English IITechnical and Business Writing

Technical Writing Technical writing introduces you to some

of the most important aspects of writing in the world of science, technology, and business the kind of writing that scientist, nurses, doctor computer specialists, government…..(Not typed..)

Technical Writing The term “Technical” to knowledge that

is not wide spread, that is more the territory or experts and specialists.

Whatever your major is, you are developing an expertise and whenever you try to write anything about your field, you are engaged in technical writing.

Technical Writing Technical communication can be written,

oral, and visual. Technical writing is composed in and for the

workplace. Technical writing is a significant factor in

working experience for a variety of reasons. Technical writing serves valuable purposes

in the workplace and often involves teamwork.

Importance of Teamwork Business and industry have expectation

about the result of teamwork. Business management philosophies

depend upon teamwork. Total quantity management (TQM) and

six sigma (continuous improvement) programs encourage efficient teamwork.

Strategies for successful collaboration can improve outcomes.

Purpose of Technical Writing Technical writing is the delivery of

technical information to readers in a manner that is adapted to their needs, level of understanding, and background.

Technical writing is intended to communicate to a specific audience, for a specific purpose.

The Audience The audience element is so important

that it is one of the cornerstones of technical writing.

You are challenged to write about highly technical subjects but in a way that a beginner a non-specialist could understand.

Translating Technical Writing In a world of rapid technological

development, people are constantly falling behind and becoming technological illiterates.

As a technical writer, you mean to write about the area of specialization you know and plan to write about in such a way that even Granddad can understand it.

Goals of Effective technical Writing Clarity Conciseness Accuracy Organization Ethics

1.ClarityMethods for developing ideas precisely An expressive essay can clarify the

writer’s intent through emotional, impressionistic connotative words(soon, many, several etc.)

An impressionistic word such as “near” will mean different things to different people which is an essay where the goal may be to convey a feeling.

The ultimate goal of effective technical writing is to say same thing to every reader

Specify:- Provide specific detail. Avoid vague words (some, recently). Avoid obscure words. Use easily understood words. Write to express, not to impress. Write to communicate, not a confuse. Use the active versus the passive voice. Write way you speak e.g.Aforementioned => already discussedIn lean of => Instead

2.Conciseness Limit paragraph word, and sentence length. A paragraph in a memo, letter or short

consist of No more than four to six typed lines

OR No more than fifty words.

Fog Index(sixth to eighth grade level) Strive for an average of 15 words per

sentence. No more than 5 multisyllabic words per

100 words.

3.AccuracyAccuracyThe importance of correct

grammar and mechanical errors.

4.Organization Method of organizing:-

Spatial a definition. General to specific => Comparison Chorological => Mechanism Description => situations-problem-

solution. Process description Classification

Ethics methods encouraging moral standards in technical writing.

PracticalLegalMoral

The writing process is effective and easyPre-writingWritingRe-writing