creative writing and technical writing venn diagram

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Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing

1. Technical Writing : Technical writing is a piece of writing which focuses on factual and straight forward content and technical papers are published to inform and instruct and educate the user about some specific topic. There exists specific readers who prefers technical papers. It gives readers information about some technical topics or it gives directions on how to do something.

2. Creative Writing : Creative writing is a piece of writing which focuses on imaginative and symbolic content and creative papers are published to entertain, provoke, inspire the user. There is no such specific readers who prefers creative papers. Anyone if wants can read creative paper and it gives readers a theme, message, moral or lesson which is helpful in their real lives or gives a temporary entertainment to the reader.

Difference between Technical Writing and Creative Writing :

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Technical Vs Creative Writing : Concepts and 7 Differences (Table)

Writing is a form of communication that allows individuals to convey their ideas, thoughts, and emotions to others. There are many different types of writing, each with its unique style, purpose, and audience. Two common types of writing are technical and creative writing. While both forms require the ability to write well, they differ significantly in terms of their content, structure, and style. So, in this article, we will get to have a look at the complete difference between technical vs creative writing with the help of a table and different key points.

Table of Contents

Technical Vs Creative Writing (Comparison Table)

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What is technical Writing?

Technical writing refers to writing that is intended to convey technical information or instructions to a specific audience. It is commonly used in fields such as engineering, medicine, science, and technology, where precise and accurate communication is essential. Technical writing typically involves the use of jargon, technical terms, and formal language to convey complex information.

Examples of technical writing include user manuals, instruction manuals, product specifications, research reports, and scientific papers. Technical writers use their expertise in a particular subject matter to create clear and concise documents that are easy to understand for a specific audience.

Characteristics of Technical Writing

Following are some of the main characteristics of technical writing.

• Clarity: Technical writing is characterized by its clarity and precision. This means that technical writing uses simple and straightforward language to convey complex ideas and information. It avoids unnecessary jargon, slang, or colloquialisms that could confuse or mislead the reader. 
• Objectivity: Technical writing is objective and factual. Technical writers are expected to present information in an unbiased and impartial way, without personal opinions or emotions. This means that technical writing focuses on the facts and evidence to support its claims, and avoids speculation or conjecture.
• Accuracy: Technical writing is characterized by its accuracy and attention to detail. Technical writers must ensure that all information presented is correct and up-to-date. They must verify their sources and use reliable data and information to support their writing. 
• Purpose-Driven: Technical writing is always purpose-driven. It serves a specific function or goal, whether it is to instruct, explain, persuade, or inform. Technical writers must understand their audience and tailor their writing to meet their needs and expectations. They must also be able to anticipate potential questions or objections and provide answers or solutions to address them.
• Structured: Technical writing is structured and organized. It follows a logical sequence and presents information in a clear and consistent manner. Technical writers often use headings, bullet points, tables, and diagrams to help readers navigate complex information and understand the relationships between different ideas. 

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing, on the other hand, refers to writing that is intended to entertain, inspire, or provoke an emotional response from the reader. It is often used in literature, poetry, and other forms of artistic expression. Creative writing focuses on using language in unique and imaginative ways to convey emotions, ideas, and experiences.

Examples of creative writing include novels, short stories, poems, plays, and screenplays. Creative writers use their creativity and imagination to create unique stories that engage and captivate their readers.

key Differences Between Technical and Creative Writing

While comparing technical vs creative writing, here we have included some of the key differences between them as well. So let’s have a look at them.

• Meaning: Technical writing refers to the type of writing is a type of writing that conveys based on facts and concepts in a clear and concise manner. On the other hand, Creative writing is a type of writing that uses imagination, creativity, and artistic expression to convey stories, ideas, and emotions
• Purpose: The primary purpose of technical writing is to convey technical information or instructions to a specific audience. Technical writers aim to explain complex concepts or procedures in a clear and concise manner. Creative writing, on the other hand, is intended to entertain, inspire, or provoke an emotional response from the reader.
• Audience: Technical writing is typically written for a specific audience, such as engineers, scientists, medical professionals, or students. The audience for technical writing is often familiar with the subject matter and requires precise and accurate information. Creative writing, on the other hand, is written for a broader audience, including general readers who are looking for entertainment or inspiration.
• Language and Style: Technical writing uses formal language, jargon, and technical terms to convey complex information. Technical writers focus on using clear and concise language that is easy to understand for their specific audience. Creative writing, on the other hand, uses more imaginative and figurative language to create a unique and engaging story.
• Structure: Technical writing typically follows a structured format that includes headings, subheadings, and bullet points. The structure of technical writing is intended to make the information easy to understand and follow. Creative writing, on the other hand, has more flexibility in terms of structure and may not follow a specific format.
• Creativity: Technical writing requires creativity in terms of presenting complex information in a clear and concise manner, but it does not focus on artistic expression. Creative writing, on the other hand, is all about artistic expression and requires a high level of creativity to create unique and engaging stories.
• Feedback and Revision: Technical writing often involves feedback and revision from subject matter experts or reviewers to ensure that the information is accurate and complete. Creative writing may involve feedback and revision from editors or other writers, but the focus is on artistic expression rather than technical accuracy.

The following table also shows the difference between technical and creative writing.

Features for Good Piece of Creative Writing

A good piece of creative writing is one that effectively communicates the author’s ideas and emotions while engaging and captivating the reader. There are several key elements that contribute to a good piece of creative writing, including:

• Strong Character Development: The characters in a good piece of creative writing should be well-rounded, multi-dimensional, and believable. They should have a clear backstory, motivation, and flaws that make them relatable to the reader.
• A Well-Crafted Plot: The plot of a good piece of creative writing should be well-structured, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. It should be engaging and keep the reader interested throughout the story.
• Vivid Descriptions: The use of descriptive language is essential in creative writing. A good piece of creative writing should have vivid descriptions that bring the story and characters to life in the reader’s mind.
• A Unique Perspective: A good piece of creative writing should offer a unique perspective or point of view on a particular topic or theme. It should challenge the reader’s assumptions and offer a fresh perspective on a familiar subject.
• Effective Use of Language: A good piece of creative writing should use language in imaginative and figurative ways. It should have a clear and consistent voice, use literary devices such as metaphor and simile, and create a rich and immersive world for the reader to explore.
• Emotional Impact: A good piece of creative writing should evoke emotions in the reader, whether it be joy, sadness, anger, or empathy. It should leave a lasting impression on the reader and be memorable long after they have finished reading it.

Overall, a good piece of creative writing is one that effectively communicates the author’s ideas and emotions while engaging and captivating the reader through strong character development, a well-crafted plot, vivid descriptions, a unique perspective, effective use of language, and emotional impact.

So, to sum up, this article, we can say that, technical and creative writing are two distinct forms of writing that require different skills and approaches. Technical writing focuses on conveying technical information or instructions in a clear and concise manner to a specific audience. On the other hand,  creative writing focuses on using language in unique and imaginative ways to entertain, inspire, or provoke an emotional response from the reader. 

Understanding the differences between these two forms of writing is essential for anyone who wants to excel in either field. While both types of writing have their unique challenges and rewards, individuals can choose the form that best suits their skills, interests, and career goals. Whether you are a technical writer or a creative writer, developing strong writing skills and adapting to the needs of your audience is essential for success in any writing career.

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Basir Saboor

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Writers' Treasure

Effective writing advice for aspiring writers

Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing

• Technical Writing

Today, after learning what creative writing is and how to get started in it , we’re going to compare the two of them.

There are writers all over the world in the two categories – and it boggles the mind to hear that millions have been made from both creative writing and technical writing. Some have made fortunes. While some have not made anything.

Enjoyment can be gained from both types, but it’s fair to say that they both serve different purposes. They both have their own do’s and don’ts and they both have their own rules. Both are governed by grammar and style. Both appear everywhere. So what’s the difference?

Here’s my take: creative writing is written for the right brain (creative) and technical writing is written for the left brain (logical). Confused yet? Wait, there’s more…

A Further Look into Creative Writing

Creative writing is written to entertain and educate. We enjoy reading novels and stories, not because they are necessary to read or helpful for us, just because we get a certain pleasure from reading them, the pleasure which can’t be got from reading technical writing.

Creative writing has so many genres and sub-genres that they deserve a whole section of an article for themselves. It sometimes follows a given set of rules, and sometimes throws caution to the winds and breaks all of them. Either way, talent is somewhat of a necessary ingredient if you want to write creatively. Of course, writing can be improved by practice. But if you don’t have the necessary talent, your writing would not give pleasure to anyone.

Skills and talent both make up creative writing. Hence, they are its constituents.

Further reading: An Introduction to Creative Writing

A Further Look into Technical Writing

Technical writing is wholly written to inform and sometimes to trigger the person reading into making an action beneficial to the one of the writer. Whoa, what a mouthful. That’s not a subject I’m going to cover here (copywriting), but if you want to know more about it, you can visit the master of its game, Copyblogger.com .

I already gave the examples of technical writing in the first post of the series. If you look at them with the context of copywriting, they make much more sense. Copywriters are some of the highest paid writers, says Copyblogger. Sales letters, pitches, advertisements, etc constitute copywriting.

Technical writing is not written to entertain. It has its own set of rules, conventions, do’s and don’ts, masterpieces and pieces of rubbish. There is a whole art to mastering technical writing, although it too is branched: online technical writing and offline technical writing. Personally, I think that if you want to master technical writing, you should first master concise and magnetic writing that draws the reader in, regardless of whether it’s creative or technical.

Are you a master or a learner of concise writing? If you are, so am I, and I’m going to cover it here in future posts. Creative leads or hooks contribute to it.

So that’s it for creative writing. The differences between creative writing and technical writing are that creative writing is written mainly to entertain with the creativity of the mind and technical writing is written mainly to inform in a formal manner or to incite the reader to make an action such as purchase the writer’s product.

This, in a mouthful, is the main difference. In the beginning of this article, I made my own claim: right brain vs. Left brain. However, they deserve an article of their own, and not here. If you want to know more, you can always do your own research.

For my part, I’m going to focus on creative writing tips here, mainly because this is a creative writing blog and I’m much more interested by creative writing than by technical writing. Next post will be solely on fiction writing elements. Stay tuned.

This is the third instalment in the 8-part series “Creative Writing 101.”

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Further reading:.

• Creative Writing Skills: Do You Have Them All?
• Who Else Wants to Master the Creative Writing Skills?
• An Introduction to Creative Writing
• Tips and Tricks to Improve Your Creative Writing
• Creative Non-Fiction: What is it?

20 thoughts on “Creative Writing vs. Technical Writing”

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Great post, and you’ve summed up the difference quite nicely! Technical writing definitely requires a lot of analytical thinking. Persuasion is still necessary; you have to convince people to read the documentation, otherwise they don’t bother. You have to give them a good reason to learn. But it’s definitely more instructive. As a result, technical writers who dabble in fiction tend to write really dry stuff!

Great comment — I fully agree. Technical writers have to be passive writers. Informal language is of course a big no-no.

By the way, I checked out your blog, very nice. Just wondering why you don’t allow comments. Anyway, nice job.

I work in the United States, so it’s possible that the expectations are different, but here in the US, good technical writing is often quite informal and friendly. I’ve been a lead Technical Writer for more than 18 years, and not only is “informal” acceptable, it’s often expected.

The point of a well-written Technical document is to get the other person to understand the idea you want to convey. The best way to achieve that is with clear, simple language. Fancy, formal phrasing and choosing long words just to prove that you know them often distracts from the ideas you want to communicate.

For example, the first instruction that I give to Junior Tech Writers who work for me is: use contractions! No “it is” and “you will,” why clutter up the page? Instead, a good Tech Writer will use “it’s” and “you’ll” which keeps things simpler for the reader.

Passive voice is a real “no-no” when it comes to good Tech Writing. Almost everything is written in the imperative mood, for example: “Locate the ‘Create HTML’ link and click it.” The reader (at least in the US/European market that I write for) wants to know how something works as quickly and simply as possible. Apologetic or passive language is an frustrating distraction from what they want to learn.

Another important thing to note is how helpful a warm tone can be – this is part of the reason that the best tech docs are written in a casual voice. A warm, friendly, accessible style of writing sends the message that the topic being covered is not that complicated, and the reader will be able to understand it.

Finally, Technical Writing is one of the most creative kinds of writing out there. You need to be an extremely creative wordsmith to evoke passion, pathos and humor while discussing the requirements of an API. You also need very strong graphic and visual design skills. Document layout and the treatment of images is intrinsic to the clarity of the finished doc.

Take a look at some of those “For Idiots” books – they may not be my favorites, but they give an example of some of the things I’m talking about.

I hope I’ve given you all some food for thought, and I hope some of you start seeing Technical Writing in a new way.

Best of luck with your studies!

Thanks for such a nice, constructive comment. I just gave an exam on communication in my management undergraduate degree where I wrote that business writing is creative (going out on a limb). Turns out I was right, but I don’t know what the examiner will think (it wasn’t in the original answer of 7 Cs of Business Writing, so I’ll still probably get no marks for that).

Thank you very much for the blog post and comment. These tips are useful in fields outside of writing as well! Source: An engineer by day and comedian by night, who also works in N.A.

Thanks! As far as not allowing comments, I’ve found that between writing posts and family obligations, I just don’t have time to respond to comments. So I figured I’d just remove them. You’re blog is great; keep up the good work!

My spouse and I stumbled over here different website and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.

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Great post! However, I feel I have to point out that the whole thing with the right side of the brain being creative, and the left side being logical is simply pseudoscientific garbage.

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“The differences between creative writing and technical writing are that creative writing is written mainly to entertain with the creativity of the mind and technical writing is written mainly to inform in a formal manner or to incite the reader to make an action such as purchase the writer’s product.”

Nonsense. You’re confusing technical writing with marketing writing. Incite? User manuals are written to help users use their hardware or software product.

Technical writing is no longer limited to just user manuals. Content marketing is considered a part of technical writing. The “formal” part is, however, incorrect. Whether a technical document should be ‘formal’ or ‘informal’, depends on the audience or client’s requirements. For web readers, you should always follow an informal style.

Thank you sir! This article helps my take home essay assignments 🙂

great post sir i have a technical blog and i write a problem solution article and it is very difficult to me as a beginner to write problem solution article and i try to learn a unique technical writing and your post help me to differentiate in technical and creative writing thanx sir for giving a amazing and beneficial information.

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Here’s what freelancers can do to protect their personal brands here’s what freelancers can do to protect their personal brands.

This is a guest article by Indiana Lee. If you want to submit a guest article of your own, be sure to  read the guest article guidelines.

Going freelance can be deeply rewarding. You get to set your own working hours, choose your clients, and handpick the content you create based on your niche. However, the freedom of freelancing comes with responsibility. You have to protect your personal brand if you want to make it alone. A strong brand will help you find new clients, retain high-paying patrons, and justify increases in rates.

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It can be a bit scary if you’re going from a “traditional” full-time job to being your own boss. However, the benefits of flexibility and self-management often outweigh the risks.

Still, if you’re not sure how to make the transition from side gig to full-time freelance writer, we’ve got you covered. With a few simple tips, you can feel more confident about your decision, and more secure in your work.

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The #1 writing advice: write the truth The #1 writing advice: write the truth

First off, this isn’t your typical  Writers’ Treasure  article. It’s even more brilliantly readable, and it has a completely different subject and tone. It’s not theoretical, and it’s not applicable to creative writers . But for all other kinds of writing, it’s the truest advice I’ve ever written.

Interested? Let’s start the session then.

It’s 2015, and although writers have improved the quality of their writing a lot, other aspects of it have fallen by the wayside.

You might be able to avoid the common mistakes and learn to write frequently. But in the end, none of that matters if you’re making not just a technical mistake, but also a moral and ethical one.

As in, you don’t write the truth.

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Technical Writing vs. Creative Writing: What's the Difference?

Key Differences

Comparison chart, structure and form, audience engagement, technical writing and creative writing definitions, technical writing, creative writing, is jargon typically used in technical writing, what is the fundamental aim of creative writing, is creative writing often associated with storytelling, can creative writing be structured or formal, can creative writing be non-fictional, is imaginative thinking a vital component of creative writing, are accuracy and precision critical in technical writing, can technical writing be performed by industry non-experts, how important is the reader’s emotional journey in creative writing, what is the primary purpose of technical writing, does creative writing allow for exploration of emotional depth, what types of documents are common in technical writing, how is symbolism utilized in creative writing, who is the intended audience for technical writing, can technical writing include visuals, how is simplicity valued in technical writing, can creative writing be used for professional or business purposes, can technical writing be creative, is objectivity crucial in technical writing, can creative writing encompass various literary forms.

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Technical vs. Academic, Creative, Business, and Literary Writing: What Is the Difference?

Technical writing is all about the content that focuses on providing detailed and clear information on the product or service. It contains a factual and straightforward message. Technical writers convert complex technical information into useful and easy-to-understand language. You should know that there are different types of technical writing , for example, online tutorials , instruction manuals, API documentation, and so on.

The main idea of all types of technical writing is to help the end-user understand any technical aspect of the product or service.

In addition to technical writing, there are many types of other writings, such as creative, business, and literary writing. All of them have distinctive features. Let’s compare these writings to technical writing and see what they have in common and what makes them different.

Technical Writing vs. Academic Writing

Some people might think these two types of writing are similar. The truth is that these are two completely different categories. It may seem that academic writing should be more complicated since it is focused on some specific and narrow discipline. Indeed, this type of writing may describe very complex concepts and provide specialized knowledge.

Technical writing is intended to describe technical information. It may vary depending on the specifics of a particular industry.

Academic writing is aimed to present a certain point of view on a particular subject. Academic papers show results of research and demonstrate someone’s knowledge. In turn, technical writing explains something to readers and informs them. Technical papers often explain how to use a particular product or service. Technical documents can also describe procedures used by the manufacturer to perform certain tasks. What technical and academic writing have in common is that both types may contain jargon.

Academic and technical writing target different audiences. Academic papers are usually intended for fellow scholars. However, there are also academic pieces of writing intended for a broad audience. Technical writing is intended for people who use a product or service.

Technical Writing vs. Creative Writing

Creative writing is a piece of writing for entertainment and education. It focuses on imaginative and symbolic content, and creative papers are published to entertain, provoke, inspire the user. Technical writing, on the other hand, is not done to amuse its reader. It is used to inform someone. Some technical articles are sometimes made to trigger the reader to take action.

There is no such specific reader who prefers creative papers. Anyone can read the creative paper if they want to, and it gives readers a theme, message, moral, or lesson which is helpful in their real lives or provides temporary entertainment to the reader.

Creative writing has many genres and subgenres. If you want to write creatively, you should have talent. Of course, talent alone is not enough - practice is everything here.

It doesn’t mean that creativity can’t be used in technical writing. Technical articles contain so many facts and data that they can bore and overwhelm readers. This is where creativity in technical writing might come in handy. A tech writer should be creative to encourage their readers to continue reading the document.

Technical Writing vs. Business Writing

Business writing is just about any kind of writing people do at work, if we are not talking about journalism or creative writing. Business writing includes reports, emails, proposals, white papers, minutes, business cases, letters, copywriting, bids, and tenders.

However, many reports, bids, and proposals contain technical data and specifications. So business writers may find themselves editing technical content, and technical writers may be called upon to write persuasive documents for a non-technical audience.

The main objective for both these writings is to inform, be useful, build something or operate the equipment.

The language needs to be clear, concise, and accurate. Wordiness, repetition, and unfamiliar words that the audience may not understand do not belong in either business or technical writing.

Of course, you can use technical jargon in documents where the audience has the same technical background. But too much jargon tends to be a huge problem. So, if in doubt, avoid jargon or explain it.

Some business documents need to be persuasive, whereas technical documents tend to be neutral and objective.

However, there are differences in the content, language, and style of technical and business writing. More on technical writing in business is in our article What Value Technical Writers Bring to Business?

Technical Writing vs. Literary Writing

The main difference between technical writing and literary writing is that literary language is used in literary work while technical writing is used in writing for a particular field. Literary writing is used in fiction. Examples of literary writing include poems, novels, short stories, dramas, etc. The language used in literary writing is creative, imaginative and uses literary techniques like hyperbole, personification, similes, metaphors, etc.

Technical writing is the style of writing that is mostly observed in non-fiction. The language used in technical writing is direct, factual, and straightforward.

Literary writing appeals to emotions. Technical writing appeals to the mind.

Technical writing is aimed at people who have knowledge about a particular subject area. Literary writing is written for general readers.

Every writing style is important in its own way. They are used by writers depending on the subject matter, purpose, language, and target audience. Below is the table that summarizes what you found out about the types of writing mentioned in this article:

It doesn’t matter what you write: essays, business materials, fiction, letters, or just notes in your journal, your writing will be at its best if you stay focused on your purpose and target audience.

Good luck with your technical writing! ClickHelp Team Author, host and deliver documentation across platforms and devices

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Venn Diagrams to Plan Essays and More

• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

A Venn diagram is a great tool for brainstorming and creating a comparison between two or more objects, events, or people. You can use this as a first step to creating an outline for a  compare and contrast essay .

Simply draw two (or three) large circles and give each circle a title, reflecting each object, trait, or person you are comparing.

Inside the intersection of the two circles (overlapping area), write all the traits that the objects have in common. You will refer to these traits when you  compare  similar characteristics.

In the areas outside the overlapping section, you will write all of the traits that are specific to that particular object or person.

Creating an Outline for Your Essay Using a Venn Diagram

From the Venn diagram above, you can create an easy outline for your paper. Here is the beginning of an essay outline:

1. Both dogs and cats make great pets.

• Both animals can be very entertaining
• Each is loving in its own way
• Each can live inside or outside the house

2. Both have drawbacks, as well.

• They can damage property
• Both can be costly
• Both require time and attention

3. Cats can be easier to care for.

• Leaving for a day

4. Dogs can be better companions.

• Going to the park
• Going for walks
• Will enjoy my company

As you can see, outlining is much easier when you have a visual aid to help you with the brainstorming process.

More Uses for Venn Diagrams

Besides its usefulness for planning essays, Venn Diagrams can be used for thinking through many other problems both at school and at home. For example:

• Planning a Budget: Create three circles for What I Want, What I Need, and What I Can Afford.
• Setting Priorities: Create circles for different types of priorities: School, Chores, Friends, TV, along with a circle for What I Have Time for This Week.
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• Comparing People's Qualities: Create circles for the different qualities you're comparing (ethical, friendly, good looking, wealthy, etc.), and then add names to each circle. Which overlap?
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Technical Writing vs. Creative Writing

Since the world came into being, the invention of writing is termed as one of the biggest revolution as it eased the way to communicate people with each other and most importantly it also played pivotal role in cultural transmit from one generation to another. Now the thousands of years have passed, and writing has become a way complex than it was before as it can be sub divided in many genres and types and everyone of it occupies its own specific audience.

Technical writing and creative writing are two types of writing, which can be distinguished easily by looking at their traits. The main difference between both of them is that, creative writing is written to enthrall, entertain and arouse a certain felling in a reader, whereas technical writing is to educate the audience with the factual information and is presented in a logical manner.

What is Technical Writing?

Writing is nowadays one of the vast field as it is not just restricted to writing on papers or magazines. It further possess many types, which generate hefty revenues, beside the fact that common people are just aware of two types of writings, fiction writing and nonfiction writing.

Technical writing’s main purpose is to educate people in a logical way that might cause boredom for the audience. As in technical writing, the facts are being displayed and most often the examples placed in it are also rigid that can be felt by the one who reads the whole context and can deal with the logic inside.

At the end of the day, we can say that one doing technical writing should have got his/her formal education properly. It is mostly about the field experts of different, who tried to prove their point by quantitative-qualitative experiment, by applying some formulas or in any other way. While doing this, the writer might also made some figures or give examples but these examples are strictly limited to the point being explain as one doesn’t presents example of scenarios intending to captivate you.

What is Creative Writing?

It is something far beyond the boundary, with aiming to entertain the viewers and to make them imagine of what the writers are willing to provoke.  Here it should also be kept mentioned that all of the creative writings are to entertain but some along with it also holds some strong message, or it won’t be wrong to say that these writings are done to prove that point. But in this the typical formula or facts are not applied, they excite you by making you believe in the story in real. Finally, we can say they entertain and educate together but are written informally, might be imaginary to excite the audience.

One writing creative writing always get it clear in his/her mind that what he is going to write should be accepted by most of the people as generally speaking these writings are for everyone with sound mind which can feel the realness even in some self-made characters. In this it won’t affect that if the writer is not that much expert in something as it can be done by person from any group age, who gets his idea in a proper sequence and plays with the nerve of a reader.

Key Differences between Technical Writing and Creative Writing

• In creative writing the most of the part is self-created, although the idea might be inspired but in technical writing the facts are to be obliged and the note is delivered from leading on what previously other greats have concluded.
• Most commonly, the creative writing is for general audience or for masses but technical writing is for specific audience.
• The creative writing entertains people as it has poetry or some illustrations or another idea, whereas the technical writing causes boredom as it follows the strong pattern based on facts and is just to transfer the information to the audience.
• In technical writing the specialized vocabulary, such like scientific terms and other are used while in creative writing, one can go with slang or evocative phrases or even something which can can be perceived well by the audience.
• Humor, satire might be the useful essences in creative writing but such thoughts or ideas have no link with the technical writing.
• Novel writing, poetry writing, satirical note are some of the types of creative writing, whereas report analysis, proving formulas are types of technical writing.
• A formal education of the technical writer seems necessary whereas, it’s never a milestone in between becoming a creative writer.

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Venn Diagram

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This interactive tool allows students to create Venn diagrams that contain two or three overlapping circles. Students identify and record concepts that can be placed in one of the circles or in the overlapping areas, allowing them to organize their information logically. Students may view and edit their draft diagrams, then print the finished diagrams for reference. In some cases, the Venn diagram tool has been customized to complement a specific lesson or activity.

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Students compare the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald with the song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," then create their own poetry about a historical event.

Students often find poetry frustrating and meaningless. By helping students think critically about the differences between poetry and prose, this introduction sets the stage for different strategies for comprehending poetic texts.

Students build their understanding of the terms compare and contrast by participating in class discussions, using Internet resources, working collaboratively, and by visually representing information in a Venn diagram.

Through a classroom game and resource handouts, students learn about the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments and apply them to independent persuasive writing activities.

Students research, evaluate, and synthesize information about the Harlem Renaissance from varied resources, create an exhibit, and highlight connections across disciplines (i.e., art, music, and poetry) using a Venn diagram.

Cinderella without castles, coaches, or ball gowns? Students use versions of Cinderella to explore how the setting of a story—time, place, and culture—affects the characters and plot.

A little understanding can go a long way. After learning about difficulties that Palestinian youths face, students will write a letter to an official discussing these issues.

Following the model of N. Scott Momaday's The Way To Rainy Mountain , students write three-voice narratives based on Kiowa folktales, an interview with an Elder, and personal connections to theme.

In this lesson, kindergarten students manipulate hula hoops and real objects, as they use Venn diagrams to problem solve, explore, and record information to share with others.

Students explore picture books to identify the characteristics of four types of conflict. They then write about a conflict they have experienced and compare it to a conflict from literature.

This lesson uses clips from The Matrix and other dystopian movies to introduce students to the characteristics found in dystopian works, such as Brave New World , Fahrenheit 451 , and 1984 .

After exploring The Odyssey and a contemporary epic, students choose paired characters from the texts, complete a graphic organizer, and place their characters in hypothetical contemporary situations.

Students compose a multigenre paper, modeled after the Delany sister's autobiography, Having Our Say , that includes the autobiographical narrative essay as well as an informational nonfiction piece.

Students will be introduced to persuasive techniques used in advertising, analyze advertising, and explore the concepts of demographics, marketing for a specific audience, and dynamic advertising.

This step-by-step literature response template for use with read-alouds asks students to use drawing and writing to respond to increasingly-complex prompts which address literary elements as well as personal connections.

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Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About Venn Diagrams

Do you remember your high school English teacher telling everyone to draw two overlapping circles on a piece of paper? Over one circle, she said to write something like ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Over the other she said to write ‘West Side Story.’ Then, she told everyone to write the differences between them on the outside and their commonalities on the inside. 

That was a Venn diagram! They’ve been around since John Venn, an English logician, invented them as a tool for set theory in the 1800s. And they are still used today in everything from marketing to math. They can even help you find your purpose in life .

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Venn diagrams. You’ll discover their history and how they can be used in a host of different ways.

What is a Venn diagram and how is it used?

A Venn diagram is a great way to visually organize information, and it offers a diagrammatic and mechanical representation. It’s an easy and fun tool to use to discover how two or more things compare and contrast. 

Venn diagrams feature overlapping circles that represent sets that share some similarities but also have their own particular characteristics. The area in the middle where they intersect shows elements they share in common. The other parts of each circle represent distinct features of each set. It’s a mechanical representation of propositions.

You can use Venn diagrams to describe relationships between concepts, symbols, or any other kind of data sets. They’re most often used in fields like mathematics, science, computer science, engineering, and market research. They visually illustrate groups or categories of objects or data points for easier comparison and analysis. The set represents anything you want it to.

Is a Venn diagram always 2 circles?

While most people picture two overlapping circles when they think of Venn diagrams, that isn’t the only kind out there. In fact, they can have as few or as many circles as needed.

You might find that a 2-circle Venn diagram is the most versatile and easiest to create. But if you need to compare and contrast more than two elements, you can use as many as five circles.

No matter how many circles are in your diagram, the same principles apply. Each circle represents a set of items, and the overlapping parts represent similarities between those sets.

The History of the Venn (and Euler) Diagram

John Venn was born in London, England, in 1834. He attended Cambridge University and went on to become a professor of mathematics at the same university. He was interested in logic and set theory. So, he developed the diagrams that bear his name as a way of better visualizing logical relationships between different sets. Each set represents some object or class of data. These diagrams became known as Venn diagrams when Clarence Irving coined the term. His book A Survey of Symbolic Logic made a splash, and the term ‘Venn diagrams’ was soon adapted by others.

Although Venn diagrams have always been the more popular logic diagrams using circles, they aren’t the only type. Euler diagrams, similar diagrams, were first introduced by the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler in 1768. The concept of these diagrams was based on circles and set theory as a form of logical representation. Unlike Venn diagrams, Euler diagrams visualize actual relationships between objects, while Venn Diagrams illustrate all possible relationships. This is yet another way to create a mechanical representation of propositions.

These two kinds of graphic organizers can be used in different ways to visualize all kinds of data sets.

How do you make a graphic organizer ? (with examples)

Making a Venn diagram is a great way to display data in an organized and visually appealing fashion. 

To get started, you’ll need two overlapping circles which represent the two sets of data you are comparing and contrasting. Once that is set, simply begin filling in the blank space within the diagram. You’ll want to include labels or statements that show how the two sets are similar and different from each other. 

It’s important to remember to use color coding if possible. This makes it easy for viewers to understand the data sets of your Venn diagram. The last step is making sure everything is aligned properly. All the overlapping elements should line up perfectly in order for it to be an effective visual aid.

While you can draw Venn diagrams using nothing more than pen and paper, it’s not particularly effective. With mind mapping software like Mindomo, you can create and edit Venn diagrams quickly and easily. Plus, you can attach links, images, videos, and other files to them so that they’re much more robust and useful. And you can share them with others when you’re finished. 

5 Uses of Venn Diagrams

Venn diagrams are one of the most useful tools out there when it comes to visualizing data. 

Venn diagrams have been a go-to resource for decades. They’ve been used for analyzing community relationships and comparing attributes between products or services. And they’ve been used to explain complicated concepts and more.

It’s no surprise that this type of diagram has become so popular. After all, their circles demarcating distinct sections and the ability to group information in an easy-to-understand format makes them invaluable. There are dozens of reasons someone might create a Venn diagram. But here are five of the most popular Venn diagram example uses.

1. Venn diagrams & marketing

Venn diagrams and Euler diagrams can be used to develop marketing strategies.  Venn diagrams can be used to compare different products or services. While Euler diagrams can be used to identify potential customer segments. Both are useful for identifying ways to market a product and how to tailor the message for the audience.

2. Venn diagrams & business

Venn diagrams can also be used in business to map out customer journeys and analyze customer data. They break down each step of a customer journey into distinct sets. That way, marketers can more accurately identify where potential customers may drop off during their journey. This helps businesses address any issues that lead to churn and optimize their marketing efforts. 

3. Venn diagrams & education

Education mind maps of every kind are valuable for teaching and learning new information. Venn diagrams and Eulerian circles can also help educators explain complex topics in a visual format that’s easier for students to understand. By breaking down the components into distinct sections, it’s much easier for the students to comprehend and remember the material. 

4. Venn diagrams & linguistics

For linguists, Venn diagrams show analyses of language structures and compare words and phrases. Venn diagrams can also be used in biology to compare species or to compare different types of cells. They’re a great way to create a diagrammatic and mechanical representation of complex scientific concepts.

5. Venn diagrams & writing

Logic diagrams like Venn diagrams and Euler diagrams can be used to graphically organize writing projects as well. By breaking down the writing process into distinct sections, writers can organize their thoughts and approach their projects efficiently. Plus, diagrams like these make it easier to identify any weak points or areas that need more research.  

Highly versatile and extremely informative, these diagrams are a powerful tool for teachers, learners, business people, and more.

A few closing thoughts

Venn diagrams are a great tool for helping to organize information and ideas visually. By utilizing circles that overlap, we can illustrate connections and distinctions between topics. 

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just organizing tasks, getting creative with Venn diagrams can unlock endless possibilities. For instance, the student may use an education mind map to compare and contrast characters in a book. The professional may find Venn diagrams helpful to chart similarities in customer data. And those in computer science may use a Venn diagram example to analyze potential solutions to a problem.

Even if you’re just trying to manage your day-to-day tasks, understanding when competing priorities overlap can be invaluable. With these versatile graphic tools at our disposal, the possibilities are truly limitless!

Venn diagrams are a helpful tool for any visual thinker (read more about what is visual learning ). By learning how to create and use them effectively, you can take your thinking to the next level. With these tips in mind, give Venn diagrams a try in your personal and professional life – you may be surprised at how useful they can be!

And with Mindomo , you’ll have a tool that makes creating them a snap.

Keep it smart, simple, and creative! The Mindomo Team

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ENGL210: Technical Writing

Types of graphical illustration in technical writing.

Graphics used in technical documentation serve a specific purpose - to present information in the clearest format possible for the reader. Basic graphic principles apply:

• avoid clutter,
• orient the image properly,
• be aware of scale,
• always verify content, and
• avoid any graphic that is extraneous.

Graphics should never be used to dress up a document; they should only be used to enhance understanding. When principles of design replicate principles of thought, the act of arranging information becomes an act of insight (E. Tufte intro). A reader's attention is drawn to graphics more than to blocks of text. The use of graphics enables writers to present technical information more clearly and emphatically than words alone. Therefore, graphics for a technical document must be designed, edited, and prepared with precision to avoid weakness. Readers often look at graphics quickly. The message in a figure or table should be clear and readily apparent. The writer should be familiar with the intended audience of the document so that the right graphics are selected. Each graphic should focus on clearly conveying one piece of information. Uncomplicated graphics work best. Avoid what Edward Tufte calls "chart junk" (E. Tufte, Visual) that distracts the reader from the intended information the graphic is presenting. The Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication provides comprehensive guidelines for each of the graphical components, and this wiki content text draws heavily upon it for both content and style recommendations (Franklin). There are several types of graphics, each with its own function. Graphics can represent these elements in a technical document:

• Line graphs
• Flow Charts
• Organizational charts
• Scheduling Charts

Photographs

• Words - Words emphasized by boxing them, by changing the color or the font, or enlarging them to call attention in a text are all forms of graphics, albeit not very sophisticated (McMurrey).

Visual techniques for depicting quantity include direct labels - for example, the numerically labeled grids of statistical graphics; encodings - for example, color scales; and self-representing scales - for example, objects of known size appearing in an image (E. Tufte 13). Illustrations are classified as either tables or figures: if the illustration is not a table (information is presented in columns and rows), then it is a figure. Tables and illustrations are numbered independently; within each category, they are numbered sequentially.

Tables 

Tables are the best graphic to use when readers need to focus on specifics. "A table is an effective display for two-dimensional data, usually when one dimension is a collection or series of items and the second dimension consists of attributes or characteristics that all or most of the items have in common, such as description, type, size, and color" (Gurak 357). Tables can communicate many details in a simple way; details that would be hard to comprehend if done through words alone. An advantage of tables is that they can be quickly scanned for information and that "commonalities and differences" across entries are readily apparent (Gurak 358).

Guidelines for Creating Tabl es

• Explain what the table contains and how it will help the reader.
• Give the table either a title or caption, as appropriate.
• Write informative, understandable, and visually distinct heading labels.
• Make rows distinct through headings or display of categories.
• Avoid wordiness, limit text in cells to a few words.
• Use color coding and symbols to facilitate quick scanning and data comparison.
• Ensure the table will be readable in the display format.

Figure 1. Table of data for a steel wall product.

Graphs plot a set of points on a set of axes, usually along the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes, to show abstract information in an easy to understand way. They visually represent and compare numerical data, and as such are useful for showing trends, cycles, cumulative changes, relationships between variables, and distributions. Though not as effective as a table in presenting precise data, readers can "see in one image a trend or pattern within a large data set" (Gurak 319). Graphs are better than tables to show the meaning of data.

"Because graphs represent complex data in visual form, they can be powerful and persuasive"(Gurak 322). Therefore, one must be careful when creating graphs that information is not distorted or misrepresented, that resource information is accurate, and that the graph is clear and easy to read (Gurak).

Guidelines for Creating Graphs

• Ensure the axes are clearly labeled, and that units of scale or measurement are identified (Gurak 323).
• Ensure that axes that do not begin at zero are clearly labeled.
• Ensure that the graph does not distort or modify the trend.
• Indicate the source of data used to construct the graph.
• Explain how the graph supports points discussed in the text.
• Design for simplicity, avoid overuse of colors and typefaces.
• Use software programs such as Microsoft Excel to create graphs.

Graphs should be numbered sequentially, include a title, and an informative caption which identifies the specific purpose of the graph. Warrant the source of the data contained in the graph with a footnote reference. Labels, numbers and letters should each be kept parallel with the horizontal axis.

Line Graphs

Line or coordinate graphs are plotted using grid lines, with a horizontal axis and a vertical axis. Labels and scales should indicate the quantity, magnitude and range of each axis. The key data lines should be made heavier than grid lines for less important data. Multiple lines can appear in the same chart to show different variables, and should appear in different colors or patterns to differentiate them (Franklin 108). Line graphs are especially helpful to show several variables relating to one other variable. For example, time is the variable tracked in Figure 15.15, and several types of mortgage rates plotted over time. This creates a clear and simple visual comparison for the reader.

Figure 3. Ozone concentration in locations A through E.

Pie graphs are circles divided into sectors, or slices, to show the relationship of parts to a whole. "Pie charts are often accompanied by numerical data presented as a spreadsheet or table to allow readers to explore the displayed information in more detail" (Gurak 271).

Maps, both 2D and 3D, represent many purposes from simple road maps to visualizing complex numerical data. "The design and content of a map depends on the purpose and type of map being constructed, the conventions for that type of map, and the audience using it" (Gurak 324).

To map sequential data, it is best to use gradations of one or two colors to show gradations in the data. But, to show differences "in kind rather than in amount", many colors may be used; choose colors that are easily distinguished from one another (Gurak 325- 326).

Charts 

Charts are some of the most valuable and frequently used types of graphics. Charts have several conflicting definitions, depending on the resource consulted. For the purposes of our Style Guide, we will follow the style supported by the Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication . Charts are graphs that do not rely on numerical interpretations, including organizational charts, flow charts, and schedule charts. The purpose of the chart, the audience, the medium, and the data and ideas being conveyed in the document should determine the best type of chart to use, rather than adhering to a hard rule (Franklin 42).

A chart is only as good as the effect it creates. A chart should only be included if it communicates information quickly and simply. Charts should be integrated with the text and convey information more dramatically than is possible without their use. A chart can both replace text and provide a visual road map that readers can use as they read through dense and complex material. Charts also provide a visual, which can aid recall. Flow charts, organization charts or scheduling charts should be used to help readers visualize the major points in a document.

Guidelines for Creating Charts

• Ensure the chart is consistent with how the audience will view the data.
• Design the chart so that it shows one primary idea or specific relationship.
• Keep the chart simple and clear; do not include too much information.
• Use clear, concise labels and titles; do not include too much text.
• Ensure that the information is not distorted or misleading.
• Use software programs such as Microsoft Excel to create charts.
• Ensure the chart is easily read from one-page orientation.

Sequentially number and label all charts the same as other graphics contained within a document. Do not have a separate numbering scheme for charts. Place footnotes and warranting evidence below a chart.

A flowchart is a common type of chart, representing an algorithm or process, and showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting these with arrows. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

There are many different types of flowcharts for different users (such as analysts, designers, engineers, managers, or programmers) representing different types objects.

Four General Types of Flowcharts (Sterneckert)

• shows document flow through system
• shows data flows in a system
• shows controls at a physical or resource level
• shows the controls in a program within a system (Business)

Features of a Flow Chart (Gurak 273)

• Each step in the process is represented by a shape.
• Decision steps are labeled in the form of a question. Different paths may be taken depending upon the answer to the question.

Figure 5. Flowchart representing steps for troubleshooting a broken lamp.

Organizational Chart

Organizational charts help readers visualize the structure and internal relationships of units or individuals within an organization. Organizational Charts Typically Show:

• divisions and subdivisions of the organization,
• hierarchy and relationship of the groups to one another,
• lines of responsibility and authority, where solid lines indicate direct lines of control, and
• lines of communication and coordination through the use of dashed lines.

Figure 6 . Organizational chart of the US government.

Scheduling Chart

A common project task is to schedule a series of events; the complexity of this task can vary considerably depending on how many steps are involved in the process. Some common challenges are:

• Resource Scheduling or the scheduling of people to work on and resources required by tasks.
• Dealing with uncertainties in the estimates of the duration of each task.
• Arranging tasks to meet various deadlines.
• Juggling multiple projects simultaneously to meet a variety of requirements (Franklin 47).

A scheduling chart visually illustrates the steps and their dependencies in a process. There are several types of commonly used scheduling systems.

Examples of Scheduling Systems

• MindMapper,
• Fixed Point Chart (FPC), and
• PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) (Evaluation).

Figure 7. PERT Network Chart for a seven-month project with five milestones (10 through 50) and six activities (A through F).

Using photographs in technical documentation conveys realism and gives the document credibility. While current technology allows complete manipulation of a photograph, readers still like the realism a photo provides. Information about size and scale should remain constant throughout a set of related images - scale should be constant (E. Tufte, Visual Graphics 25).

Photographs are used to show a reader what is - or what can be - rather than conveying a concept. Selection of a photograph should always be done after text is written. Match the message you want to convey to the text as closely as possible. All photographs need to support the message - a project should have several photographs for each message, from different sources, from which to choose. Budget allowing, color photographs are preferred, unless your text has been written to convey a historical message and the use of sepia tones or black and white images enhances your message (Franklin 231).

Representational illustrations include many types of graphics such as diagrams and drawings of actual products that allow a reader to see what they look like in concept, or to see inside the product to places that are usually hidden or not viewable. These help the reader to visualize an idea or a relationship. Even rough sketches convey information better than words in many instances.

Types of Representational Illustrations

• technical illustrations,
• exploded-view drawings,
• cutaway drawings, and
• symbols and icons.

All types of illustrations should always be kept as simple as possible, with color used to enhance them. Sometimes in technical communications, full color may not be an option. In this case, working with two colors is preferred. The second color can highlight specific areas of an illustration to bring the reader's attention to that area.

Each illustration should be clearly labeled, with parts of the object shown.

When adding a series of illustrations, the viewing angle should be consistent for each figure.

All letters and numbers on the illustration should be numbered so they can be read without reorienting the book or manual. In a drawing showing a process, the flow of the process should read left-to-right (Franklin 120).

Figure 8. Illustration of a flying machine, by Leonardo da Vinci.

Technical Illustrations

Technical illustration is the use of illustration to visually communicate information of a technical nature. Technical illustrations can be component technical drawings or diagrams that aim to generate expressive images to effectively convey certain information visually to both technical and non-technical audiences. The visual image should be accurate in terms of dimensions and proportions, and should provide an overall impression of what an object is or does, to enhance the reader's understanding.

Figure 9. Technical illustration of an interface card conveying placement of the interface cable.

Exploded View Drawings

An exploded view, or assembly, drawing is a diagram, picture or technical drawing of an object showing the relationship or order of assembly of various parts.

The components of an object are shown slightly separated by distance - as if there had been a small controlled explosion emanating from the middle of the object, causing the object's parts to be separated an equal distance away form their original locations.

The exploded drawing is used in parts catalogs, assembly and maintenance manuals and other instructional material (Exploded).

Cutaway Drawings

A cutaway drawing, also called a cutaway diagram, is a 3D graphic, drawing, diagram and/or illustration, in which surface elements are selectively removed to make internal features visible, without sacrificing the outer context entirely (Cutaway).

Figure 10. Airplane hangar, showing exterior with cutouts to expose interior.

Symbols and Icons

Symbols and icons are very valuable technical communication tools in the global marketplace. Many symbols are considered "internationally recognized" and are used on signs in airports, train stations, and hospitals. These symbols are also used in manuals developed for international audiences. Incorporating symbols and icons into technical documentation can considerably reduce the number of words to describe something.

Other types of graphics that may be used to add interest or humor to a document are clip art and cartoons.

Cartoons are drawn visuals that engage an audience through humor. Cartoons can be used to:

• Introduce a general topic in a report or other document.
• Provide a funny example to make a difficult topic understandable.
• Connect with the audience to 'break the ice'.

"Humor, when used appropriately, offers an effective emotional appeal for persuasion. Showing a sense of humor can also build rapport with audiences" (Gurak 268).

To use humor effectively, the audience must not be offended, and must be able to see themselves in the situation. To do this, editors need to know their audience well. Because humor does not translate well across cultures, it is best to not use humor in international venues.

Cartoons can be found on newspaper and magazine websites as well as Comics.com and Slate.com . Be sure to cite the comic or source of the cartoon; and if the terms require, obtain the necessary permissions (Gurak). Audiences enjoy comic strips like Dilbert, "Because it reveals the absurd realities of many workplaces" (Gurak 269).

Clip Art is the simple, informal artwork associated with software programs like Word, or on the Web, or in clip art books. It is not necessarily humorous, and can be used to add interest to a document. It can also be used to highlight document text or guide the reader through the document. But like other graphics, it must be kept to a minimum so as not to look unprofessional.

Screen Captures

Screen captures are very helpful in technical documentation because they show the reader what an application looks like, rather than telling them. Seeing the actual screen is much more useful than describing it with words. Screen capture software may allow sections of a screen to be circled or numbered. Written instructions referring to these circles and numbers can help guide a user through a complex process.

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A compare and contrast essay focuses on the similarities and differences between two things. It is not simply a description of the two things, but an analysis of the two objects or ideas, which clearly lays out the ways the two are related and dissonant from one another.

A useful starting point for a compare and contrast essay is to brainstorm using a Venn diagram. A Venn diagram is a visual method, using overlapping shapes (usually circles) to show relationships between two or more things.  

Start by drawing two circles that partially overlap. Label each circle with one of the things you are comparing and contrasting. In each circle, list all the properties of that item. Do the same for the second item. Anything that applies to both things should be listed where the circles intersect. Use the Venn diagram process to compare and contrast any of the suggested essay topics listed here:

• Online vs. in-person
• Film vs. literature
• Public vs. private transportation
• Apple vs. android
• Two vs. four-year colleges

Compare and contrast essays can be structured in three ways:

• Aspect Model: In this model the writer discusses all the ways the two items or ideas are similar first. Then, the writer examines all the differences. This creates two separate sections within the essay.
• Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their lower price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
• Itemized (Point-by-Point) Model: In this model the writer discusses a certain aspect of the two items, comparing and contrasting their similarities and differences. Then the writer moves to the next aspect. This model creates an essay that intermingles similarities and differences.
• Thesis: While Macs and PCs both offer reliable solutions for students to attend class digitally, PCs are the superior option for most students due to their price, modifiable nature, and readily assessable on campus support.
• PC modifiable nature
• Mac modifiable nature
• PC campus support
• Mac campus support
• Block Model: In this model the writer discusses all of one item first and then the second one.
• Modifiable nature
• Campus support
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• Next: Cause and Effect Essay >>
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Academic Writing and Technical Writing [classic]

You can easily edit this template using Creately's venn diagram maker . You can export it in multiple formats like JPEG, PNG and SVG and easily add it to Word documents, Powerpoint (PPT) presentations, Excel or any other documents. You can export it as a PDF for high-quality printouts.

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