I am technical writer and as such I can answer the question. Technical writers are important because of the gap in knowledge between a technical professional and an end user. A good technical writer can work with a subject matter expert, then use words and images to communicate technical information to an end user who needs to use the information in an applied manner. Unfortunately, technical managers often incorrectly assume they do not need technical writers and/or can do this work themselves. If generating high-quality, useful technical documentation is your objective, hire an experienced technical writer who has that unique combination of technical knowledge, listening skills, written communication skills, and applications skills (e.g., Microsoft Word, Adobe Framemaker).
A technical writer has no standard career path, but technical writers may move into project management over other writers. A writer may advance to a senior technical writer position, handling complex projects or a small team of writers and editors. In larger groups, a documentation manager might handle multiple projects and teams. Technical writers may also gain expertise in a particular technical domain and branch out into related forms, such as software quality analysis or business analysis. A technical writer who becomes a subject matter expert in a field may transition from technical writing to analyst work in that field. Senior writers in some software documentation departments are increasingly called Individual Contributor (IC). See also API writer. In API/software documentation, ICs typically work with a team of developers or testers across many physical locations. In such software development in "software research organizations," an IC plays an important role in the delivery of API/Software documentation.
To tell readers what they are looking at and why the image is relevant.
Generally, technology companies that hire technical writers develop their own style manuals, because a consistent style is required when there are multiple writers. Lacking a technical style guide, The Chicago Style guide is always reliable, and you might also consider the Wired Style Guide. Before settling on a style guide, the team leader must define all readers, including readers who may transcribe technical material into foreign languages.
The same as other inverted pyramid writing style: The inverted pyramid is a metaphor used by journalists and other writers to illustrate the placing of the most important information first within a text.
Any writer understands that readers are the key target for the work of writing. Technical writers are best advised to appreciate and understand why people read their work, and it is only so that the reader can employ the technology in the course of performing a task. (It is not to show the reader how much the writer knows.)
Technical writers write what is known as technical document. This is a document that will contain complex technical content which targets a specific audience.
at the computer
Technical writers work in most industries: Engineering, finance, government, entertainment, education, medicine, electronics, manufacturing, and any other field that utilizes technical documentation. Technical writers prepare both common documents that are universal for any industry and highly specialized projects. Examples of the publications that technical writers make are user manuals, reference guides, online Help files, policies and procedures (P&P), and product inserts. Some technical writers choose to work as freelance contractors. Others work on-site at corporations as employees.
Technical writers write user and technical manuals for various products... appliances, electronics etc.
Technical writers perform audience analyses to better understand the demographics of their intended target audience. This helps them write in a manner that the intended audience will be able to understand.
The Society of Technical Communication was created to advance the practice and theory of technical communications. It's creation was a result of the merger of the Society of Technical Writers and editors and the Technical Publishers Society.
A technical writer has no standard career path, but technical writers may move into project management over other writers. A writer may advance to a senior technical writer position, handling complex projects or a small team of writers and editors. In larger groups, a documentation manager might handle multiple projects and teams. Technical writers may also gain expertise in a particular technical domain and branch out into related forms, such as software quality analysis or business analysis. A technical writer who becomes a subject matter expert in a field may transition from technical writing to analyst work in that field. Senior writers in some software documentation departments are increasingly called Individual Contributor (IC). See also API writer. In API/software documentation, ICs typically work with a team of developers or testers across many physical locations. In such software development in "software research organizations," an IC plays an important role in the delivery of API/Software documentation.
clients technical staff the management end users technical writers.
A technical writer is a professional writer who primarily engages in technical writing, and produced technical documentation. Some examples of technical writing can include user guides, online help and design specifications.
To offload some of the mountain of documentation writing work from the engineers.
To tell readers what they are looking at and why the image is relevant.
Generally, technology companies that hire technical writers develop their own style manuals, because a consistent style is required when there are multiple writers. Lacking a technical style guide, The Chicago Style guide is always reliable, and you might also consider the Wired Style Guide. Before settling on a style guide, the team leader must define all readers, including readers who may transcribe technical material into foreign languages.