http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2009/12/14/how-to-become-a-better-technical-writer/ Technical Writing & Communication Tips, Trends & Tutorials by Ugur Akinci, Ph.D. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:46:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/2009/12/14/how-to-become-a-better-technical-writer/comment-page-1/#comment-1506 Virginia Lynch Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:21:12 +0000 http://www.technicalcommunicationcenter.com/?p=4092#comment-1506 I'd like to add another qualification that should go at the very beginning - KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. It doesn't matter how much research you do on the project or how good your writing skills are if you do not direct the material to the correct individuals. You can write all you want about a trading application, but if the main readers are the end-users (i.e., traders) and you include technical jargon there which is needed by computer developers, you've failed in your mission to create a good document. You need to get information into that document which focuses on what the traders need to know to run that application. The focus will be on the business usage. This focus STARTS OUT with a thorough knowledge of your audience. I’d like to add another qualification that should go at the very beginning – KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. It doesn’t matter how much research you do on the project or how good your writing skills are if you do not direct the material to the correct individuals. You can write all you want about a trading application, but if the main readers are the end-users (i.e., traders) and you include technical jargon there which is needed by computer developers, you’ve failed in your mission to create a good document. You need to get information into that document which focuses on what the traders need to know to run that application. The focus will be on the business usage. This focus STARTS OUT with a thorough knowledge of your audience.

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