Nature and Requirements of Technical Writing Technical Writing Defined: - is communication in any field the primary aim of which

is to convey a particular piece of information for a particular purpose to a particular reader or group readers. - exposition essentially about scientific subjects and about various technical subjects associated with the sciences; hence its scientific and technical vocabulary, its use of tables, graphs and figures to clarify ands support textual discussion, and its use of conventional report forms. - presents factual data, statistics and measurable elements - leaves no room for conflicting interpretation; leaves its readers specific knowledge entirely different from creative writing which leaves powerful feelings or emotions. **Technical the formal aspect of any field from a scientific point of view. Qualities of Technical Writing objective clear accurate concise unemotional in its presentation of facts

Techniques in Technical Writing definitions descriptions of mechanisms descriptions of process classifications interpretation

Purposes of Technical Writing 1. Gives information that leads to the accomplishment of specific tasks and in the making of needed decisions 2. Analyzes events and their implications, the failure of certain systems as educational, socio-economic, political, etc. and the needed changes 3. Persuades and influences decision by showing how a business or an industry succeeds Subject Matter of Technical Writing business science engineering industry

The Writing Process 1. Planning 2. Gathering Information 3. Drafting 4. Revising 5. Editing

Principles of Technical Writing: 1. A writer must always have a purpose. - stating differences by contrasting or giving similarities by comparing two concepts or ideas, objects, or persons; - defining terms; - expanding definitions by giving examples or illustrations; - describing processes or mechanisms; - giving an effect and discussing its causes or vice versa; that is, explaining the causes that lead to an effect. Example of Comparison and Contrast: Generic drugs are not as expensive as branded ones. Although they are cheaper, their quality is almost as good as that of the more expensive ones. Our government has encouraged the manufacture and the importation of these generic drugs to help people who belong to average-income groups. Example of Definition of Terms and Expanding Definitions by Giving Examples or Illustrations: Computer assisted language learning (CALL) is an approach in teaching languages especially to second language learners to make learning a language easier for them. Students select the language that they are interested in, enroll in the course, and secure the discs that contain the lessons. Using the computers in the computers in the computer laboratories of the school, the students study and master the language by themselves. Teachers, however, make themselves available for consultation. This approach is used in most schools in Europe and in the United States.

2. Technical writing uses simple, precise, and formal language. Example: An effective leader exudes sincerity, credibility, and confidence. These are traits that are exceptionally efficacious in making members of a group feel equally respected and important. They are also readily communicated through voice, facial expressions, eye contact, and body movements. The totality of these qualities and other character personality traits like objectivity, sense of humor, emotional maturity, and courage contributes to the development of charisma. 3. A technical or a scientific paper usually follows any of the following general patterns: 1. Problem Solution 2. Topic-Restrictions- Illustrations 4. The subject matter may be anything that is related to science, technology, business, humanities, or any other useful and relevant issue or phenomenon.

Distinguishing Literary Texts from Technical Texts Literary Works or Technical Write-Up? 1. Jack C Richards and Daniel Hurley (1986) discuss extensively the crucial factors in the development of language programs. One of the important considerations that they mention is the implication for program design of these crucial factors such as the linguistic proficiency of the students and the interactional and cognitive demands of mainstream classes using a second language.