The new approach, based on nuclear magnetic resonance
(NMR) spectroscopy chemical shifts, is faster and simpler than
conventional NMR methods.
Typically, NMR protein structures are based on interatomic
distances, but these are difficult to measure. On the other hand,
chemical shifts are the most readily obtained and accurate NMR
parameters. They provide information about the molecular envi-
ronment of atoms. They’re used to determine structures of small
molecules, and they’re usually the first thing chemistry undergrads
learn about NMR. . . .
Researchers have wanted to use chemical shifts to determine
protein structures because that sidesteps the need to make time-
consuming nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) measurements.
NOEs, which are pairwise distances between specific atoms, are
currently the primary basis for most NMR protein structures.
2
The article in example two appeared in Chemical and Engineer-
ing News, a member-supported weekly magazine of the American
Chemical Society. This publication and online resource covers all
the news of the chemical world, including recent advances in
research, industry, education, funding, and regulations. The arti-
cle was written by a staff correspondent who specializes in bio-
chemistry, medicinal chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic
chemistry, and combinatorial chemistry. Those who write for the
magazine must be able to handle highly complex ideas and terms
and still be able to write an interesting story that is easy to under-
stand. The author of this particular article does have one distinct
advantage: most of his readers are chemists. Nevertheless, few of
them will have detailed knowledge about the field of work being
described.
The Field of Technical Writing 11

ular training or knowledge to comprehend the topic. The New York
Times, in which this article appeared, is a mainstream publication
12 Opportunities in Technical Writing Careers
_______
3. Wade, Nicholas. “Study Traces Cat’s Ancestry to Middle East.” New York Times,
www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/science/29cat.html?ref=science, visited 6/29/07.
read by a much more diverse audience than those in the previous
examples. The author of the article clearly understands his reader-
ship and has been able to craft his writing so that, although it
includes technical terms and concepts, it is not so technical as to
be not easily understood by the publication’s average reader.
Example Four
Explore the effects of color mixing with light with this eye catch-
ing demonstration.
The fascinating phenomenon of color mixing is conveyed using
LED technology. A great alternative to traditional ray box and fil-
ters, the ultra bright LEDs of the Color Mixing Apparatus pre-
vent the need for full blackout.
This apparatus is comprised of six large bright LEDs, two each
of red, green, and blue. The brightness of these LEDs can be
adjusted using the control box, and either the inner or outer ring
of lights can be selected, for a full range of experiments. Set the
apparatus in full rotation and use with the included screens to
demonstrate both additive and subtractive color mixing. Using a
blank white screen and the color mixer, you can highlight how
color is perceived; use the black screen with aperture for project-
ing circular patches of light; or use a clear screen with an eclipse
disc for blocking light.
When you use the apparatus in conjunction with the various
screens, you can highlight the way we see color and also how col-

United States and Canada. Contact information is provided in the
appendix.
Sample Job Advertisements
Note that the following job announcements do not have contact
information because they have already been filled.
14 Opportunities in Technical Writing Careers
Position: Technical Writer
Job type: Permanent
Company: Technical publications firm
Location: Midwest
Duties: Preparing new and revised information for use in tech-
nical service manuals, user manuals, and operator manuals in the
agricultural and heavy equipment fields. Technical writer will be
responsible for coordinating material from engineers, dealers, and
other sources. Other responsibilities include reading blueprints and
detailed engineering documents, marking up artwork for illustra-
tor, and interacting with engineers, product specialists, and other
technical writers to learn about parts installation and operations.
Requirements: A high school diploma, in addition to voca-
tional, career, or related technical studies in technical writing or
other engineering discipline and one to three years technical writ-
ing experience. An understanding of hydraulic, electrical, and
mechanical systems is required.
Tool skills: Proficient with a personal computer, copier/dupli-
cator, and various software including desktop publishing, spread-
sheet, word processing, illustration, and database programs.
Position: Technical Writer
Job type: Temporary/Contract
Company: A gateway security firm
Location: Southeast