1.technical Vs Academic Writing PDF

2/6/2013
Wasim Hasan
Lecturer in English
MS Applied Linguistics
M.A. English (Linguistics & Literature)
PGD in Computer Sciences
PGD in Linguistics
1
2/6/2013
You need to be able to:

• Know differences between academic and technical
writing.
• Identify the characteristics of effective technical
writing.
• Identify the steps in the writing process.
• Identify the components of good design.
• Identify the steps in organizing and writing
instructions.
• Identify some tips to help your documents.
A 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
2
2/6/2013
“Technical writing conveys specific information

about a technical subject to a specific audience for
a specific purpose…The words and graphics of
technical writing are meant to be practical: that is,
to communicate a body of factual information that
will help an audience understand a subject or carry
out a task.”
Michael H. Markel
Director of Technical Communication,
Boise State University
 The information is organized, presented and

communicated in a specific format.
 The writing is concise, clear and accurate.
 The writing takes into account the audience’s
needs, biases and prior understanding.
 The writing presents information to help
readers solve a problem or gain a better
understanding of a situation.
 The writing conveys technical, complex, or
specialized information in a way that is easy for
a non-technical reader to understand.
3
2/6/2013
Academic Technical
Purpose Demonstrate what you Getting something done

know about a topic with in an organization
Knowledge of Topic Less than teacher who is More than the reader
evaluating them
Audience Teacher Several People
Criteria for Evaluation Depth, logic, clarity, unity Clear and simple
and grammar organization of ideas
Examples are:
• Annual Report
• Books
• Computer Hardware Guides
• Magazines
• Newsletters
• Organizational Manuals
• Scholarly Articles/Journals
• Software Guides
• Technical Reports
4
2/6/2013
The four C’s:

• Clarity -- it is easily understood by your intended
audience
• Comprehensiveness -- all of the necessary
information is present
• Conciseness -- it is clear without excess verbiage
• Correctness -- it is grammatical and follows
conventions
 Write positive language.

Don’t use: Access to student information is not authorized
for any parties except Enrollment Services. Employees
who have access to student information are not allowed
to share that information with non- affiliated third parties
if you have not authorized it.
Do use: Access to student information is authorized only
for Enrollment Services purposes. Employees who have
access to student information are required to protect and
keep it confidential.
 Don’t write in upper case for more than A

WORD OR TWO.
5
2/6/2013
 Use lists whenever possible.
 Use the title to define the task.
 Use headings and subheadings.
 Labelsegments in a way that reflects how

readers are likely to think about the
operation or procedure.
 Don’t use: Components

•Do use: How to Check the Components
 Provide only one way to do something within

a step.
 Be precise with your instructions.
 Use warnings.
 Write a conclusion.
Example: Congratulations! You’ve just created your
first document!
 Don’t annoy the reader.
6
2/6/2013
 Chunk your information.

 Keep your paragraphs short.
 Less is better.
 Control the text width by using columns.
References
 S. Pfeiffer, William George. (2007) Technical
Writing: A Practical Approach (Englewood
Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall)
 Bovee & Thill. (2008) Business Communication
Today (Prentice-Hall)
 Smith-Worthington Darlene, Jefferson Sue.
(2008) Technical Writing for Success (Nelson
Education, Ltd. USA)
7
2/6/2013

1.technical Vs Academic Writing PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.technical Vs Academic Writing PDF

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

1.technical Vs Academic Writing PDF

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2/6/2013

You need to be able to:

A type of everyday writing that surrounds us from

 Directions on the toothpaste tube

“Technical writing conveys specific information

 The information is organized, presented and

Purpose Demonstrate what you Getting something done

Audience Teacher Several People

The four C’s:

 Write positive language.

 Don’t write in upper case for more than A

 Use lists whenever possible.

 Use the title to define the task.

 Use headings and subheadings.

 Labelsegments in a way that reflects how

 Don’t use: Components

 Provide only one way to do something within

 Be precise with your instructions.

 Don’t annoy the reader.

 Chunk your information.

You might also like