Technical Writing - Old Questions
1. What is technical writing? Distinguish between technical writing and academic writing.
Technical Writing is the practice of
documenting processes such as software manuals or instruction manuals. There
are various types of product users and audiences. These audiences lie on a
different level on the basis of what they can understand and how they perform
various various activities. Technical writing focuses on these audiences and
hence makes sure that all these types of audience understand exactly what has
been intended to be delivered. Hence, Technical
writing is writing or drafting technical communication used in technical and
occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, engineering,
chemistry, aeronautics, robotics, finance, medical, consumer electronics,
biotechnology, and forestry. Technical writing encompasses the largest
sub-field in technical communication.
Some of the differences between technical writing and academic writing are as follows:
|
Technical Writing |
Academic Writing |
|
It
is a formal-format based writing. |
It
follows informal format. |
|
It
is targeted to the audiences of all levels of understanding. |
It
is targeted for specific audiences. |
|
Technical writing contains factual and
straight forward content. |
Academic writing contains contents on
specific discipline or field. |
|
Technical writers should have expert
knowledge. |
Academic writers have learners knowledge. |
|
It
covers scientific and technical subjects. |
It
covers academic-based subjects. |
|
Its purpose is getting something done. |
Its purposes is to demonstrate what a
person knows. |
|
In technical writing graphics, charts
and numbers are used very frequently to support conclusion. |
In academic writing graphics, charts
and numbers are sometimes used to explain the concept well. |
|
Own or personal point views are not
included. |
Own or personal point of view may be
included. |
|
Literative
language is used. |
Figurative
language is used. |
|
It
covers neutral content. |
It
covers opinionated content. |
|
It
follows unemotional tone. |
It
follows conversational tone. |
|
Audience of Technical writing may be
several people who are specifically belongs to the same technical field. |
Audience of academic writing may be a
teacher or students or some people related to filed. |
|
In technical writing the knowledge of
topic is more than the reader who is going through it. |
In academic writing the knowledge of
topic is less than the teacher who is evaluating the topic. |