Transcript Technical Writing I

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Warm – Up
What jobs require Technical
Writing Skills?
Technical Writing I
ENG 131
Introduction
(Dr. Elizabeth Lohman)
Definition of Technical Writing
Technical Writing conveys easy access to
information:
• Accessing specific information.
Clearly identify headings.
Clearly identify sub markers.
• Accessing clear information.
Not have time to interpret meaning.
Needs immediately to grasp meaning.
• Words, Phrases, and Sentence Structure
Straightforward
Uncomplicated
• We need to ascertain the amount of funding for
next year’s budget,”
We need to determine the amount of funding
needed.
Find out how much funding was allotted.
“We need to determine how much money we
will need next year.”
We need to find out how much money we have
in next year’s budget.”
• Using language specific to a particular trade or
profession is acceptable and necessary.
if
The message is intended for the members of that
particular group.
if
The message is intended for individuals outside of
the group,
plain language.
Case in Point
A customer using an industrial solution, XYZ, to keep the drains in his home clean,
wrote to the company who sold the solution to let them know how great their product
was.
The company wrote back:
Thank you for writing. The product XYZ has a high vitriolic base. This sulfuric
property is excellent for industrial plumbing. We have several solutions for
cleaning residential drains. You may want to consider using some of our
other excellent products.
The customer promptly replied:
I agree, product XYZ is excellent for keeping the drains in my home clean. I
think it is clear that XYZ is the only solution I need to keep using.
With this, the company sent the customer a short, clear two sentence reply:
Do not use product XYZ. Misuse of XYZ will destroy residential plumbing.
Differences Between
Academic Writing and Technical Writing
In this section we will discuss the three major
components of written communication:
• Purpose,
• Format,
• Language.
Communication Structure:
Shape of Composition
Academic Writing
Technical Writing
Communication Triangle
Communication Rectangle
Topic
Topic
Text
Sender
Reader
Text
Receiver
Sender
Receiver
Academic Writing
Technical Writing
Communication Triangle
Communication Rectangle
Topic
Reader
Topic
Text
Text
Sender
Receiver
Academic Writing has a receiver,
Sender
Receiver
Technical Writing will always have a
reader.
but
• the primary reader
• may have a reader
or
• may not have a reader.
 the person who ordered the
report
Purpose
Academic Writing
Technical Writing
Entertain
Persuade
inform
Inform
Persuade
• Research
No Definite purpose
Definite Purpose
•
•
Supervisor: Order a report
Poem
Story
Definite purpose
• Article
• Book
• Assignment
Employee: Write a report
• Needed
 Read for Information
Format
Academic Writing
Technical Writing
Paragraphs
• Topic Sentences
Major Headings
Sub Headers
Markers
• Bullets
• Underlings
• Bold type
White Space.
Pictures
Illustrations
• Graphs
• Tables
• Pictures
• Drawings
Language
Academic Writing
Technical Writing
Words
• Elaborate
• Transitions
• Subjective
• Cogitative
• Multiple meaning
Words
• Active vocabulary
 Plain
 Easily understood
• Objective
• Non-sexist
• Avoid pronouns
Sentence Structure
• Complex
• Embellishment
• Excessive words
• Synonyms
• Passive voice
Sentence Structure
• Uncomplicated
• Repetition
• Active voice
Conclusion
•
This presentation included an extended definition of Technical Writing, expressing
the need for easy access to information, and briefly defined the differences
between Academic Writing and Technical Writing, according to purpose, format
and language.
•
Think about the significance of a technical writer communicating in clear
straightforward vocabulary and sentence structure to convey information.
•
Remember; if the intended reader is not able to quickly understand the message
or misinterprets the information, the writer failed; the purpose of the message
was lost.
•
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Celebrate
References
The references for the “The Definition of Technical Writing and the Differences
Between Academic Writing and Technical Writing,” PowerPoint Presentation came
from sources used over the last 14 years of my studying and teaching Technical
Writing.
“The Definition of Technical Writing and the Differences Between Academic Writing
and Technical Writing,” PowerPoint Presentation is the sole property of Dr. Elizabeth
Lohman. This PowerPoint presentation cannot be copied or duplicated in any way or
presented in any way without the written consent of Dr. Elizabeth Lohman.
Contact Dr. Elizabeth Lohman at Tidewater Community College (757-822-2539).
Comments on Assignment
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Capitalization
Contradictions
Too many words
Run On Sentences (ROS)
Word Selection
Tense
How you can improve
• READ a lot
• Practice – write better every chance you get.
• Get feedback, and USE it.