Writing for an audience sucks. That’s because you’ll always have to put their reaction to your material as a first consideration. Of course, if you never consider your readers, there’s likely very few people willing to stick around to read what you write. Even worse, those that do will likely finish your piece largely unaffected.
A Short Leash
Have you ever seen technical manuals dripping with style and flavor? While panache does have its place, I usually read through those pieces and groan. I never read a technical material to be wowed by the author’s talents. Usually, I go through these types of documents in order to learn something about a product or a process. While amusing, I find all the extra words a huge waste of my time.
In truth, you need to keep yourself on a short leash when you write technical materials. Keep your focus on what matters and avoid venturing into decorative territory. Make sure to use your English writing software to check for possible transgressions.
Clarity
If you truly want to write for your audience, your technical materials must be written clearly. A regular reader like me should be able to look at it and not end up intimidated by the words. I should be able to go to the section I need and not be distracted by items that do not serve to give me what I’m searching for.
Technical Terms
Don’t be afraid to use technical terms. This is particularly true if your anticipated audience don’t consist of absolute dolts who are ignorant about the subject. As a writer, you should be able to ascertain which “jargon” can be used and which ones are best simplified. This helps make the piece more succinct and, ultimately, more useful.
Tags: technical materials, technical writing, writing for your audience
