Technical Communication

A 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

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Technical Communication vs. Narrative Prose

Is produced collaboratively

Uses design to increase readability

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

Highly formatted,

structure

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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Technical Communication vs. Narrative Prose

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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Technical Communication vs. Narrative Prose