The Transformative Nature of Technical Writing
What do Star Wars, cave paintings, and technical writing have in common? More than you might think.
There is indeed something mystical about instruction and education. This notion relates to the value of a good mentor (as suggested by my photo with Yoda at Madame Tussauds London 😊) and to the transfer of abstract knowledge and the implications of transformation that follow. It applies to many fields, like:
In this article, I focus on technical writing as a proxy for the other professions. That is because clear and simplified communication – the main offering of technical writing – is ubiquitous across instruction and education.
Ancient Forms of Communication and Modern Technical Writing
Methods for transferring knowledge are as old as humankind. Examples are:
With an emphasis on instructing the end user, technical writing is not dissimilar to ancient forms of communication. It underlies other modern forms of instruction, especially with respect to educating or transforming the behaviours of readers. For example, goals of technical writing are related to:
The Vital Role of a Mentor
A harsh reality of our modern world is that company departments, or even entire companies, might only enlist the services of one technical writer. Technical writing is often a solitary role, and a mentor therefore plays a vital part.
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The modern concept of ‘mentor’ derives from the Odyssey. In the ancient poem, the goddess Athena assumes the guise of an elderly man called Mentor and becomes the supernatural aid of Telemachus as he embarks on a quest. The analogy of a magical master who instructs a learner is suitable for the field of technical writing.
Since there is no formal degree in technical writing, the training a budding technical writer receives from a mentor is paramount. It can trigger a professional transformation. The mentor draws key skills from the student’s existing qualifications that are relevant to technical writing. For example, degrees in English, Communications or Teaching offer transferable skills. But more importantly, the mentor bestows skills and knowledge that can only be acquired via industry experience.
The Student Becomes the Master
When the training is complete, the pupil, in Jedi-like fashion, blossoms into a master and independently confronts challenges of the world of technical writing. Applying the wizardry attained from their mentor, they transmute complex material into new, clear and accessible textual forms. They similarly transform the behaviours of audiences by empowering them to understand required information. Significantly, they reduplicate the training that they had received, and the cycle of mentoring continues.
Final Thoughts
Technical writing is more than just documentation. It is a catalyst for change and transition. It transforms complexity into clarity, reshapes understanding, and empowers users.
Have you witnessed the transformative power of technical writing in your career or organisation? Share your story in the comments.
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