What are the essential components of a technical writing skills assessment?

2 Content organization

Another essential component of a technical writing skills assessment is the assessment of the writer's content organization skills. A technical writer should be able to structure and format their documents according to the purpose, audience, and genre of the text, using appropriate headings, subheadings, lists, tables, charts, diagrams, and other visual aids. A technical writing skills assessment should test the writer's ability to create and follow a logical outline, to use transitions and connectors effectively, to present information in a coherent and consistent manner, and to use white space, fonts, colors, and other design elements to enhance readability and usability.

3 Content development

A third key element of a technical writing skills assessment is the evaluation of the writer's content development skills. A technical writer should be able to research, analyze, synthesize, and present information from various sources, using reliable and credible evidence, citations, and references. A technical writing skills assessment should test the writer's ability to identify and address the needs and expectations of the audience, to define and explain technical terms and concepts, to use examples, scenarios, and analogies to illustrate points, to provide clear and precise instructions and procedures, and to use feedback and revision strategies to improve their work.

4 Content quality

A fourth crucial component of a technical writing skills assessment is the measurement of the writer's content quality. A technical writer should be able to produce documents that are accurate, relevant, complete, and up-to-date, as well as clear, concise, and coherent. A technical writing skills assessment should test the writer's ability to check and verify facts and figures, to avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement, to use appropriate terminology and nomenclature, to eliminate unnecessary words and phrases, to use active voice and parallel structure, and to ensure consistency and clarity throughout the document.

5 Content usability

A fifth and final component of a technical writing skills assessment is the appraisal of the writer's content usability. A technical writer should be able to create documents that are easy to access, understand, and apply by the intended audience, using various tools and techniques to enhance user experience and satisfaction. A technical writing skills assessment should test the writer's ability to use headings, keywords, summaries, and indexes to facilitate navigation and searchability, to use tables of contents, glossaries, appendices, and footnotes to provide additional information and support, to use graphics, icons, and symbols to attract attention and convey meaning, and to use testing, evaluation, and feedback methods to assess and improve usability and effectiveness.

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?