MODULE 1: LET’S GET TECHNICAL

IO-ENG
Technical Writing and
Speech Communication
Submitted by:
NAME-SECTION
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STUDY

Activity 1.1: Pin Your Thoughts

 

Scan the given icons below. Each icon designates/symbolizes a common type of
writing done (e.g. writing for school, job, diary or journal entry, or writing to
friends/family). Arrange the icons according to how it correctly guesses what kind of
writing you are most and least comfortable with and draw it in the designated
“blackboard” below. After which, answer this question in 1-2 sentences: What comes to
your mind when you hear the word “technical writing”?

School-related Job-related Diary or Writing to friends

write-ups write-ups journal entry or family

BLACKBOARD
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Activity 1.2: Technical vs. Creative Writing

Using the Venn Diagram below, compare and contrast Technical Writing from Creative
Writing with these samples given. At this point, thorough research on the two concepts
 is not required. You can base your answers on the two images above and powered by

your schema or prior knowledge.

Technical Specifications for

Ode to a Shoe Manufacturing Tennis Shoes
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Activity 1.3: Technical Check

Let’s test what you have learned so far on the definition, purpose, characteristics and
basic principles of technical writing. Answer the given questions below.

1. What characteristics does technical writing share with other types of writing?

2. Which of these subjects would most likely to be written about in a technical style or
in
an academic style? In the space provided before each word, write T if it can
categorize
under technical style of writing and A if it can be written in an academic style.
a. a sunset -
b. electronic circuits -
c. a computer screen -
d. homelessness
e. graduation -
f. a close friend -
g. a first car -
h. a wedding -
i. flowers -

3. Which of the following statements would you expect to come from a technical writing
document? Which would come from imaginative literature? Use the table below for
your answers. After which, answer this question: How can you tell if the statement
belongs to technical writing or imaginative writing? What are your clues?
a. My memory of her will never fade. She brought music into my life.
b. There are two types of computer random-access memory (RAM): static RAM and
dynamic RAM.

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Activity 1.3: Technical Check

c. Most intriguing is the adaptation of Corvette Z52 calipers to the car.

d. Once upon a time there was a princess who ruled a vast country.
e. The video output stage simply provides the voltage amplification and driving
power for the cathode-ray tube and accepts the vertical and horizontal blanking
signals.
Imaginative Writing Technical Writing
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Activity 1.3: Technical Check

Read each statement and identify the audience you think the writer is targeting. Write
your answers on the space provided below.

a. As instructed by the dentist, oxygenate the patient 5 minutes for every 15 minutes of
nitrous oxide exposure to prevent diffusion hypoxia.
b. Here at the office when nitrous oxide is used, the oxygen administered with it
prevents headaches, grogginess, nausea, and that “hung-over” feeling.
c. Make no bones about it — City Dogs is a gentle, funny movie that your entire family
will enjoy!
d. When booking train reservations in Spain, be aware that INTERCITY is the standard
daytime service, while TALGOS offers more amenities and is more expensive.
e. Come and see Big Bear at Ayden Centre on Saturday morning. Have your picture
taken with him and take home one of the balloon animals he makes for you.
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Activity 1.4: Know the Traits

SET A: Answer the following exercises for the 5 traits of Technical Writing. The first
word is done for you.

Changing Long Words to Changing Long Phrases to One Word

Short Words
Long Phrase One Word
utilize use In the event that if
anticipate At this point in time
cooperate With regard to
indicate In the first place
Is of the opinion that
initially
Due to the fact that
presently Make revisions
prohibit Take into consideration
inconvenience With the exception of
Make an adjustment of

Specificity
Vague Word(s) Specified

I have a low GPA. I have a 3.0 grade.

The b-ball player was really tall.

I’ll be home as soon as possible.

The team has a losing record.

The computer has lots of memory.

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Activity 1.4: Know the Traits

SET B: Change the following sentences into more concise ones.

1. I will be calling you on May 31 to see if you have any questions at that time.

2. If I can be of any assistance to you in the evaluation of this proposal, please feel
free to give me a call.

3. The company is in the process of trying to cut the cost of expenditures relating to
the waste of unused office supplies.

4. I am of the opinion that Acme employees have too much to work to do.

5. In the month of July, my family will make a visit to the state of Arkansas.

6. It is the company’s plan to take action to avoid problems with hazardous waste.

7. On two different occasions, the manager of personnel met with at least several
different employees to ascertain whether or not they were in agreement with the
company’s policies regarding overtime.
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Activity 1.4: Know the Traits

SET C: Read the following pairs of sentences. Place a check next to the sentence that
is more concrete. Then underline the word(s) that provide specific information.

a. Appropriate attire requested.

b. Ladies, please wear the native costume with butterfly sleeves.

a. Bring appropriate credentials.

b. Bring your college diploma, college scholastic records, and curriculum
vitae.

a. Be prepared for a classroom visit of the Supervisor of English sometime

this week.
b. Be ready for a visit from the Division Office.

a. For 1993 the government allows a 15% rental increase.

b. Rental increase is allowed this year.
a. For this conference bring needed papers for the discussions.
b. For the 23rd Council Meeting of IFUW bring the Agenda sent to you July 5,
2020.

SET D: For each of the following abstract terms, list three concrete terms.
Example: government agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of
Health, Department of Agrarian Reform

a. Mass Media c. Historical Document

b. Poems d. Adornment
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Activity 1.5: Create the Right Graphic

Suggest the best graphic to use for presenting the situations below. In addition,
choose two situations which you can construct the actual graphic. Write your answers
on the space provided below.

a. Lamar wrote to his father and listed his latest test scores in Calculus: Chapter
1, 83; Chapter 2, 79; Chapter 3, 92.

b. Gary wrote to his parents to tell them how he spent the P1,250 they gave him
for his first two weeks in college: P850, books and educational supplies; P65
snacks; P210 dorm accessories; P86, entertainment; P39 unspent funds.

c. Sasha is giving a PowerPoint presentation on the growth of fish farms in their

province. Five years ago, there were 120 farms; four years ago, 200 farms;
three years ago, 250 farms; two years ago, 350 farms; and now 560 farms. She
needs an attractive opening slide.

d. In July, Zach is collaborating with three other researchers to write an article for
an academic journal. To be published in the December issue, the article must
be accepted by October 10. To meet this deadline, Zach plans these tasks:
review of literature conducted, draft written, draft sent to editor, draft sent to
reviewers, draft revised, article resubmitted, and article published.
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Activity 1.5: Create the Right Graphic

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 ANALYSIS
Evaluate the given document below and answer the given questions. You can use the space provided
below for your answers.
a. What is the subject?
b. For whom was the document written?
c. How is the document organized?
d. How would you describe the writer’s (or writers’) style?
e. What is the tone of the document?
f. Does the document include any special features (for example, boldfacing, numbering, bulleted lists, visual
aids, headings, or subheadings)?
g. Are there any improvements which you think should be incorporated in the documents? Enumerate and
explain based on the learned concepts on technical writing.
h. Suggest also a better version of one of the documents by creating a draft version of it.

Mitral Valve Prolapse: What You Should Know

What is the mitral valve?
The mitral valve controls the flow of blood between 2 chambers (or “rooms”) of your heart called the left
atrium and the left ventricle. Normally, blood flows in one direction only, from the atrium to the ventricle.
When the heart relaxes in between beats, the 2 flaps of the mitral valve swing open to let blood flow from
the atrium to the ventricle. The flaps normally open only one way

How do I know that I have mitral valve prolapse?

Here are some of the possible symptoms of mitral valve prolapse:

Racing heart rate Skipped heart beats

Chest pain that comes and goes Shortness of breath

Dizziness Anxiety or panic

Your doctor can find mitral valve prolapse during a regular exam. When listening to your heart with a
stethoscope, your doctor may hear a clicking sound. The flap makes the click. If blood is flowing back into
the atrium, your doctor will hear a “whooshing” sound. This sound is called a murmur.
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ANALYSIS
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ACTION

You are working for Gear Up, a public relations company which
deals with generating marketing materials for various personalities,
institutions or companies. Your new project for the company is to create
a well-researched and creative brochure (two-fold or three-fold) for
one of the following generic companies, businesses or institutions. You
may need to do additional research so you know the kinds of writing
that would suit your output. You may also create or choose a specific
company, business or institution and provide the necessary details
needed in order to introduce thoroughly your chosen firm. Ensure that
the learned principles and traits of Technical Writing are incorporated
in your material.
government office hospital
Categories:
recording studio restaurant
media outlet/company university

Rubric for Rating

CRITERIA 0-1 2-3 4-5

CLARITY  Important points are  Some important points are  Important points come first
delayed delayed  Specific, denotative words
 Many vague,  Some vague, connotative used
connotative words words used  Brochure has exceptional
used  Brochure has some organization
 Brochure has limited formatting and information is
formatting and somewhat organized
organization of
information
CONCISENESS  Longer words are  Longer words used when  Words are short and easy to
commonplace shorter words exist understand
 Sentences average over 20  Sentences average 15-20  Sentences average 10-12
words words words
 Paragraphs often exceed  Some paragraphs exceed  Paragraphs do not exceed
six-typed lines six-typed lines six-typed lines
ACCESSIBLE  Highlighting is not used or  Some main points are  Highlighting techniques
DOCUMENT overused highlighted emphasize main points
DESIGN  Information is not accessible  Information is usually  Highlighting techniques not
accessible overused
AUDIENCE  Writer does not define high-  Writer defines some high-  Writer defines all high-tech
RECOGNITION tech terms tech terms terms
 Writer does not consider  Writer somewhat considers  Writer considers audience
audience needs audience needs needs
ACCURACY  Punctuation and spelling is  Punctuation and spelling is  Correct punctuation and
often incorrect usually correct spelling
 Excessive grammar and  Grammar and usage  Correct grammar and usage
usage errors distort the somewhat flawed
message
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Rubric for Rating

CRITERIA 0-1 2-3 4-5

SOURCE  Sources are not documented  Careful and accurate  Careful and accurate
accurately or are not records are kept to records are kept to
integrated on any facts and document the source of document the source of all
graphics some of the facts and of the facts and graphics in
graphics in the brochure the brochure
ATTRACTIVENESS  The brochure has limited or  The brochure has some  The brochure has
no formatting formatting exceptionally attractive
formatting
GRAPHICS/PICTUR  Graphics do not go with the  Graphics go well with the  Graphics go well with the
ES accompanying text or text, but there are too few text and there is a good mix
appear to be randomly and the brochure seems of text and graphics
chosen “text-heavy.”