Chapter 1

NATURE AND REQUIREMENTS OF TECHNICAL WRITING

Questions:
1. Define technical writing and discuss its characteristics
2. Distinguish technical writing in terms of the following criteria
Purpose
Subject Matter
Readers
3. Identify what people in the technical professions are required to write
4. Recognize the aspects of technical writing
5. Discuss the basic principles of good technical writing
Answers:
1. Technical writing is communication the primary aim of which is to convey a particular
piece of information for a particular purpose to a particular reader or group of readers.
And its characteristics are Objective, clear and accurate, concise and unemotional in its
presentation of facts, descriptions of mechanisms, descriptions of process,
classifications and interpretation.

2.
2.1 Purpose of Technical Writing
First, it gives information that leads to the accomplishment of specific tasks and in
the making of needed decision
Second, technical writing analyzes events and their implications, the failure of
certain systems are educational, socio-economic, political, etc. and the needed
changes.
Third, technical writing persuades and influences decision by showing how a
business or an industry succeeds because of just and fair treatment of labor, how an
agency like the NAPOCOR can improve the energy situation and save money, and
how the educational system can be improved through the implement of the
recommendations of the Educational Commission to Survey Philippine Education
(EDCOM).

2.2 Subject Matter Of Technical Writing
The content of technical writing is objective information that is accurately and
clearly presented. Technical readers need to know exactly what the piece of writing
means. It tells the reader exactly what to do, How to do it, and under what
conditions to do it.
Technical writing records data in business, science, engineering, industry and in all
the formal aspects of professional areas. It presents factual data, statistics and
measurable elements.

2.3 Readers of Technical Writing
The readers may be specific individuals or a general group with common interests.
In both groups, they are reading for particular purposes. They may be expects in the
field or in a related or another field. They may be managers, supervisors,
secretaries, engineers, scientists, sociologists, psychologists, technicians and they
come from any discipline of professional area.

3. Type of Writing Required in the Technical Professions
Some of the materials that people in the technical professions write consist of reports of
various sorts, memoranda, proposals, professional papers to be read or included in a
magazine or book, technical bulletins, manuals, handouts and even books. And also they
acquire experience, more and more often they may be asked to make recommendations
about decisions or make the decision themselves. Letters from customers of the company
have to be answered. Annual reports are a common writing assignments. Progress and final
reports are required for certain objects.

4. Basic Aspects of Technical Writing
- Technical writing may be subdivided into two parts, or aspects:
1. The Final products such as reports and letters, usually the specific material presented
2. The skills that are made use of in the preparation of the final product.

Final products or specific technical materials usually written:
a. Various kinds of written reports
b. Oral reports
c. Business letters
d. Articles for technical journals or books
e. Abstracts
f. Instruction manual
g. Graphic aids
h. Handbooks
i. Brochures
j. Specifications
k. Memoranda
l. Proposals

The following skills are important in technical writing:
a. Special techniques of technical writing, the most important of which are definitions,
descriptions of mechanisms, descriptions of processes, classification and interpretation.
b. Style
c. Introductions, transitions and conclusions
d. Outlines for organizations
e. The layout, or format of reports

6. Basic Principles of Good Technical Writing
a. The writer of a report must have a specific readers or group readers in mind
b. He must decide what the specific purpose of his report is and make sure that every part
of his report contributes to that purpose
c. He must use specific, single, concrete words and familiar language that cannot be
misinterpreted
d. The writer must check every part of his report to see whether he has followed the
principles of first, Telling the reader what he is going to tell them; second, telling them;
and third, telling them what he told them.
e. He must make his report very presentable in format. The layout must conform to
standard forms of writing.