Parameters

Instructional Writing

Technical Writing

Definition

A systematic translation of general principles of learning and instruction into plans for developing educational materials

A process of documenting specific information about a technical subject to a specific audience for a specific purpose

Aim

To teach, enhance learning

and promote understanding

To bring awareness about a product or process for fulfillment of user tasks

Orientation of content

Task oriented

Product oriented

Reader level

Content is based on the appropriate learning level of the learner

Content is developed for the average reader of each document

Style of content

Highly interactive, academic, and case studies based simulations

Limited interactivity, factual and straightforward

Assumptions while addressing the audience

As long as the content is instructionally well-designed to suit learners with various needs, readers should be able to learn the concept

As long as the subject matter is presented clearly with graphic examples, the user should be able to absorb the information

Tasks

Writing instructionally  good content, editing

and providing interactive media (movie clips, voiceovers), framing interactive questions

Writing technical content, editing, indexing and providing technical illustration

Delivery Media

Online (Web-based) and Offline (CDs, LMS)

Online (PDF files on Internet), WebHelp, HTML files and Offline (Paper, PDF files on CD/DVD)

Types

Skill-based courses, Project-based courses and

Case study-based courses

Procedure-based documents, Reference-based documents, Product specifications, Quick reference cards and Proposals

Feedback

Emphasizes feedback to a large extent, since the aim is to ensure learning

Not much emphasis on feedback since the aim of documentation is to make the user aware

Reusability

RLO (Reusable Learning Object) – limited use in ‘assessments’

Content can be reusable across documents provided single-sourcing principles are rigorously applied

Interface design

Emphasizes ease of use (navigation), flow, consistency. Focuses on visual appeal (Graphics, animation)

Emphasizes speed of information access, flow, consistency. Focuses on supplementing text with illustrations