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On Effective Technical Writing

writingcommunication

Good technical writing is a skill that compounds over time. Here's what I've learned about writing effectively for technical audiences.

Start with the Problem

Before diving into solutions, make sure readers understand why they should care. What problem are we solving? What's the current limitation?

Use Concrete Examples

Abstract explanations are hard to follow. Always ground concepts in specific, runnable examples:

// Instead of explaining "memoization" abstractly:
const memoize = (fn) => {
  const cache = new Map();
  return (...args) => {
    const key = JSON.stringify(args);
    if (!cache.has(key)) {
      cache.set(key, fn(...args));
    }
    return cache.get(key);
  };
};

Structure for Scanning

Most readers scan before they read. Help them by:

  • Using descriptive headings
  • Keeping paragraphs short
  • Highlighting key terms
  • Using lists for multiple items

Edit Ruthlessly

First drafts are never good. My process:

  1. Write everything down without editing
  2. Cut 30% on the first edit
  3. Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
  4. Have someone else read it