Scribd
Upload
17 views

Technical Writing - Lesson 1

Sample lessons for Technical Writing

Uploaded by

Myrasol Bobis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
17 views

Technical Writing - Lesson 1

Sample lessons for Technical Writing

Uploaded by

Myrasol Bobis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

CHAPTER 1 - THE ROLE OF THE STUDENT WRITER

Technical Writing – is a type of writing where the author


is writing about a particular subject that requires
direction, instruction, or explanation. It focuses on
providing information to users who need assistance to
complete a task.

5 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOOD TECHNICAL WRITING:

1. Always have in mind a specific reader, real or


imaginary, when you are writing a report and
always assume that he is intelligent, but
uninformed.

2. Before you start to writer, always decide what the


exact purpose of your report is, and make sure
that every paragraph, every sentence, every word,
makes a clear contribution to that purpose, and
makes it at the right time.

3. Use language that is simple, concrete, and


familiar.

4. AT the beginning and end of every section of your


report check your writing according to this
principle: First you tell the reader what you’re
going to tell him, then you tell him then you tell
what you told him.

5. Make your report attractive to look at.

CHARACTERISTICS OF TECHNICAL WRITING:

1. Technical writing is communication in any field.


2. It aims to convey particular piece of information
for a particular purpose to a particular reader or
group of readers.
3. Technical writing is objective, clear and
accurate; it is concise and unemotional in its
presentation of facts.
4. Technical writing is exposition about scientific
subjects and about various technical subjects
associated with the sciences; hence, it uses
scientific and technical vocabulary.

PURPOSE OF TECHNICAL WRITING:


1. It gives information that leads to the
accomplishment of specific tasks and in the making
of needed decisions.
2. Technical writing analyzes events and their
implications like the failure of certain
educational, socio-economic, or political systems;
or needed social changes.
3. Technical writing persuades and influences
decisions.

SUBJECT MATTER OF TECHNICAL WRITING:

1. The content of technical writing is objective


information that is accurately and clearly
presented. Readers need to know exactly what the
piece of writing means. A technical document tells
the reader exactly what to do, how to do it, and
under what conditions to do it.
2. Technical writing records data in business, science,
engineering, industry, and other professional areas.
It presents factual data, statistics, and measurable
elements.
3. Technical writing can be analyzed logically and
evaluated scientifically. It gives explanations to
support plausible conclusions. In general, technical
writing leaves its readers specific knowledge, while
creative writing leaves its readers a powerful
feeling or emotion. Creative writing is subject to
the different interpretations of the readers.

BASIC ASPECTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING:

Technical writing may be subdivided into two parts


or aspects:

1. The final products


a. Various kinds of written reports
b. Oral reports
c. Business letters
d. Articles for technical journals or books
e. Abstracts
f. Instruction manuals
g. Graphic aids
h. Handbooks
i. Brochures
j. Specification
k. Memoranda
l. Proposals

2. The skills that are used in the preparation of the


final product
The following skills are important in technical writing:

1. Special techniques of technical writing, the most


important of which are definitions, descriptions of
mechanism, descriptions of processes,
classification, and interpretation.
2. Style
3. Introductions, transitions and conclusions
4. Outlines for organization
5. They layout, or format of reports

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF GOOD TECHNICAL WRITING:

1. The writer of a report must have a specific reader


or group of readers in mind.
2. He must decide what the specific purpose of his
report is and make sure that every part of his
report contributes to that purpose.
3. He must use specific, single, concrete words and
familiar language that cannot be misinterpreted.
4. The writer must check every part of his report to
see whether he has followed the principles of first,
“telling the reader what he is going to tell them”,
second, “telling them,””and third, “telling what he
told them.
5. He must make his report very presentable in format.
The layout must conform with the standard forms of
writing.

A student of writing is required to engage in the


actual writing process and should not wait to be taught
how to write. To become a successful student writer, one
must have a sense of adventure coupled with the
willingness to explore the learning setting and a
positive approach in learning how to write.

The student writer needs to develop increasing


familiarity with the language to be used. Specifically,
he needs to satisfy the following:

1. the need to develop an understanding of the


grammatical structure of the language to be used by
the writer.
2. the need to discern the systematic pattern that
exists in the language.
3. the need to develop a vocabulary to express the
nuances of the words used.
4. the need to recognize the rhetorical structure of
the language.

You might also like