TECH WRITING

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Created by
Mark

Cards (47)

  • Technical writing’s
    basic role is to characterize certain formal
    aspects.
  • Standardized formats or patterns of organization
    • Are followed in the preparation of reports, specifications, or proposals and whenever feasible visual aids in the form of tables, drawings and flow-sheets are employed.
  • Technical Writing
    is accurate, clear, factual, and most often characterized by a simple, direct style using clear and forceful sentences best suited to inform and to convince a reader.
  • Definition of TECHNICAL WRITING according to Gordon H. Mills and John A. Walter (1981)
    • Writing about scientific and technical subjects associated with science and technology.
    • It is characterized by certain formal elements, such as its scientific and technical vocabulary, graphic aids and its use of conventional report forms.
  • To inform
    ➢ Brochures
    ➢ Reports
    ➢ Abstracts
    ➢ Contracts
    ➢ Policies
    ➢ Letters
    ➢ Articles
  • To instruct
    ➢ Manuals
    ➢ User guides
    ➢ Maps
    ➢ Drafts and sketches
    ➢ Memoranda
    ➢ Table specifications
    ➢ Laboratory reports
    ➢ Graphs
    ➢ Monograms
  • To persuade
    ➢ Feasibility studies
    ➢ Proposals
    ➢ Bids
    ➢ Research reports
  • PROPERTIES OF TECHNICAL WRITING ACCORDING TO TURNER
    • AUTHORITY.
    • CLARITY.
    • COHERENCE.
    • COMPLETENESS.
    • CONFIDENCE.
    • CONTROL.
    • DIGNITY.
    • DIRECTION.
    • ETHICS.
    • FIDELITY.
    • FINISH.
    • OBJECTIVITY
    • ORGANIZATION.
    • READER SLANTED.
    • SELECTIVITY.
    • SERIOUSNESS.
    • TACT.
    • UNITY.
    • VERACITY.
  • AUTHORITY.
    • You should know what you are talking about when you write.
  • CLARITY.
    • The meaning of your writing must be easily understood and grasped on first reading
  • COHERENCE.
    • All parts of your composition must join together.
  • COMPLETENESS. |
    • No portion of the writing task should be shortchanged for completeness.
  • CONFIDENCE.
    This refers to unobtrusive sureness on your part as writer.
  • CONTROL
    • This is about the constraint of the presentation within the bounds of professional integrity.
  • DIGNITY.
    • This is the blending of composure and self-respect.
  • DIRECTION.
    • You should have planned towards a clear goal.
  • ETHICS.
    This refers to evidence of moral responsibility.
  • FIDELITY.
    • This means faithful performance.
  • FINISH.
    • This refers to your final copy.
  • OBJECTIVITY.
    • This means a detached, impartial point
    of view.
  • ORGANIZATION.
    • This is the orderly and logical structure of the composition.
  • READER SLANTED.
    • You have to write exclusively for the reader.
  • SELECTIVITY.
    This refers to the retention only of relevant material and distinction between levels of importance in retained materials.
  • SERIOUSNESS.
    • This is a close, thoughtful concern minus the frivolity.
  • TACT.
    • This means the capacity to act as required while giving no offense
  • UNITY.
    This means oneness of ideas.
  • VERACITY.
    • This means truthfulness. You need to stick to facts.
  • FINISHED PRODUCTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING:
    ➢ Abstracts
    ➢ Contracts
    ➢ Graphic Aids
    ➢ Memoranda/Monographs
    ➢ Proposals
    ➢ Articles
    ➢ Emails/Faxed Messages
    ➢ Instructional Materials
    ➢ Printed Voice Messages
    ➢ Research Reports
    ➢ Brochures
    ➢ Feasibility Reports
    ➢ Letters
    ➢ Proposals
    ➢ Survey Results
  • CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNICAL WRITING
    • OBJECTIVE LANGUAGE
    • PRESENTATIONAL ORGANIZATION
    • SPECIFIC AUDIENCE
    • VISUAL MATERIALS
  • OBJECTIVE LANGUAGE
    ➢ Ideas should be stated in plain and impartial
    language.
    ➢ Words should not stir emotional, unusual or
    unreasonable interpretation of the subject.
  • PRESENTATIONAL ORGANIZATION
    ➢ Readers should obtain information at a glance.
    ➢ Structure of the document should be clear and
    format should be easy to use.
  • SPECIFIC AUDIENCE
    ➢ The beneficiaries of information who are expected
    to read the technical material.
  • VISUAL MATERIALS
    ➢ Information are sharply written through graphs,
    tables and drawings.
  • USES OF TECHNICAL WRITING
    ● To analyze problems and situations
    ● To develop, improve and promote a product
    ● To discuss techniques in carrying out of action
    ● To furnish the readers the necessary information
    ● To give instructions and guidelines
    ● To provide information
    ● To provide links with the public
    ● To update companies and other entities the results
    of research and studies
  • Paul M. Zall (1980)
    • defines report as a document designed to fulfill a need, to tell a need and to know a need by communicating a set of ideas from a writer’s mind to a reader’s mind.
  • Report Topic
    • decide what subject you are going to write on; narrow it as much as possible
  • Report Audience
    define a specific person or group of people for whom you are going to write the report. Define the circumstances in which this report as needed.
  • Report Purpose
    • define what the report will accomplish; what needs of the audience is going to fulfill.
  • Report Type
    • decide on the type of a report; for example, technical background report, feasibility report, instructions or some other.
  • Front cover of the final report
    do a great job on your report and then put a copy of it in your fancy briefcase when you go on interviewing