How can you write technical information for non-experts?

1 Know your audience

Before you start writing, you need to understand who your audience is, what they need, and what they already know. This will help you tailor your message, tone, and style to their level of expertise, interest, and motivation. You can use personas, surveys, interviews, or feedback to gather information about your audience and their goals, challenges, and preferences.

2 Define your purpose

Next, you need to define the purpose of your writing. What do you want your audience to do, think, or feel after reading your technical information? Do you want to inform, instruct, persuade, or entertain them? Your purpose will guide your choice of content, structure, and language. You should also have a clear and specific main idea or thesis statement that summarizes your main point or argument.

3 Simplify your content

Simplification is a key skill for writing technical information for non-experts. To do this, you need to reduce complexity, length, and detail without losing essential information and meaning. You can use plain language and avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms. If you must use them, be sure to explain them clearly and concisely. Breaking your content into smaller chunks with headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbered lists can help organize it. Examples, analogies, metaphors, and stories can make your points more relatable and memorable. Visuals such as charts, graphs, diagrams, images, and videos can also be used to show data, processes or concepts.

4 Engage your audience

To write technical information for non-experts, it's important to engage your audience. You can use a catchy title and an intriguing introduction to hook your readers and motivate them to continue. Writing in a conversational tone with a personal voice can help you create a rapport with your readers. Additionally, you can use questions, anecdotes, humor, or emotions to connect with your audience and elicit responses. It's also important to use a clear and logical structure with transitions that guide readers through your content, as well as a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points and calls readers to action.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?