What is EN ISO 11681-1:2016?

EN ISO 11681-1:2016 is a technical standard that provides guidelines and specifications for writing easy-to-understand technical articles. It offers a set of rules and recommendations to ensure that technical information is presented in a clear and accessible manner. This standard aims to bridge the gap between complex technical language and the general audience, making it easier for readers to comprehend and apply technical knowledge.

Importance of Writing Easy-to-Understand Technical Articles

Writing technical articles in a way that is easy for readers to understand is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it improves communication between experts and non-experts, allowing knowledge to be shared and utilized more effectively. By using plain language and avoiding jargon, technical writers can reach a wider audience and facilitate the transfer of information.

Moreover, when technical articles are written in an easy-to-understand manner, they reduce potential risks and errors. Ambiguity and confusion caused by overly complex language can lead to misunderstandings and mistakes in the interpretation and application of technical information. Simplifying technical content improves comprehension and ensures accurate understanding.

Guidelines for Writing Easy-to-Understand Technical Articles

The EN ISO 11681-1:2016 standard offers a range of guidelines to follow when writing technical articles:

Use clear and concise language: Avoid unnecessary technical terms and abbreviations. Instead, choose words that are familiar to a wide range of readers.

Structure your Divide the content into logical sections with headings, subheadings, and bullet points. This helps readers navigate the information easily and locate specific details.

Provide contextual explanations: When technical concepts, provide real-life examples or analogies to help readers relate the information to their own experiences.

Use visuals: Incorporate diagrams, charts, and illustrations to visually represent complex ideas. Visual aids can enhance understanding and make technical content more accessible.

Test readability: Prioritize plain language and sentence structure that is easy to comprehend. You can use readability analysis tools to assess the readability level of your article.

Benefits of Writing Easy-to-Understand Technical Articles

Adhering to the guidelines of EN ISO 11681-1:2016 and writing easy-to-understand technical articles brings several benefits:

Increased knowledge dissemination: When technical content is easily understandable, it reaches a broader audience, allowing knowledge to be shared and applied more widely.

Improved decision-making: Easy-to-understand technical articles empower readers to make informed decisions based on accurate interpretation and application of technical information.

Enhanced safety: By avoiding ambiguity and confusion through clear communication, potential risks and errors associated with misunderstood technical information are minimized.

Efficient problem-solving: When technical knowledge is presented in an accessible manner, problem-solving becomes easier, faster, and more effective for readers.

In conclusion, writing easy-to-understand technical articles plays a crucial role in facilitating knowledge transfer, reducing risks, and improving decision-making. Adhering to the guidelines of EN ISO 11681-1:2016 ensures that technical information can be comprehended by a wider range of readers, ultimately benefiting both experts and non-experts alike.