stronger Together: Collaborative Work in the Technical Writing Classroom , Laurence José

7. Worth a Thousand Words: Constructing Visual Arguments in Technical Communication , Candice A. Welhausen

8. Technical, Scientific, and Business Presentations: Strategies for Success , Darina M. Slattery

9. Writing Technical Content for Online Spaces , Yvonne Cleary

10. Social Media as a Space for Today’s Technical Communication Work , Clinton R. Lanier

11. Introduction to Usability and Usability Testing , Felicia Chong and Tammy Rice-Bailey

12. Beyond Audience Analysis: Three Stages of User Experience Research for Technical Writers , Joanna Schreiber

13. “Not So Fast”: Centering Your Users to Design the Right Solution , Candice Lanius and Ryan Weber

14. Basic Approaches to Creating Accessible Documentation Projects: What Is Accessibility, and What Does It Have to do with Documentation Projects? , Cathryn Molloy

15. Designing Multimodal Technical Instructions for Cross-Cultural Resonance Using a Culturally Inclusive Approach , Audrey G. Bennett

16. How to Write for Global Audiences , Birgitta Meex

17. Composing Technical Documents for Localized Usability in the International Context , Keshab Raj Acharya

Contributors

About the Editors

Kirk St.Amant is a Professor and Eunice C. Williamson Endowed Chair in Technical Communication at Louisiana Tech University where he also serves as the Director of Louisiana Tech University’s Center for Health and Medical Communication.

Pavel Zemliansky is Professor of English for Academic Purposes at Oslo Metropolitan University. His research interests include international technical communication, online course design, and writing across the curriculum/writing in the disciplines (WAC/WID). His research has appeared in College English , IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication , Kairos , and the Journal of Technical Writing and Communication . He is the co-winner of the 2017 CCCC Award for the Best Collection of Original Essays in Technical and Scientific Communication for the book Rethinking Post-Communist Rhetoric: Perspectives on Rhetoric, Writing, and Professional Communication in Post-Soviet Spaces (Lexington Books, 2016) and a founder of the Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing book series.

Publication Information: St.Amant, Kirk, & Pavel Zemliansky (Eds.). (2024). Technical Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 6 . WritingSpaces.org; Parlor Press; The WAC Clearinghouse. https://wac.colostate.edu/books/writingspaces/writingspaces6/ Publication Date: January 2024

Contact Information: Visit https://writingspaces.org/masthead/ .

Review Title Date

Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing

Series Editors: Trace Daniels-Lerberg, Bryna Siegel Finer, Mary Stewart, and Matthew Vetter

Copyright © 2024 Parlor Press and The WAC Clearinghouse. Individual essays © 2024 by the respective authors. Unless otherwise stated, these works are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License and are subject to the Writing Spaces Terms of Use. 354 pages, with illustrations and bibliographies. Available in print and eBook formats from Parlor Press or at any online or brick-and-mortar bookstore. Available in digital format for no charge on this page at the WAC Clearinghouse and on the Writing Spaces Web site at https://writingspaces.org/writing-spaces-volume-6/ . You may view this book. You may print personal copies of this book. You may link to this page. You may not reproduce this book on another website.

COMMENTS

11 Technical Writing Examples & Samples in 2024
Examples of this type of technical writing include step-by-step process guides, internal wikis, KPI and goal reporting, OKRs, and HR policies. 4. Technical Marketing Communications. ... Unlike creative writing, technical writing doesn't need to invoke the reader's emotions - but instead, its goal is to convey complex information in an ...
A Guide to Technical Writing (With Examples)
Here are some examples of who might read technical writing: · A renter of an apartment that needs details on their lease. · An electrical engineer who needs to know how the wiring is laid out in the apartment block. · The janitor of that same building who needs to know the location of the emergency lights. · The occupant of apartment 61 ...
8 Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You
The different types of technical writing have unique characteristics that you can easily learn and master effectively. 1. User Manuals. User manuals or instruction manuals come with various products, such as consumer electronics like televisions, consoles, cellphones, kitchen appliances, and more.
10 Best Technical Writing Examples & Samples in 2024
It's a key way we share information about products or systems. Thus, in this section, we will check out 10 examples of technical writing in different areas. 1. User Manuals. User manuals accompany products like electronics, which provide a comprehensive guide for users, particularly beginners.
8 Great Technical Writing Examples to Inspire You
8 Best Technical Writing Examples. 1. User Manuals. Writing a user manual is a daunting task for a technical writer , as it contains all the instructions a user needs to operate a product or feature. Writing a user manual requires a combination of organizational and technical writing skills, so it is an essential example of technical writing to ...
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Technical writing comes with a different style, it carries a different purpose and involves different characteristics that are different from other writing styles such as creative writing ...
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The Slack Help Center is an excellent example of technical writing that speaks to the layman. Slack is known for its brilliant UX copywriting. Amruta Ranade, Staff Technical Writer for Airbyte, admires the company's documentation writing style. She says, "Slack's Help Center shows incredible user-awareness.
Technical Writing 101: Examples and How to Become One (2024)
Technical writing is a form of writing on a specific topic that requires guidance, instruction, or explanation. This writing style serves a unique purpose and therefore has very different qualities than other types of writing, such as creative writing, academic writing, or business writing. Because of this, technical writing is vital to a wide ...
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Technical writing refers to the type of writing is a type of writing that conveys based on facts and concepts in a clear and concise manner. Creative writing is a type of writing that uses imagination, creativity, and artistic expression to convey stories, ideas, and emotions. The purpose of technical writing is to inform, instruct, or persuade ...
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5. White Papers. 6. Service Level Agreements (SLA) This writing style requires a deep understanding of the subject matter and the ability to communicate effectively. The best way to improve your technical writing skills is to practice. You can use these five technical writing examples to help you do just that. 1.
Technical Writing vs Creative Writing
Creative writers can also work as screenwriters, editors, writing coaches, lyricists, and journalists. Technical writing draws on many of the same skills, but requires the writer to be more direct. In an ever-changing world being able to express an idea or theme in a clear and concise manner has never been more important.
4 Examples of Exceptional Technical Writing and What Makes Them Outstanding
Tomas Laurinavicius. Writing. May 15, 2024. Diving into the world of technical writing, we've gathered insights from Co-Founders to Editors, highlighting four exceptional examples that stand out for their clarity, practicality, and accessibility. From a piece that showcases design trends with clarity to a structured guide to website ...
What Are The Differences Between Technical Writing And Creative Writing
Technical writing relies on visuals for clarity; creative writing focuses on text-based storytelling. Uses headings & subheadings. May use unconventional formatting. Technical writing organizes content with a clear hierarchy; creative writing may play with the layout for effect. Often includes tables & charts.
Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing
The differences between creative writing and technical writing are that creative writing is written mainly to entertain with the creativity of the mind and technical writing is written mainly to inform in a formal manner or to incite the reader to make an action such as purchase the writer's product. This, in a mouthful, is the main difference.
33 Good Technical Writing Examples (Word & PDF)
Download 30 KB. #33. Even if technical writing skills take high-levels details, you should still explain these concisely and clearly to your audience. As a technical writer, you should come up with documents that are very clear, simple, and succinct. Sometimes, though, the results could just be the opposite.
Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing
01. Technical writing is based on facts and concepts. General writing is based on imaginations and creativity. 02. Technical writing focuses on factual and straight forward content. Creative writing focuses on imaginative and symbolic content. 03. Technical writing has its specific reader/audience.
18 Expert Tips to Foster Creativity in Technical Writing
Technical writing job continues to grow over the years. In fact, it is #4 in Best Creative and Media Jobs and is expected to have a further vertical rise in 2022.. By definition, technical writing is any written form of writing or drafting technical communication used in a variety of technical and occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics ...
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Technical Writing and Creativity. Can technical writing be creative
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What Is Creative Writing? (Ultimate Guide + 20 Examples)
Creative writing is an art form that transcends traditional literature boundaries. It includes professional, journalistic, academic, and technical writing. This type of writing emphasizes narrative craft, character development, and literary tropes. It also explores poetry and poetics traditions.
Technical vs. Academic, Creative, Business, and Literary Writing: What
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6. Show don't tell. To let readers experience your story, show don't tell. Showing means using sensory details and describing actions to direct a mental movie in your reader's mind. Get inspired by these examples of "show, don't tell" …. Show don't tell examples >>. 7. Repetition in writing.
Technical Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Volume 6
6. Stronger Together: Collaborative Work in the Technical Writing Classroom, Laurence José. 7. Worth a Thousand Words: Constructing Visual Arguments in Technical Communication, Candice A. Welhausen. 8. Technical, Scientific, and Business Presentations: Strategies for Success, Darina M. Slattery. 9. Writing Technical Content for Online Spaces ...
8 Director Resume Examples & Writing Guide for 2024
Why this is a good example of a director of sales resume. Keyword optimization: The candidate incorporates keywords on their resume, such as "sales strategy," "team leadership," "channel sales," "pipeline visibility," and "forecasting accuracy" that are relevant to the director of sales role they're applying for. Accomplishment statements: Rather than just rattling off a ...

A Guide to Technical Writing (With Examples)

What Is Technical Writing?

Instructions for Carrying Out a Task

Operating Manuals for Machinery, Appliances, or Systems

Specialized Topics

So How Do I Produce a Great Piece of Technical Writing?

Who Is It For?

What Do They Need?

How Should Technical Writing Be Composed?

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Examples of Technical Writing

Is technical writing difficult?

Are there professional bodies for technical writers?

What can I do if I’m not sure that my technical writing style is appropriate to my subject?

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