2. What is technical writing
开始前，请各位思考一个问题：
问题
你眼中的技术写作是什么？请举例说明。
技术写作的定义
技术写作尚未有公认的定义。专门提供技术写作服务的咨询公司Instructional Solutions 提到这样一个定义，但认为该定义并没有与时俱进：
Technical writing is the practice of documenting processes, such as software manuals or instructional materials. Traditionally, it was limited to user manuals of some sort. [1]
维基百科给出这样的定义：
Technical writing is writing or drafting technical communication used in technical and occupational fields, such as computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics, robotics, finance, medical, consumer electronics, biotechnology, and forestry. Technical writing encompasses the largest sub-field in technical communication. [2]
有人则更进一步，将“Technical”理解为“techniques”，即一般意义上的写作技巧：
Technical writing is an audience-centered means of communication that provides a reader with clear and easy access to information. [3]
还有相当精彩的一句话概括：
Technical writing is sometimes defined as simplifying the complex. [4]
技术写作与创意写作的比较
人们常常会将技术写作（technical writing）与创意写作（creative writing）视作写作的 两个对立面。维基百科对创意写作的描述如下：
Creative writing is any writing that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature, typically identified by an emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or with various traditions of poetry and poetics. [5]
结合创意写作的定义，请各位再思考这样一个问题：技术写作和创意写作有何不同？Jena (2009)[6] 做了如下总结：
| Technical Writing/技术写作 | Creative writing/创意写作 |
|---|---|
| Objective | Subjective |
| Factual, straight-forward | Imaginative, symbolic |
| Specific reader or audience | General reader or audience |
| Inform and instruct | Entertain, provoke, inspire |
| Formal and standard style | Informal and artistic |
| Specialized vocabulary | General, evocative vocabulary |
| Sequentially and systematically organized | Arbitrary and artistic |
表1. 技术写作和创意写作的比较。来源： Jena (2009) [6]，已精简。
一种受控的创作形式
将上面的表格以雷达图的形式展现后可以看到，出于客观性、语言简洁性、目标读者等考虑， 技术写作实际上是一种“受控”的创作形式。它刻意在一定程度上放弃了文字表达的巨大潜力， 通过这样的牺牲，换取一种标准化、可预测、可复现的文体。
- 标准化：遵循一套商定的写作标准。
- 可预测：可以预知不同读者在阅读时的理解（无歧义）。
- 可复现：不同作者在熟知写作标准的前提下可以产出相同质量的文本。
图1. 技术写作是一种受控的创作。
如何实现上述标准化、可预测、可复现的文本？请翻页查看本课程关注的一大重点， 下节详述的“语言风格规范”。
参考资料
- DuPuis, T. (2021). What is technical writing. Retrieved from www.instructionalsolutions.com
- Technical Writing. (2021). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org
- Lohman, E. (2017). What is technical writing? Retrieved from courses.lumenlearning.com
- Giordano, C. (2015). What is technical writing. Retrieved from techwhirl.com
- Creative writing. (2021). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org
- Jena, S. (2020). Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing Retrieved from: geeksforgeeks.org