Introduction to Technical Writing - college
- 2. What is Technical Writing? 1. Explains and discusses a subject matter in a factual and in a straightforward style. 2. Characterized by certain formal elements such as its scientific and technical vocabulary, its use of graphic aids, and its use of conventional report form. 3. Characterized by the maintenance of attitude of impartiality and objectivity by extreme care to convey information accurately and concretely by the absence of any attempt to arouse emotion. 4. There is a relatively high concentration of certain complex and important writing techniques-in-particular definition, description of mechanism, description of process, classification and interpretation.
- 3. Purposes of Technical Writing • Gives information that leads to the accomplishment of specific tasks and in the making of needed decisions. Ex: information on what to do during an earthquake, how to use saftey devices to avoid fire and burns • Analyzes events and their implications, the failure of certain systems as educational, socio-economic, political, etc., and the needed changes. Ex: how to save the dying rivers of the country, in particular, the Pasig River • Persuades and influences decision by showing how a business or an industry suceeds because of just and fair treatment of labor, how the educational system can be improved through the implementation of the recommendations of the Educational Commission.
- 4. Fundamental Characteristics (Conway, 1987) 1. Concrete Language - Use of concrete word than of an abstract one 2. Denotative Language - Utilization of the dictionary or lexical meaning of a word 3. Objectivity - An impartial, impersonal or unemotional weighing of evidence of information 4. Targeted or Defined Audience - Defining the audience helps the writer know what to write and how to write it 5. Style - Adopts a different style from a literary writing, must be economical , clear, concise and concrete 6. Common Format - Adhere to the practice of using standard layouts or formats
- 5. Style in Technical Writing • Is a writer’s way of writing, a manner by which he expresses his thoughts and feelings in language. • How the material is written. • The way by which information is carried across to the reader. Ex. a) Time flies b) Time is infinite movement without one moment of rest.
- 6. Analyses: a) Simple, but emotional, a little sentimental. It avoids the word “died” and substitutes a softer, gentler, less unpleasant expression. b) Is a plain, brief statement in which the writer’s feelings are not directly indicated.
- 7. Specific Problems of Style in Technical Writing • Clarity- the single most importnat aspect of good technical writing. It enables the readers to understand what the information means to convey. Readers need facts, not hazy or imprecise terms, to make decisions and accomplish tasks. – Use of specific and concrete words – Appropriate verbs (use action verb and active voice of the verb)
- 8. • Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts. This requires not that the writer make all his sentences short, or that he avoid all detail and treat his subjects only in outline, but that every word tell. • — William Strunk Jr. in Elements of Style
- 10. summarize briefly summarize surrounded on all sides surrounded surrounding circumstances circumstances the future to come the future there is no doubt but that no doubt usual/habitual custom custom we are in receipt of we have received
- 11. all things considered All things considered, Connecticut's woodlands are in better shape now than ever before. All things considered, Connecticut's woodlands are in better shape now than ever before. as a matter of fact As a matter of fact, there are more woodlands in Connecticut now than there were in 1898. as a matter of fact, There are more woodlands in Connecticut now than there were in 1898. as far as I'm concerned As far as I'm concerned, there is no need for further protection of woodlands. As far as I'm concerned, there Further protection of woodlands is not needed. at the present time This is because there are fewer farmers at the present time. This is because there are fewer farmers now.
- 12. because of the fact that Woodlands have grown in area because of the fact that farmers have abandoned their fields. Woodlands have grown in area because farmers have abandoned their fields. by means of Major forest areas are coming back by means of natural processes. Major forest areas are coming back through natural processes. (or naturally) by virtue of the fact that Our woodlands are coming back by virtue of the fact that our economy has shifted its emphasis. Our woodlands are coming back by virtue of the fact that because our economy has shifted its emphasis. due to the fact that Due to the fact that their habitats are being restored, forest creatures are also re-establishing their population bases. Due to the fact that Because their habitats are being restored, forest creatures are also re- establishing their population bases.
- 13. exists The fear that exists among many people that we are losing our woodlands is uncalled for. The fear that exists among many people that we are losing our woodlands is uncalled for. for all intents and purposes The era in which we must aggressively defend our woodlands has, for all intents and purposes, passed. The era in which we must aggressively defend our woodlands has, for all intents and purposes, passed. for the most part For the most part, people's suspicions are based on a misunderstanding of the facts. For the most part, pPeople's suspicions are based on a misunderstanding of the facts. for the purpose of Many woodlands, in fact, have been purchased for the purpose of creating public parks. Many woodlands, in fact, have been purchased for the purpose of creating as public parks. have a tendency to This policy has a tendency to isolate some communities. This policy has a tendency tends to isolate some communities.
- 14. in a manner of speaking The policy has, in a manner of speaking, begun to Balkanize the more rural parts of our state. The policy has, in a manner of speaking, begun to Balkanize the more rural parts of our state. in a very real sense In a very real sense, this policy works to the detriment of those it is supposed to help. In a very real sense, this This policy works to the detriment of those it is supposed to help. in my opinion In my opinion, this wasteful policy ought to be revoked. In my opinion, thisThis wasteful policy ought to be revoked. in the case of In the case of this particular policy, citizens of northeast Connecticut became very upset. Citizens of northeast Connecticut became very upset about his policy. in the final analysis In the final analysis, the state would have been better off without such a policy. In the final analysis, the The state would have been better off without such a policy. in the event that In the event that enough people protest, it will probably be revoked. If enough people protest, it will probably be revoked.
- 15. in the nature of Something in the nature of a repeal may soon take place. Something in the nature of like a repeal may soon take place. in the process of Legislators are already in the process of reviewing the statutes. Legislators are already in the process of reviewing the statutes. it seems that It seems that they can't wait to get rid of this one. It seems that they They can't wait to get rid of this one. manner They have monitored the activities of conservationists in a cautious manner. They have cautiously monitored the activities of conservationists. the point I am trying to make The point I am trying to make is that sometimes public policy doesn't accomplish what it set out to achieve. The point I am trying to make is that someSometimes public policy doesn't accomplish what it set out to achieve.
- 16. type of Legislators need to be more careful of the type of policy they propose. Legislators need to be more careful of the type of policy they propose. what I mean to say is What I mean to say is that well intentioned lawmakers sometimes make fools of themselves. What I mean to say is that well Well intentioned lawmakers sometimes make fools of themselves.
- 17. • Conciseness –means every word counts, is very important, it saves time and increases the forcefulness of writing. Ex: Please repeat the sentence again. (5 words) Please repeat the sentence. (4 words) Preferred Not Preferred Preferred Not Preferred Begin initiate before prior to Pay compensation about with reference to Fire conflagration consider give consideration to True veracious conflicts comes in conflict with Wordy verbose operates is in operation Total aggregate now/currently at this point in time Question interrogate because/sincein view of the fact that Find outascertain despite in spite of Try endeavor
- 18. Overworked words: Appropriate ( fitting, suitable) Assist ( help) Cognizant Authority (proper authority) Consider(think) Discontinue(stop) Endeavor (try) Investigate(study) Subsequent to (later, after) Transmit (send)
- 19. • Coherence – the smooth flow of ideas and data - transitional words prepare readers for the next point or a change in direction To indicate Time To Add To Contrast Finally In additionHowever Before Furthermore On the other hand After Also But Soon Wherever In Contrast
- 20. To Compare To Indicate Space Similarly Beyond In the same way Behind In comparison Forward In the same manner In Front of To indicate Cause To Conclude Because On the whole For that reason To summarize Since In conclusion Due to the fact that In summary
- 21. • Conventions of Standard English – Common sentence errors as sentence fragments, comma splices, and run-on(fused) sentences should be avoided • Sentence Structure and Length – natural word order, simple sentence structure and fairly short sentences