Myth 3: Technical documentation? Boring!
For many people, technical documentation is uninteresting because of all the dry facts and information it presents.
Reality
Okay, it might be true that technical documentation rarely has exciting information: there is no action and definitely no suspense. While your documentation may never be nail-biting and breathtaking, you can most certainly make it interesting! No need for unexpected twists in the plot or special effects, just follow these few tips.
First and foremost, relevant information
Your readers have a good reason to pick up your technical documentation. Make sure they find information that is relevant to their needs and that it answers the questions they may have. If you have several types of users, make sure you address everyone’s concerns.
Off the beaten path
Go ahead: betray your printer! Paper manuals are not always the best way to get your technical documentation to your readers. Consider alternative formats: online support or training, videos, multimedia animation, etc. For example, what if you launched the latest version of a product with a video presentation? This could be an effective and interesting way to describe your product’s new functionalities. Choosing an original medium can give you an edge!
Save the best for the… beginning
The structure of your technical documentation should meet your users’ needs, not follow your product. Always start with the most important information (the things users are most likely to look for) and work your way to the most specific information (the things that are likely to interest experienced users). This means you should generally place tasks at the beginning of the paragraph, not at the end.
Choose the right terms
Use simple words and phrasing your reader will understand. But don’t forget to remain specific: the product’s exact terms are always the best! You can also elaborate to put the reader in context when needed. Complicated terms, like technical jargon, can make your texts a headache to read and difficult to understand. Also think about using real-life examples that speak to your readers’ experience. Avoid synonyms. In technical documentation, each word should correspond to a specific idea.
Straight shot
Don’t forget that the key to creating interesting technical documentation is providing useful content. Think about the telephone book. While no one would have ever thought of it as pleasure reading, for years and years, everyone consulted it!
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