How to Write Better from Research Approaches

I think we can learn to apply research approaches to improve our writing from the research methods described in these articles.

Sullivan and Porter’s research about how theory/practice correlates with methodology is important in their discussion about how professional working technical writers have no time to read and reflect on their work. Professional technical writers do have time to read by browsing journal articles, technical organization related sites, etc. Also, they have time to reflect on the quality of their work. If they work in a team or as a single-writer they can evaluate the quality of their work by reviewing how to make the documentation clearer and effective. The key is that these technical writers need to make the time for this task.

Harrison’s research about the study of organizational writing is also important. It raises an important discussion about the difference between organizational writing and classroom writing. I think organizational writing limits the manner in which technical writers can express themselves. Technical writers in organizations are limited by company standards, consistency styles, and policies. At times, technical writers have little creativity and must conform to the company standard templates. As classroom technical writers, we can have more control over our documentation and design the document as intended. It is difficult to make the transition from a classroom technical writer to an organizational technical writer. I think that organizations need to allow technical writers more freedom in documentation design.