Tag Archives: style

Scientific metaphors

Posted on January 23, 2014 by techdocworld

  We don’t use metaphors in technical writing, or at least we don’t think we do. But, are we using dead metaphors? There is a very interesting radio programme on BBC about scientific metaphors and their usage (in fact this whole … Continue reading →

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Editing: read aloud

Posted on January 10, 2014 by techdocworld

When editing and reviewing your own content or someone else’s, there is one tip I can give which I think surpasses all others: read aloud! Spoken word is much older than the written word and it is the rhythms of … Continue reading →

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The success of Hoover

Posted on January 9, 2014 by techdocworld

Keeping on the topic of inventiveness with words – one of my favourite words has to be hoover used as a verb. Standard in British English now, this word exemplifies how culture will adapt a word that it feels suits … Continue reading →

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Language use: act like a baby and treat others like one too

Posted on January 8, 2014 by techdocworld

Maybe it seems like I am being puerile with the title or going to mention something about always using the lowest common denominator when thinking of your audience. But, not at all; the opposite in fact. It’s in infancy when … Continue reading →

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Creating a new style

Posted on January 7, 2014 by techdocworld

So, you now know you have at least two styles that you want to create. How do you go about implementing them? How do you document your styles and keep track that styles are being used correctly? If you have … Continue reading →

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Style: informal or formal

Posted on January 6, 2014 by techdocworld

When considering the style you should choose for documentation, you will first need to know what type of branding the marketing dept are aiming for in the company. But, there are more considerations that you need to take account of … Continue reading →

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Style Guide: weakening the power of words

Posted on January 4, 2014 by techdocworld

What do we do as tech writers? We write words for a living. But, what type of words? What type of strength do those words contain? Is it that the task of the words we write is simply to describe the … Continue reading →

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Style in tech writing…again

Posted on November 29, 2013 by techdocworld

I nearly spat out my coffee this morning as well as regurgitating yesterday’s supper, dinner, and lunch. What is it with the entries in Wikipedia about technical writing? It seems to be students with no concept of the profession who … Continue reading →

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Aesthetics in technical writing

Posted on November 22, 2013 by techdocworld

As tech writers we are concerned with usability, and this usually means making sure we include everything a user needs to know in a concise manner and with enough white spacing on a page to make the content readable. We … Continue reading →

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