Technical Writing:

An Overview
Ms. Alicia B. Llanillo
Technical Writer works in
Technical Writing AKA
Business Writing
Workplace Writing
Professional Writing
Informational Writing
What is Technical Writing
Itis the type of everyday writing that surrounds us
from the time we wake until we climb in bed at
night.
Directions on the toothpaste tube
Nutrition benefits on the cereal box
Business letters and catalogs that come in the mail
Written instructions for assembling a new product
Tax receipts and notices
Product safety information
Technical Writing is an
Technical writing refers to any writing that
deals with a specialized area usually in
science or industry. Because technical
writing usually deals with an object, a
process, or an abstract idea, the language is
utilitarian, stressing accuracy rather than
style. The tone is objective: the technical
content, not the author's voice, is the focal
point. The purpose is to accurately transmit
technical information.
Technical Writing is an
Informative writing that
involves
technical
scientific
engineering
Convey complex
information to a specific
audience.
If audience cannot
understand or use
information presented,
writer has failed
Good Technical writing is
Accurate
Clear
Concise
Accurate
Avoid writing phrase like
Increasing the temperature caused a large
change in the reaction rate.
Instead, write
Increasing the temperature by 10C doubled
the reaction rate.
Clear
Ifa report does not contain clear
information, the reader cannot
understand, believe, or care
Three questions
Do I understand?
Do I believe?
Do I care?
Concise

end result result

future plans plans
Distinguishing Factors
between Technical Writing
and Academic Writing
 Academic Writing Technical Writing
has a receiver, but may have always have a reader.
a reader or may not have a the primary reader
reader. the person who ordered the
report
Purpose Purpose
Entertain Inform
Persuade Persuade
Inform Research
No Definite purpose Definite Purpose
Poem Supervisor: Order a report
Story Employee: Write a report
Definite purpose Needed
Article Read for Information
Book
Assignment
 Academic Writing Technical Writing
Format
Paragraphs Major Headings
Topic Sentences Sub Headers
Pictures Markers
Bullets
Underlings
Bold type
White Space.
Illustrations
Graphs
Tables
Pictures
Drawings
v Academic Writing Technical Writing
Language
Words Words
Elaborate Active vocabulary
Transitions Plain
Subjective Easily understood
Cogitative Objective
Multiple meaning Non-sexist
Sentence Structure Avoid pronouns
Complex Sentence Structure
Embellishment Uncomplicated
Excessive words Repetition
Synonyms Active voice
Passive voice
 Academic Writing Technical Writing
Descriptive Writing Job Description, Incident Report,
Rsum, Process Explanation
Narrative Writing Observation Report, Progress Report

Analysis Performance Evaluation, Feasibility

Report
Cause and Effect Analytical Report, Product Field Test
Report
Compare-Contrast Product Comparison, Feasibility Report

Persuasive Writing Proposal, Action Plan

Technical Report Writing
Writing Technical Reports
A technical report is used to convey
important findings or test results to a
controlled audience.
Technical reports seldom undergo peer
review
Distributionof Technical report is done at
the discretion of the author or employee
Writing Technical Reports
Thetypical technical report is between two
and twenty pages long in content and form.
Technical
documents require considerable
thought and preparation
Mosttechnical reports contain the fallowing
elements: Introduction (or Background),
Experimental setup (if applicable), theory,
Data, Analysis, and Conclusion
 Organizational Communication
and the Importance of Technical
Report Writing.
Organizational Communication
thesending and receiving of messages
among interrelated individuals within
a particular environment or setting to
achieve individual and common goals.
Organizational Communication
Organizational communication is highly
contextual and culturally dependent.
Individuals in organizations transmit
messages through face-to face,
written, and mediated channels.
Technical Report Writing helps us:
1) accomplish tasks relating to specific
roles and responsibilities of sales,
services, and production;
Technical Report Writing helps us:
2) acclimate to changes through
individual and organizational creativity
and adaptation;
Technical Report Writing helps us:
3) complete tasks through the
maintenance of policy, procedures, or
regulations that support daily and
continuous operations;
Technical Report Writing helps us:
4) develop relationships where human
messages are directed at people
within the organization-their
attitudes, morale, satisfaction, and
fulfillment (Goldhaber 20);
Technical Report Writing helps us:
5) coordinate, plan, and control the
operations of the organization through
management (Katz & Kahn; Redding;
Thayer).
 Afterwards, we
Your Turn are going to
Create a Mini Report of your choice by check your
following the basic format given. report
Introduction (or Background) according to
Experimental setup (if applicable), the guidelines
Theory, Data that are going
Analysis, to present
later on.
Conclusion