Technical and scientific writing is similar in ways that both reach a conclusion after collecting and presenting data upon observing and recording the facts after hands-on play-around and experiments.
They differ in ways that technical writing is simplified writing presented in a manner that a layperson would understand where as scientific writing is presented in a structured way using the scientific jargon for study and for people who understand the related jargon.
Scientific method that is learning by doing is followed in both technical writing as well as scientific writing. The habit of questioning and finding out the answers through methods facilitates in:
1. Observing and making notes
2. Collecting Data
3. Recording Data
4. Reaching Conclusions
Technical writing principles can be used in scientific writing and vice versa.
A few technical writing principles:
1. Audience Analysis - Know your audience or target readers who would be reading and using the product information for doing tasks.
2. Product Analysis- Know the product you will write for in tot by reading on the existing documentation and carry out research and brainstorm the functionalities until you know the product differentiation from similar products in the market.
3. Structure, Content and Layout are the three important pillars of technical writing.
Structure is information organization or the logical design, Content is core pages written to explain the product functionalities and Layout is the format or physical design of the technical communication product.
4. Visual Communication - Pictures and graphics, logos and icons to convey the appropriate information are a need to have in any technical communication product, be it online helps a tutorial or a product user guide.
5. Style guide and grammar: One cannot emphasize more on this principle of technical writing and its utmost importance in the usability of a technical communication product. Adhering to a style guide and grammar makes the readers life that much easier and conveys the information accurately and efficiently.
Happy to write!!!
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