In daily reading, readers sometimes tend to confuse which writing genre is suitable to describe the article they are reading, except for fiction and non-fiction, which are usually easy to distinguish. However, in the world of writing, there are several genres such as: Business Writing, Technical Writing, Creative Writing, and Persuasive Writing (which includes articles and news).

As a tool to facilitate visual communication, each form of writing has its own characteristics and target audience. While both serve the same function of providing informative descriptions, whether through infographics or data, they also differ in terms of their delivery techniques. The following are the differences between these two writing techniques:

Main Purpose

• Business Writing: Aims to communicate clearly and effectively in a business context, such as with clients, colleagues, or management. Its main focus is to convey information, ideas, or business decisions.

• Technical Writing: Aims to explain technical or complex information in a clear and easy-to-understand manner. It is usually used to provide instructions or explain technical procedures, whether to general users or professionals in specific fields.

Style and Tone

• Business Writing: Tends to be more flexible in tone, which can be formal or semi-formal depending on the audience and context. The writing style is more direct and action-oriented, as seen in business letters, memos, or reports.

• Technical Writing: Is generally more formal and structured. It uses objective and technical language, with a focus on accuracy and precision of information. The use of technical jargon is more common.

Audience

• Business Writing: The audience can vary from colleagues, clients, to stakeholders within the company. The audience is generally broader and may not require technical knowledge.

• Technical Writing: The audience is more specialized, usually those needing technical information or operational details, such as software users, engineers, or technicians. Technical Writing also includes research that can later be presented in dissemination sessions, thesis defenses, or DIKTI journals.

Content

• Business Writing: The content focuses more on business decision-making, financial analysis, strategy, or management. It usually contains information about business goals, target markets, and organizational performance.

• Technical Writing: The content focuses on technical explanations, detailed instructions, or procedures. For example, how to use software, how to repair machinery, or data from scientific tests.

Use of Data Representation

• Business Writing: Sometimes uses graphs or tables to support business points, such as in financial reports or analyses.

• Technical Writing: More often uses diagrams, illustrations, or schematics to help explain complex processes or technical components.

Although both of these writing techniques aim to convey information, each has its own characteristics and target audience. By understanding the different writing techniques, it is hoped that UNDIRA students, whether graduates or those still in university, can apply the appropriate writing techniques according to the category needed.

By mastering these writing techniques, students can hone their writing skills to meet specific needs and learn how to guide AI in tailoring writing patterns to suit the desired style.