writeup

A writeup is a concise, written account that explains or summarizes a topic, event, or finding. The term is used across disciplines to denote a report or description intended to convey essential information clearly and efficiently.

In journalism and business, a writeup may be a short article, briefing note, or meeting summary. In academia or science, a lab writeup or project writeup documents procedures, results, and interpretations. In information security and computer science, a security writeup is a detailed analysis of a vulnerability, exploit, or research finding, often accompanying proof-of-concept code or demonstration.

A typical writeup follows a straightforward structure: an overview or abstract; background or context; methods, steps, or chronology; findings or results; discussion, implications, and potential mitigations; and references or sources. The emphasis is on clarity, accuracy, and reproducibility, rather than opinion or advocacy.

Variants and usage: the term commonly appears as writeup, write-up, or write-up. Some style guides prefer hyphenation, while others treat it as a closed compound or open to both forms. The intended audience and context influence tone, level of detail, and the inclusion of technical specifications or sources. See also article, report, review, and summary.