Technical Writing Chapter 1 2w2b38

Chapter 1

NATURE AND REQUIREMENTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING Questions: 1. Define technical writing and discuss its characteristics 2. Distinguish technical writing in of the following criteria Purpose Subject Matter Readers 3. Identify what people in the technical professions are required to write 4. Recognize the aspects of technical writing 5. Discuss the basic principles of good technical writing

Answers: 1. Technical writing is communication the primary aim of which is to convey a particular piece of information for a particular purpose to a particular reader or group of readers. And its characteristics are Objective, clear and accurate, concise and unemotional in its presentation of facts, descriptions of mechanisms, descriptions of process, classifications and interpretation. 2. 2.1 Purpose of Technical Writing  

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First, it gives information that leads to the accomplishment of specific tasks and in the making of needed decision Second, technical writing analyzes events and their implications, the failure of certain systems are educational, socio-economic, political, etc. and the needed changes. Third, technical writing persuades and influences decision by showing how a business or an industry succeeds because of just and fair treatment of labor, how an agency like the NAPOCOR can improve the energy situation and save money, and how the educational system can be improved through the implement of the recommendations of the Educational Commission to Survey Philippine Education (EDCOM).

2.2 Subject Matter Of Technical Writing  The content of technical writing is objective information that is accurately and clearly presented. Technical readers need to know exactly what the piece of writing means. It tells the reader exactly what to do, How to do it, and under what conditions to do it.  Technical writing records data in business, science, engineering, industry and in all the formal aspects of professional areas. It presents factual data, statistics and measurable elements. 2.3 Readers of Technical Writing  The readers may be specific individuals or a general group with common interests. In both groups, they are reading for particular purposes. They may be expects in the field or in a related or another field. They may be managers, supervisors, secretaries, engineers, scientists, sociologists, psychologists, technicians and they come from any discipline of professional area.

3. Type of Writing Required in the Technical Professions  Some of the materials that people in the technical professions write consist of reports of various sorts, memoranda, proposals, professional papers to be read or included in a magazine or book, technical bulletins, manuals, handouts and even books. And also they acquire experience, more and more often they may be asked to make recommendations about decisions or make the decision themselves. Letters from customers of the company have to be answered. Annual reports are a common writing assignments. Progress and final reports are required for certain objects. 4. Basic Aspects of Technical Writing - Technical writing may be subdivided into two parts, or aspects: 1. The “Final products” such as reports and letters, usually the specific material presented 2. The skills that are made use of in the preparation of the final product. 

Final products or specific technical materials usually written: a. Various kinds of written reports b. Oral reports c. Business letters d. Articles for technical journals or books e. Abstracts f. Instruction manual g. Graphic aids h. Handbooks i. Brochures j. Specifications k. Memoranda l. Proposals

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The following skills are important in technical writing: a. Special techniques of technical writing, the most important of which are definitions, descriptions of mechanisms, descriptions of processes, classification and interpretation. b. Style c. Introductions, transitions and conclusions d. Outlines for organizations e. The layout, or format of reports

6. Basic Principles of Good Technical Writing a. The writer of a report must have a specific readers or group readers in mind b. He must decide what the specific purpose of his report is and make sure that every part of his report contributes to that purpose c. He must use specific, single, concrete words and familiar language that cannot be misinterpreted d. 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 them what he told them”. e. He must make his report very presentable in format. The layout must conform to standard forms of writing.