Technical Writing, a form of technical communication, is a style of formal writing and business communication, used in fields as diverse as computer hardware and software, chemistry, the aerospace industry, robotics, finance, consumer electronics, and biotechnology. Good technical writing clarifies technical jargon; that is, it presents useful information that is clear and easy to understand for the intended audience.
#27321
Recently a striking change has taken place in the organization and visibility of what we writing teachers do.
Bruffee, Kenneth. WPA Writing Program Administration (1978). Articles>Education>Writing>Rhetoric
#20604
Among the many Web-induced trends, the emergence of a new writing genre designed to accommodate the reading habits of Web users is especially notable. People read differently on the Web. One reason for this is that reading text on-screen is unpleasant. Given the low resolution of the computer screen and the clumsiness of the scrolling page, many readers scan onscreen and print pages for reading. Another reason is that Web reading is not a stationary activity. Users roam from page to page collecting salient bits of information from a variety of sources. They need to be able quickly to ascertain the contents of a page, get the information they are seeking, and move on. Also, because Web pages may be accessed directly without preamble, they must be more independent than print pages. Too many Web pages end up as isolated fragments of information, divorced from the larger context of their parent Web sites through the lack of essential links and the simpler failure to inform the reader properly of their contents.
Lynch, Patrick J. and Sarah Horton. Yale University (1999). Design>Web Design>Writing
#20312
Editors can play many roles, which, as the need arises, might overlap with those of the production editor, the writer, and even the writing manager. Within the category of editing itself, the editor can perform different levels of edit: formatting, language, substantive. Every pubs group needs an editor, even if only on a parttime basis. The qualities a manager should look for in an editor are somewhat different from those required in a writer. Editors are less likely to have a technical background. They must not shrink from the possibility of confrontation, and yet must be able to give constructive criticism in a manner that the writer will accept and welcome.
Arakelian, Caroline, Lisa Braz, Diane Kirsten-Martin, Bob Nowacki and Carol A. Ranalli. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Editing>Writing
#30137
The Engineering Writing sequence at the University of California, Santa Barbara, teaches fundamental college writing and research skills emphasizing the discourse and genres common to professional engineering. The first quarter emphasizes library, electronic-database, and literature-type searches, culminating in a literature review on a current technological topic. The second quarter integrates primary research and interviewing with the above, while the students design solutions to actual university building and plant resource problems. The third quarter involves advanced issues of document design and publication, as students post web sites not only pertinent to this year's theme, Engineering and the Environment, but also useful to the local community.
Yatchisin, George, LeeAnne Kryder, Marty Williams and Mark Kerr. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>Education>Writing>Engineering
#13246
The Effect of Text Structure on Text Comprehension of Japanese and American Readers 
This paper presents the preliminary findings from a study that sought to determine whether Japanese and American readers’ comprehension of expository text is similarly affected by text organization. Results are presented and discussed with regard to their implications for technical communicators.
Spyridakis, Jan H. and Waka Fukuoka. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Language>International>Writing
#18710
An intensive training session on how to write clear, crisp, persuasive copy for letters, memos, proposals, reports, and other business documents.
Bly, Robert W. Bly.com. Academic>Course Materials>Writing>Business Communication
#28084
Effective Outlining: Designing Workable Blueprints for Writing
Save time and increase your credibility by creating an effective outline. Hart's article discusses three important steps in designing an outline.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Intercom (2006). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing
#18709
An intensive training session on how to write clear, crisp, technically accurate copy for letters, memos, proposals, reports, articles, papers, and other technical documents.
#28395
In the web environment, text has enormous strengths. In many situations, using text delivers far better results than graphics. Web designers should be daring and use text wherever possible.
Hunt, Ben. Web Design From Scratch (2006). Design>Web Design>Writing>Typography
#19022
You can use writing techniques to exploit the Web's strengths while avoiding its weaknesses.
Kilian, Crawford. New Architect (2001). Articles>Writing>Web Design
#23672
Effective Writing, or Tips on How to Write English 'Gooder' 
Some quick tips toward a clearer, more lucid, meaningful,…well, you know what I mean.
Perez De Tagle, Robert. MetroVoice (2004). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>Minimalism
#20974
Eight Ways to Use Authoring Tools to Improve Your Productivity with Drafting
Most authoring tools have features that can help you improve your productivity. You might be able to benefit from some of these suggestions now; keep the others in mind for future projects.
Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Articles>Writing>Software
#20487
#22470
Electronic Documents and Publications
English 413 presents principles of Web-based document design, creation, layout, editing, and posting to the Internet and on corporate intranets.
Jablonski, Jeffrey. UNLV. Academic>Courses>Undergraduate>Technical Writing
#18175
Electronic Outlining as a Tool for Making Writing Visible
The electronic outlining software found in many commercial programs, when projected on the classroom wall, helps us train students in the main activities involved in creating an outline. Freed from paper, the electronic outline allows continuous revision, encourages multiple iterations of the many interdependent activities involved in research, planning, writing, and revision, and serves as a focal point for discussion of the ways in which the group is developing an ongoing consensus, as part of a larger conversation.
Price, Jonathan R. Communication Circle, The (1997). Articles>Education>Editing>Writing
#23227
A report on the STC (Scientific, Technical and Medical) publishing enterprise as it exists today.
National Academies Press (2004). Books>Publishing>Scientific Communication>Technical Writing
#10232
Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this classic reference book is a must-have for any student and conscientious writer. Intended for use in which the practice of composition is combined with the study of literature, it gives in brief space the principal requirements of plain English style and concentrates attention on the rules of usage and principles of composition most commonly violated.
Strunk, William, Jr. and E.B. White. Bartleby.com (1959). Reference>Style Guides>Writing>Rhetoric
#27994
The Elements of Style for Designers
What if E.B. White had written 'Hanging Commas 99% Bad' instead of a gentle list of reminders for young writers? Wodtke outlines how White's list of 22 reminders for writing can be just what young designers need.
Wodtke, Christina. Boxes and Arrows (2006). Design>Web Design>Writing>Minimalism
#22435
Review: The Elements of Technical Writing
The elements of technical writing includes a basic definition of technical writing--'writing about subjects in technical disciplines'--as well as a high-level outline of the book. Few prefaces contain as thorough a summary of changes as Pearsall offers. The summary of changes in this second edition acknowledges the necessity for current information in the changing technical writing arena, listing several specific changes from the first edition.
Williams, Jocelyn Crump. Technical Communication Online (2003). Articles>Reviews>Writing>Technical Writing
#11852
This site is a concise guide to some of the most commonly violated rules of writing, grammar, and punctuation. It is intended for all writers as an aid in the learning and refining of writing skills. Explore each of the rules to see examples of its application, and use the references to find additional explanations and examples on the Web or in print. Look up grammatical terms in the glossary. For a wider variety of information, check related FAQs and other writing resources.
#30811
Eleven Tips for Writing Incredibly Useful Procedures
Procedures are the meat and potatoes of technical writing. They help users get the job done. Follow these tips for writing clear and useful procedures that your users will appreciate.
HelpScribe (2008). Articles>Documentation>Policies and Procedures>Technical Writing
#27789
Eleven Tips on Terrific Titles
Honestly, which white paper would YOU sooner read: 'Implications of Business Intelligence Methodologies on Operational Efficiencies: A Retrospective Study' or 'Six Things You Must Know about Data Warehousing'? This article offers eleven tips on putting together compelling titles for white papers.
Graham, Gordon. WhitePaperSource (2006). Articles>Writing>Rhetoric>White Papers
#21389
Using an extended example, this article shows how it is possible to reduce the number of words in a text and at the same time increase readability.
Unwalla, Mike. TechScribe (2003). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing>Minimalism
#20464
Like teenagers and salespeople, apostrophes are frequently there when they're not wanted, and not to be seen when they're needed.
#24697
The Elves and the Shoemaker—We Don't Wear No Pointy Hats
When technical communicators are part of a development team, we can do much more than write manuals. Our analysis and communications skills, user perspective can help launch a project team into productivity. We have a unique skill set which enhances the productivity and quality of the development process. By involving us early, we can assume technical communications tasks that developers otherwise perform. This exposure gives us a broader and deeper understanding of that which we communicate. Our involvement means better communication; with users and team members, and in deliverables and development processes.
Mazur, Sue and Jamie A. McCanless. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Documentation>Writing>Technical Writing
