The technical writing field can cover many different types of writing formats, styles, purposes, audiences, etc. Some common genres are:

Descriptions

Standards / Specifications

Memos

Business Letters

Proposals

Reports

Descriptions: A technical description is text that describes an object or process in terms of its function, organization, parts and details. It is the fundamental "building block" of technical documentation. A technical description can be used alone (e.g., a specification) or as part of a larger document (e.g., a proposal) (Knox 1999). Some good examples of technical descriptions can be found using OneSearch and the term "technical description" or searching in reference works, like the Encyclopedia of 20th-Century Technology.

Standards / Specifications: "A standard is a document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose" (ISO).Specifications are concise statements of requirements for materials, products or services that are to be purchased by an industry or government agency. Organizations that develop and published standards include:

Standards typically have a title and a report number associated with the organization that produced the standard. Examples include:

• ASTM F1511 - Standard Specification for Mechanical Seals for Shipboard Pump Applications
• IEEE Std 802.3cm-2020 - Standard for Ethernet
• MIL-DTL-641 - Jacks, Telephone General Specification for

Generally, you can search for standards by logging into the library database from the publishing organization through the Libraries' website.

Memos: A memo or memorandum is "a usually brief written message or report," and are especially common in business or government (Merriam-Webster). Use the Libraries' OneSearch or Google to search for a specific topic AND memo or search "sample memo" to see contemporary examples.

Business Letters: A business letter is a letter on behalf of a business or organization; the recipient may view it as official communication carrying the full authority of the business or organization who issued it.A business letter is a permanent written record, and may be taken more seriously by the recipient than other forms of communication. Many sample business letters are posted on the web, such as:

Proposals: A proposal is "a plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration or discussion by others" (Oxford Languages). Proposals can vary widely by purpose and field; many examples are posted on the web, such as: 

Reports: A report is "an account given of a particular matter, especially in the form of an official document, after thorough investigation or consideration by an appointed person or body" (Oxford Languages). To search for reports, in OneSearch enter your search term and choose "report" from "format type."

Government reports are freely accessed on the web; use a search engine to locate a specific agency or report, such as: