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

Is produced collaboratively
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
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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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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