Technical Writers—What are They Like?
What type of person makes a good technical writer? Technical writers:
- Like to learn about how things work
- Like to explain things to others
- Feel comfortable writing about technical subjects
- Can logically organize what they write
- Have good attention to detail
- Enjoy working with the English language and choosing words that work best
- Can remain focused on a subject for a good amount of time
- Are comfortable interviewing Subject Matter Experts
They Can Follow Style Guides
Good technical writers understand the importance of structure and style. They are able to work with the client’s writing and/or publishing style guide.
Large companies like IBM, Apple and Sun Microsystems have adopted their own style guides, and these are often adopted by other companies as well. Some companies adopt a popular guide like the Chicago Manual of Style, which most technical writers try to add to their library as soon as they can. Style guides set rules for punctuation, paragraphs and headings, hyperlinks, graphics, indexing, etc. Technical communicators need to learn and follow the rules adopted by the company.
They Can Use Software Tools
Today, technical writing requires knowledge of, and use of, various software tools. Some companies require their writers to use only one application. Other companies want their writers to have experience with numerous software programs.
Technical writers need to know word processing applications, of course, but many times they also need to know graphics, Web page tags, XML conversion and parsing, and desktop publishing applications. Software experience, both required and desired, is generally listed in the job announcement. These days, technical writers are expected to know more than grammar; they are expected to know how to work with modern tools, including computer software applications.