GEC 15

TECHNICAL WRITING

MODULE 1
INTRODUCTION TO TECHNICAL WRITING

Technical Writing is any written form of technical communication used in a variety of technical and
occupational fields such as: computer hardware and software, engineering, chemistry, aeronautics, robotics,
finance, consumer electronics and biotechnology.

The characteristics of technical writing are: (1) communicating about technical or specialized topics
such as computer applications, medical procedures, or environmental regulations; (2) communicating
through technology such as web pages, help files or social media sites; (3) providing instructions about how
to do something regardless of the task’s technical nature.

The activities in technical writing are: (1) writing manuals and instructions; (2) writing about
technical items like types of screws and screwdrivers and how to place them properly; (3) writing reports,
proposals and letters; and (4) writing an oral presentation.

The technical communicators are: (1) engineers; (2) business people; (3) IT experts; and (4)
scientists.

The technical communicators are expected to write documents such as: (1) manuals; (2) proposals;
(3) reports; (4) sales records; (5) letters; (6) journals; (7) newspapers; (8) magazines; (9) speeches; (10)
oral presentations; (11) brochures; and (12) instructions.

In the past, companies discovered that technical writing is the answer to the problems of their
consumers and customers. When a customer buys an item, he/she will just read the instruction manual on
how to operate and use the item properly. That instruction manual is technical writing. Below is an example
of an instruction manual.

How to use an electric rechargeable toothbrush:

(1) Hold the toothbrush parallel to the floor, against the side of your teeth.
(2) Guide the toothbrush head slowly from tooth to tooth, following the curve of the teeth and gums. It is not
necessary to press hard or scrub the teeth. Simply let the electric rechargeable toothbrush to do all the
work.
(3) Hold the toothbrush head in place for a few seconds before moving to the next tooth.
(4) Don’t forget to reach all areas, including the insides, outsides, chewing surfaces, and behind your back
teeth.

END
Quiz.
Below are ten items. Choose five from these ten items and give instructions on how to use each of them.
Follow the example given in this module. You may search the internet on how to use these items.

1) Digital camera
2) Cellphone
3) Electric fan
4) Electric stove
5) Television
6) Blender
7) Washing machine
8) Laptop
9) Rechargeable lamp with radio
10) Microscope