Technical Writing - Write to Learn

As a technical writer you have learned to write for various media. Article writing is one form where you will write better when you write to learn.

Real people will be reading your article because you have promised to help them learn something important to them. You are more likely to meet their expectations when you, too, are learning something new during the writing process.

You already know your subject, you have decided who your reader will be, but is your knowledge current? Your reader deserves at least that.

Which means research. Even a little preliminary research should improve your writing in several ways.

- Writing from the viewpoint of a learner, rather than as a lecturer, improves the way you communicate. Your reader will recognize your empathy and will trust you.

- While you are discovering something new, your enthusiasm lends freshness and authenticity to your writing.

- Your reader will enjoy his experience and will look forward to your next article.

So, how do you chose a topic? Your research will tell you. Search trade publications and the internet for news in your field. When a new idea grabs your attention, you are onto something. If it interests you, it's bound to interest others.

For excellent background, follow the footnotes -- there is a treasure chest hidden in those footnotes, so don't ignore them.

The next step is to formulate a clear statement, in your own words, explaining to yourself what you have just learned and why it is noteworthy. Does this draft agree with your notes?

Then decide the points you want to cover in your article. Which concepts were hardest to grasp? How you will take your reader through the necessary steps toward understanding? Identify with your reader and you will never disappoint him.

See: your article is already taking shape! Meanwhile, all your previous experience is adding substance and realism to your reasoning.

Now save all your writing and put it away. It's not finished yet; your subconscious needs some quiet time to do its editing.

Soon enough, your article will demand your attention anew. Now is the time to read it with the eye of an editor. Is the writing competent? Does it make sense? Has the author (think of it that way) a sure grasp on all the concepts?

Go through your article again. What might your reader misunderstand? Is each sentence crystal clear? Have you presented your ideas in a sequence that leads your reader to the desired understanding? What do you need to round it all out?

Re-write, cut out the fluff: if your word count is 1000, then 800 words will do the job!

Now set that version aside and forget it for a while. Later, approach it as a reader and ask: Is the content of this article what I was led to expect? Is this good information from a qualified person? Was it worth my time?

Then, as the author, ask: Am I proud of my work? Would I show it to my peers?

Re-write until you can answer "yes" to all of the above. Your article should get shorter and tighter, not longer, with each re-write!

When you write to learn, you are fulfilling your contract with your reader, and your article will stand out.

Steve Williams is a former technologist and technical writer. Retired now, Steve edits a noncommercial website: [http://www.writing4seniors.org].

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