Posts Tagged ‘Technical Writing’
How to Scale or Resize PDF Pages in Acrobat
Introduction to Scale or Resize PDF Pages To know how to scale or resize PDF pages is a skill that can save you a lot of time and money. Why? Because disasters do happen. Imagine you have finished a 900-page PDF document and you realize that the left margin should’ve been 0.5 inch smaller. Oops!…
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When to Use Jargon in Technical Writing?
Introduction: What is jargon and why do people use it? You’ve heard it a thousand times and it’s true: you should stay away from jargon and write as you speak. Jargon is a type of language that is specific to a particular group of people, such as the military, medicine, or politics. The use of…
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How to Use Bulleted Lists
Introduction: What is a Bulleted List and Why are They So Helpful? Bulleted lists are extremely helpful in summarizing and organizing information. They are also very easy to read and comprehend. Bulleted lists are also used to present the key points for a given topic, so that the reader can easily follow along with what…
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3 Ways to Find a Technical Writing Job
Introduction There are three ways to find a technical writing job: 1) On your own, as an independent freelancer. 2) Through a job agency, as a contractor. 3) As a company employee on the payroll. Each offers different benefits and advantages, depending on your skills as a technical writer, your background and your personality. Independent…
Read More4 Ideas to Organize Your Images and Screenshots
Most technical documents would have at least a few images to illustrate a point, or screen shots that accompany the description of a certain step-by-step procedure, etc. Organizing such images can really become a problem, especially when you have dozens and hundreds of them. Finding, editing, and importing them can quickly become a logistical nightmare,…
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How to Write an Excellent Index
Introduction An index is an alphabetical list of subjects and page numbers that will help the reader find information in a textbook, journal article, or other publication. An index should be: – Alphabetized by the first word of the entry – Arranged so that words are grouped together by topic – Clearly labeled with…
Read MoreTwo Different Types of Technical (Software) Documents
In technical writing, there are two different but related types of software documents and I call them “Interface Manuals” and “Procedural Guides”. An INTERFACE GUIDE explains what each button, or the graphic user interface (GUI) element that one sees on a screen is and does. For example, such a button guide would explain that if…
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A Guide to Technical Writing Certification and Top Certificate Programs
What is a Technical Writing Certification? A technical writing certification is an industry-recognized credential that signals to employers that the holder has the skills and knowledge to produce documents in a specific field. Benefits of a Technical Writing Certification There are many benefits to obtaining a technical writing certification. The most obvious benefit is that…
Read More2 Job Moves for Writers in a Tight Market
We’re in a tight market, although probably more so for copy writers than technical writers. It’s time to re-group, re-position, and update that resume. Here are two suggestions: If you have an energy or environmental background, it’s time to re-position yourself as a “Green Writer” which covers both the alternative energy sector and environmental protectionism.…
Read MoreTechnical Writing – What's the Difference Between Copy Writing and Technical Documentation?
© Ugur Akinci There are four different goals of writing, depending on the writer and the assignment in question. Writers try to 1) sell 2) teach 3) move, or 4) administer others. And these goals give rise to the following four types of writing: 1) Copy writing (sell) 2) Technical writing (teach) 3) Fiction/Creative writing…
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