What are "content gaps" in technical writing?

Content gaps in technical writing refer to areas where information is missing or not sufficiently explained to meet the audience's needs. Identifying and addressing these gaps is crucial because the primary objective of technical writing is to convey information clearly and effectively. When there are content gaps, readers may struggle to understand key concepts, follow instructions, or make informed decisions based on the material presented.

By focusing on filling these gaps, writers can ensure that their documents provide comprehensive coverage of the subject, enhance usability, and support the audience's goals. This might involve adding additional explanations, examples, or resources to ensure that the audience has all the information they require to properly understand and utilize the technical content.

The other options describe different issues that can arise in technical writing but do not encapsulate the essence of what content gaps are. For instance, repeating information unnecessarily might lead to redundancy but does not directly affect the completeness of the content. Similarly, overly complex sections can hinder understanding without necessarily indicating a lack of information, and irrelevant details distract from the main topic but do not inherently denote content gaps.