1. The writing process consists of five steps:
planning
drafting
revising
editing
proofreading
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

2. Planning involves seven steps:
analyzing your audience
analyzing your purpose
generating ideas about your subject
researching additional information
organizing and outlining your document
selecting an application, a design, and a delivery method
devising a schedule and a budget
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

3. Follow these six suggestions when you draft:
Get comfortable.
Start with the easiest topics.
Draft quickly.
Don’t stop to get more information or to revise.
Try invisible writing.
Stop in the middle of a section.
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

4. Commercial templates can lead to three problems:
They do not always reflect the best design principles.
They bore readers.
They cannot help you answer important questions about your document.
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

5. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of a commercial template
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

6. Revising entails reconsidering three items:
your audience
your purpose
your subject
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

7. There are two ways to study your draft:
studying the draft by yourself
seeking help from others
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

8. Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's
What is editing?
Editing is the process of checking the draft to improve its grammar, punctuation, style, usage, diction (word choice), and mechanics (such as use of numbers and abbreviations).
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

9. Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's
What is proofreading?
Proofreading is the process of checking to make sure you have typed what you meant to type.
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's

10. In revising documents, ask for help from two kinds of people:
subject-matter experts
people who are like those in the targeted audience
Chapter 3. Writing Technical Documents © 2010 by Bedford/St. Martin's