Articles

Welcome—glad you stopped by. The Articles page is where I share practical advice, real-world stories, and insights on technical writing, documentation, and information design. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, there’s something there for you.

Final Check: Testing Documentation for Clarity and Success

You’ve written the document. It’s structured, formatted, and reviewed. But is it actually clear? The final step in any writing process is testing. What makes sense to you might not make sense to the reader. A well-written document isn’t just technically correct; it...

When Writing Fails: Common Pitfalls That Hurt Usability

Technical writing isn’t about sounding smart—it’s about making things work. When users struggle, it’s rarely because they lack intelligence. It’s because the writing failed them. Here’s where things go wrong and what to do instead. 1. The Instructions Don’t Match...

The Flow of Documentation: Organizing for the User’s Mind

Have you ever opened a document and immediately felt lost? The information is all there, but something about the way it’s arranged makes it hard to follow. That’s a structuring problem, not a content problem. Good documentation doesn’t just give information—it guides...

Stop Over-Explaining: When Less Writing Says More

Ever opened a manual and thought, Why is this so long? You just wanted to...

How to Write So Clearly That No One Notices

Have you ever read a manual that just worked? No rereading, no...

The Best Technical Writing Disappears: Here’s Why That Matters

Imagine you’re assembling a new desk. You open the instruction manual, and...

If Your Documentation Team Doesn’t Know the Business, Your Docs Won’t Help the Business

Technical documentation isn’t just about writing—it’s about understanding....

Explaining Solar Systems to Kids (and the Adults Who Feel Like Kids)

If you can explain solar panels to a kid, you’ve unlocked the ultimate level of clarity. Simplicity isn’t just about dumbing things down—it’s about creating connections that make sense to everyone. Whether it’s a child or a curious adult, the right approach helps them...

How Photovoltaic Cells Work (Without the Jargon!)

Solar power may seem like science fiction. However, the magic behind it—photovoltaic cells—is easy to explain. Whether you’re a homeowner thinking about installing panels or just curious, let's explore how these tiny marvels work. We will break down how they turn...

Regulatory Compliance in Defense and Aerospace

Introduction Technical writers in the defense and aerospace industries play a critical role. They ensure that documentation complies with strict regulatory requirements. Adhering to regulations like ITAR, EAR, and NDA protocols ensures legal compliance, protects...

Mastering the Basics of English

A Foundation Anyone Can Fake, but Few Perfect Introduction Basic English is a skill I learned in elementary and high schools and then focus heavily on in college. In a practical sense, I’ve mastered it over the years. However, I acknowledge that in today’s world, it...

Why Simplicity Matters: Explaining Solar Panels to Non-Experts

When talking about solar panels, it’s easy to get tangled in technical jargon. Terms like “photovoltaic cells” or “maximum power point tracking” might make sense to engineers. However, they often leave non-experts scratching their heads. For homeowners or small...

Making Sense of Solar Inverters: A Beginner’s Guide

The magic of solar panels wouldn’t happen without inverters. These devices are critical to turning the sun’s energy into usable electricity. But what exactly do inverters do, and why are they essential to every solar system? This guide breaks down the basics of solar...

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