Technical Writing ORIGINAL
Technical Writing ORIGINAL
Professor
Panpacific University North Philippines
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines
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.
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.
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
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.
Try endeavor
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)
Coherence – the smooth flow of ideas and data
- transitional words prepare readers
for the next point or a change in direction
Similarly Beyond
In the same way Behind
In comparison Forward
In the same manner In Front of
Jefferey Gwapo
HRD Officer
ROXAS HOUSE OF FASHION
(SGD)Carlos Gracia
INTER-OFFICE MEMO
10 May 2009
Cynthia So
Accounting Department
Progress Report
Annual Report
◦ Project Report
◦ Letter Report
Analytical Report
Feasibility Study
Proposals
Position Paper
- Aims at presenting “information about the
work done on a particular project at a
particular period of time.”
The Transitional Introduction
- Relates the present report to a previous
one as background info. States the nature
and scope of the subject matter and perhaps
a brief summary as well as recommendation.
The Body of the Report
- Presentation of the mass of information
maybe chronological or logical
- Figures are needed to support a narration or
facts; hence, the need for tables
The Conclusion
- Gives a more detained form and in a manner
that will spur action
- Ending is a “prophetic” conclusion (it is
forward looking, the reader is made to
anticipate, for example, the completion of the
project)
-Or Executive Reports are made on a yearly
basis to show the performance of a company
at the end of the period.
- Contains 1) company profile, 2) financial
highlights, 3) the president’s report, 4)
Board of Directors and Officers and 5)
Auditor’s Report.
-Progress, annual and project reports give
information; hence, they are classified as
informational reports.
- Some reports, are classified as analytical
reports, they include assessment, evaluation
or feasibilty study. Projects completed are
usually assessed or evaluated. A project to
be undertaken is the subject of a feasibility
study.
- Is made to determine whether or not a project is
likely to succeed, or not will be economically
viable.
- It comprises: 1)the plan, 2) the cost, 3) source of
funding, 4) the manpower/personnel
requirements, 5) the market, and 6) profitability.
Dear Sir:
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(2 spaces)
Sincerely,
(4 spaces)
Jose dela Cruz
Jose dela Cruz
(2 spaces)
MA: Fr.
Modified Block
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(2 spaces)
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(2 spaces)
Sincerely,
(4 spaces)
Jose dela Cruz
Jose dela Cruz
(2 spaces)
MA: Fr.
Semi- Block
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(2 spaces)
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(2 spaces)
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(2 spaces)
Sincerely,
(4 spaces)
Jose dela Cruz
Jose dela Cruz
(2 spaces)
MA: Fr.
Simplified Style
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(6 spaces)
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(2 spaces)
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(2 spaces)
(5 spaces)
Jose dela Cruz
Jose dela Cruz
(2 spaces)
MA: Fr.
Selected Kinds of Business Letters
1. LETTER OF APPLICATION
2. RESUME
3. LETTER OF ADJUSTMENT
4. LETTER OF INQUIRY/REQUEST/CLAIM
5. LETTER OF ORDER, REMITTANCE AND
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
6. SALES LETTER
7. LETTER OF CONGRATULATORY/ GRATITUDE
& APPRECIATION/INVITATION/SYMPATHY
8. LETTER OF RESIGNATION
Adjustment Letter- reply to a complaint (claim
letter)
Content: 1. Appreciation for the customer’s
thoughtfulness in writing; or agreement to the
writer’s comment as expressed in the complaint.
(Orientation), 2. Explanation of the cause of the
mistake (Information), 3. Statement of what is to
be done with the complaint(Action), 4. Attempt at
keeping the customer’s goodwill.
Application Letter
Resume
Letter of Inquiry – inquiries about products
manufactured or service rendered. They may
ask about persons, or money matters, too.
Follow the strategy below:
◦ His reason for the request or the questions he
seeks to be answered (Orientation)
◦ The actual questions seeking for answers or the
request itself (Information)
◦ The action he would like the reader to take (Action)
Letter of Request – uses the same strategy as that of
the letter of inquiry
Claim Letter – actually a complaint letter. Sent when
customer disssatisfaction with a product, service or
policy exists.
Take note of the ff:
1. State the reason for writing the letter (orientation).
2. Tell what is wrong with the merchandise or service
rendered. State in positive language the
inconvenience experienced on account of the error
(information).
3. Indicate what you would like the manager to do
about the complaint (action).
4. Express belief in the reader’s sense of fair play.
This serves as a buffer(refers to sentences that can
ease the strain between the sender and the receiver
of the letter).
Letter of Order
◦ Description of merchandise- name of the product,
quantity, price per piece/unit, size, color or any
other detail that distinguishes it from others.
◦ Shipment of goods ordered (where, how, when)-
complete name and address of the buyer, how
goods are to be sent, date goods are to be
delivered.
◦ Payment of goods ordered-manager’s check,
personal check, postal money order, C.O.D., charge
account or credit card.
◦ Special instructions, if any.
Letter of Remittance – payments made by
mail should be accompanied by a short letter.
Contains the ff:
◦ What is the remittance for? Give the particulars
about the shipment being paid for.
◦ The amount being remitted should be written in
words and in figures.
◦ If remittace is by check, managers check or postal
money order, give particulars like issuing bank,
check number or PMO number.
Letter of Acknowledgement –
acknowledgement of orders and remittances
are generally done with the use of form
letters.
Selling a poduct through letters
Strong beginning may be in a form of
question; a news item about an anniversary
sale, a clearance sale, a midnight sale, a
slogan, an epigram and a maxim, an amusing
anecdote, a striking parallel or the use of
famous names.
Just like an application letter, it should catch
the attention of the reader, create desire and
interest, convince the reader/customer and
induce him to act.
Congratulatory Letter –occasions like opening a new
businesss, receiving an award, remarkable
performance, family events like graduation and birth
of a child, etc.
Letter of Gratitude/Appreciation- thank you letters
for one-time kindness or for favors extended over a
period of time.
Letter of Invitation- may or may not require
persuasion. News announcement and info about
significant events calling for a celebration do not
require persuasion. Letter of invitation expressing
persuasion require the inclusion of the 5 W’s (who,
why, where, when, how) and other details that the
readers will need to appreciate).
Letter of Sympathy –those who suffered from
may be comforted by messages of sympathy
from business associates as well as from
personal friends.
Composing the Materials for the Research
Report
Expository Type of Writing
Rules for Effective Writing of the Research
Report
Writing, Revising, Editing for Proper
Documentation and Finalizing the Report
Footnotes
Bibliography