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Unit 11: Technical writing - what is it?hard hat

These pages contains general tips and hints for writing articles and longer pieces of writing. We also have specific guidance on report writing. Technical writing is informative writing that relates to the following subject areas:

  • technical
  • scientific
  • engineering

It conveys complex information to a specific audience. If the audience cannot understand or use the information presented, then the writer has failed. Good technical writing is:

  • accurate
  • clear
  • concise

Accuracy. Avoid writing a phrase like “Increasing the temperature caused a large change in the reaction rate.” Instead, write “Increasing the temperature by 10°C doubled the reaction rate.”

Clarity. If a report does not contain clear information, the reader cannot understand, believe, or care. Three questions to ask yourself:

  • Do I understand?
  • Do I believe?
  • Do I care?

Conciseness. end result right arrow result , future plans right arrowplans.

Creative Commons License
Top tips for technical writing by Vince Ricci: CIEE, Joe Schall: Penn State University, Glynis Perkin: Loughborough University, edited by Marion Kelt: GCU is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
Based on a work at http://www.slideshare.net/tokyovince/introduction-to-technical-writing-4305074 http://www.slideshare.net/engCETL/technical-report-writing-handout https://www.e-education.psu.edu/styleforstudents/c1_p15.html