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The document outlines the characteristics, principles, and various outputs of technical writing, emphasizing clarity, objectivity, and the importance of understanding the audience. It details the essential elements of effective technical writing, including accuracy, brevity, and ethical standards, while also listing various types of technical documents such as reports, manuals, and proposals. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive guide for producing clear and effective technical communication.

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3 views

technicalwritingnatureandoutputs-150420212930-conversion-gate02

The document outlines the characteristics, principles, and various outputs of technical writing, emphasizing clarity, objectivity, and the importance of understanding the audience. It details the essential elements of effective technical writing, including accuracy, brevity, and ethical standards, while also listing various types of technical documents such as reports, manuals, and proposals. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive guide for producing clear and effective technical communication.

Uploaded by

dinopolangelou0
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TECHNICAL WRITING

Characteristics, Principles and Outputs


Technical Writing/ Report Writing

 This is to give account or description of an aspect of a


particular business, science, technology, trade, industry,
government and other professions learned by experience,
observation, study or investigation (Vicente, et. al, 2004).
 The final output of this process is a technical report which
may range in complexity and size from a simple
memorandum or letter to complex reports.
 Every field of knowledge has developed its own technology
and sets of terminologies.
Characteristics of Technical Writing

 Technical writing deals with a subject matter.


 Technical writing is characterized by formal elements such as
scientific and technical vocabulary.
 Technical writing utilizes writing styles e.g. description, cause
and effect, classification, illustration, partition, comparison
and contrast.
 Technical writing presents and explains a subject matter in a
clear, accurate, and concise manner. It maintains an attitude
of impartiality and objectivity and by the absence of any
attempt to arouse emotions.
Basic Principles of Technical Writing

Understand the reader


 A writer should always have in mind a specific reader (real or

imaginary). The writer assumes that the reader is intelligent but


uninformed.
Know the purpose of the technical report
 The writer determines the exact purpose of his report, and

should make sure that every word, sentence and paragraph


contributes to that purpose.
Know the subject matter
 A writer must have sufficient knowledge of the subject he is to

write about.
Basic Principles of Technical Writing

Write Objectively
 The writer should use a language that is simple, concrete
and familiar. A good technical writer must emphasize the
facts and the data.
Use Correct Format
 The technical writer should make his report attractive to
look at.
Adopt Ethical Standards
 A good technical writer acknowledges the help he receives
from others and documents sources of reference materials.
Zall’s Holistic Guide to Technical Writing

 Accuracy
 A writer must be tactful in recording data, statement or

calculating mathematical figures. An error committed and an


illogical statement can create confusion as well as doubts over
the whole text.
 Brevity
 Being brief means courtesy to the reader. The reader should

get the essence of your thinking in a compressed form.


 Confidence
 The writer should be decisive or sure of what he is writing

about.
Zall’s Holistic Guide to Technical Writing

 Dignity
 The writer must be certain that all grammatical constructions

are correct. You need to be formal with your words and know
the words are used.
 Emphasis
 The writer should know what is important to the reader and

never expect that the reader will find it our for himself. He has
to lead them from point to point.
 Facility
 This refers to the devices used by the writer to make his report

easy to read and understand. The link from one part to another
should be clearly established, illustrated or stated.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Abstract- A condensed form of a long piece of written


work.

 Brochure- A set of printed information printed on specially


chosen materials in min-book form or loose sheets.

 Business Letters/Correspondence- Written communication


to link businessmen with customers or clients.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Contract- A written document between persons,


companies or organizations which contains details of
matters mutually agreed upon.

 Feasibility Report- Presents facts, information that clarify


the financial, economic, technical and beneficial aspects of
a plan.

 Graphic Aids- Come in pictures, graphs, diagrams, tables,


sketch forms and are used to illustrate important details in
reports.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Instructional Manual- A technical document which briefly


describes the product and its purposes.

 Laboratory Report- Specifically describes the scope of a


project, instrument and materials used, steps undertaken
and results, conclusions and recommendation drafted.

 Memorandum- Written communication circulated within


the company and its branches.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Policy- A written agreement with a company that contains


a plan of action adopted or preserved by both parties.

 Printed Action Memo- A memo in prepared written form


that the writer just have to put a check mark on an
appropriate box or space to indicate his message.

 Progress Report- A document written in narrative format


to present history of a project over a given period of time.
It covers from the start of the endeavor until the
completion.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Proposal- A formal statement of a plan or idea that is


officially suggested for someone to consider.

 Specification- A graphical, tabular or textual document


which contains particular information about performance
status, etc.

 Survey Report- Contains the voice or opinion of the


population necessary in the formulation and drafting of a
conclusion which the researcher or writer may need in his
next project.
End Products of Technical Writing

 Journal Article- A comprehensive research done by an


expert in a specific field of discipline.

 Recommendation Report- It is a detailed report that


attests the skills of a job seeker relevant to the target work
position.

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