Technical English

1. Technical English CHAPTER ONE TECHNICAL WRITING CRITERIA FOR GOOD TECHNICAL WRITING

2. Three major aspects of all technical documents: • Content • Presentation technique • Use of the language

3. Language skillsPg 24/40 • Reasonable grammar • Good page layout • Hierarchical headings • Active voice • Mixed sentence length • No punctuation errors • No misspelling • No jargon/acronyms

4. No jargon/Acronym pg 40 • As previously noted, (acronyms) can make documents difficult to read. • The overuse of complex words (jargon) can also obscure meaning.

5. No misspelling pg 42 • Spelling errors can destroy an otherwise perfect technical document. • Many readers equate a misspelled wordwith the credibility of the entire work.

6. Readers do not object to the misspelled word, but rather that you did not proofread, and re-proofreadto eliminate any misspelled words.

7. RULE Never allow a misspelled word in a finished document.

8. No Punctuation Errors pg 42 • Errors in punctuation are in the same category as misspelling. If any are allowed, they can negatively reflect on the author. • Proper punctuation requires knowing basic rules of application. (will be studied in GRAMMAR chapter)

9. Mixed Sentence Length pg 42 • Proper technical writing requires sentences that are neither too short nor too long. • Long sentences are difficult to read, but short sentences present a choppy type of writing. • A blend of sentences of varying length is preferred.

10. Written in the Active Voice pg 43 • Voice in writing means if the subjectin a sentence is doing the actionimplied by the verb (active) orif the subject is acted on (Passive).

11. Active Voice The construction division demolished the damaged powder-storage silo. Passive Voice The powder-storage silo was demolished.

12. Both sentences are grammatically correct; however, professional writersbelieve that readers understand information written in the active voice better than in the passive. • Note: • - Active voice does not mean using first personal pronouns (I, we , me , ….). • - Sentences must still written in impersonalway.

13. Reasonable grammar pg 43 • Punctuation and grammar are the basic rules of language, and a disregard of these rules often leads to poor readability or misinterpretation. • Poor grammar can affect your credibility as a technical person. Readers may question why an author did not have a document proofread before sending it out.

14. One of the most common grammar errors in English writing is disagreement of verb and noun in a sentence. Disagreement of Noun and Verb Containment of the spill and notification of the environmental officer is essential in any chemical spill or leak. Agreement Containment of the spill and notification of the environmental officer areessential in any chemical spill or leak.

15. Concisionpg 44 • A concise document contains no more wordsthan necessary. • The main point is to eliminate all unnecessary words by reviewing each document.

16. RULE • Eliminate any unnecessary words, phrases, or sentences.

17. Assignment Solve pages: 127-132 {Q1 – Q7} Due: Next week in lec

18. Technical English CHAPTER TWO PARAGRAPH WRITING

19. Outlines: • 2.1PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH • 2.2HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH? • 2.3KINDS OF PARAGRAPHS

20. Length of a paragraph: • There is no fixed length. • It is about 6-7 sentences ( 12-14 lines).

21. Parts of paragraph: page 48 1- Topic sentence. 2- Supporting Details 3- Closing Sentence.

22. Topic Sentence pg 48 • It introduces the main idea of the paragraph. How do I write one? • Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

23. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

24. Supporting Details pg 49 • They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph. How do I write them? • You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.

25. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world.First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

26. Closing Sentence pg 50 • It restates the main idea of your paragraph. How do I write one? • Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.

27. Example: There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.