Technical writing is a writing style that aims to simplify complex ideas, such as scientific or specialized data, into a form that ordinary people can understand and use. A technical writer helps readers appreciate the information’s value to them , the  same way a tour guide helps tourist appreciate thing that are alien  to  the latter, such as information on cultural or natural heritage. Technical writing is therefore a skill that tour guides must possess and make use of in preparing the tour commentary.

Steps in Technical Writing:

1. Prepare to write. Know the purpose of the story that you are going to write, the scope or coverage, and the audience (i.e., who they are, what their interest are; where, when, and how they will consume the info, etc.).
2. Look into one’s own experience. Using examples that you are familiar with those that you have experienced first-hand makes the story more relatable and easier to understand.
3. Map the story. Mapping the story provides a good plan and direction so that you will not be carried away too much. Prepare bullet points or snipped of the main ideas before providing the details.
4. Consult Experts. Even if you are an expert in your own field, it still helps to consult other experts enrich your work.
5. Write in the correct style. Writer must write correctly. Use proper words, tone, and grammar.

Tips in Technical Writing:

1. Use proper words

Example: Special local food will have local cuisine for lunch.

Improved Example: The tour group will have local cuisine for lunch.

(Note the use of cuisine instead of food, and the inclusion of tour group to clarify who will have this lunch)

2. Use the active voice

Using the same example, the improved example follows the active voice format which is easier to read and understand than the passive voice. In the active voice, the subject of the sentences is the doer of the action.

3.     Use the task-based approach

Example: We will meet at 1:00 PM at this same spot. We are here to have lunch and shop for some souvenirs.

Improved Example: We are here to have lunch and then stop for some souvenirs. After shopping, we will meet at 1:00PM at this same spot.

(Notice the order of the activities and how they are stated)

4.      Use simple language; avoid jargons

Example: nocturnal

Improved example: active at night

    5        Use proper grammar. Match plural subjects with plural verbs.

Example: (Plural subject) Tourist

Improved Example: (Plural Verbs) eat, dance, and shop

Example of subject-verb mismatch: Tourist shops.

While technical writing presents the text in a clear, direct, and neutral style, writing a tour commentary should be more creative and interesting. Hence, tour guides must balance the use of technical writing skills and creativity.