Tapati
Rout
Technical writing is as old
as the product manual of our humble calculator or radio in our homes; however,
after the phenomenal development of the Software Industry in our country, the
technical writing has become an independent career. As the Industry need a
professional technical writer as an interface between the software developer
and the users of software (customer & user of software products).
Since software applications are very expensive products and used by business to
offer better services and improve efficiency; its users are highly sophisticated
and therefore the need of a technical writer who would use his writing skills
and technical understanding to make it simple for the user to operate the
software application with ease. The importance of Technical Writing is such, today
that a Graduate with a simple Certificate course in technical writing could
join Software Company as a junior technical writer and can even rise to the
level of chief information officer in a matter of a few years; of course, that
depends on individual ability and professional skill as a tech writer, experience
& expertise in document development process and competence in tech writing
software.
Technical writing may just
be a communication process for a layman. But, it is the interaction between, ‘the
text and the reader or audience’ in precise expression with the intention
of conveying appropriate meaning to the readers. If we explore little deeper,
the very name encompasses two different kinds of talent. One as a “verb”
describes a means of communication and the other as what one writes about is
described by the “adjective” Technical i.e. What kind of key words and phrases
used by the writer to describe its writing. It is also about flexible and
intelligent adoption/ application of standard style and writing guidelines such
that the goals and objectives of the document are achieved. Hence, Language
(grammar) and presentation plays an important role in technical writing. In
fact it helps to instruct, to inform and to persuade the audience (Customer or
Client). Technical writing is also as much to other type of writing like
expression, ideation, influence, knowledge, creativity, impression and
learning. Every one, from an executive
to manager, from a scientist to secretary, from a teacher to writer, use the
skill of technical writing to generate the documents from memo to hundred and
thousands of long pages that helps business enterprise to maintain and attain
their goals. Technical writing has a unique niche. It occupies the space where
only a writer can be positioned in an organization. Certificate courses are
available for Technical writing. This course gives a clear, compressive, and
realistic perspective about technical writing. The very course not only deals
with writing but also deals with editing, proof reading, graphics, tools and
people skills. It has several connotations under different contexts ranging
from policy statements to description of computer application system to
technical report to a presentation. At the end, technical writing pertains to
document development in support of a business function irrespective of the type
organization. One who wishes to make a
career in technical writing need to have certain attributes such as perception
(what’s-in-it-for-me), analytical thinking, orientation for research,
understanding of technology, ability to learn quickly, creative, patience,
listening skills and open minded approach.
Who is a Technical Writer: Technical writer, a
communication link between the reader and the subject matter expert, who
requires a skill of a good communicator, adept in use of synonyms to convey
complex concepts to simple, straight forward language, with capabilities like
thinking skills, analytical skills, proactive initiator and owner of knowledge
repository.
Application of Technical Writing:
There are wide ranges of applications that span from simplest of resume writing
& business proposals & business plans to complex user manuals writing
and Training manuals. Further, it also deal with Advertising materials like brochure,
flyers, catalogs, product information, job description, presentation , report
writing etc.
Career Opportunity: Those who are
exposed to technical writing can work as Associate technical writer, Senior
technical writer, Documentation Manager, Knowledge officer, Chief knowledge
officer in any IT or non IT organization. Now days, there is also a great
demand for technical writers in the terrestrial world as content writers.
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