To: Nancy Myers

From: Stephen Shaw

Date: January 10, 2022

Subject: APLED 121-Chapter 4 Summary

CHAPTER 4
OBJECTIVES IN TECHINCAL COMMUNICATION
Achieving Clarity in Technical Communication

 Provide Specific Detail-Instead of using vague language, quantify it. An example would be to say
1 hour ago instead of recently.
 Answer the Reporter’s Questions-Answering who, what, when, where, why and how.
 Use Easily Understandable Words-Avoid using unnecessary words such as showing instead of
disclosing.

Simplifying Words, Sentences, and Paragraphs for Conciseness

 Conciseness Saves Time-Keep it short, people don’t have time to read a long document.
 Technology Demands Conciseness-The size of your device may determine the length.
 Conciseness Improves Readability-Not everyone can read what others may.
 Limit Word Length for Conciseness-Avoid using long words that complicate sentences.
 Limit Sentence Length-Using an active voice instead of passive is a good example of this.
 Limit Paragraph Length-Long paragraphs cause the reader to have to read way more words.

Achieving Accuracy in Technical Communications

 Proofreading Tips-
o Let someone else read it
o Let it sit
o Print it
o Use Technology
o Read it all out loud

Organizing Technical Communication

 Analyze
 Spatial Organization
 Importance
 Problem and Solution
 Compare and Contrast
 Cause and Effect
 Chronological order
The Writing Process at Work

 Prewriting-Coming up with the ideas

 Writing-Writing your paper
 Rewriting-Editing and revising.