Introduction to Technical Writ...
Essential Skills for Technical Writing
6min
Creating good documentation
isn’t just for
professional technical writers.
Anyone who needs to clearly explain information can focus on improving these specific skills.
A vintage meme that is still applicable
Most documentation is consumed in written form, so writing and editing skills are at the top of the list.
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into simple, understandable language This is the core of the job and the main value a technical writer adds to a team.
- Ability to write clearly, concisely, and accurately "Omit needless words" is a technical writing mantra and helps users accomplish their goals without interruptions.
- Strong command of grammar and punctuation Proper grammar ensures that the explanations are clear and cannot be misinterpreted.
- Editing skills Self-editing skills are particularly important because technical editors are rare, and sometimes there's not even time for a peer review.
- Adherence to style guides and branding guidelines A consistent writing style and appearance ensure that the documentation looks professional.
One thing that most technical writers agree on is that, despite the name of the job, the bulk of the work is actually the research.
- Independent research Whether it's understanding a software application or becoming familiar with a particular industry, technical writers must be excellent at learning new things. Curiosity is an essential trait.
- Ability to interview subject matter experts (SMEs) Very often, the details of a new feature are only available in someone's head. It's critical to understand the information gaps and ask the right questions to fill them.
- Audience analysis You can't write documentation if you don't know who you are writing it for.
Technical writing tends to attract introverts due to its apparent focus on solo work, but this is not true. Writers never work in a vacuum and very often depend on help from others.
- Working with people across different departments Writers need communication skills and tact when requesting information from engineers or business analysts. Documentation is, unfortunately, often seen as an afterthought, so writers need to be flexible and adapt to SMEs' availability and communication preferences.
- Collaborating with other technical writers Writers who are part of a team may be involved in training coworkers, peer reviewing their work, or helping out on their tasks.
It's not a coincidence that this is at the end of the list. Tools are important, but they should be there to support the writing, not the other way around.
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Ability to learn and adapt to new tools
It's impossible to know all the tools on the market, but a good writer has to be able to learn them.
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Ability to analyze tools suitability
As experts on technical documentation, writers may be asked to research and propose tools, especially when working in a startup environment.
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Design and visuals
Sometimes it's not only about the words - designing diagrams, charts and illustrations are useful skills to have.
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Updated 29 Apr 2025
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