Communication Skills 14

Technical Writing / Business Writing / Research Writing

Dr. Richard  Lumpas

I. The Nature of Technical Writing

       A. Definition and Importance of Technical Writing

       B. Principles and Style

       C. Types and Functions

Technical Writing is a type of writing that falls within the general field of business, science and technology and is used in a wide spectrum of activities throughout each workday.

  Principles:

1.  Know who your reader is and assume that he is intelligent but uninformed.

2.  Decide your purpose and make sure that every part of your writing contributes to achieving that purpose.

3.  Use simple, concrete, and familiar language.

4.  Check your writing according to this principle: Tell your reader what you will tell him, tell him, then tell him what you’ve told him.

5.  Make your report attractive.

 Types of Technical Paper

1.  Letters and memoranda

2.  Résumé

3.  Minutes of meeting

4.  Business Report

5.  Proposal

6.  Scientific Paper/ Research

7.  Abstracts

8.  Journal Articles

9.  Feasibility Study

10.     Case Study