TECHNICAL WRITINGCOURSE CODE: 301

EL-Batch 15 Section-IB.E Electrical

English Language Development Centre

ELDC

Dr. Habibullah PathanM.A, M.Ed, ELT (Glasgow, UK), Ph.D. (UK)

Post. Doc. (MIT, USA)Humphrey Alumni (Boston University, USA)

Mr. Abdul Aziz MagsiM.A (English), PGD. Teaching of English as Foreign

Language, M.S (English Linguistics)

COURSE INSTRUCTORS & FACILITATORS

Contact Hours: Fridays11:00 to 12:00 (Be in touch before meeting)For further Correspondence Officiallymagsiabdulaziz@hotmail.comContact through FB is not mandatory to be entertained.

ELDC, MUET Jamshoro

Course DetailsContact Hours: 28Credit Hours: 2Marks Distribution :10% Attendance10% Assignments & Presentations20% Mid-Semester Exam40% Final Semester Exam

Planning & Procedure

• It is the result of a deliberate and

comprehensive Design and

Production process.• Variation in the process occurs• Most of the Technical & Scientific Writing

Follows the same process

• 1- Establish a Basic Criteria of 5 Characteristics of ETR (Effective Technical Writing) ACCCA

• i- Accuracy• ii- Clarity• iii- Conciseness• iv- Coherence• v- Appropriate

• 2- Identify the specific purpose of the document by clarifying

i- The reasons ii- Specific objectives.

Answers to a specific problem (in a problem statement)

It will help you determine the document's general type.

• 3- Define your Audiencei- Users (readers) ii- Level of Expertiseiii- Purpose of reading the documentiv- Attitude (Towards You and Documents Subject Matter)

• So far, you must have done with definingi- Purposeii- Problemiii- Audience

Now go for 4- Collecting, Creating and Assembling

Information

5- Sketch out and outline & Organize the information

6- Sketch out Graphics and table to Present Data (keeping in Mind the Audience)

Using these sketches (Preliminary outline and Graphic/Data presentation outline)

7- Write a first Draft NOTE: (At this point) Do not be overly concerned about grammar, style, or usage.

Feature of Document Expert Managerial LaypersonIntroductions Technical Problem/solution Relevance

Math models OK Avoid Avoid

Equations OK Keep simple or avoid Avoid

Graphics Detailed, analytical Simple, presentational

General illustrative

Detail level Accurate, numerical

General, accurate

Simple, narrative

Technical terms Expert, technical Administrative General,

illustrative

Emphasis Analysis Operations, costs

Informational, interest

GUIDELINES FOR DOCUMENT DENSITY

8- Revise your document in stages

i- Organization

ii- The Content for

Accuracy & Appropriateness

9- Edit the Paragraphs & SentencesTo improve ClarityConciseness CoherenceTo fix the problems of

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, mechanics, or usage

10- One or More ReviewsLegal ReviewsTechnical ReviewsPeer Reviews

Collaborative WritingDocument Planning & ManagementDrafting Revision

Characteristics

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

ACCURACYIt is the careful conforming to truth or fact.

3 Aspects of Accuracy1-Document Accuracy2-Stylistic Accuracy3-Technical Accuracy

DOCUMENT ACCURACYThe proper coverage of your topics in appropriate detail

• Focus clearly on a problem(Theoretical & Practical Problem)

• Problem statement & Preliminary Outline(Tools to develop Document Accuracy)

STYLISTIC ACCURACY the careful use of language to express meaning

Careful use of • Paragraph, Sentences structures, & Word

choice• Using words Precisely

Technical ACCURACYTo be grounded in a technically accurate understanding

and representation of the subject

• Requires Stylistic Accuracy• Depends on writers’

• Conceptual mastery of the subject• Its vocabulary• Skills of presenting data to avoid

distortion  

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

ACCURATE IN TWO WAYS• Stylistically- Precise use of Language • Technically- Use of Specialized Terms (Technical Terms, electromigration, charge, electric

field)

CLARITYEase of Understanding

Specialized languages, mathematically detailed analyses, and complex conceptual schemes

3 ways to develop calrity1- Structural clarity2- Stylistic Clarity3-Contextual Clarity

STRUCTURAL CLARITYmaking it easy for the reader to get the large picture

Focus on• Structure• Design• Organization

STYLISTIC CLARITYUse of simple and Direct Language

• Simple sentence structure, avoiding wordy sentences

(Increase Readability)• Excessive Nominalization• Word Choices

CONTEXTUAL CLARITYAvailability of Importance, authorization, implications

• Reason of your document production• What? Why?, who/ what proceeds?

•Introduction• Problem statement•Citations, references

 

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

CLARITY• Simple & Direct Sentences• Word order in the sentences• Clarity is achieved by using rhetorical

devices of defining a term.

CONCISENESSConveys only the needed material not all the relevant

2 Strategies1- Prepare a clear introduction2- Develop a detailed outline

• Use Appendix to be referred to the information not necessary

• Eliminate Useless information• Use Graphics

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

CONCISENESS• Using minimum words• It does not digress from the point.

COHERENCE the quality of hanging together, of providing the reader an easily

followed path

• Logically & stylistically consistent information• Organization and Expression of Ideas in a specific

pattern• Linking various components of text/documents

(Sentences, Word-phrases, Paragraphs)

ParagraphThe most powerful instrument of coherence

• Organizing material in TS (Topic Sentences) & SS (Supporting Sentences)

• Strategies to develop paragraphsExemplification, Analysis, Comparison and

contrast, Definition, Enumeration, Description

• Using Referents & Transitional Devices

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

COHERENT• Develops its subject matter in easy-to-

follow line of thinking• Use of Referents, Transitional devices

(the first component, this process, the second component)

APPROPRIATENESSthe specific institutional contexts in which it is written

and read

2 AspectsAppropriate for GoalAppropriate for Audience’s PurposeSee Document Density

The flow of electrical current can induce the migration of impurities or other defects through the bulk of a solid. This process is called electromigration. In simple electromigration, the force on the defect is thought to have two components. The first component is the force created by direct interaction between the effective charge of the defect and the electric field that drives the current. The second component, called the "wind force," is the force caused by the scattering of electrons at the defect.--J.A. Stroscio and D.M. Eigler, "Atomic and Molecular Manipulation with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope," Science

APPROPRIATE • To Purpose(of presenting the process of eletromigration)

• To the Audience (readers of Science)

Types of Technical Communication Documents

• Memoranda• Meeting Documents

AgendaMinutes of Meeting

• Literature Reviews• Reports (Formal & Informal)

Long & ShortLab ReportsResearch ReportsProject ReportsField Visit/ trip ReportsConsulting ReportsProgress reportsDesign & Feasibility Report

• LettersJob Application LettersAcceptance LettersTransmittal LettersLetters of InquiryTechnical Information LettersReferences & Letters of RecommendationsObtaining & Providing

• Proposals• Press Release• Task Oriented Documents

Mannuals (Technical & User Documentation)Instructional Procedures

• Theses & Dissertations

• Oral PresentationsFormal & Informal

• Electronic Documentation• Résumé & CV• Covering Letters

THANKS!