Fundamentals of Technical Writing g.

Technical Writing courses are worthwhile

because they have a high carry-over value
Definition and Nature
beyond the college days.
▸ Technical Writing or Report Writing is
Properties of Technical Writing
giving an account or description of an aspect
of a particular art, science, trade, or Vicente, et al. (1997) emphasized that,
profession, learned by experience, study, “Reading a piece of technical writing leads
observation, or investigation (Vicente, et al., one to discover its distinctive characteristics
1997). which differentiate it from other types of
writing.” One distinguishing mark of
▸ Technical Writing is a communication in
technical writing is aptly stated by Rufus
any field which aims to convey a particular
Turner: “Truth is the soul of science.” Good
piece of information for a particular purpose
technical writing never misleads or
to a particular reader or a group of readers. It
misrepresents.
is objective, clear and accurate, concise and
unemotional in its presentation of facts.! Purposes of Technical Writing
▸ It is also an exposition about scientific a. It gives information that leads to the
subjects and various technical subjects accomplishment of specific tasks and in
associated with sciences; hence, it uses the making of needed decisions.
scientific and technical vocabulary; tables, b. Technical Writing persuades and
graphs, and figures to clarify and support influences decisions.
textual discussion; and, conventional report c. Technical Writing analyzes events and
forms (Alcantara & Espina, 2010). their implications like the failure of
certain educational, socio-economic, or
Characteristics of Technical Writing
political systems; or needed social
a. Technical Writing treats of subject matter changes, like how to save the dying
related to science and technology and, lately bodies of water in the country,
has involved other disciplines such as particularly the Pasig River, Laguna
economics, medicine, psychology, Lake, and the Lingayen Gulf.
agriculture, radiology, business
Comparisons between Technical Writing and other
administration, and others.
Forms of Writing.
b. Technical Writing is characterized by
Literary Writing includes poetry, short stories,
certain elements such as its scientific and
plays, and novels.
technical vocabulary, its use of graphic or
visual aids, and its use of conventional ▹ Authors might draw on experience to
report forms. create their text.
c. Technical Writing observes impartiality ▹ It employs figurative word usage,
and objectivity, shows extreme care to imaginative imagery, dialect, symbolism,
convey information accurately and and fictitious characters to present a
concisely, and avoids any attempt to arouse message.
emotion.
Comparisons between Technical Writing and other
d. Technical Writing uses certain complex Forms of Writing
writing techniques such as definition,
b. Expressive Writing records a subjective,
classification, description of mechanisms,
emotional response to a personal experience.
description of processes, exemplification,
causal analysis, and others. ▹ Journal and diary entries are expressive.
▹ Its goal is to express one’s feelings
e. Technical Writing has practicality and
through description and narration.
power.
Comparisons between Technical Writing and other
f. Technical Writing used to involve only
Forms of Writing
engineers and architects as its primary
audience. Today, however, technical writing c. Expository Writing analyzes a topic
begins to attract students from many objectively.
disciplines. ▹ Its goal is to explain, and thereby
reveal your knowledge of a subject.
 alliance, commerce, or other
international agreement.
Comparisons between Technical Writing and other
j. Article (books and technical journals)
Forms of Writing
▹ This may refer to an abstract,
d. Persuasive Writing combines the summary, introduction, and
emotionalism of expressive writing with discussion submitted and published
the analytical traits of expository in books or journals.
writing. k. Contract
▹ The goal is to sway your ▹ It is an agreement between two
audience’s emotional attitude toward parties enforceable by law in doing
a topic. or not doing something.
l. Policy
Outputs/End Products of Technical Writing
▹ It contains a definite course of
a. Business Letter action adopted and pursued by the
▹ It is written primarily to!transact government, company management,
business. or any organization.
b. Feasibility Report m. Progress Report
▹ This reports the financial, ▹ It pertains to an account of work
economical, and technical on what has been accomplished
benefits/practicability of a proposed during a specified period of time,
business project. including future expectations in the
c. Abstract next period.
▹ It is a summary of a!conducted n. Technical Paper
study. ▹ It is a research paper describing a
d. Specification new concept or development
▹ It gives detailed description, intended for a professional journal or
assessment, or calculations of magazine.
requirements, dimensions, materials, o. Laboratory Report
etc., as of a proposed building, ▹ This is a record of laboratory tests
machine, bridge, etc. with corresponding procedures done.
e. Brochure It contains descriptions of the scope,
▹ It is a pamphlet or booklet equipment, procedures, results, and
containing summarized, introductory possibly conclusions and
advertising, or information about a recommendations.
product, service, or idea purposely p. Survey Report
written to attract attention and action ▹ It is an initial report on any subject
of the customers. or product service using subjects like
f. Memorandum potential market, labor policies,
▹ It is usually a short interoffice public opinion, and community
communication about company resources.
matters, e.g. on something to be done q. Re"sume"
or acted upon in the future. ▹ It is a document created and used
g. Instruction Manual by a person to present their
▹ It refers to a manual usually background, skills, and
accompanying a technical device or accomplishments. Re"sume"s can be
appliance which gives directions for used for a variety of reasons, but
use. It may also refer to a set of most often they are used to secure
directions for work procedures or new employment.
policies. Outlining
h. Proposal
▹ It is a plan proposed to elicit action Menoy (2009) identifies outlining as the
for a change of performance which fourth in the pre-writing process. It implies
may help solve a problem. organization of ideas. In outlining, the writer
i. Treaty lists down all ideas relevant to the topic,
▹ It refers to a formal written sorts them all into major and minor ones,
document of agreement between two and creates an outline out of them.
or more parties aiming for peace, Furthermore, Menoy emphasizes that a good
 writer uses an outline which serves as ▸ Business Communication is also one of
skeletal framework for his composition. the essential products of technical writing.
Materials are well organized when an They are called business letters because they
outline is made prior to collecting are used for business purposes and they are
information or writing the draft. Indeed, an aimed to serve three purposes: to sell, to
outline helps the writer present his ideas in buy, and to promote good business
an orderly fashion. Alphanumeric (number- relationship (Menoy, 2007).
letter) System!
Elements of a Business Letter
▹ It makes use of Roman and Hindu-
▸ Unlike a social or a friendly letter (whose
Arabic numbers as well as uppercase
parts are limited to heading, salutation, body
and lowercase letters.
of the letter, complimentary close, and
Example: Use of Graphic Aids. signature) a business letter is composed of
Menoy (2009) emphasizes that in the basic and the miscellaneous elements.
doing oral and written reports,
Basic Parts of a Business Letter
graphic aids and other visual aids are
important. They not only help the a. Heading
listeners or readers understand the ▹ It consists of the sender’s address
materials, but also make them retain and the dateline (month, day, and
these materials. Reporters must year).
remember this principle: “What is b. Inside Address
seen is better remembered than what ▹ It consists of the name of the
is heard.” addressee, his designation, his
company, and its business address.
Classification of Graphic Aids
c. Salutation
a. Pie (Circle/Sector) Graph ▹ It serves as the welcome part of
▹ To present proportions!and the letter.
percentages. d. Body of the Letter
b. Column (Bar) Graph ▹ It gives the details of the
▹ To compare quantities. communication and consists of the
c. Line Graph introduction (purpose), the body
▹ To show progress or development. (discussion), and the conclusion
d. Surface Graph (token of appreciation/building of
▹ To present proportions!and goodwill).
quantities. e. Complimentary Close
e. Map Chart ▹ It serves as the farewell part of the
▹ To show geographical data and letter.
how things are put together. f. Signature
f. Organizational Chart ▹ It consists of the name of the
▹ To present the lines of signatory (sender) and his
responsibility and accountability in designation.
an organization.
Parts of a Business Letter
g. Table
▹ To present a large body of a. Reference Line
numerical and other data. ▹ It indicates the sequential number
h. Schematic Diagram of the letter which is used for
▹ To show how a thing works or is reference/filing purposes.
organized. b. Attention Line
i. Flow Chart ▹ It bears the name of the!addressee
▹ To show chronology of events in a intended to read the letter if such name
narrative or stages in a process. does not appear on the inside address.!
j. Tree Chart/Diagram 75!Miscellaneous Parts of a Business
▹ To present a classification or an Letter! 76!Miscellaneous Parts of a
analysis. Business Letter! c. Subject Line!▹ It
contains the topic of the!letter or the title
Business Communication
of the message elaborated in the body of
the letter.! 77!Miscellaneous Parts of a
Business Letter! 78!Miscellaneous
Parts of a Business Letter! d.
Identification Notation o