What Is Technical Writing? | Definition & Examples
Technical writing is a specialized type of written communication that delivers complex information in a clear and accurate way to its readers. Technical writing is mostly used in fields like science, engineering, healthcare, and consumer electronics.
- The instruction manual for a new washing machine
- A lab report on the effect of pH on enzymes
- Post-operative medical instructions for a wisdom tooth extraction
If you want to learn more about technical writing, try asking QuillBot’s AI Chat your specific questions.
What is technical writing?
Technical writing is writing that communicates technical information in a way that helps readers perform tasks, understand systems, or make informed decisions.
Technical writing is most commonly used in technical or specialized domains, like consumer electronics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, finance, healthcare, and biotechnology.
Depending on the context, a technical writer may be writing for a general audience (e.g., when writing a refrigerator manual) or for a specific industry (e.g., drug trial reports). In each case, the writer tailors their language toward the education level of their audience.
What is the goal of technical writing?
The goal of technical writing is to clearly and accurately communicate complex information so that the audience can understand and act.
Technical writers strive for:
- Clarity: Eliminating ambiguity by using straightforward, precise language
- Accuracy: Presenting correct, up-to-date, and detailed information
- Usability: Making information easy to find, follow, and apply
- Consistency: Using standardized formats, terms, and styles across documents
- Efficiency: Helping users complete tasks quickly without confusion
- Compliance: Ensuring that instructions and documentation meet legal, regulatory, or safety requirements
- Knowledge transfer: Communicate expert knowledge to non-experts or cross-functional teams.
Through applying these principles, technical writing helps people:
- Operate products or systems
- Install or configure software or hardware
- Follow procedures or protocols
- Understand technical concepts
- Troubleshoot issues
- Stay compliant with laws or standards
- Learn new skills or technologies
However, when writing for the average person (e.g., a consumer), avoid jargon and overly complicated language. The simpler the language, the better. You can use QuillBot’s Article Rewriter to rework your content for a new audience.
Technical writing examples
Below are some examples of technical writing as it’s used across different industries.
| Industry | Examples of technical writing |
|---|---|
| Software and IT | User manuals API documentation Online help centers and systems |
| Healthcare and medical | Patient information leaflets Medical research papers Clinical trial protocols |
| Engineering | Technical specifications Maintenance manuals Installation guides |
| Manufacturing | Assembly instructions Equipment operation manuals Quality control procedures |
| Finance and insurance | Investment product summaries Risk assessment reports Policy documentation |
| Aerospace and defense | Flight operation manuals Technical bulletins Compliance checklists |
| Telecommunications | Network setup guides Device configuration manuals Troubleshooting documentation |
| Education and e-learning | Training manuals Curriculum design guides Instructional content for online platforms |
| Energy and utilities | Pipeline operation manuals Environmental impact reports Emergency response procedures |
How to become a technical writer
To become a technical writer, you need a combination of writing skills, education, technical knowledge, and industry awareness. Every person’s path to becoming a technical writer is a bit different, but there are some general steps you can follow to set yourself up for success.
1. Get your degree
You may be able to enter the technical writing industry with an associate’s degree, but many technical writing positions require applicants to hold at least a bachelor’s degree. Degrees like journalism, scientific writing, and technical communications could be good options.
You might also choose to study a technical subject, like engineering, medicine, or computer science, and then later apply your knowledge of the specific subject to technical writing.
2. Develop core skills
If you want to be a technical writer, you need to develop the necessary skills for the role. Work on your skills in the following areas:
- Writing and editing
- Research
- Audience analysis
- Information architecture
- Visual communication
- Computer proficiency (e.g., Google Workspace, FrameMaker, Confluence)
3. Learn style guides
Different companies and clients will have their own preferences, so it’s a good idea to get familiar with various style guides, like APA, MLA, and The Chicago Manual of Style.
If you’re interested in technical writing within a specific industry, check if there’s an applicable style guide. For example, if you’re interested in chemistry, it’s wise to learn The ACS Style Guide, developed by the American Chemical Society.
4. Get certified
Getting a technical writing certification can give you a leg up on the competition. Like style guides, the right certification depends a bit on your goals and the industry you want to work in. Some industries have their own associations (e.g., the National Association of Science Writers) that issue certifications to technical writers.
5. Create your portfolio
As you develop your technical writing skills, prepare writing samples for your portfolio. If possible, take on small assignments from your network or volunteer opportunities from organizations. Otherwise, create sample writings (e.g., how to set up email filters) to show off your ability to organize information and express key concepts clearly and concisely.
6. Build your network
Building a network of technical writers will help you keep up-to-date with the industry and find potential job opportunities. Here are some tips for building your network:
- Check to see if you have any technical writers already in your network.
- Attend networking events for professionals in your area.
- Join a professional association for technical writers.
- Join groups on LinkedIn or other social networks for technical writers.
- Look for ways to partner with people in your network as a way to use your technical writing skills.
7. Write your resume
When you finally start applying for jobs, you’ll need to write a resume. More accurately, you’ll need to make a resume for each job you apply for, tailoring the document to the job description. You should also probably send a cover letter, especially if you’re just getting started in the industry.
Frequently asked questions about what is technical writing
- How do I get into freelance technical writing?
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To get into freelance technical writing:
- Understand what technical writing is
- Get educated (at least a bachelor’s degree)
- Develop communication skills
- Choose a technical niche
- Build a portfolio
- Join freelance platforms and job boards
- Network and market yourself
- Start small and scale up
Make sure your freelance technical writing is error-free with QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
- What does a technical writer do?
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A technical writer creates clear, accurate, and user-friendly documentation that helps people understand and use products, systems, or services.
Technical writing is the process of translating complex technical information into content that’s easy for the target audience to understand and act on.
To learn more about what a technical writer does, ask QuillBot’s AI Chat.
- How much does a technical writer make?
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The salary of a technical writer varies based on experience, industry, location, and whether the position is freelance or full-time.
In the United States, entry-level technical writers might earn about $50-65K per year. Highly specialized or senior writers might earn more than $100K per year.
Freelance rates for technical writers can be by the hour (around $40-100), by the word ($0.20-$1.00), or per project (from a few hundred to thousands of dollars).
Ask QuillBot’s AI Chat for more information about technical writing and how much technical writers make.
- What are some common grammar mistakes in technical writing?
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Some common grammar mistakes in technical writing are:
- Overuse of the passive voice
- Subject-verb agreement errors
- Inconsistent verb tenses
- Ambiguous pronouns
- Dangling modifiers
- Not following capitalization rules
Avoid these and other grammar errors in your technical writing by using QuillBot’s Grammar Checker.
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Santoro, K. (2025, July 16). What Is Technical Writing? | Definition & Examples. Quillbot. Retrieved August 11, 2025, from http://qbot.seotoolbuy.com/blog/content-writing/what-is-technical-writing/
