Writing a memo...?

Question

I have to write a memo that states ways to use technical writing...any help?

Answer 1

It's very tempting to say have the technical writer write it for you. But if you are not a technical writer yourself, you undoubtedly use technical writing, or you would never be given the assignment. (Wait; this is for work or for school?)

The most important technical writing is for non-technical people. Forget the "for idiots" and "for dummies" series, and recognize that when you are describing a product or process, you are first describing it for the naive user. After that, for the technician who will probably be called in when the daily user gets overwhelmed.

The classic example is the computer manual or photocopier manual. However technical you are in the appendices, you had better be very clear and simple, and use a lot of drawings and diagrams, when describing the basic functions and the initial set-up. Otherwise, your tech support phones are ringing off the hook. And it does not do to say RTFM anymore, although older teckies will at least know what that means.