Technical Writing sometimes called ________, is writing for a specific purpose and with a specific goal. Usually its goal is to inform/instruct, persuade/argue.
Business Writing
Technical writing can really be considered ________ because there are two people or groups involved in the communication. One party has a clear goal to inform or persuade the other party.
Transactional writing
It is an audience-centered means of communication that provides a reader with clear and easy access to information.
Technical Writing
Why is it important to have Technical Writing skills?
- getting a job –
- preparing a resume or curriculum vitae,
- cover letter,
- application, and portfolio; - doing your job –
- preparing memos,
- letters,
- reports,
- instructions,
- case reports,
- reviews, assignments, descriptions, etc.; and - keeping your job –
- communicating with management, co-workers, peers, patients/students/public.
shows a hierarchical structure and a coordinate structure of information leads the reader through text.
Format
is significant in providing the reader with a thorough understanding of the purpose of the documents, how the document relates to the reader’s needs, and what action is expected of the reader.
Language
Principles to Guide Technical Writing
- Remember your purpose (to inform or persuade),
- Remember your audience (their concerns, background, attitude toward your purpose),
- Make your content specific to its purpose and audience,
- Write clearly and precisely (active voice, appropriate language to audience),
Main purpose of technical writing
to provide complex information to readers in a way that they can understand and apply, even if they don’t have prior knowledge of the topic.
explains how a particular object works or how to complete a task or project.
Technical Writing
Purpose of Technical Writing
To inform,
to instruct,
to refer and
to persuade.
Properties of Technical Writing
- Accuracy
- Clarity
- Descriptiveness
- Correctness
One of the essential characteristics of technical writing is maintaining _____. Technical writing requires that the information you provide is based on ______ and quality content.
accuracy
Try cutting down on the use of jargons because again, this is going to confuse the customers. Keep your language and expression simple and meaningful.
Clarity
make sure you cover every aspect of its functioning. Be as ______ in distinguishing the technical product as you can.
Descriptiveness
Technical writing requires that you use correct grammar and sentence structure.
Correctness
has a specific audience and is purposeful, usually intended to solve a problem for that audience. One area that really sets _______ apart is that it is quite often collaborative
Technical communication
The excellence of technical writing is judged by
- clarity,
- accuracy,
- comprehensiveness,
- accessibility,
- conciseness,
- professional appearance, and
- correctness.
Seven principles to guide technical writing
- remember your purpose (to inform or persuade),
- remember your audience (their concerns, background, attitude toward your purpose),
- make your content specific to its purpose and audience,
- write clearly and
- precisely (active voice, appropriate language to audience),
- make good use of visuals (good page design and graphics), and
- be ethical (truthful, full disclosure, no plagiarizing).
Uses of Technical Writing
to create brochures, newsletters, instruction manuals on how to use a specific electronic/chemical product, product descriptions and various marketing and promotional materials Hence it broadly falls into the category and advertising and marketing copywriting.
Technical writing can be broadly divided into the following kinds:
- Legal
- Medical
- Scientific
- Mechanical
- Business
- Expository
Academic Writing versus Technical Writing
academic writing
- write an assignment, a story, a letter, etc..
- may or may not have a reader.
- can be fiction, nonfiction, or a combination of both, and can serve any purpose.
technical writing
- has a definite purpose
- will always have a reader.
- is always nonfiction, with the purpose of educating or instructing
