ABC’s of Technical Writing

 ACCURACY

Tactfulness in recording data

BREVITY

Direct to the point; Conciseness

CONFIDENCE

Being decisive in communicating

DIGNITY

Courtesy to readers as professional

FACILITY

Devices used by the writer to make the report easy to understand

EMPHASIS

Knowing what is important to the reader

HONESTY

Citing sources

ILLUSTRATION

Charts, graphs, diagrams

 JUDGEMENT

Qualify data and information information gathered

KNOWLEDGE

Collection of data and information

LOGIC

Process of qualification

MECHANICAL NEATNESS

General Appearance of the report

NORMAL PROCEDURE

Conformity to general standard

OBJECTIVITY

Writer consider himself as another person

PLANNING

Gives purpose and direction to the process

QUALIFICATION

Evaluate ideas to be included

REVISION

Check statements, spelling, punctuation etc.

STRAIGHT SENTENCE

Vary sentence structure and use of transitional device

THOROUGHNESS

Substance of report

UNITY

Coherence of ideas

VIEWPOINT

Perspective in Writing

WORD CHOICE

Avoid words difficult to understand

ZEST

Write things that are invigorating

Products of Technical Writing

Technical Report Contract Feasibility Report Brochure  Abstract Instructional Manual Proposal Progress Report Policy  Article for Technical Journal Memorandum Monograph Graphic Aids Specification Printed Action Memo Survey Report Trip Report Laboratory Report Technical Paper Business Letters

Provides useful information about a complete program of work Formal Agreement between two parties Proposed project or plan intended to make reader realize that the undertaking is beneficial and attainable Pamphlet or printed material that aims to persuade reader to take action on company’s services Summarized form of a long piece of writing Contains directions for work procedure or use of technical equipment Suggestions of actions usually involving change or performance Contains account of what has been accomplished on a project A plan of action adopted or preserved by an individual or agency A technical paper containing abstract, intro, discussion, and summary aimed to be published in a journal Internal written communication aimed at disseminating information Thorough textbook that requires full illustration and documentation Pictures, Graphs, Diagrams in a report Detailed information about performance courses, materials for construction, theory of operations and sample calculations Prepared form that requires only a checkmark in an appropriate square to indicate check mark Thorough study of any subject. Subjects could include public opinions, labor policies, and potential market products An account of professional or business trip A record of procedures and results of a laboratory test. A research paper usually about a theory or new development written for professional journal or magazine a. Sales b. Order c. Reply d.  Apology e.  Application  f. Complaint  g. Confirmation h. Retrenchment i. Resignation  j. Retrenchment k. Recommendation