Reflective Essay: Technically Speaking Er, Writing

“Technically Speaking… er, Writing”

While selecting my major for my epic return to college, one genre of writing that would have never crossed my mind for consideration is that of a technical and scientific nature. It is so easy for the general public, as well as myself, to understand and appreciate writing that serves to entertain. Often, when we consider technical writing, we find ourselves yawning before even opening such a document. However, after interviewing Kaye Borchers, a technical writer for Choice One Engineering, I realized just how wrong this preconceived notion truly is. While Kaye also moonlights as an editor for her peers and a creative writer in her spare time, I was most intrigued by her professional career choice and found it surprising that technical writing shares a great deal of qualities with other styles of writing. Her insight on this particular style indicated that it is a necessary and fascinating genre that requires a multitude of versatile writing skills.

Her answer made perfect sense considering that it was the one field of writing that combined the two academic concentrations she was most competent in, English and Science. As she so eloquently noted, “Technical writing is the perfect marriage of science and English.” Also making the decision easy was the fact that it is a very in-demand field that would be relatively easy to find employment in. “There’s a ton of creativity and problem-solving involved in technical writing. Technical writers edit science textbooks, name paint colors, and compile indices, but they also inform and entertain in magazines like Discover or National Geographic,” Kaye states, adding “Technical writing can take you anywhere in terms of a career—there is no limit to the topics we can cover with the written