---
title: "Comparing Zumba to Technical Writing"
date: 2012-09-05
description: "$( document ).ready(function() { // Handler for .ready() called. $("
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2012/09/05/comparing-zumba-to-technical-writing/
---
# Comparing Zumba to Technical Writing
Recently a fellow tech writer tweeted the following:

> Just taught my first [#Zumba](https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23Zumba) class! If I were [@tomjohnson](https://twitter.com/tomjohnson), I'd find a creative way to tie this to [#techcomm](https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23techcomm). Any good ideas?
> — Michelle Sander ([@techwriterme](https://github.com/techwriterme)) [August 31, 2012](https://twitter.com/techwriterme/status/241391695088984064)

I realize that I sometimes come across as zealous about technical writing. This is how I've branded my online persona. And sure enough, although I don't participate in Zumba, after reading the tweet I couldn't help but consider the possible parallels between tech comm and Zumba.

As I understand it, Zumba is basically dance aerobics, set to upbeat Latin music. As a form of exercise, Zumba enjoys a lot of popularity in Utah. At least a dozen people at my local ward gather for weekly Zumba classes.

![Zumba involves a wide variety of dance and physical movements. Photo from Flickr](https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/idbwmedia.com/images/zumbainaction.jpg)

Does Zumba have any parallels with tech comm? Yes, quite a few! Here are eight ways that Zumba is like technical writing.

## 1. Zumba tries to make hard tasks fun.

At its core, Zumba tries to make exercise fun. Running, jumping jacks, and other aerobic moves can be boring in their repetition. With Zumba, you're not just exercising. You're dancing. You're having a party. You're having a blast. It's fun.

Many approaches to learning with tech comm attempt the same end: to make an otherwise dull task fun. Gamification, interactive simulations, movies, mock scenarios, quizzes, and other learning techniques can help make reading the manual less of a chore.

## 2. Zumba offers beginning and advanced classes.

Zumba separates out beginning from advanced classes, so that novices like me (if I were to ever show up at a Zumba class) wouldn't be completely blown away. (Well, even in the novice class I would still be blown away.)

Similarly, good tech comm separates out beginning from advanced material in the learning process. You don't throw new users into pages of complicated technical instructions when you're introducing them to an application. Instead, you provide them with basic, introductory material first, and then work up to more advanced techniques later.

## 3. Zumba incorporates rhythm to make the activity pleasing.

Sarah Maddox replied to Michelle Sander's original tweet to note the parallel of rhythm between Zumba and tech writing:

> [@techwriterme](https://twitter.com/techwriterme) [@tomjohnson](https://twitter.com/tomjohnson) OK, I'll give it a go! It's easier to learn things when there's a rhythm. Should a page have a rhythm? [#techcomm](https://twitter.com/search/?q=%23techcomm)
> — Sarah Maddox ([@sarahmaddox](https://github.com/sarahmaddox)) [August 31, 2012](https://twitter.com/sarahmaddox/status/241392430153359361)

I definitely agree about this parallel. In Zumba, the dance moves involve a variety of styles. Wikipedia says the dance moves include choreography from "hip-hop, soca, samba, salsa, merengue, mambo, martial arts, and some Bollywood and belly dance moves. Squats and lunges are also included" ([Zumba](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumba)).

Good writing uses alternating sentence structures to provide a sense of rhythm. Sometimes sentences are long. Others are short. Some begin with a noun, others with an introductory clause, or an appositive. Some sentences begin with the subject, while others kick off with a verb and lead up to the subject.