Types of Technical Writing

Types of Technical Writing?
The 3 Most Common Types of Technical Writing:
1. Traditional: Repair manuals, medical studies

2. End-user documentation: Electronics, consumer products
3. Technical marketing content: Press releases, catalogs
Technical writing opens the door to a career that simplifies complex topics and provides users
with valuable how-to guides. Think of technical writing as copywriting’s most basic, straight-to-
the-point version of organizing facts to educate and explain how to do something. To be honest:
this type of writing is tough, because writers act as middlemen between developers and
consumers.
Technical communications is a growing field, making technical writers high in demand. As

technical writers can earn $40 an hour, it’s critical to understand what the different types of
technical writing are, and make yourself more valuable as you connect with employers and
freelance gigs. Look forward to an interesting, promising, and challenging career!
Browse our technical writing job openings.
Types of Technical Writing
Technical writing provides detail-oriented instruction to help users understand a specific skill.
The most common types include:
1. Traditional: Repair manuals, medical studies

2. End-user documentation: Electronics, consumer products
3. Technical marketing content: Press releases, catalogs
Each type of writing is then narrowed down with subcategories for the purpose of providing
simplified instruction for users.
1. Traditional Technical Writing
While traditional technical writing sounds broad, pieces of content within this category are
specifically written for professional audiences. These experts rely on traditional technical writing
for targeted research papers, programming guidelines, and repair manuals.
1.1 Science and Medical Papers
Research results can be hard to explain, so scientists collaborate with technical writers to
interpret and organize findings. These results are published in medical journals, so the
presentation of material requires fine detail, accuracy, and organization. These papers act as
learning resources for practitioners to understand procedures and results. As with any form of
research, technical writers ensure that proper credibility is given in the text.
1.2 Professional Reports and Reviews
In addition to writing for scientists and doctors, technical writers assist in creating reports for
business growth and educational institutions. Examples of professional reports include project
and business status reports, legal case reviews, and personnel activity reports.
2. End-User Documentation
Almost every product you purchase has a written explanation of operation. These “how-to”
pieces are written to help users understand and operate products correctly. After all, what good
is a product if users don’t know how to properly use it? Since end-user documentation requires
clear and concise instruction, it’s important to create content that breaks down technological
terms to layman’s terms. Specific examples of end-user documentation are as follows:
2.1 User Help Guides
When software product users have questions that needs specific answers, they turn to user help
guides. These are written to provide clear and sensible answers to common questions that may
develop as use of software programs continue. User help guides are broken down into sections
depending on the type of ‘help’ needed – allowing users to read ahead or re-read information to
make their understanding of a product stronger.
2.2 Product Manuals
You know you’ve seen these — and are guilty of adding them to a bookshelf before reading.
Product manuals are those small booklets that highlight a product’s main features, general
maintenance, and basic operation. Examples of product manuals you’ve heard of include owner’s
manuals for cars and operator’s manuals for heavy machinery.
2.3 Assembly Guidelines
Since assembly guidelines tell users how to physically set up a product, technical writers are
responsible for writing clear and user-friendly, step-by-step instructions. It’s important for these
instructions to be written in a way that ensure users can accurately assemble products. Just think:
if you used the assembly guide that came with your new entertainment system, you probably
would have put it together in half the time!
2.4 Technical Books
Similar to user help guides, technical writers are hired to write guides for users to understand the
ins and outs of a product; most often software products. It’s critical for these technical books to
be accessible and of interest to non-expert users. If you’re thinking of writing a technical book,
check out Udemy’s guide on writing a how-to book.
3. Technical Marketing Content
If you have an eye for detail and a way with words, creating technical marketing content is the
category for you. Developers’ products wouldn’t be much use if consumers don’t understand
how to properly operate them. To avoid this, technical marketing content serves as a bridge for
products, consumers, and businesses understand each other.
3.1 White Papers and Case Studies
White papers are written to highlight a company’s success — and in this case, success with certain
products or services. Technical writers investigate problematic topics of a specific audience and
integrate a company’s product to create solutions. On the other hand, case studies are
experience reports that provide details of how an account’s business goals were met with the
help of a product.
Think of it this way:
Case Study White Paper

New solution to an old problem,
Focus One customer’s experience. or the benefits of a B2B product
or service.
This customer loves our product Here’s how our B2B product or
Message
our service service can benefit you
Length 1-2 Pages 5-12 Pages
3.2 Proposals and Pitches
Many B2B (business to business) sale relations involve proposals and pitches written by technical
writers. Once a company presents the specs for a collaboration or solution, tech writers join the
team to explain the technical aspects of proposals. Once the business plan is set, technical writers
then gather key elements of the executive summary to create a pitch.
3.3 Brochures
Brochures in technical communications are more than pretty pictures of a tropical island you’d
like to plan a vacation to. Brochures take users to a deeper level of understanding and appeal
through clear descriptions, functions, and uses of a product.
10 Key Attributes Of Technical Writing

Being able to explain characteristics of technical writing is important, especially since the industry
is all about explaining topics to others. Keeping these key technical writing attributes in mind will
make your writing coherent and consistent:
1. Stick to a technical subject

2. Have a purpose
3. Maintain an objective
4. Convey solid information/facts/data
5. Be impersonal
6. Stay concise
7. Maintain direction
8. Keep style and format consistent
9. Content is archival
10. Properly cite contributions
The Most Common Technical Writing Mistakes
Looking to hone your skills? The Center For Technical Communication identifies these as the most
the common technical writing mistakes:
1. Poorly defined topic

2. Lengthy sentences and big words
3. Scattered page layout
4. Inadequate content
5. Inconsistent tone
Top 5 Technical Writing Tools
The use of technical writing tools is vital in creating the best user experience when designing and
editing content. Here’s the five most popular programs:
1. Acrobat – An Adobe program that captures documents and allows users to view it in its
original format and appearance.
2. SnagIt – A screenshot tool available to Microsoft Windows and Mac OS operating systems
that captures audio and video display.
3. Visio – A program from Microsoft Office’s list of products that utilizes diagrams, charts,
and layouts that are then used in flowcharts, playbooks, and network diagramming.
4. PhotoShop – Digital image editing software from Adobe that allows for editing photos,
graphics, and other images.
5. FrameMaker – An Adobe processor designed for writing and editing complex documents
frequently constructed by technical writers.

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Types of Technical Writing?

The 3 Most Common Types of Technical Writing:

1. Traditional: Repair manuals, medical studies

Technical communications is a growing field, making technical writers high in demand. As

Browse our technical writing job openings.

Types of Technical Writing

1. Traditional: Repair manuals, medical studies

1. Traditional Technical Writing

1.1 Science and Medical Papers

1.2 Professional Reports and Reviews

2.1 User Help Guides

2.2 Product Manuals

2.3 Assembly Guidelines

2.4 Technical Books

3. Technical Marketing Content

3.1 White Papers and Case Studies

Think of it this way:

Case Study White Paper

3.2 Proposals and Pitches

10 Key Attributes Of Technical Writing

1. Stick to a technical subject

The Most Common Technical Writing Mistakes

1. Poorly defined topic

Top 5 Technical Writing Tools

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