Faculty of Engineering - Cairo University

Chemical, Petroleum, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department

Writing in Technical English September 2007
Time 3 hours

OPEN BOOK EXAMINATION

Textbooks, notes, and dictionaries are allowed.
Rational steps for producing good answers are (1) read, (2) select, (3) reread what
you have selected (4) plan (5) organize, (6) write, and (7) revise. Neglecting any of
these steps may influence the quality of your answer.

I. First, define the type(s) of style error in each of the following;

then propose a correct version. Follow the given example.
Example: Purchasing additional hardware, the application programs should be
considered first.
Type of Error: The leading phrase is dangling
A Proposed Version: Before buying additional hardware, first you should select
your application software.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Before you write, outline your thoughts.

Outline writers thoughts is an important step, before writing.
Outlining writers thoughts is an important step, before writing.
Outlining writers thoughts is an important step before writing.
Before writing, outline writers thoughts.
Outlining writers thoughts is an important step, before you write.
Engineers, know the basics of technical writing. In order to think effectively.
The acid tank shall be designed to have the ability to hold the required volume.

II. What is wrong with the following compound noun? Suggest

a more effective version.
A practical multipurpose compact distillation tower effluent gas continuous
analysis solid-state unit!

III. Extract the topic sentence from the following paragraph. If the
topic sentence is not present, reconstitute it. Justify your
answer. Show in your answer the topic and the comment parts
of the thesis and the appropriate ways to develop your version
of the topic sentence. Which one of this (way-to-develop) is used
in the text below? Write effective sentences.
"Coal, oil, water falls, and nuclear are presently the common sources of energy.
Geothermal energy is already in use in some parts of the world, but it is not yet
meeting all the expectations for it. Solar energy is yet adequate because of the
present exploitation methods. Sophisticated windmills are under study by some
and the biomass conversion is still in the research phase. Some of these may
become popular one day if they prove commercial.

IV. The following sentences are not ordered.

1. The effectiveness of your writing depends largely on your style.
2. Try also to phrase your last paragraph in a way that carries your reader's thought
to the next paragraph.
3. Use concise simple sentences in preference to compound or complex ones.
4. Each paragraph should be a set of closely related sentences.
5. The last sentence in a paragraph should summarize and emphasize your most
important point.
6. When choosing between two words, choose the shorter.
a. Arrange these sentences to follow an order based Type II Way-ofOrganizing.
b. Use summary as a way to begin.

V. Read paragraphs A, B, and C; then answer the following

questions.
Paragraph A: "With these differences and there are few more. We have to teach
them writing. And that, of course, leads to the next question and the subject of this
book: How?"
Paragraph B: "A speaker speaks to a listener who is right there, nodding or
frowning, interrupting or questioning. For the writer, the reader's response is either
delayed or nonexistent. The writer has only that one chance to convey information
and be interesting and accurate enough to hold the readers attention."
Paragraph C: "Some of you may wonder why it is not enough to teach students how
to speak English adequately; won't they then obviously be able to write it? Not
necessarily, for writing is not simply speech written down on paper. Learning to write
is not just a 'natural' extension of learning to speak a language. We learned to speak
our first language at home without systematic instruction; whereas, most of us had to
be taught in school how to write that same language. Many adult native speakers of
a language find writing difficult. The two processes, speaking and writing, are not
identical."
1.
2.

Define the type of each paragraph. Justify your answer.

For Paragraph "C" only

a. Define some tools used to introduce variety in the text. Quote
examples from the paragraph to document your answer. In your
answer, observe the rules of effective sentences.
b. Define the topic sentence. Show where it is placed.
c. Define the way-to-develop. Are there other compatible ways-to-develop?
d. Show the characteristic words that reflect the way-to-develop.

VI. "Pollution has become an important issue for Greater Cairo."

Expand this thesis sentence. Outline your main points. Organize your outline.
Select ways to develop and to begin. Write. Revise your text. Your answer
should show these steps. Add any appropriate material to develop this topic.