“Technical writing is what happens when someone who understands something complicated cares enough to make it simple for everyone else. That’s not boring—that’s heroic.”
— L.A. Walton, The Book Maven
Technical writing gets dismissed as the ‘unsexy’ corner of the writing world. But every time you successfully follow a recipe, assemble furniture without leftover screws, or navigate a software tutorial without screaming—you have a technical writer to thank.
What Makes Technical Writing Great
| Great Technical Writing | Terrible Technical Writing |
| Clear, step-by-step instructions. | Wall of text with no structure. |
| Anticipates user questions. | Assumes the reader already knows everything. |
| Uses simple language. | Drowns in jargon and acronyms. |
| Includes visuals when helpful. | Text-only, no screenshots or diagrams. |
| Is tested with real users. | Is written in isolation and never validated. |
Technical Writing Essentials
- Know your audience. Are they beginners or experts? Write to their level, not yours.
- Use numbered steps for processes. If there’s an order, number it. Don’t make readers guess the sequence.
- Front-load important information. Don’t bury the critical step in paragraph four.
- Test your instructions. Have someone follow your documentation without your help. Watch where they get stuck.
- Keep it scannable. Headers, subheaders, bullet points, and white space. Nobody reads technical docs cover-to-cover.
Your Move, Creative
Take something you know how to do well and write instructions for someone who’s never done it. Have them follow your instructions. Where they get confused is where your technical writing needs improvement. That feedback loop is pure gold.
Stop letting your stories stay stuck.
