The Importance of Technical Writing

by Heather Craig, UNT Student

As a University of North Texas biology major, I have pondered the usefulness of the required technical writing courses. At first, many elements of technical writing seem to have little or no application to the medical or science research fields. I know how to write an excellent research paper. That should be enough, right? This technical writing class has shown me how little I know about communicating with others through effective writing.

Last month, I attended Whitney Quesenbery's presentation on Universal Usability: “Writing (and Designing) for Diverse Audiences.” I was amazed at the hard work and research that goes into making a Web site user-friendly for a vast variety of people. Technical writers must be able to judge what the audience needs to know, assess the best way to present the information to them most usefully, and do it clearly and concisely. During the course of this class I have discovered that these are abilities that are invaluable to everyone, regardless of career path.

Technical writing is a marketable skill. In the age of high-speed communication, the ability to write clearly, concisely, and convincingly has become a necessity for professionals in all walks of life. Being able to communicate effectively is a skill that allows you to do your work better and can enhance your career. It shows that you are knowledgeable and capable in your field and will, therefore, make you a valued employee.

Many careers in the science field require you to be able to manage multiple projects and write results-oriented documents such as proposals, publishable research manuscripts, technical manuals, procedures, training materials, and inter-office communications. I am grateful for the opportunity to take a technical writing class, and I believe that the exposure to the field of technical writing will benefit me in the future as I seek a career in scientific research.