Different Types of Technical Writing and their Examples
Every company across the globe needs technical documentation, whether for customers or internal staff; the only difference between the two lies in the format of types of technical writing. Before moving to types, let’s understand the meaning of technical writing.
Technical writing explains the product usage, processes, and services which then navigates each step or challenge for the desired results. The purpose of technical writing is to describe your business needs, views, observations, goals, and ideas.
Technical documents are usually tricky to understand. So they are formulated to organize content in a way that makes sense, is easy to understand, and is scientific. From detailed research papers to exclusively created user manuals, all are types of technical writing.
In this blog, you will find the 12+ types of technical writing with their examples. This full-fledged technical writing knowledge will help you increase your sales and marketing results.
So, let’s get Started!
Table of contents
Detailed Analysis of 12+ Types of Technical Writing
Though the list is never ending and depends on the requirement and type of business; still, these 12+ types of technical writing will help you differentiate various forms of technical documentation and select the best suited for your business. Moreover, if you wish to customize your technical documents, you can take help from the herein attached formats for reference.
Let’s study all the 12+ types of technical writing in detail!
Medical and Scientific Papers
Medical and scientific papers are the traditional types of technical writing. Various researchers use scientific papers to interpret reports and organize them into engaging content. The motto is to make your research easy to understand and efficient for the reader.
Certain skills required for preparing these types of technical writing are:
- Attention to detail
- High level of accuracy
- Organizational Skills
Look at the attached example for reference.
User Guides/User Manuals
User guides and manuals are the most common type of technical writing. These guides help in breaking down the elements of the product and explaining each one of its parts and functionality. They aim to improve the end-user experience and answer queries related to the product, service, or application.
Moreover, these guides and manuals answer a specific question related to products and services, beginning with ‘How.’ User guides have an equal ratio of images and text. They have an introductory text/cover page, index, and steps attached with screenshots.
Here are the listed few types of user guides and manuals
- Instruction manuals
- Product manuals
- Repair manuals
- Policy manuals
- Training manuals
Certain skills required for preparing these types of technical writing are:
- Knowledge about organizing instruction manuals
- Creating solution-oriented content
- Knowledge of each product
- Clear understanding
Look at the attached example for reference.
Looking up to create a user-friendly manual by experts? Contact APPWRK for the best technical writing services.
E-books
Writing non-fictional e-books are different from other types of technical writing as they are conceptual, lengthy, and detailed. They aim to clarify the product’s intention and purpose to the user.
Some skills required for preparing ebooks are:
- Transform complex information into simplified ones.
- Understanding of format, structure, pace, and length.
- Knowledge of images, videos, and graphic insertion.
- Preparation of extended contents.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Assembly Manuals
Other common types of technical writing are assembly and repair manuals. They require diverse technical skills and an understanding of the disassembly and re-assembly of specific machines or pieces of equipment.
Skills required for this type of technical writing are:
- A theoretical and practical understanding of equipment and processes.
- Experience in working and repairing industries.
- Strong research ability.
Look at the attached example for reference.
If you are up to writing technical manuals, hire someone who offers professional technical writing services like APPWRK IT Solutions.
Technical Documents and Reviews
Technical documents include business plans, proposals, case studies, and press releases. They are an essential part of corporate operations. It aims to explain the process and the outcomes of the research, no matter whether your research is scientific or business-centric.
Skills required for these types of technical writing are:
- High understanding of the processes.
- Complete knowledge of the product.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Perfect at delivering business messages.
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Now, you must have a general overview of the major types of technical writing. Still, it isn’t over yet!
White Papers
White Papers are in-depth reports issued by organizations to provide solutions to specific products and services. They are commonly designed for business-to-business marketing purposes. For preparing white papers, it is important to focus on original reports, data, and expert analysis.
White papers are classified into 3 types:
- Backgrounders
- Numbered lists
- Problem/Solution
Look at the attached example for reference.
Case Studies
Case studies are much similar to white papers. They are written the convince the reader. But case study write-ups are a story on the actual implementation of the solutions.
This particular technical writing is a small marketing tool for new businesses/start-ups or medium-scale companies to grow their business. Not only this, it is an excellent way to prove your value to potential customers.
Case Studies are of 3 Main Types:
- Corporate Case Study: They are related to the history, structure, failures, and achievements of a specific company.
- Comparative Case Study: It provides a comparative analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of two or more companies.
- Issue Case Study: They are related to certain problems and solutions about the specific company.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Technical Proposals
A technical proposal is a document that contains an introduction to a particular product, an explanation of the solution to a specific issue, an execution plan, and technical details of the deal proposed by a company.
Usually, technical proposals are divided into 2 parts:
- Business or Sales Proposal: They are given to buyers and consumers outside the company.
- Research Proposals: It is a detailed and well-thought strategy written by the researcher.
Look at the attached example for reference.
API /SDK Documentation
API/SDKs are industry-specific process documentation used by engineers, testers, and managers. APIs(Application Programming Interfaces) are generally used to build communication between different applications, whereas SDK(Software Development Kits) is a tool kit to develop applications and their features.
Depending upon the different mediums and services it provides, APIs can be broadly divided into 3 groups:
- Software API
- SCPI (Hardware API)
- Web API
Look at the attached example for reference.
Technical Manuals
Technical manuals are guides created with the single objective of making it easy for the end user to understand the technicality of the product. It contains instructions on the product’s use, installation, maintenance, and effective deployment.
Technical manuals are broadly divided into 4 types:
Customer Support Manuals: They are in the form of an online wiki, a help desk made for the end customer using the product.
Organization Support Manuals: They are made to help employees do their work effectively and efficiently.
Marketing Support Manuals: They help the marketing teams market a product efficiently and are primarily product-focused.
IT Support Manuals: These manuals include technical specifications of products, glossaries, and software development. Repair Manuals: They are designed for the maintenance of the product and effective long-term use.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Technical Reports
Technical reports describe the process, progress, results, or scientific research. They include recommendations and the conclusion of the research. There is no proper formatting for the publication of technical reports. They rarely undergo comprehensive review before the publication of any technical report.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Project Plans
A Project plan is a series of formal documents showcasing the project’s execution and control stages. It involves resource, risk management, cost, scope, schedule, and business communication. To be more concise, it involves answers to 5W1H (who, what, where, why, when, and how).
Project managers make these plans that help team members to stay focused on the project’s milestones and overall goals.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Business Plans
A business plan is an important document that defines companies objectives and strategies. It is a clear roadmap from a marketing, financial, and operational point of view. It focuses on the external and internal audiences of the company. A good business plan should always include a summary of products and services, marketing strategies and analysis, financial planning, and the budget.
Look at the attached example for reference.
Corporate Reports
Corporate reports provide essential information for investors. They are prepared quarterly, annually, and periodically. In layman’s language, corporate reports help to conclude whether a company is making money or losing and why.
It involves:
- Director’s report
- Auditor’s report
- Balance sheet
- Comprehensive income statement
- Financial statements
Look at the attached example for reference.
Policies and Procedures
Policies and procedures are the set of guidelines explicitly prepared for organizations and their employees to comply with. These are essential documents as they describe how an organization will run.
A policy defines a rule. The procedure defines who will perform the rules and how it will be performed. Overall, procedures are always followed by the policies.
Look at the attached example for reference.
RFPs & Proposals
RFPs (Request for Proposal) are project announcements that are posted publicly by enterprises indicating the project and the bids sought. They define the projects for companies that issue them and respond to them. An organization may release RFPs to boost the competition to drive the cost of the competition.
It includes:
- Background
- Lines of business
- Specifications of solution
- Evaluation
Look at the attached example for reference.
To conclude, there are various types of technical writing, the most common are mentioned above. These types of technical writing differ in terms of structure, format, and objective. Ensure that you choose the most suitable one for your business.
Still, if you have any queries or questions about customized documentation, contact APPWRK! We have a team of technical content writers with more than 5 years of experience in multiple industries. Not only this, we can help you get quality technical writing services at budget-friendly prices.
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