Key terms and common mistakes

The words you will hear in Technical Writing work and the mistakes that most often cost interns approvals.

Key terms

TermMeaning
Docs-as-codeWriting docs in Markdown and managing them in Git like code
Style guideRules for tone, terms and formatting
API referenceExact description of every endpoint, parameter and error
TutorialA guided lesson that builds something step by step
How-to guideSteps to finish one specific task
Information architectureHow docs are organised and found
Release notesWhat changed in a version, for users
ReadabilityHow easily a reader understands the text

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Writing for yourself instead of the reader.
  • Steps that skip prerequisites or setup.
  • Screenshots and code that are out of date.
  • Long paragraphs where a numbered list would be clearer.

Want to go deeper? The free Software Engineering & SDLC learning path has short modules, games and a certificate for each module.

โ† Submitting tasks and earning your certificateApply for the Technical Writing internship โ†’