Expository Techniques of

Technical Writing

report is written to fulfill

specific purpose. Hence, the
writer must send facts and data
to the management clearly and
forcibly enough to induce
administrative action.

Report Writing vs. Literary

Writing
Report

writing may be different

from literary writing but it should
not lack style. It should not be
dull. The writer should present his
ideas and findings in an
interesting and convincing manner
which reflects his involvement
with the problem and enthusiasm
in preparing the report.

Writing

techniques make the report

interesting and easier to understand.
These techniques are:

Definition
Description of mechanism
Description of process
Classification
Comparison and Contrast
Cause and Effect
Illustration
Partition
Analogy
Interpretation

Definition
The

need for defining happens

when the report uses technical
terms which are not familiar to
the reader or when common
terms are used in the technical
way.
Two Classification of Definition
1. Formal Definition
2. Informal Definition

Formal Definition
This

is an equation-like statement
which has three parts: term, genus and
differentia.
Term- word to be defined
Genus- group or class the term belongs to
Differentia- the distinctive characteristics of
the term, distinguishing it from the other
members of the same class.
Ex. Triangle is a plane figure bounded by three
straight lines and has three angles.
Carbohydrate is a food group including related
substances such as sugars, starches and
cellulose.

Define the following terms

formally:
Marketing
Love
Oxygen
Antipolo

City
Depreciation

Informal Definition
To

make sure the technical writer

is understood, he extends a
definition beyond a single
sentence. The common
techniques in extending are
examples, analogy and
description, details, concrete
examples and instances and word
derivative (origin of a word)

Description
Using

description is a way of writing

about the way things appear, the way
they are constructed and the way they
act.
There is a great need for manufacturers
to write clear and technical manuals to
explain their products.
Two Kinds of Description
1. Description of Mechanism
2. Description of a Process

Description of Mechanism
This

deals with the physical nature

of whatever is being discussed,
the purpose of the device and how
its parts work separately and with
one another and as a whole.
Mechanism- an assembly of movable
parts having one part fixed with
respect to a frame of reference and
designed to produce an effect. All
parts operate and function properly.

Description of Process
Process-

series of steps

description of each of the steps

in the process in the order in
which they occur.

Comparison and Contrast

It

involves a discussion of the

subject in relation to other
subject showing similarities and
differences as the article goes
along.

Analogy
This

compares the unfamiliar to

the familiar words to make the
unfamiliar more understandable
for the reader.
Analogy is needed when the
writer is called to explain
different concepts.

Classification
It

is a systematic process of dividing

materials into different classes or
kinds. It also involves grouping
similar units in a subclass which in
turn falls under longer class.
It is a useful technique when you
have a number of like things to
discuss among which there are
points of similarity and differences
necessary for the reader to
understand.

Give the different classifications of

the following:
Your

section
Fruits
Animals
Places
Water

Partition
It

divides a singular unit into its

components, steps or aspects.
Only singular units are
partitioned, plural units are
classified.
Ex. Tree- roots, trunk, branches,
leaves
Human Body
Desktop computer

Cause and Effect

This

explains a condition by
tracing it to what produced the
effect by showing what it will
produce. This discusses the
reason why something is true or
shows the results of some
peculiar events or state of mind.

Giving Instruction
The

purpose of giving
instructions is to make the reader
do a specific operation. The
reader is expected to act. Each
step in the instruction is
presented and clearly explained
to the reader who should carry
out to perform the operation.

Persuasion
The

writer should keep in mind that

his report is designed to convince
the reader of his viewpoint and to
get then to take some action.
Every time an idea is presented, the
reader must be convinced that the
idea presented is well-reasoned and
that the recommendation given is
the best action to take.

Interpretation
This

refers to the art of

establishing a meaningful pattern
of relationship among a group of
facts.

Activity
Definition:

Give the formal definition of the following:

Computer
Doctor
Philippines

Illustrations:

Define the topics informally and expound

by giving examples:
Hobbies
Flowers
Domestic animals
Comparison

and Contrast

High school and College friends