Technical CommunicationA comparison of narrative prose and technical writing

by Tim Severance

Introduction

When you think of reading technical communication, do you think of sitting in the corner of a nice cozy room, curled up on a chair, enjoying a good technical document? If you are like most people then you do not. According to Markel, “Producing technical communication involves creating, designing, and transmitting technical information so that people can understand it easily and use it safely, effectively, and efficiently” (Markel, p. 4). In other words, technical communication is not supposed to be used for pleasure, but mainly it is used to get a point across, or to get some kind of job done. This is far different from narrative prose, which is used to convey some form of emotion. Also, with narrative prose, the information contained in the document is not necessarily true, which is far different from technical writing.

Forms of Technical Communication

There are many different forms of technical communication. Some of these forms are as follows:

Television Radio Computer Programs Speeches Online Documents Manuals Email

Some of these forms are thought of more often, like manuals and email, when thinking of technical communication. Other forms, such as television and radio, can also be used to communicate technical communication.

Characteristics of Technical Communication

According to Markel, technical communication has seven major characteristics, and these are shown below:

Addresses particular readers

Helps readers solve problems

Reflects an organizations goals and culture

Is produced collaboratively

Uses design to increase readability

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Consists of words or graphics or both

Is produced using high tech tools

These characteristics are in high contrast with the characteristics of narrative prose, which is shown in the next section.

Characteristics of Narrative Prose

According to teenwriting.com, the definition of narrative prose is “to tell a story or give a description in detail.” This is far different from technical writing in that a technical writer probably will not tell a story, but would more likely just give the facts. Some of the characteristics of technical writing are shown below:

Type of reader is not specific

Is not produced collaboratively

Does not use design to increase readability

Is produced using low tech tools

Comparison of writing types

Finally, a comparison of narrative prose and technical writing will be made. Shown below, table 1 summarizes the similarities and differences. As is shown, the comparisons are made on document linearity, formatting, accuracy, evaluation, and their differing review processes.

Table 1 - Comparison of narrative prose and technical communication

Category Narrative Prose Technical Writing

Linearity Linear Highly Non-Linear

Formatting Paragraph/Chapter

structure

Highly formatted,

sectioned

Accuracy Fiction or Non-Fiction Must be accurate

Evaluation Evaluated by critics Evaluated by readers

Review Process Reviewed by editor Reviewed by peers and by

editor

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Conclusion

Narrative prose and technical writing are each unique in their own way. They are produced differently, they are reviewed differently, and they are read differently. This document has made comparisons of both narrative prose and technical communication.

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