Introduction to Technical Writing

1. Introduction to Technical Writing <(“<) <( “ )> (>”)> Jonathan Frishman

2. TEKS Objectives (1)  The student writes for a variety of purposes and audiences. (2)  The student selects and uses recursive writing processes for self-initiated and assigned writing. (3)  The student writes to investigate self-selected and assigned topics. (4)  The student applies the conventions of usage and mechanics of written English. (5) The student evaluates his/her own writing and the writing of others.

3. The study of technical writing allows you to: • Developing skills necessary for writing persuasive and informative texts such as essays, reports, proposals, and memoranda. • Demonstrate an understanding of the recursive nature of the writing process, effectively applying the conventions of usage and the mechanics of written English. • Evaluate your own writing as well as the writing of others to insure that you are able to analyze and discuss published and unpublished pieces of writing, develop and apply criteria for effective writing, and set your own goals as writers.

4. Part I (1)  Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. (2)  Selecting and using recursive writing processes for self-initiated and assigned writing.

5. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. • Write informative and persuasive texts, including essays, reports, and proposals. In a variety of fields in the real world, a person might write a research paper to document results of an experiment, or to bring to attention the history of something. It isn’t just for school. Politicians submit bills in this form, and administrators compile reports shedding light as to how a particular program is working.

6. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. • Use the distinguishing characteristics of various written forms such as essays, scientific reports, speeches, and memoranda. As there many reasons for writing a research paper, there are also multiple ways to form it. The different fields in which we may be submitting the reports call for a certain type of layout which we will discuss in detail during the semester.

7. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. (C)  Write in voice and style appropriate to audience and purpose. Always to be taken into consideration are the people to whom you are addressing with your writings. Think about the age/gender/education/cultural or ethnic background/etc. The usage of specific wording and phrasing can be more appealing, or understandable based on how you write. Think about propaganda for example. Is that tapered towards a specific audience?

8. Adolf Hitler’s Use of Propaganda

9. Adolf Hitler’s Use of Propanda Hitler wrote and spoke in a way that incited common Germans into a spiral of intolerance and uniformity. This illustrates in a very negative way the power writing have on its readers.

10. Writing for a variety of purposes and audiences. (D)  Organize ideas in writing to ensure coherence, logical progression, and support for ideas. Having your writings be clear, and progressive keeps the reader’s attention, and ensures retention will be higher. Scattered thoughts can derail effective reading, and cause the mind to wander, get confused, or completely reject your work. Keep it simple, and coherent. Good transitions between paragraphs are especially important.

11. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (A)  Select and apply prewriting strategies to generate ideas, develop voice, and plan. Create an outline, research your subject well, keep your notes and documentations well organized throughout your search. Also, the use of graphic organizers such as a Venn diagram can bolster the thought process, and help you to write in a coherent way. Avoid the crashing waves method of writing, in which you flow in, crumple up the page, recede from the shore, and wash back in towards the beach again.

12. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (B)  Employ precise language and technical vocabulary to communicate ideas clearly and concisely. In order to be understood, and not misinterpreted, you should choose vocabulary that is descriptive of what you are trying to convey without sounding like a lot of hot air. opprobrious salubrious perspicacity lassitude acarpous gaucherie proclivity superfluous ineluctable mendacity phlegmatic quiescence

13. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (C)  Use sentence structure, organization, and rhetorical devices appropriate to audience and purpose. This relates much to the point discussed earlier regarding how to address your audience. Correct sentence structure, as well as good organization can ensure that your words can be comprehensible to the largest spread of readers. Rhetorical devices, such as allusion, and metaphors bring to mind memories, or imagery that can be easily understood and remembered.

14. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (D)  Use effective sequence and transitions to achieve coherence and meaning. Sequence: A following of one thing after another; succession. An order of succession; an arrangement. Transitions: Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another. Passage from one subject to another in discourse. A word, phrase, sentence, or series of sentences connecting one part of a discourse to another.

15. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (E)  Revise drafts by rethinking content, organization, and style to better accomplish the task. (F)  Proofread and edit as appropriate for the conventions of standard written English.

16. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (G)  Use resources such as texts and other people for editing. An essential part of any research paper is the usage of outside sources which support the points you are making. The more tested, and proven of points giving you a better foundation for the assertions you will make. Our personal, and empirical evidence alone does not stand up to trial always.

17. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (H)  Use available technology for aspects of creating, revising, editing, and publishing texts. At our disposal, we now have many programs that can smoothen the process by which we write. Microsoft Word, for example, has thesaurus, spelling, and grammar tools that help to keep us in check. Additionally, the internet has many sources of material for use in a report. The trick is validity.

18. Selecting/Using recursive writing processes. (I)  Write both independently and collaboratively. Most of what you will encounter in writing research topics is generally independent. However, there will come times, particularly in the job environment, when you will be asked to present reports based on collaborative efforts. Being able to work with others is not always easy, rather it is an acquired talent, so work at it diligently.

19. Continued in Part II… (3)  The student writes to investigate self-selected and assigned topics. (4)  The student applies the conventions of usage and mechanics of written English. (5) The student evaluates his/her own writing and the writing of others.

20. Sources • Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading. Retrieved from http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter110/ch110c.html. • EarthStation1.com - The WWII Sounds & Pictures Page - Wavs, Images and Videos of Adolf Hitler. Retrieved from http://www.earthstation1.com/Hitler.html