Lesson

2Technical Writing in the

Workplace

The advancements and progress in the world today have created the need for technical
writers. The skill in writing technical reports is an important asset not only for students but also
for professionals. This lesson will discuss the end products and the importance of technical
writing in the workplace.

Learning Goals
At the end of the module, students are expected to:
a. identify the end products of technical writing; and
b. explain carefully the importance of technical writing in the workplace.

Unlocking of Difficulty
Before we start the lesson, take note of the meanings of the following words: • end
product – the concrete “package” that technical writers deliver to their readers •
workplace – a location where someone works; a place of employment

Activate Your Knowledge

 Look for the end products
of technical writing in the
Word Search Puzzle.
CLUE: You must find seven
words

1
Learn About It

End Products of Technical Writing

You have read earlier that end products are the concrete “packages” that technical writers
deliver to their readers. Simply put, end products are the outputs of technical writing. Here
are some of the end products of technical writing:

Abstract

An abstract is a summarized form of a long piece of writing such as a research article or

thesis.

The abstract below shows the summary of the award-winning research, by Eugene Rivera,
Joscel Kent Manzanero, and Keith Russel Cadores of Camarines Sur National High School.
Three minor planets were named after these three Filipino learners who won major prize in
the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF).

Design and Development of Solar-Tracking Arduino-Rooted PV Panels

The leading sources of energy globally are oil, coal, and natural gas - fossil fuels that
 can be depleted, and whose access and use greatly impact the environment. Hence,
much study has been made of renewable energy sources and use, including harnessing
solar power through a photovoltaic cell. The study aimed to improve the power harvesting
and generating capacity of photovoltaic cells by designing and building a solar device that
mimics a flower opening when the sun is out, tracks the sun’s movement, closes when the
light source is no longer detected and responds to humidity and temperature to maximize
power generation. Six (6) photovoltaic panels are mounted on a base operated by servo
motors and controlled by Arduino module. Electronics, servo motors, Arduino, and
humidity sensors were acquired commercially. Other material included those repurposed
from a broken umbrella and electric fan, and scrap acrylic sheets. The device's
performance was compared to that of a fixed-mounted photovoltaic panel at different
angles. The fixed setup generated 4.71W while the petal panels produced 6.95W, a
47.72% increase. Taxing the power consumption of the device to the power it generates
gives an average of 6.09W. This translates to a 29.29% improvement from the 4.71W
generated by the fixed panel setup. T-Test for Dependent Means was used and showed
that there is a significant difference between the power generations of the two setups (p=
0.000261, α= 0.05). This robotic design amplifies capacity to harness solar power through
a photovoltaic cell.

https://tinyurl.com/abstract-research

Brochure

A brochure a pamphlet or booklet containing summarized or introductory information

about a product, service, or idea purposely written to attract attention and action of the
customers.

The brochure on the next page discusses Mental Health First Aid. It provides facts and
convinces readers to take action.

https://tinyurl.com/brochure-sample

Business Letter

A business letter is a written communication or message used primarily to transact

business.

September 2, 2020

Mr. John Smith

Manager
JS Appliance Center
Elias Angeles St., Naga City

Dear Sir:

Last July 31, 2020, I bought a 32-inch flat screen television from your store.
However, after using it for one day, it became soundless.
With this, I would like to request for the replacement of the defective unit since it is
still covered by the warranty agreement.
Enclosed are copies of the receipt and warranty papers for the purchase of the
television.
Very truly yours,
cardodalisay

Cardo Dalisay

3
Memorandum

A memorandum or memo is a form of written communication circulated within the company

and its branches. It used to disseminate a message or information.

MEMO

DATE: September 2, 2020

TO : All architects of Big Brains Builders Corporation
FROM: Architect Lyann Austria
SUBJECT: Expansion of the ROFL Project

You are enjoined to attend a conference on Friday, September 4, 2020, at 2:00

to 5:00 p.m. The president of Big Brother Steel Works, Engr. Slater Young will
be with us to discuss the proposed expansion of the ROFL Project.

L. Austria
 President, Big Brains
Builders Corporation

Instructional Manual

An instructional manual
is a technical document
that briefly describes the
product and its
purposes. It illustrates
extensively the steps to
follow in using the
product and the
possibilities for
troubleshooting.

https://tinyurl.com/InstructionalManual

4
Specification

A specification is a graphical, tabular, or textual document that contains information about

performance status, materials for project construction, concepts and theories of practice and
operations, calculations and estimates, and other necessary data in undergoing a project.
https://tinyurl.com/endproduct-specification

Graphic Aids

Graphic Aids refer to the pictures, graphs, diagrams, and other materials used in illustrating
important details in a report.

https://tinyurl.com/GraphicAids

5
Other End Products of Technical Writing

• Articles of a Technical Paper

These articles are usually written and published on journals of scientific and technical
nature.
• Contract
A contract is a formal agreement between two or more persons, organizations, or
parties to do something mutually agreed upon.
• Feasibility Report
A feasibility report is a document which presents facts and information that clarify the
financial, economic, technical and beneficial aspects of a plan.
• Laboratory Report
A laboratory report describes the scope of a project, the equipment utilized, the
 procedure used, the results of the tests and a conclusion and recommendation. • Policy
A policy is a written agreement with a company that contains a plan of action adopted
or preserved by both parties.
• Progress Report
A progress report is a document written in narrative format to present the history of a
project over a given period of time.
• Proposal
A proposal is a formal statement of a plan or idea that may be used to solve a
problem, suggest a new project, or revise a policy.
• Survey Report
A survey report contains the opinions or voice of a population necessary in the
formulation of a conclusion.

Importance of Technical Writing in the Workplace

Technical writing is present in every workplace. It is used in the instructions on operating a

new office equipment, in transacting with clients, in proposing new projects and policies,
and in any other documents used in the workplace.

You will find the value or importance of technical writing in the following aspects:

✓ Completion of Task
Technical writing ensures a thorough, careful, and systematic planning and
performance of work.

✓ Facility of Work
Technical writing is an act of communicating what is happening in the workplace. It
also helps the people get a clear and specific understanding of the nature of their
assigned task.

✓ Improvement of interpersonal relationships

The ultimate objective of technical writing is to initiate a meeting of minds between two
or more people involved in a certain project.

✓ Increase of income
Well-written letters, proposals, brochures, and reports are necessary in getting the
approval of clients or buyers.

6
✓ Means of job promotion
The vehicle to any job promotion is the ability to produce written works reflecting your
communicative competence and professional preparations.

✓ Improvement of personality traits

Technical writing does not only develop your mental abilities, but it also enhances your
emotional stability, interpersonal relationships, and ethical standards.

✓ Security of records
Technical writing serves as a record or documentation of transactions, deals, and
agreements made in the company.
Practice Tasks
Task 1.Answer the crossword puzzle below.

Task 2. Identify the end product of technical writing that can be used in each situation.
1. Veronica wants to advertise and give customers information about her new line of cosmetic
products.

2. Archie, the CEO of Riverdale company, would like to inform all the employees in his
company regarding their annual summer outing.

7
3. Betty bought a new electric hand mixer that she will use for baking, but she does not know
how to use it.

4. Jughead , the engineer of a construction company, needs to inform the mayor regarding the
development of the road repair they started last April 2019.

5. Cheryl found an article about DNA structure. Since the article is very long, she is looking for
its summary.

Task 3. Performance Task: Interview ONE professional ( engineer, nurse, teacher, doctor,
architect, businessman, police, scientist, etc.) about the importance of technical writing in
their job/workplace. (20 pts)
• You can interview one of your parents, relative, neighbor, friend of your parent,etc. • You
can conduct the interview through the phone or any online platform if face-to-face
communication is not possible.
• Attach a proof of the interview (picture of you and the interviewee or a screenshot of your
conversation/videocall on Facebook or other online platforms, etc)
• Use the following guide questions:
 1.What is your name and job?
2. How do you use technical writing in your job?
3. What end products of technical writing do you use in your job?
4. What do you think is the importance of technical writing in the workplace?
After the interview, write a paragraph with at least 10 sentences about the interview you have
conducted and the learnings you have gained.
RUBRIC FOR SCORING
1 2 3-4 5

ORGANIZATION Sequence of Reader has Student Student

information is difficulty in presents presents
difficult to follow. following the information in a information in a
work because logical logical and
of leaps and sequence interesting
omissions. which reader sequence
can follow. which reader
can follow.

CONTENT Student does Student includes Student Student

not include limited includes the demonstrates
much information from necessary full knowledge
information from the interview. information but and
the interview. Some of the does not interest in the
Most of the ideas ideas presented elaborate them interview.
presented are are much.
unclear. confusing.

GRAMMAR The paragraph The paragraph The paragraph The paragraph

AND has five or more has 3 to 4 has 1 to 2 has no
SPELLING grammatical/spelli grammatical/ grammatical/ grammatical/
ng errors. spelling errors. spelling errors. spelling error.

NEATNESS The output has a The output has The output has The output is
lot of erasures, several minimal neatly done,
and the erasures, and erasures, but and
handwriting is the the handwriting is
illegible. handwriting is handwriting is legible.
unclear. legible.

8
NAGA CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
Balatas, Naga City
ANSWER SHEET – TECHNICAL WRITING 8
Quarter 1 – Module 2: Technical Writing in the Workplace
Teacher: Floris Wayvell Tubale

NAME __________________________________GRADE 8 _______________SCORE

________ PRACTICE TASKS
Task 1
1. 6.
 2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.

5. 10.

Task 2
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Task 3
NAME OF INTERVIEWEE: _________________________
PROFESSION//JOB:_____________ DATE AND TIME OF INTERVIEW:
___________________

______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
PARENT’S SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED NAME

NOTE: Please detach this answer sheet and return on Tuesday . Thanks!
9