{"id":8727,"date":"2021-06-07T19:20:05","date_gmt":"2021-06-07T19:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/?p=8727"},"modified":"2022-02-21T10:36:30","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T10:36:30","slug":"what-is-technical-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/what-is-technical-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"What is technical writing and how does it relate to UX writing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"8727\" class=\"elementor elementor-8727\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-273879e8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"273879e8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1fd255b5\" data-id=\"1fd255b5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e3570e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4e3570e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In this article, we describe what technical writing is and how the profession is evolving. You\u2019ll find out what technical writers get up to all day and what <strong>qualifications and skills<\/strong> you need to excel. We\u2019ll also explore the connection between technical writing, business writing, <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/what-is-ux-writing\/\">UX writing<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/the-rise-of-content-design\/\">content design<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The goal of technical writing is to make it easy to understand<strong> how something works <\/strong>\u2013 a service, a product, or a process. It comes in the form of instruction manuals, help guides, FAQs, knowledge base articles, release notes, video tutorials and even as customer support chatbots. Two of a technical writer\u2019s main tasks are<strong> background research and writing<\/strong>, but there\u2019s a lot more to tech writing than that.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0886a00 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"0886a00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;],&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-circle&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;,&quot;rendered_tag&quot;:&quot;&lt;svg class=\\&quot;e-font-icon-svg e-fas-circle\\&quot; viewBox=\\&quot;0 0 512 512\\&quot; xmlns=\\&quot;http:\\\/\\\/www.w3.org\\\/2000\\\/svg\\&quot;&gt;&lt;path d=\\&quot;M256 8C119 8 8 119 8 256s111 248 248 248 248-111 248-248S393 8 256 8z\\&quot;&gt;&lt;\\\/path&gt;&lt;\\\/svg&gt;&quot;},&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tShortcuts \u2013 jump straight to:\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-down\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M207.029 381.476L12.686 187.132c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941l22.667-22.667c9.357-9.357 24.522-9.375 33.901-.04L224 284.505l154.745-154.021c9.379-9.335 24.544-9.317 33.901.04l22.667 22.667c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941L240.971 381.476c-9.373 9.372-24.569 9.372-33.942 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\"><svg class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-up\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M240.971 130.524l194.343 194.343c9.373 9.373 9.373 24.569 0 33.941l-22.667 22.667c-9.357 9.357-24.522 9.375-33.901.04L224 227.495 69.255 381.516c-9.379 9.335-24.544 9.317-33.901-.04l-22.667-22.667c-9.373-9.373-9.373-24.569 0-33.941L207.03 130.525c9.372-9.373 24.568-9.373 33.941-.001z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M500 975V858C696 858 858 696 858 500S696 142 500 142 142 304 142 500H25C25 237 238 25 500 25S975 237 975 500 763 975 500 975Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22981c61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22981c61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>The definition of technical writing \u270f\ufe0f<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Common definition<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>On a high level, technical writing is often defined as \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/techwhirl.com\/what-is-technical-writing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">simplifying the complex<\/a>\u201d. Generally speaking, anything that explains how something works is a kind of technical writing. Even a recipe with step-by-step instructions that shows you how to bake a cake to perfection.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The first thing many of us think of when we hear \u201ctechnical writing\u201d is <strong>support documentation<\/strong>, like instruction manuals and help files for software programs. This is where you turn when a device or computer program is driving you nuts because you can\u2019t work out how to use it properly. Perhaps you search for something like \u201chow to make the frigging background transparent in Photoshop\u201d and end up on Adobe\u2019s help pages.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Well-written instructions will take you effortlessly through the task so that you can save your head from concussion. And reversely, instructions that don\u2019t work can have a terrible effect on a brand\u2019s reputation and customer relations. It\u2019s powerful stuff!<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Today\u2019s broader definition<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Today, technical writing includes far more than instruction manuals \u2013 perhaps because traditional manuals are not always user-friendly. It now comes in all shapes and forms including <strong>FAQs, video tutorials and <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/conversational-design\/\">chatbots<\/a><\/strong>. At the same time, the definition has expanded to include any document or content that contains technical information. This could be a technical report, white paper, case study, and even emails and press releases.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Tech writing can be found in <strong>most industries<\/strong>. It is a staple in the IT, tech manufacturing, engineering, construction, biotech, medical, energy, insurance and finance industries, to name a few.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Technical writing or business writing?<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>So\u2026 if reports, case studies and even emails qualify as technical writing, what\u2019s the difference from business writing?<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a good question. Technical writing can be considered a type of business writing, but business writing is a broader category. You could say that tech writing is a specialized field within business writing, one that has its own processes and tools.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Technical writing, UX writing or content design?<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>What about the connection between technical writing and <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/what-is-ux-writing\/\">UX writing<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/the-rise-of-content-design\/\">content design<\/a>? There is a great deal of overlap, for sure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical writing has moved into digital products in the form of<strong> tooltips and flows that guide the user <\/strong>towards a set task. You could even say that the goal for many digital products is to make the UI so friction-free and easy to use that support documentation is no longer needed. In those cases, the tech writing becomes the responsibility of the <strong>UX writer or content designer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Like UX writers, technical writers make complex information clear and easy to understand. They also share the goal of helping the user <strong>complete a task<\/strong>. Both need to be fully aware of the context, from the style guide and target audience to business goals and published format.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>One of the main differences lies in different types of content and copy. UX writers and content designers work specifically <strong>user journeys and copy in digital interfaces<\/strong>. A big part of the job is to research, create and test user flows and microcopy. Technical writers on the other hand work with <strong>text in all types of documentation<\/strong>, often more text-heavy stuff.<\/p>\n<p>Another difference is that technical writing is often written in a very <strong>dry, factual and objective voice<\/strong>. UX writers often have to <strong>adapt their tone<\/strong> according to the specific situation in a user journey and use a content style guide to match the company brand voice.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Read about <a href=\"https:\/\/uxplanet.org\/5-lessons-learned-transitioning-from-a-technical-writer-to-a-ux-writer-f2cd608d5432\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how a technical writer transitioned to UX writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>Technical writer job description \ud83d\udcf0<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical writer job descriptions usually include variations of most or all of these points:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Research, gather and analyze technical and product information<\/li>\n<li>Collaborate with product designers, developers and other stakeholders to understand complex product details<\/li>\n<li>Assist in planning, scheduling, and tracking documentation work\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Create or maintain a content style guide and glossaries<\/li>\n<li>Write easy-to-understand user interface text, online help and developer guides for specific target groups<\/li>\n<li>Create user guides, FAQs, technical overviews, and in-product help documentation<\/li>\n<li>Format documents to make sure that they are easy to read<\/li>\n<li>Handle graphics such as images, videos, graphs, and tables, making sure that they make sense in context<\/li>\n<li>Publish weekly release notes with information on product updates, releases and fixes<\/li>\n<li>Test the product and its documentation for accuracy and consistency<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If you want more examples, you\u2019ll find <a href=\"https:\/\/builtin.com\/job-descriptions\/technical-writer-job-description\">5 typical technical writer job descriptions here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>Technical writer qualifications and skills \ud83d\udcda<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>What qualifications and skills do you need to succeed as a tech writer?<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Communication skills<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is crucial for technical writers. As the bridge between technical experts and end-users, your task is to present complex ideas in a digestible way.<\/p>\n<p>You will <strong>work closely with engineers and other stakeholders<\/strong> who may use complicated terms and industry jargon. Sometimes, asking lots of relevant questions is the only way to extract the info you need to explain a topic to somebody who\u2019s not an expert.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Excellent command of writing<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>For sure, you will spend a significant part of your day working with text \u2013 writing, revising, and proofreading. Writing <strong>clearly and concisely<\/strong> is key, which is easier said than done when you deal with a technical subject matter. Attention to detail and factual accuracy are crucial.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Having said that, technical writing is about much more than writing, as you will see below.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Background research competence<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical writers deal with complex subject matters, and background research is a natural part of a technical writer\u2019s working day. Get used to <strong>finding, arranging, and analyzing data<\/strong>, whether it\u2019s in the form of online searches, stakeholder meetings or interviews, or creating surveys.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Knowing the audience<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>You need to be acutely aware of the target audience and make sure that you write in a way that they can digest easily. To hit the right tone in your writing, you need to <strong>understand who you\u2019re writing for<\/strong>. How much do they know about the given topic? Are they familiar with industry-specific terminology? Do you need to explain acronyms?<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Document design skills<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Document design is a fundamental part of the job. Graphic elements like <strong>video, images, charts, and tables<\/strong> are common to visualize tech writing. It is usually also the tech writer\u2019s job to format the documents so that they are easy to navigate, using headings, subheadings, bullet points, color, bold etc., in a sensible way.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Knowing how to use digital tools<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>As a technical writer, you\u2019re likely to come across single-source publishing tools such as MadCap Flare, easyDITA, Adobe RoboHelp, Adobe Framemaker, Oxygen XML editor, or ClickHelp. The nifty thing with single-source publishing is that you can <strong>reuse content chunks<\/strong> across different document formats, from Word and PDF to HTML and XML. So instead of keeping track of similar content in multiple files, you work in one and the same file. By marking up bits of content, you can then export what you need for different file formats. Single-source tools also allow you to <strong>work with variables<\/strong>. This makes it easy to update changes to specific terms across multiple documents in one place.\u00a0 Some of these tools take a while to get used to, but once you get the hang of it, they are great for consistency and efficiency.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Is it necessary to know these tools to become a technical writer? It depends on your future employer or client! If they use any of these tools and you\u2019re familiar with them already, you definitely have an advantage.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Other common tools used by technical writers are Microsoft Office, Snagit, Camtasia, Photoshop, Grammarly, the Hemingway App, and Wordtune.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>UX research and testing<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Some tech writers are involved in <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/ux-research-for-beginners\/\">UX research and testing<\/a>. To make sure that a set of instructions work as intended, the writer could <strong>observe a test group before launch<\/strong>, for example. This is common in cases where faulty or unclear instructions could lead to accidents. But it can also be used for less critical applications, including user testing of software programs.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A tech writer may also take part in target audience research and create or maintain content style guides and glossaries.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Technical knowledge<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>So how technical do you have to be? Glad you asked. Many job descriptions specify that you should have a <strong>bachelor\u2019s degree <\/strong>or equivalent knowledge <strong>either in a technical subject<\/strong> such as computer science or software engineering, <strong>or in English, journalism or communication. <\/strong>\u00a0In other words, you don\u2019t need the expertise of an engineer or software developer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Personally, I think it can be an advantage *not* to be overly technical exactly for this reason. You need to make sense of the subject matter without sounding like a tech expert. Having said that, you do need to understand enough to be able to make sense of it. Be prepared to do some <strong>serious background research<\/strong>. And the materials you need to go through may be pretty heavy. The first weeks on a new project can be tough!<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>Tasks for technical writers \ud83d\udd06<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The long list of tech-related documentation proves that technical writing can be a highly varied job, and one that constantly changes along with the technologies it describes.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Manual mania: Instruction manuals, product manuals, assembly guides<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when we think about technical writing is different types of <strong>manuals<\/strong>. You know, the ones we often ignore until something doesn\u2019t work properly. It could be the little booklet that comes with your new phone or the instruction manual for your SM\u00c5FRUSEN IKEA fridge. They are often but not always printed, and sometimes available as a <strong>downloadable PDF<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>An instruction manual is often the <strong>difference between a pleasant experience and complete frustration <\/strong>that ends with an angry call to customer service. In some cases, a poorly written manual can even put people at risk of injury or worse.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":8731,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/snapshot-II-from-ikea-smafrusen-fridge-product-manual-1024x708.jpg\" alt=\"Snapshot from IKEA SM\u00c5FRUSEN fridge product manual\" \/>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<figcaption>Snapshot from the IKEA manual for the SM\u00c5FRUSEN fridge. Technical writers often work with images and other types of graphics, and have to make sure the words make sense in context. The fridge is OK but the cat is a bit cold \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>User help guides and support articles<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>When we get stuck installing or using a product, the solution can often be found in a user help guide. Help files usually live online and are searchable by topic or keyword, which makes them great for <strong>troubleshooting<\/strong>. A classic example is Microsoft\u2019s support pages:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":8729,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/microsoft-help-files.jpg\" alt=\"Screenshot of Microsoft online help section\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Like instructions manuals, well-written help pages reduce both user frustrations and calls to customer support.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Video tutorials<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re consuming video content like never before. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/truefocusmedia.com\/5-reasons-why-you-should-be-creating-how-to-videos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TrueFocus Media<\/a>, 30% of all searches on YouTube are How-to videos. Not surprisingly, video tutorials have become a popular <strong>replacement for or complement to <\/strong>regular instruction manuals.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Like the easyDITA bot asked me today, why not watch a video instead:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":8728,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/easydita-bot-why-read-when-we-have-videos.jpg\" alt=\"easyDITA bot says \" \/><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>As a technical writer, you may be responsible for the video tutorial scripts.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Frequently Answered Questions (FAQs)<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A common element on websites in general and support pages in particular. FAQs can bring a lot of value, but are <strong>not always easy to navigate<\/strong> and to the point. Some companies are now in the process of replacing or complementing them with a customer support chatbot (see below).<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Release notes<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In liaison with engineers, technical writers are often involved in the creation of release notes. Hardly the most appreciated part of a product \u2013 probably because they have been notoriously hard to grasp for regular users. Some companies, notably Slack and Evernote, are now working hard to make their release notes <strong>more conversational and user-friendly<\/strong>. Here\u2019s an example from Evernote:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":8732,\"sizeSlug\":\"large\",\"linkDestination\":\"none\"} --><\/p>\n<figure><img src=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/conversational-release-notes-from-evernote.png\" alt=\"example of conversational release notes from evernote\" \/><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Release notes may also be replaced by a short video, like I noticed in Spotify recently (great stuff!).<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Technical reports<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical reports are used to outline a research project&#8217;s hypotheses, methods, outcomes, limitations and results. As a technical writer, you may be involved in <strong>compiling data, gathering and editing input <\/strong>from the researchers, and <strong>formatting <\/strong>the report document.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Transactional emails and newsletters<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>When somebody is needed to write marketing communication, the technical writer is probably not the first person who springs to mind. But lots of <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/transactional-emails-copywriting\/\">transactional emails<\/a> and newsletters<strong> communicate technical information<\/strong>, and that&#8217;s where you come into the picture.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Press releases<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>When a company is ready to reveal a new product to the public, they often publish a press release. A press release describes <strong>functions, features, and benefits<\/strong> to the users.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Case studies and white papers<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Case studies are often used to <strong>showcase a company\u2019s approach and solution<\/strong> to a specific challenge in a project. Although they are written for marketing purposes, they may deal with technicalities that make them suitable for tech writers.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Many companies also develop white papers. A white paper goes into great <strong>technical detail about a process<\/strong>, and how they can lead to a desired result \u2013 a great task for technical writers.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Product brochures, product specifications, and datasheets<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Product brochures are also used for marketing and sales. Depending on the product, though, they may contain <strong>technical details about features, functions, and uses of a product<\/strong>. In such cases, they may well fall under the tech writer\u2019s domain.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Product specs and datasheets tend to be more informative and less marketing-y, and could land on your desk too.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Website content and UI copy<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical writers may contribute to, or be responsible for, certain sections of websites and UI copy.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>Customer support chatbot scripts<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Chatbot scripts and dialogues are created by <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/conversational-design\/\"><strong>conversation designers<\/strong><\/a>. A common function of chatbots is to provide customer support. Therefore, conversation design would be a natural career development for tech writers who want to move on to a new field. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/uxwritinghub.com\/conversational-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">read more about conversation design in this article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>Summary: A varied and evolving profession \u2705<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Technical writing used to be confined to instruction manuals and help files. Today it can be found <strong>all over the place<\/strong>: Video tutorials, FAQs, release notes, and even in the form of customer support chatbots. The definition has also been expanded to include <strong>any technical documentation<\/strong>, whether it\u2019s a case study, a white paper, or an email.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a lot of overlap between technical writing and UX writing. Technical writers are experts in <strong>simplifying the complex<\/strong>. They often <strong>collaborate<\/strong> with engineers, designers and other stakeholders. They need <strong>full context <\/strong>about the target audience and business goals. And last but not least, they don\u2019t just work with words but also with <strong>document design and formatting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Two differences between technical writers and UX writers are 1) the <strong>type of copy<\/strong> they work with (text-heavy documentation vs. user flows in digital interfaces) and 2) the <strong>voice and tone<\/strong> often used by UX writers compared to the more dry and factual voice usually seen in manuals and instructions.<\/p>\n<p>All in all, there&#8217;s no doubt that UX writing, content design and conversation design are possible alternative career paths for tech writers.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>Curious about UX writing? \ud83d\udca1<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Start with our <a href=\"https:\/\/course.uxwritinghub.com\/free_course\">free introductory UX writing course<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Technical writers belong to a rare breed with special powers. When their work is done well, it can both stop us from banging our head against the wall and reduce calls to customer service. It\u2019s easier said than done though! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":8749,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tpgb_global_settings":"","_eb_attr":"","content-type":"","_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[59],"tags":[],"acf":{"descriptions":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is technical writing and how does it relate to UX writing?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Technical writing is constantly evolving. 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