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ENGL 119 - Technical Writing
ENGL 119 - Technical Writing
Subject-verb agreement is a grammatical concept that ensures that the subject and
verb in a sentence are in agreement in terms of number (singular or plural).
1) Singular subject + singular verb
2) Plural subject + plural verb
INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
(each, every, everyone, everybody, anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, no one, nobody)
Take a singular verb
COLLECTIVE NOUNS
Take a singular verb when referring to the group as a whole
Take a plural verb when referring to individual members of the group.
Titles of books, movies, and other works that are treated as singular entities take a singular
verb
Titles of books, movies, and other works that are treated as plural entities take a
plural verb.
Fractions, percentages, amounts of money, and measurements usually take a singular
verb
Subjects connected by "either...or" or "neither...nor" agree with the nearer subject
When a subject is a singular noun followed by a prepositional phrase that has a plural
object, the verb agrees with the noun
Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb:
Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a singular verb
Some nouns that are plural in form but singular in meaning take a plural verb when
they refer to separate items
Subjects that are joined by "and" but are considered a single entity take a singular
verb
When the subject is a relative pronoun ("who," "which," "that"), the verb agrees with
the noun the pronoun refers to
Collective nouns referring to a group as individuals take a plural verb
A subject is made up of nouns joined by and takes a plural subject unless that
subject’s intended sense is singular.
When a subject is made up of nouns joined by or, the verb agrees with the last noun.
Connectives, phrases such as combined with, coupled with, accompanied by, added
to, along with, together with, and as well as, do not change the number of the
subject.
Collecting noun phrases (a bunch of, a group of, a set of, etc.) takes a singular verb.
“Each” takes a singular verb.
“None” takes a singular verb if what it refers to is singular and a plural verb if its
referent is plural.
With fractions, the verb agrees with the whole.
With money, if the amount is specific, use a singular verb; if the amount is vague, use
a plural verb.
The phrase “more than one” takes a singular verb.
SENTENCE STRUCTURES
FRAGMENTS
Sentence fragments are incomplete sentences that lack either a subject, a verb, or a
complete thought. They can often confuse readers and should be avoided in formal
writing.
5. Appositive Phrase without a Main 10. Relative Clauses without Main Clauses:
Clause: - Who lives down the street.
My best friend from childhood.
It's important to ensure that your writing contains complete sentences to effectively
convey your ideas and maintain clarity.
If you come across a fragment while editing, consider how you can revise it to create
a complete sentence.
RUN-ON SENTENCES
Run-on sentences are sentences that contain two or more independent clauses
(complete thoughts) that are not properly joined or punctuated.
They can be confusing and hinder the readability of your writing.
1. Comma Splice: 6. Run-On with Transition Words:
I went to the store, I bought some However, it was raining we decided to go
groceries. for a walk.
PARALLELISM
MISPLACED MODIFIERS
A misplaced modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is improperly separated from
the word it modifies or describes, resulting in a sentence that is awkward or
ambiguous.
DANGLING MODIFIERS
A dangling modifier is a word, phrase, or clause that is not clearly or logically related
to the word or words it is intended to modify, leading to confusion or a humorous
effect.
Avoiding these errors is important to ensure that your sentences convey your
intended meaning clearly and accurately.
PARAGRAPH
A paragraph is a distinct section of a longer piece of writing that presents and
develops a single main idea.
consists of a group of related sentences that are organized around a central topic or
theme.
A well-structured paragraph helps to convey information, provide evidence, or
develop an argument in a clear and organized manner.
a) Topic Sentence
This is the opening sentence of the paragraph that introduces the main idea or topic
that the paragraph will discuss.
b) Supporting Sentences
These sentences follow the topic sentence and provide information, details,
examples, evidence, or explanations that expand upon and support the main idea.
c) Concluding Sentence
This is the closing sentence of the paragraph that summarizes the main points
discussed and often provides a transition to the next paragraph.
In longer pieces of writing, paragraphs serve as building blocks that collectively create
a coherent and organized structure.
Each paragraph should focus on a single main idea, and the flow of ideas between
paragraphs should be logical and smooth to guide the reader through the content
effectively.
Remember that proper punctuation and usage vary across languages and writing
styles.
Consistency in your use of punctuation marks will help you convey your message
accurately and professionally.
PARTS OF SPEECH
Parts of speech are the basic categories into which words are classified based on their
grammatical functions and roles within sentences.
Understanding the different parts of speech is essential for constructing sentences
and expressing ideas coherently.
5. Adverb:
1. Noun: An adverb is a word that modifies
A noun is a word that names a a verb, adjective, or other adverb,
person, place, thing, or idea. often providing information about
Example: dog, city, happiness, time, manner, place, or degree.
John Example: quickly, very, here, often
2. Pronoun: 6. Conjunction:
A pronoun is a word used to A conjunction is a word that
replace a noun, often to avoid connects words, phrases, or
repetition. clauses.
Example: he, she, it, they, we Example: and, but, or, because
3. Verb: 7. Preposition:
A verb is a word that expresses an A preposition is a word that shows
action, occurrence, or state of the relationship between a noun
being. or pronoun and other words in a
Example: run, eat, is, was sentence.
Example: in, on, under, between
4. Adjective:
An adjective is a word that 8. Interjection:
describes or modifies a noun by An interjection is a word or phrase
giving more information about it. used to express strong feelings or
Example: beautiful, tall, delicious, emotions.
red Example: wow, oh no, hooray
Understanding how each part of speech functions within a sentence helps you build
sentences that are grammatically correct and convey your intended meaning accurately.
TECHNICAL WRITING
Technical writing is a specialized form of writing that communicates complex
information clearly, concisely, and effectively to a specific audience for a particular
purpose.
It is commonly used in fields such as engineering, science, technology, medicine, and
business to convey technical or specialized information.
Here are some key principles and best practices for technical writing:
1. Audience Awareness:
Understand your target audience's background, knowledge level, and needs. Tailor
your writing to meet their expectations and requirements.
3. Organization:
Use a logical and organized structure with headings, subheadings, lists, and bullet
points to guide readers through the content.
Provide an introduction and conclusion to frame and summarize the information.
4. Use of Visuals:
Incorporate tables, graphs, charts, diagrams, and illustrations to clarify complex
concepts and data.
Ensure that visuals are properly labeled and referenced in the text.
5. Active Voice:
Prefer using the active voice ("The team conducted the experiment") over the passive
voice ("The experiment was conducted by the team") for clarity and directness.
6. Consistency:
Maintain consistency in terminology, formatting, and style throughout the document.
Use a style guide if applicable, such as the Chicago Manual of Style or the APA
Publication Manual.
7. Technical Accuracy:
Ensure that all technical information, data, and references are accurate and up-to-
date.
Verify facts and figures, and provide citations for sources.
10. Documentation:
Include a reference section or bibliography to cite sources, and provide clear
instructions or documentation for any equipment, procedures, or processes
discussed.
Here are five key reasons why studying technical writing is important:
1) Effective Communication
Technical writing equips individuals with the skills to communicate complex
information clearly and concisely.
In technical fields such as engineering, science, and technology, clear communication
is vital for conveying instructions, sharing research findings, and collaborating with
colleagues.
It ensures that technical information is readily understood by both experts and non-
experts, reducing the risk of miscommunication or misinterpretation.
2) Enhanced Professionalism
Proficiency in technical writing enhances professionalism in the workplace.
Enhanced Professionalism
Being able to create well-structured, error-free, and organized technical documents,
such as reports, manuals, and proposals, reflects positively on one's competence and
attention to detail.
This can lead to career advancement and increased job opportunities.
3) Knowledge Transfer
Technical writing plays a critical role in knowledge transfer within organizations.
When employees document their expertise and experiences, it becomes a valuable
resource for training, troubleshooting, and decision-making.
Well-written technical documents can save time and resources by allowing others to
benefit from past experiences and best practices.
4) Compliance and Documentation
In regulated industries like healthcare, aerospace, and manufacturing, compliance
with industry standards and government regulations is paramount.
Technical writing is essential for creating documentation that demonstrates
compliance, records procedures, and ensures safety. Accurate and comprehensive
documentation is often a legal requirement in these fields.
5) Interdisciplinary Collaboration
As technology and science continue to advance, interdisciplinary collaboration
becomes more common.
Technical writing bridges the gap between different fields by providing a common
language and format for sharing information.
Professionals from diverse backgrounds can collaborate more effectively when they
can understand and communicate technical concepts clearly.
In summary, studying technical writing is relevant across various industries and professions
because it fosters effective communication, professionalism, knowledge transfer, compliance, and
interdisciplinary collaboration.
Whether you're an engineer, scientist, healthcare provider, or business professional, the ability to
convey technical information accurately and comprehensibly is an invaluable skill that can
contribute to your success and the success of your organization.
Technical writing and essays are two distinct forms of writing, each with its purpose, style,
and characteristics.
Here are some key differences between technical writing and essays:
In summary, technical writing and essays serve different purposes and are adapted to
specific audiences and contexts.
Technical writing prioritizes clarity, precision, and specialized information for
professionals, while essays encompass a broader range of styles, purposes, and
audiences, allowing for more personal expression and engagement with a topic.
COMMUNICATION CONTINUUM
The communication continuum is a concept used to describe the various forms and
modes of communication that exist along a spectrum from verbal to non-verbal, from
in-person to remote, and from synchronous to asynchronous.
It helps us understand the diverse ways in which people exchange information and
interact with one another.