LESSON 1:
Definition of Technical Writing
1. It is a written communication about a
scientific or technical subject to a specific
group of readers
2. It is also called scientific writing, because it
deals with a topic in any sciences.
(Biological, Behavioral, Physical, Political
Sciences and etc.)
3. It also deals with technical topics such as
instructional manuals.
4. It must be written clear that without
technical terms, it must be exact.
Characteristics of a Good Technical Writing
1. Writing Scientific and Technical Subjects
2. Characterized by certain formal elements,
such as scientific and technical vocabulary
used in graphic aids and conventional
reports
3. Characterized by impartiality and objectivity
by absence of emotion
4. High concentration on description of
mechanisms, process, definition and
classification and interpretation of
information
Basic Types of Writing
(Technical Writing & Creative Writing)
LESSON 2:
Style in Technical Writing
Definition of Style in Technical Writing
Style is a quality determined by the relative
smoothness or awkwardness with which sentences
are put together.
It is best to develop a “good” style characterized by
clarity.
Qualities of Clarity
1.Precision– refers to the accuracy or exactness of
the meaning of words. Vague words contribute to
confusion and misunderstanding .
● Dictionaries and Books on usage can help.
● Avoid misusing or confusing words
Examples: transpire- occur
replace- reinstall
theory/idea, view, opinion
oral/verbal
● Leave out unnecessary words/ redundant
expressions.
Redundant expressions are phrases
made up of two or more words that repeat
the same idea.
● Use simple, familiar, concrete words
● Avoid jargon except for specialized
meanings intended for particular contexts
and specified fields.
Jargons is understandable only to those
people in the same special group or
profession
● Avoid antiquated expressions which are
exceedingly flowery
2. Sentence Structure and Length
A good technical paper requires natural
word order, simple sentence structure and fairly
short sentences
3. Use of Numbers and Figures Cont.
Rule 1. Spell out all numbers beginning a sentence.
Examples: Twenty-three hundred sixty-one victims
were hospitalized. Twenty twenty was quite a year.
Rule 2a. Hyphenate all compound numbers from
twenty-one through ninety-nine.
Examples: Forty-three people were injured in the
train wreck. Twenty-seven of them were
hospitalized.
Rule 2b. Hyphenate all written-out fractions.
Examples: We recovered about two-thirds of the
stolen cash. One-half is slightly less than
five-eighths.
Rule 3a. With figures of four or more digits, use
commas. Count three spaces to the left to place the
first comma. Continue placing commas after every
three digits. Important: Do not include decimal
points when doing the counting.
Examples: 1,054 people
$2,417,592.21
Rule 3b. It is not necessary to use a decimal point
or a dollar sign when writing out sums of less than a
dollar.
Not Advised: He had only $0.60.
Better: He had only sixty cents.OR He had only 60
cents.
Rule 3c. Do not add the word "dollars" to figures
preceded by a dollar sign.
Incorrect: I have $1,250 dollars in my checking
account.
Correct: I have $1,250 in my checking account
Rule 4a. For clarity, use noon and midnight rather
than 12:00 PM and 12:00 AM.
Note: AM and PM are also written A.M. and P.M.,
a.m. and p.m., and am and pm. Some put a space
between the time and AM or PM.
-Others write times using no space before AM or
PM.
Rule 4b. Using numerals for the time of day has
become widely accepted.

Rule 5. Mixed fractions are often expressed in
figures unless they begin a sentence.
Examples: We expect a 5 1/2 percent wage
increase. Five and one-half percent was the
expected wage increase.
Rule 6. The simplest way to express large numbers
is usually best.
Example: twenty-three hundred (simpler than two
thousand three hundred)
-Large round numbers are often spelled out, but be
consistent within a sentence.
Consistent: You can earn from one million to five
million dollars.
Inconsistent: You can earn from one million dollars
to 5 million dollars.
Rule 7. Write decimals using figures. As a courtesy
to readers, many writers put a zero in front of the
decimal point.
Example: A meter is about 1.1 yards.
-As a courtesy to readers, many writers put a zero
in front of the decimal point with numbers less than
one.
Examples: The plant grew 0.79 inches last year.
The plant grew only 0.07 inches this year.
Rule 8a. When writing out a number of three or
more digits, the word and is not necessary.
However, use the word and to express any decimal
points that may accompany these numbers.
Rule 8b. When writing out numbers above 999, do
not use commas.
Incorrect: one thousand, one hundred fifty-four
dollars, and sixty-one cents
Correct: one thousand one hundred fifty-four dollars
and sixty-one cents
Rule 9. When it's important to ensure a number is
not misinterpreted, some writers will indicate the
number in both numerals and written out. The
number in parentheses comes second.
Incorrect: Add (73) seventy-three grams of sodium
chloride to the beaker.
Correct: Add 73 (seventy-three) grams of sodium
chloride to the beaker.
Rule 10. The following examples are typical when
using figures to express dates.
Examples: the 30th of June, 1934
June 30, 1934 (no -th necessary)
Rule 11a. When spelling out decades, do not
capitalize them.
Example: During the eighties and nineties, the U.S.
economy grew.
Rule 11b. When expressing decades using figures,
it is simpler to put an apostrophe before the
incomplete numeral and no apostrophe between
the number and the s.
Preferred: During the '80s and '90s, the U.S.
economy grew.
Awkward: During the 80s and 90s, the U.S.
economy grew.
-Though not as common, some writers place an
apostrophe after the number:
Example: During the 80's and 90's, the U.S.
economy grew.
Awkward: During the '80's and '90's, the U.S.
economy grew.
Rule 11c. You may also express decades in
complete numerals. Again, it is cleaner to avoid an
apostrophe between the year and the s.
Example: During the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S.
economy grew.
Rule 12. Single-digit numbers are usually spelled
out, but when they aren't, you are just as likely to
see 2s and 3s as 2's and 3's. With double digits and
above, many (but not everyone) regard the
apostrophe as superfluous: I scored in the high 90s.
4. Point of View– Despite objectivity, there is still
sense of subjectivity however, objectivity may be
denoted through the use of the third person and
avoidance of the first and second person
Most Common Technical Writing Outputs
1. Business Letter– primarily to transact business
2. Feasibility Report– reports financial, economical
and technical benefits of a proposed business
project
3. Abstract– a summary of conducted study
4. Specifications– give detailed descriptions or
assessment of requirements
5.Psychological Assessment Reports–
Psychological Assessment and Report Writing,
Second Edition covers five key topics central to
psychological assessment: understanding the
context of a referral; determining what data is
needed to answer referral questions; gathering the
data; integrating the data; and communicating the
findings.
LESSON 3:
Ethical Considerations in technical writing
Relevant laws
1. Copyright law– covers the protection of the
rights of the author
2. Trademark law :
PHILIPPINE LAWS ON INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
R.A. 8293
An Act prescribing the Intellectual Property Code
and establishing the Intellectual Property Office,
providing for its powers and functions, and for other
purposes
R.A. 165
An Act creating a patent office, prescribing its
powers and duties, regulating the issuance of
patents, and appropriating funds therefore
R.A. 166
An Act to provide for the registration and protection LESSON 4:
of trade-marks, trade-names, and service marks, Business Letters
defining unfair competition and false marking and
providing remedies against the same, and for other
purposes

3. Liability law – pertains to responsibilities or

obligations of writers especially claims they made
on their paper

4. Contract Law– an agreement between two

entities. It can be written or oral. There are usually
two kinds: express warranty and implied warranty.

Ethical issues in technical report

1. Suppressing Relevant Information, example
revealing only the good findings and hide the side
effects of the vaccines
2. Limited Source of Information Research, Types of Business Letters
Thorough research requires a writer to integrate 1. Application Letter
information from a variety of reliable sources. These 2. Complaint Letter
sources should demonstrate that the writer has 3. Request Letter
examined the topic from as many angles as 4. Order Letter
possible. 5. Sales Letter
3. Presenting Visual Information Ethically, When
writers present information visually, however, they
have to be careful not to misrepresent or misreport
the complete picture.

Plagiarism and reliable sources

Credibility can be established through many means:
1. using appropriate professional language
2. citing highly respected sources
3. providing reliable evidence, and using sound
logic