Technical Style

What is a style? Style refers to the way something is said rather than what is said. Style is the distinctive mode or manner of expressing ideas in language What is the distinctive mode or manner of expression? This distinctive mode may refer to the process of choosing appropriate : Words and phrases Sentence structure Sentence type

 Rhetorical devices (description, narration, explanation. Comparison and contrast) Effective logical structure and organization. Style in communication depends on various factors: The audience :the same message when addressed to a superior is expressed more diplomatically and tactfully, but when addressed to subordinates it is more direct and forceful.

 The communicative context: conveying context: routine information and making requests, communicating good or bad news. The purpose : the way one conveys good news is not the same as conveying bad news. The style in technical communication may refer to the way a person puts words together into sentences, arranges sentences into paragraphs, and organizes paragraphs to frame a piece of writing or an appropriate oral discourse to convey technical information clearly and accurately.

 For a sound to be produced and heard, a source of vibratory energy, a material medium, and a receiver are required. Some of the energy from a vibrating source is transmitted as a longitudinal wave through the medium to the ear. Sound waves will not travel through a vacuum. The ear is sensitive to the small pressure variations caused by the sound wave and is able to convert these small pressure changes into electrical impulses. These are transmitted by auditory nerves to the brain, where they produce the sensation of sound.

No personal pronouns Scientific words are used Language is simple, direct. Factual and precise Rhetorical technique of description with linear logical organization is used.

 ABC OF TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION A Stands for Accuracy: it means accuracy of Accuracy: information as well as accuracy of expression. If a expression. person has to write a technical report or give an oral presentation he/she should repeatedly check all the facts that need to be included in the report/ presentation. Any factual error will put a question mark on the reliability of the report and thereby reduces its effectiveness. Accuracy of expression demands that there should be no errors of grammar, spelling, punctuation. Accuracy is essential for a professional and technical communicator.

 Accuracy of expression also demands precision in the use of words, phrases, sentences and paragraphs. Precision is the quality being exact, accurate and definite Techniques of precision: Simple and familiar words. Exact words and phrases. Avoiding excessive use of jargons.

 Although all metals react oxygen, their reactivity is different. Some metals, such as sodium and potassium, react with oxygen trenchantly. They trenchantly. ignite even if retained unenclosed in the air. Although all metals react with oxygen, their reactivity is different. Some metals, such as sodium and potassium, react with oxygen vigorously. They vigorously. catch fire even if kept open in the air.

 Using exact words and phrases Technical communicator must have an exact knowledge of the meaning of the words and phrases. Affect/ effectinfluence/ result All ready/ already..completely prepared/beforehand Appraise/ apprise..evaluate/ inform

 Brevity: is the quality of being brief but : comprehensive in expression. Brevity can be achieved by avoiding wordiness and repetition Blasting is a very important and significant process, which can be defined as a process where rock is broken into fragments for a remarkable purpose, that is, recovery of valuable ore. Blasting is a process where rock is broken into fragments for recovery of valuable ore.

 Wordy Style: A computer performs several Style: important functions, which include performing fast and accurate calculations. Concise Style: A computer performs fast and Style: accurate calculations.

 Clarity: clarity in communication is the quality of Clarity: being unambiguous and easily understood. Clarity can be achieved by using direct language, specific and concrete words, and clear expressions. Examine the sentence: I will contact you later. Contact.. will he call, send an email, write a letter or make a personal visit. Later.. Next week, next month, next year I will visit you office on Monday. I will send you an email next week.

 Objectivity in Technical Communication: As technical communication is a systematic discussion, analysis, and interpretation of facts rather than expression of sentiments and emotions, the speaker or writer is not concerned with subjective comments and personal feelings. Objectivity in communication can be achieved by using factual and impersonal language.

 Impersonal language: Technical communication is more concerned with what was done, what happened.that is action rather than who did what that is actor The impersonal passive is the most important linguistic device used to make technical communication impersonal, objective, and formal.

 We know that chemical reactions involve the breaking of bonds and the making of new ones. We often need to supply energy to get the reaction going. The energy that we supply may be in the form of heat. Chemical reactions involve the breaking of bonds and the making of new ones. Energy is supplied to get the reaction going. The energy that is supplied may be in the form of heat.

 We know that microscope and telescopes are devices that we can use to magnify something. We can use a microscope to magnify the size of objects that are very small and we really cannot see them by the naked eye. (personal & subjective) Microscopes and telescopes are magnifying devices. The microscope is used to magnify the size of objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. (impersonal &objective)

Achieve objectivity : Use appropriate passive constructions. Use active form sparingly. Avoid personal pronouns and expressions. Use factual words.

 Objectivity in professional speaking: Avoid Hasty Generalization: generalizations are general statements that covers wide range of conditions, situations, events, and times. In order to be objective, one should avoid making hasty generalizations because they reveal and reflect ones bias. Moreover, hasty generalization may offend ones listeners.

Avoid sexist language

Men , women, policeman, manmade, fireman, gunman and so on may be avoided. Instead ,people, human beings, chairperson, police personnel, firefighter, security personnel and so on may be used.

Do not refer to irrelevant differences

Irrelevant differences based on caste, or religion may be avoided. Like: Muslim lawyer, a Bengali, teacher, female journalist.

Avoid racist language

I n order to be objective, racist language should be avoided. One should be very particular while referring to a group of people. A professional has to reflect an attitude that does not hurt his/her feelings.

Formal language
Formal language refers to the use of formal words, scientific vocabulary, specialized terminology. The use of formal language is a specific feature of technical communication. Every field of science and technology has its own list of terms and phrases. Use formal words Avoid colloquial and informal woeds and expressions

Use appropriate scientific phrases. Use appropriate technical terms. Use standard and formal sentence structure. Avoid conversational tone.