ENG Prelim Flashcards
Stages of Writing Process
Pre-writing
Writing
Rewriting
where the writer writes and composes information pertaining to the purpose of his paper, choice of topic, and gathers information
Pre-writing
the part where the writer writes his first draft and works out on the important details of his work
Writing
– also known as the revision stage
– where the writer revises his work to ensure that the content of his paper is relevant, the ideas are well organized, and grammar and mechanics are clearly observed
Rewriting
Basic Principles of Technical Writing
● Know you readers
● Have a clear and exact purpose
● Use simple, concrete & familiar language
● Introduce your report in a well-organized manner
● Use correct format
● Adopt ethical standards
Basic Principle of Technical Writing in which you always have in mind that there is a specific reader, real or imaginary. It focuses on who will be reading your report.
Know your readers
Basic Principles of Technical Writing in which you do before starting to write. It is when you decide decide on what the exact purpose of your report or write-up is. Focuses on what you are writing for and why you are writing.
Have a clear and exact purpose
You use this so that your report is easily understood. Focuses on choosing the words that best suit the level of understanding of your readers.
Use simple, concrete & familiar language
You do this to assist your reader to a complete understanding of your idea through clear description, definition, and explanation. Focuses on whether the report has followed the basic principles.
Introduce your report in a well-organized manner
You do this to attract the attention of the readers and follow the standard forms of writing
Use correct format
You do this to present facts, figures, and statistics that focus only on your subject matter in an impersonal manner and avoid biases and unfairness.
Adopt ethical standards
Legal & Ethical Considerations when preparing Technical Papers
● Copyright Law
● Trademark Law
● Contract Law
● Liability Law
– covers the protection of the rights of the author
– protects original “works of authorship” which covers reproduction, adaptation, distribution, and display
Copyright Law
pertains to federal protection of the writer
Trademark Law
– can be a phrase, symbol, logo, design, or shape
– can be something that has gained reputation in the marketplace like book series, an author’s name or even a signature
Trademark
covers written warranties or the writer’s implied warranties
Contract Law
pertains to responsibilities or obligations of writers especially claims they made on their paper
Liability Law
Qualities of a Technical Writeup
● Accessibility
● Accuracy
● Clarity
● Correctness
● Objectivity
● Thoroughness
means capable of being reached, used or seen, understood or appreciated, and easy to deal with
Accessibility
its aim is for ease of navigation and availability
Accessibility
means that it is definite and precise
Accuracy
Accuracy means that it is ______ and _______
definite & precise
○ It is essential that you as the writer, know and understand the background of your intended reader so that, when he reads your document, it can be easily understood without any doubt or confusion
○ Your document becomes meaningless if the intended reader does not understand your message
○ When you write, avoid unnecessary words that will put your reader in a dilemma
○ Your document must be clear so that the text becomes easy to understand
Clarity
○ Effective technical communications (in writing or verbally) cannot be achieved unless you successfully comply with appropriate grammatical and technical rules
○ Also, you must always ensure that the information (data) you present is accurate and up-to-date
Correctness
Effective technical communications (in writing or verbally) cannot be achieved unless you successfully comply with appropriate ________
grammatical & technical rules
Also, you must always ensure that the ________ you present is ________
information (data)
accurate & up-to-date
These aspects of technical communications should be adiusted according to your audience level:
◆ the amount of detail
◆ organizational pattern
◆ level of technicality
◆ type of vocabulary
◆ mechanics
◆ appearance
○ Just like in communication, we don’t confront someone when we are ruled by our emotions
◆ This is true also in sending messages and in writing
○ The spirit of balance and fairness is important in technical writing
◆ The use of a third-person point of view is preferable because of its impersonal effect
○ Our writing should not be influenced by personal feelings, opinions, prejudice, or interpretation
Objectivity
means that you have examined or reviewed all the details of your written report and sees to it that it is complete and clear
Thoroughness
Thoroughness means that you have _________ or ________ of your ________ and sees to it that it is _______ and ______
examined
reviewed all the details
written report
complete
clear
– a writer’s way of writing
– a manner by which he expresses his thoughts and feelings in language
Style
Effective writing always involves the _________, the __________, and __________
choice of words and expressions
arrangements of words within sentences
variety in the patterns of the sentence
Rules and Guidelines to Achieve Style in Technical Writing
● Keep the Main Idea on Top
● Use Normal Word Order
● Use Active Voice
● Use Parallelism
● Repeat for Emphasis
● Avoid Wordiness
● Avoid Redundancy
● Choose a Tone
● Use Positive Words & Verbs
● Tune to the Audience
the key principle in writing so that your sentences are easy to understand
Keep the Main Idea on Top
– normal word order in English
– this order makes it easier to read as it reveals the topic first and the structures the idea
– this order produces sentences which are clear to the readers and do not cause any confusion
Subject-Verb-Object
– emphasizes performer of the function and not the receiver
– helps the reader follow the meaning quickly as it is sticking to subject-verb-object pattern
Active Voice
