TECHNICAL

WRITING
What is Technical Writing?
• The process of gathering
information from experts and
presenting it to an audience in a
clear, easily understandable form
• A type of writing where the
author is writing about a
particular subject that requires
direction, instruction, or
explanation
What is Technical Writing?
• It is producing written outputs
about the three fields of
knowledge: SCIENCE,
TECHNOLOGY, and ENGINEERING
(computer hardware and
software, engineering, chemistry,
aeronautics, robotics, finance,
medical, consumer electronics,
biotechnology, and forestry).
What is Technical Writing?
• A specialized form of exposition:
that is, written communication
used in technical and
occupational fields especially in
fields with
specialized vocabularies such
as science, engineering,
technology, and the health
sciences
• It is type of writing that displays
information on the paper to get
results.
• It is within the writer’s field of
profession or area of discipline
composed of readers who are
familiar with the technical
writer’s subject matter and
writing style.
➢ It has been recognized as a profession
since World War II.
➢ Aristotle’s works’ Classical Antiquity (384-
322 BC) and Doctrines of Pythagoras are
recognized as the earliest forms of
technical writing.
➢ Geoffrey Chaucer’s work “Treatise on the
Astrolabe” (dated 1326, an instrument
used for measuring the distance of stars,
planets and for calculating the position of
a ship ) is an example of technical
document and the first technical
document published.
 History of Technical Writing
➢ With the invention of printing (15th
century), document findings became a
necessity. Inventors and scientists like
Isaac Newton and Leonardo da Vinci
chronicled their inventions and findings.
➢ It grew more during the Industrial
revolution (new manufacturing
processes-yr.1760-1840). There was a
need to instruct people how to use
complex machines.
History of Technical Writing
➢ During the 20th century, the need skyrocketed and
the profession finally became officially recognized.
The events in World War I and II led to advances in
medicine, military hardware, computer and
aerospace technologies.
➢ Following World War II, technological advances led
to an increase in consumer goods and standards of
living. Public services like libraries and universities,
as well as transport systems like buses and
highways saw massive growth and the need for
writers to chronicle all these increases.
History of Technical Writing
➢ Instruction manual for the BINAC computer written by Joseph D.
Chapline in 1949 was the first computational technical document.
➢ In 1953, two organizations were founded: the Society of Technical
Writers and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors. Today,
they are known as Society for Technical Communication (STC).
➢ The 1960s saw the growth of technology particularly in electronics
and space industries. The years 1970s and 1980s marked the
expansion of the consumer electronics into people’s lives. In 1980s,
PCs arrived in the workplace, accompanied by large manuals with
names such as “Guide to Operation”.
How is Technical Writing different from other forms
and styles of writing?
✓ The subject matter is more important than the writer's voice. It uses
an objective tone, not subjective, and it is direct and utilitarian -
emphasizing exactness and clarity rather than elegance or
allusiveness.
✓ Mike Markel notes in Technical Communication: "The biggest
difference between technical communication and the other kinds of
writing you have done is that technical communication has different
focus on audience and purpose.“
How is Technical Writing different from other forms
and styles of writing?
✓ Computer Science Professor Raymond Greenlaw notes that:
“Writing style in technical writing is more prescriptive than in creative
writing. In technical writing, we are not so much concerned about
entertaining the audience as we are about conveying specific
information to our readers in a concise and precise manner.“
✓ The definite purpose, strict format and use of appropriate language in
technical writing define the differences between technical writing and
academic writing.
 Technical vs. Non-Technical
Technical Non-Technical
Content factual, straightforward imaginative, metaphoric, symbolic
Audience specific general
Purpose inform, persuade, instruct entertain, provoke, captivate
Style formal, standard, academic informal, artistic, figurative
Tone objective subjective
Vocabulary specialized general, evocative
Organization sequential, systematic arbitrary, artistic
Visual Aids tables, drawings, charts, graphs, words that can fully narrate or
maps and others to facilitate describe what the writer’s want to
comprehension put across
Characteristics of Technical Writing
• It has a technical subject matter.
• It has a formal aspect.
• It uses scientific point of view.
• It uses special techniques such
as definition, description of a
mechanism, and description of a
process.
Characteristics of Technical Writing

• It is clear and straight-forward.

• The language is very direct and
straight to the point.
• It is detailed and informative.
• It is structured.
Uses of Technical Writing
➢ Instructions of all sorts are a
perfect example of technical
writing. When you open up an
instruction manual, as the reader,
the goal is to be informed about
the product so that you can
use it as efficiently as
possible.
➢ Lab reports are another
example of technical writing.
The main purpose of a lab
report is to explain the
occurrences in a lab so that
others will be able to gain
information.
Uses of Technical Writing
➢ Driving directions can be
considered a type of technical
writing as the goal is to clearly
and efficiently provide
instructions on how to go from
point A to point B.
➢ Overall, technical
writing is a very useful
form of writing that is
encountered by
everyone almost every
day.
Specific Examples of Technical Writing
✓ Business letters
✓ Technical Reports
✓ Oral Reports
✓ Graphic Aids
✓ Instruction Manuals
✓ Policy Manuals
✓ Process Manuals
✓ Handbooks
Specific Examples of Technical Writing
✓ Memoranda
✓ Proposals
✓ Brochures
✓ Abstracts
✓ Specifications
✓ Articles for Technical
Journals and Magazines
SOURCES:

A. Books

Budinski, Kenneth G. Engineers’ Guide to Technical Writing. USA: ASM International, 2001.
Cuerda, Flordeliza M. Technical Writing. Cebu City: GJC Copy Systems, 2012.

B. Internet Source

https://medium.com/level-up-web/history-of-technical-writing-1e9478c7190e