Features of technical writing

1. Features of technical writing • Personal( I, we) vs impersonal (writer, author), one - ambiguity • Passive vs active • Clarity- redundant words • Nominalization • Readability

2. Redundant words Wordy It is my purpose in this report to present and justify the modifications that I recommend in order to increase the performance of your engine.

3. Redundant words Better My purpose in this report is to recommend certain modifications for improving the performance of your engine.

4. Nominalization Verb formations It has become necessary to automate the factory. Noun formations Automation of the factory has become a necessity.

5. Nominalization Verb formations During the entire process in which the product is designed, we should think about how it can be produced. Noun formations Throughout the product design process, thought should be given to the produceability.

6. Readability:general principles • Establish your topic • Use key words prominently • Explain important concepts when writing for non-specialist readers • Use standard terminology when writing for specialist reader • Structure your text

7. Report writing problem/solution pattern • (setting the problem in the context, have you made it relevant enough?) • (which aspects of the problem you will focus on? reasons for this) • (are your suggestions well described, the procedures clear, the focus sustained, information relevant?) • (reflection on adequacy of solutions proposed) Situation Focus Response Evaluation

8. Theses/journal articles Title Abstract (account of the work done) Introduction Experimental procedure/methods Results/Discussion Conclusion References