Technical writing often aims at creating simple instructions that can be applied effortlessly. As readers are not necessarily from a technical background, a technical writer must ensure that the language and format used are straightforward and simple to understand. However, a number of technical writers, including experienced ones, tend to commit a few common mistakes. Here are some of them.
The most common mistake that a technical writer can make is using complex scientific words that are hard to understand. When the content is written by a subject matter expert, jargon tends to flow easily into the content, sometimes without the writer’s knowledge, making the content difficult to comprehend. But when it comes to amateur writers, who aren’t familiar with the subject, technical terminology from the source is directly copied, to cover up their lack of knowledge.
As technical writing is about writing manuals and instructions, the writer must use more of active voice, telling the reader what to do precisely. However, inexperienced writers tend to overuse pronouns and passive sentences that often omit important instructions and concepts, leaving the readers to struggle in the end.
Another mistake that inexperienced writers make is spending insufficient time on research, leading to misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the concept, giving out the wrong message to readers.
Finally, failing to add a glossary, which is necessary for the reader’s easy reference, is another mistake that a technical writer should avoid.